As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 27, 2020

Registration Statement No. 333-         

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

________________

FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Under
the Securities Act of 1933

________________

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

________________

Delaware

 

6770

 

84-1924518

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

774 A. Walker Rd.
Great Falls, VA 22066
Tel: (901) 685-2865
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

_____________________________

Andrea K. Tarbox
Chief Financial Officer
c/o Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774 A. Walker Rd.
Great Falls, VA, 22066
(901) 685
-2865

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

_________________

Copies to:

Edward S. Best, Esq.
Mayer Brown LLP
71 S. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Tel: (312) 782
-0600

 

Robert L. Lawrence, Esq.
Kane Kessler, P.C.
666 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 541
-6222

_____________________________

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

If the securities being registered on this form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box. £

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. £

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

 

£

 

Accelerated filer

 

£

   

Non-accelerated filer

 

S

 

Smaller reporting company

 

S

           

Emerging growth company

 

S

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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. £

If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:

Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer) £

Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer) £

 

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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Each Class of Securities to Be Registered

 

Amount
to be
Registered
(1)

 

Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price
Per Share

 

Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price
(2)

 

Amount of
Registration
Fee
(3)

Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

 

51,000,000

 

N/A

 

$

585,990,000

 

$

69,932

____________

(1)      Based on the maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Live Oak Class A Common Stock”), of the registrant (“Live Oak”) estimated to be issued in connection with the merger described herein (the “Business Combination”). This number is based on the sum of (a) 45,000,000, the maximum number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issuable as merger consideration for the Business Combination and (b) 6,000,000, the maximum number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issuable in respect of the earn-out mechanism described herein.

(2)      Pursuant to Rules 457(c) and 457(f)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act and solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, the proposed maximum aggregate offering price is an amount equal to $585,990,000, calculated as the product of (i) 51,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, the estimated maximum number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock that may be issued in the Business Combination in exchange for cancelled shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (“Danimer Common Stock”), doing business as Danimer Scientific (“Danimer”) (calculated as shown in note (1) above) and (ii) $11.49, the average of the high and low trading prices of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on October 23, 2020 (within five business days prior to the filing date of this Registration Statement).

(3)      Calculated pursuant to Rule 457 of the Securities Act by calculating the product of (i) the proposed maximum aggregate offering price and (ii) 0.0001091.

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission acting pursuant to said Section 8(a) may determine.

 

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The information in this preliminary proxy statement/prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The securities described herein may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is declared effective. This preliminary proxy statement/prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
Subject to Completion, dated OCTOBER 27, 2020

Dear Live Oak Acquisition Corp. Stockholders and Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. Shareholders:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”), Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., doing business as Danimer Scientific, a Georgia corporation (“Danimer”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for Live Oak, for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement (the “Live Oak Representative”), and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of Danimer for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement (the “Shareholder Representative”) have entered into a Merger Agreement (as amended, the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into Danimer, with Danimer surviving the merger and becoming a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Live Oak (collectively with the other transactions described in the Merger Agreement, the “Business Combination”). As part of the Business Combination, Live Oak will change its name to “Danimer Scientific, Inc.”

All consideration for the Business Combination (other than any shareholders electing to exercise dissenters’ rights in accordance with applicable law and the payment of cash for any fractional shares) will be paid in the form of shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share of Live Oak (the “Live Oak Class A Common Stock”) valued at $10.00 per share. In accordance with and subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement and customary adjustments set forth therein, the base aggregate merger consideration to be paid to Danimer’s shareholders on the Closing Date (as defined below) in connection with the Business Combination is $450,000,000, which amount will be:

(a)     decreased by the amount of Danimer’s indebtedness outstanding (net of cash and cash equivalents and subject to certain exceptions and adjustments), as of the calendar day immediately preceding the date the Business Combination is consummated (the “Closing Date”);

(b)    decreased by an amount equal to the greater of (i) $1,600,000 and (ii) the amount of all transaction expenses incurred in respect of legal fees and expenses incurred by Danimer prior to the closing of the Business Combination, reduced, in any such case, by the amount of such expenses paid prior to the Closing Date;

(c)     decreased by $4,500,000 for the purpose of securing the variances between the Estimated Merger Consideration (as defined below) completed for the Closing Date and the Final Merger Consideration (as defined below) as agreed upon by the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative, or as determined by their mutually selected accounting firm within the period and through the process set forth in the Merger Agreement, with any unused portion thereof, if any, to be released to Danimer’s shareholders as merger consideration (the “Adjustment Holdback Amount”); and

(d)    decreased by $250,000, such amount to be paid directly to an account designated by the Shareholder Representative to serve as a fund for the fees and expenses (including any legal fees and expenses) of, and other amounts payable by, the Shareholder Representative in connection with Merger Agreement and the Exchange Agent Agreement, with any remainder to be used for the purpose of securing variances between the Estimated Merger Consideration and the Final Merger Consideration left unsatisfied from the Adjustment Holdback Amount and to otherwise be released to Danimer’s shareholders as merger consideration (the “Stockholder Representative Expense Amount”).

In addition to the base merger consideration, Danimer’s shareholders will be entitled to receive, as additional consideration, up to an aggregate of 6,000,000 additional shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock if the volume-weighted average price of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds certain thresholds for any twenty trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the six month anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the third anniversary or fifth anniversary, as applicable, of the Closing Date.

 

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See “The Business Combination — Consideration” on page 79 for further information on the consideration being paid to the shareholders of Danimer.

Live Oak’s units, Live Oak’s Common Stock and warrants are currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange, under the symbols “LOAK.U,” “LOAK,” and “LOAK WS,” respectively. Live Oak has applied to list the shares of common stock and warrants of the combined company on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols “DNMR” and “DNMR.W” upon the closing of the Business Combination. At the closing of the Business Combination, each unit will separate into its components consisting of one share of common stock and one half warrant.

Live Oak is holding a virtual special meeting of its stockholders in order to obtain the stockholder approvals necessary to complete the Business Combination. At the Live Oak special meeting of stockholders, which will be held exclusively via a live webcast at https://www.cstproxy.com/liveoakacq/sm2020, on             , 2020 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, unless postponed or adjourned to a later date, Live Oak will ask its stockholders to adopt the Merger Agreement thereby approving the Business Combination and approve the other proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus. To participate in the virtual meeting, a Live Oak shareholder of record will need the 12-digit control number included on your proxy card or instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. If a Live Oak shareholder holds his or her shares in “street name,” which means his or her shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee, such Live Oak shareholder should contact his or her broker, bank or nominee to ensure that votes related to the shares he or she beneficially owns are properly counted. In this regard, such Live Oak shareholder must provide the record holder of his or her shares with instructions on how to vote his or her shares or, if such Live Oak shareholder wishes to attend the special meeting of stockholders and vote in person, obtain a proxy from his or her broker, bank or nominee. The Live Oak special meeting webcast will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time. Live Oak shareholders are encouraged to access the Live Oak special meeting prior to the start time. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting or during the meeting time, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the virtual meeting login page.

In addition, Danimer will seek a written consent of Danimer’s shareholders as required to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the Business Combination contemplated thereunder. Such approval requires the holders of at least a majority of the shares of Danimer’s capital stock outstanding to affirmatively vote in favor of the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Business Combination. No additional approval or vote from any holders of any class or series of stock of Danimer will be necessary to adopt and approve the Merger Agreement and the Business Combination. As described in this proxy statement/prospectus, certain shareholders of Danimer representing a majority of the shares of Danimer Common Stock outstanding, are parties to support agreements with Live Oak whereby such shareholders have agreed to consent to approving the Business Combination and other proposed transactions (together, the “Proposed Transactions”) contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

After careful consideration, the respective boards of directors of Live Oak and Danimer have unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and determined that it is advisable to consummate the Business Combination. The board of directors of Live Oak have also unanimously approved the other proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus. The board of directors of Live Oak recommends that its stockholders vote “FOR” the proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus (including each of the sub-proposals), and the board of directors of Danimer recommends that its shareholders sign and return to Danimer the written consent indicating their approval of the Business Combination, the Merger Agreement and related transactions.

More information about Live Oak, Danimer and the Proposed Transactions is contained in this proxy statement/prospectus. Live Oak and Danimer urge you to read this proxy statement/prospectus, including the financial statements and annexes and other documents referred to herein, carefully and in their entirety. IN PARTICULAR, YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE MATTERS DISCUSSED UNDER “RISK FACTORS” BEGINNING ON PAGE 29 OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS.

On behalf of our board of directors, I thank you for your support and look forward to the successful completion of the Business Combination.

 

Sincerely,

   

 

   

Richard J. Hendrix

   

Chief Executive Officer

          , 2020

 

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This proxy statement/prospectus is dated           , 2020 and is first being mailed to the stockholders of Live Oak on or about that date.

NEITHER THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES REGULATORY AGENCY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE TRANSACTIONS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS OR ANY OF THE SECURITIES TO BE ISSUED IN THE BUSINESS COMBINATION, PASSED UPON THE MERITS OR FAIRNESS OF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION OR RELATED TRANSACTIONS OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE DISCLOSURE IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY CONSTITUTES A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 

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774 A. Walker Rd., Great Falls, VA 22066

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON             , 2020

To the Stockholders of Live Oak Acquisition Corp.:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting of stockholders (the “special meeting”) of Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak,” “we,” “our” or “us”), will be held on             , 2020, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, or such other date, time and place to which such meeting may be adjourned or postponed, for the purpose of considering and voting upon the proposals. The special meeting will be held entirely online to allow for greater participation in light of the public health impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Stockholders may participate in the special meeting by visiting the following website https://www.cstproxy.com/liveoakacq/sm2020. You are cordially invited to attend the special meeting for the following purposes:

1.      The “Business Combination Proposal” — to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020 (as may be amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., doing business as Danimer Scientific, a Georgia corporation (the “Danimer”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC (the “Sponsor”), as representative for Live Oak, for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement (the “Live Oak Representative”), and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of Danimer for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement (the “Shareholder Representative”), and the transactions contemplated thereby, pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into Danimer, with Danimer surviving the merger and becoming a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Live Oak (collectively with the other transactions described in the Merger Agreement, the “Business Combination”);

2.      The “Charter Amendment Proposal” — to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the amendment of Live Oak’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to change Live Oak’s name to “Danimer Scientific, Inc.,” increase the authorized shares of our common stock and preferred stock, approve choice of forum provisions, remove the provisions providing for a classified board of directors, remove the provision renouncing the corporate opportunity doctrine, and approve all other changes including eliminating certain provisions related to our Initial Business Combination (as defined in this proxy statement/prospectus) that will no longer be relevant following the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”);

3.      The “Election of Directors Proposal” — to consider and vote upon a proposal to elect, effective at the Closing, eight directors to serve on our board of directors until the next annual meeting of stockholders, and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.

4.      The “NYSE Proposal” — to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve, for purposes of complying with the applicable provisions of Section 312.03 of the NYSE’s (as defined below) Listed Company Manual, (a) the issuance of more than 20% of Live Oak’s Common Stock in connection with the Business Combination, including, without limitation, to the investors in the PIPE (as defined below) and (b) the issuance of shares of Live Oak’s Common Stock to a Related Party (as defined in Section 312.03 of the NYSE’s Listed Company Manual) in connection with the Business Combination.

5.      The “Equity Incentive Plan Proposal” — to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the equity incentive award plan established to be effective after the Closing of the Business Combination.

 

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6.      The “Employee Stock Purchase Plan Proposal” — to consider and vote upon a proposal approve and adopt the employee stock purchase plan established to be effective after the Closing of the Business Combination.

7.      The “Adjournment Proposal” — to consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the special meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve one or more proposals presented to stockholders for vote.

This proxy statement/prospectus (including the financial statements and annexes attached thereto) contains a more complete description of the proposed Business Combination and related transactions and each of our proposals. We encourage you to read this proxy statement/prospectus carefully. If you have any questions or need assistance voting your shares, please call our proxy solicitor, Morrow Sodali LLC, at (800) 662-5200; banks and brokers can call collect at (203) 658-9400. Only holders of record of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and Live Oak Class B Common Stock at the close of business on             , 2020 are entitled to notice of the special meeting and to vote and have their votes counted at the special meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. All of the shares of Live Oak Class B Common Stock, representing approximately 20% of our outstanding shares of common stock, are held by the Sponsor. The Sponsor has indicated that it intends to vote FOR all of the proposals at the special meeting. Proxies are not being solicited from the Sponsor.

After careful consideration, the board of directors of Live Oak has determined that the Business Combination Proposal, the Charter Amendment Proposal, the Election of Directors Proposal, the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan Proposal, the NYSE Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal are fair to and in the best interests of Live Oak and its stockholders and unanimously recommends that you vote or give instruction to vote “FOR” each of these proposals, if presented. When you consider the Live Oak board of directors’ recommendation of these proposals, you should keep in mind that our directors and officers have interests in the Business Combination that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of Live Oak stockholders generally. Please see the section entitled “Business Combination — Interests of Live Oak’s Directors and Officers in the Business Combination” for additional information. The Live Oak board of directors was aware of and considered these interests, among other matters, in evaluating and negotiating the Business Combination and in recommending to the Live Oak stockholders that they vote in favor of the proposals presented at the special meeting.

Consummation of the Business Combination is conditioned on the approval of each of the Business Combination Proposal, the Charter Amendment Proposal, the Election of Directors Proposal, the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan Proposal. If any of those proposals are not approved, we will not consummate the Business Combination.

To raise additional proceeds to fund the Business Combination, Live Oak has entered into subscription agreements (containing commitments to funding that are subject only to conditions that generally align with the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement), pursuant to which certain investors have agreed to purchase an aggregate of 21,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, which we refer to as the “PIPE,” for a price of $10.00 per share for an aggregate commitment of $210,000,000.

Pursuant to Live Oak’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, a holder of public shares may demand that Live Oak redeem such shares for cash if the Business Combination is consummated. Holders of public shares will be entitled to receive cash for these shares only if they (i) demand that Live Oak redeem their shares for cash no later than the second business day prior to the vote on the Business Combination Proposal by delivering their stock to Live Oak’s transfer agent prior to the vote at the special meeting and (ii) affirmatively vote for or against the Business Combination Proposal. If the Business Combination is not completed, these shares will not be redeemed. If a holder of public shares properly demands redemption and votes for or against the Business Combination Proposal, Live Oak will redeem each public share for a full pro rata portion of Live Oak’s trust account, calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.

 

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In light of the ongoing health concerns relating to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and to best protect the health and welfare of Live Oak’s stockholders and personnel, the special meeting is currently scheduled to be held entirely online as indicated above. Stockholders of record may vote their shares electronically at the special meeting by following the instructions at https://www.cstproxy.com/liveoakacq/sm2020. Stockholders are also urged to vote their proxies by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying pre-addressed postage paid envelope.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

   

 

   

Richard J. Hendrix

   

Chief Executive Officer

          , 2020

IF YOU RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD WITHOUT AN INDICATION OF HOW YOU WISH TO VOTE, YOUR SHARES WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF EACH OF THE PROPOSALS.

TO EXERCISE YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS, YOU MUST ELECT TO HAVE LIVE OAK REDEEM YOUR SHARES FOR A PRO RATA PORTION OF THE FUNDS HELD IN THE TRUST ACCOUNT AND TENDER YOUR SHARES TO LIVE OAK’S TRANSFER AGENT AT LEAST TWO (2) BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE VOTE AT THE SPECIAL MEETING. YOU MAY TENDER YOUR SHARES BY EITHER DELIVERING YOUR SHARE CERTIFICATE TO THE TRANSFER AGENT OR BY DELIVERING YOUR SHARES ELECTRONICALLY USING THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY’S DWAC (DEPOSIT AND WITHDRAWAL AT CUSTODIAN) SYSTEM. IF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION IS NOT COMPLETED, THEN THESE SHARES WILL NOT BE REDEEMED FOR CASH. IF YOU HOLD THE SHARES IN STREET NAME, YOU WILL NEED TO INSTRUCT THE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT YOUR BANK OR BROKER TO WITHDRAW THE SHARES FROM YOUR ACCOUNT IN ORDER TO EXERCISE YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS. PLEASE SEE THE SECTION ENTITLED “THE SPECIAL MEETING OF LIVE OAK STOCKHOLDERS — REDEMPTION RIGHTS” FOR MORE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

 

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Page

ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

 

iii

FREQUENTLY USED TERMS

 

iii

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

 

1

SUMMARY OF THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

 

13

SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF DANIMER

 

22

SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF LIVE OAK

 

24

SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

25

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

28

RISK FACTORS

 

29

Risks Related to Danimer

 

29

Risks Related to Live Oak

 

40

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

52

THE SPECIAL MEETING OF LIVE OAK STOCKHOLDERS

 

62

The Live Oak Special Meeting

 

62

Date, Time and Place of the Special Meeting

 

62

Purpose of the Special Meeting

 

62

Recommendation of the Live Oak Board of Directors

 

62

Record Date and Voting

 

63

Voting Your Shares

 

63

Who Can Answer Your Questions About Voting Your Shares

 

64

Quorum and Vote Required for the Live Oak Proposals

 

64

Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes

 

64

Revocability of Proxies

 

64

Redemption Rights

 

65

Appraisal or Dissenters’ Rights

 

66

Solicitation of Proxies

 

66

Stock Ownership

 

66

PROPOSALS TO BE CONSIDERED BY LIVE OAK’S STOCKHOLDERS PROPOSAL NO. 1 — THE BUSINESS COMBINATION PROPOSAL

 

67

THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

 

67

The Background of the Business Combination

 

67

Live Oak Board of Directors’ Reasons for the Approval of the Business Combination

 

71

Certain Danimer Projected Financial Information

 

73

Interests of Live Oak’s Directors and Officers in the Business Combination

 

75

Interests of Danimer’s Directors and Officers in the Business Combination

 

76

Potential Actions to Secure Requisite Stockholder Approvals

 

77

Regulatory Approvals Required for the Business Combination

 

77

Accounting Treatment of the Business Combination

 

78

THE MERGER AGREEMENT

 

79

CERTAIN AGREEMENTS RELATED TO THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

 

91

Support Agreements

 

91

Lock-Up Agreements

 

91

Subscription Agreements

 

91

Material U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS OF THE REDEMPTION AND THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

 

92

PROPOSAL NO. 2 — THE CHARTER AMENDMENT PROPOSAL

 

100

PROPOSAL NO. 3 — THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS PROPOSAL

 

104

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ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

This document, which forms part of a registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC, by Live Oak (File No. 333-          ) (the “Registration Statement”), constitutes a prospectus of Live Oak under Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock to be issued if the Business Combination is consummated. This document also constitutes a notice of meeting and a proxy statement of Live Oak under Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to the special meeting of Live Oak stockholders at which Live Oak stockholders will be asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Business Combination by the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement, among other matters.

FREQUENTLY USED TERMS

In this document:

“Adjournment Proposal” means a proposal to adjourn the special meeting of the stockholders of Live Oak to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the special meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve one or more proposals presented to stockholders for vote at such special meeting.

“Adjustment Holdback Amount” means Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,500,000).

“Adjustment Holdback Shares” means the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the Adjustment Holdback Amount by (b) $10.00.

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is under common control with, or is controlled by such specified Person. The term “control” (including its correlative meanings “under common control with” and “controlled by”) as used in the preceding sentence means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through ownership of securities or partnership or other interests, by contract, or otherwise.

“Anchor Investor” means certain investment funds and accounts managed by Atalaya Capital Management LP, a member of the Sponsor.

“Benefit Plan” means (a) an “employee benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, (b) a stock bonus, stock purchase, stock option, restricted stock, stock appreciation right or similar equity or equity-based plan, or (c) any other retirement or deferred compensation plan, incentive compensation plan, commission plan or arrangement, retention plan or agreement, unemployment compensation plan, vacation pay, change in control, severance pay, bonus or benefit arrangement, insurance or hospitalization program, flexible benefit plan, cafeteria plan, dependent care plan, or fringe benefit plan for any current or former employee, director, consultant or agent, whether pursuant to a written plan, agreement, arrangement, or Contract or pursuant to custom or understanding.

“broker non-vote” means the failure of a Live Oak stockholder, who holds his or her shares in “street name” through a broker or other nominee, to give voting instructions to such broker or other nominee.

“Business Combination” means the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

“Business Combination Proposal” means the proposal to approve the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Business Combination.

“Business Day” means any day of the year other than (a) any Saturday or Sunday or (b) any other day on which banks or government offices located in New York, New York are authorized or required to be closed for business.

“Cancelled Shares” means each share of Danimer Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time that is held in the treasury of Danimer or owned by Danimer, Live Oak, or Merger Sub.

“Cash” means cash and cash equivalents (including bank deposits, checks and drafts received but not yet cleared and convertible to cash within five (5) Business Days), excluding Restricted Cash.

“Closing” means the consummation of the Business Combination.

“Closing Date” means the date on which the Closing occurs.

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“Closing Date Net Debt” means an amount equal to the Net Debt, on the calendar day immediately preceding the Closing Date.

“Closing Payment” means an amount equal to (i) the Estimated Merger Consideration, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of the exercise prices of all Danimer Options and Danimer Warrants that remain outstanding as of immediately prior to the Closing, minus (iii) the Adjustment Holdback Amount, and minus (iv) the Shareholder Representative Amount.

“Closing Per Share Merger Consideration” means a number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (a)(i) the Closing Payment divided by (ii) the sum of (x) the total number of shares Danimer Common Stock (other than Cancelled Shares) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time plus (y) the total number of Danimer Common Stock issuable in respect of all Danimer Options and Danimer Warrants that remain outstanding as of immediately prior to the Closing, by (b) $10.00.

“Closing Date” means the date on which the Closing occurs.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Contract” means any contract, agreement, letter of intent, lease, license, indenture, mortgage, note, bond, guaranty, or other arrangement or understanding, whether written or oral.

“Danimer” means Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., doing business as Danimer Scientific, a Georgia corporation.

“Danimer Benefit Plan” means each Benefit Plan that is sponsored or maintained by Danimer or any of its ERISA Affiliates or with respect to which Danimer or any of its ERISA Affiliates has any Liability.

“Danimer Common Stock” means Danimer’s common stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share.

“Danimer Convertible Notes” means the approximately $10.9 million aggregate principal amount of 8% convertible notes currently issued and outstanding.

“Danimer Options” means all options to purchase outstanding shares of Danimer Common Stock, whether or not exercisable and whether or not vested, immediately prior to the Closing under the Danimer option plans or otherwise.

“Danimer Warrants” means 55,319 warrants to purchase shares of Danimer Common Stock currently issued and outstanding.

“DGCL” means the Delaware General Corporation Law.

“Dissenting Shares” means Danimer Common Stock (other than Cancelled Shares) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and held by a Danimer shareholder who is entitled to demand and properly demands appraisal of such Danimer Common Stock pursuant to, and who otherwise complies in all respects with, Article 13 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code.

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

“ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, trade, or business which, together with such Person, is a member of a controlled group of corporations or a group of trades or businesses under common control within the meaning of Sections 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code.

“Equity Incentive Plan Proposal” means the proposal to approve the adoption of the Live Oak 2020 Acquisition Corp. Long-Term Incentive Plan.

“Equity Interests” means (a) shares of capital stock, limited liability company membership interests, partnership interests, or other equity interests of an entity, as applicable, and (b) any options, warrants, or other securities exercisable for or convertible into any of the securities described in clause (a).

“Estimated Merger Consideration” means Danimer’s good faith estimate of the Merger Consideration set forth on the statement delivered to Live Oak at least three Business Days prior to the Closing Date.

“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

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“Exchange Agent” means Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

“Exchange Agent Agreement” means the Exchange Agent Agreement between Live Oak and the Exchange Agent.

“Founder Shares” means the shares of Live Oak Class B Common Stock initially purchased by the Sponsor in a private placement in connection with the IPO.

“GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles.

“Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, provincial, local, foreign, or supra-national government or other political subdivision thereof or any entity, body, authority, agency, commission, court, tribunal, or judicial body exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, arbitral, or administrative Law functions, including quasi-governmental entities established to perform such functions.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any person, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such person for borrowed money, loans, or advances, (b) all indebtedness for the deferred purchase price of properties, assets, or services (including all earn-out obligations), (c) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures, or other similar instruments, (d) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, (e) all obligations under leases that have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capital leases, (f) all reimbursement, payment, or similar obligations, contingent or otherwise, under any banker’s acceptance, letter of credit, or similar facility, (g) all obligations under surety bonds and performance bonds, (h) all obligations under any interest rate, currency, or other derivative, hedging, swap, or similar instrument, (i) other than as set forth on Schedule 1.1(a) to the Merger Agreement, all Liabilities of any person pursuant to any settlement agreements and (j) all Liabilities of any other person described in clauses (a) through (i) above that such person has, directly or indirectly, guaranteed or assumed, or that is otherwise its legal obligation. The amount of such person’s Indebtedness shall include the aggregate principal amount thereof, all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and any premiums or penalties, including any prepayment penalties, payable with respect thereto. For the avoidance of doubt, any amount included as a Transaction Expense shall not constitute Indebtedness.

“Intellectual Property” means all (a) patents and pending patent applications, including provisionals, continuations, divisionals, continuations-in-part, reissues, or reexaminations thereof, (b) trademarks, service marks, trade names, service names, trade dress, and Internet domain names, together with the goodwill exclusively associated with any of the foregoing, and all applications, registrations and renewals thereof, (c) copyrights and works of authorship, (d) Know-How, and (e) Software.

“Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

“IPO” means Live Oak’s initial public offering of units, consummated on May 8, 2020.

“JOBS Act” means the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended.

“Know-How” means trade secrets, inventions, discoveries, formulae, practices, processes, procedures, ideas, specifications, engineering data, databases, and data collections.

“Law” means any law, statute, regulation, ordinance, rule, code, requirement, or rule of law (including common law) enacted, promulgated, issued, released, or imposed by any Governmental Authority.

“Liability” means any debt, liability, commitment, or obligation of any nature, whether pecuniary or not, asserted or unasserted, accrued or unaccrued, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, determined or determinable, incurred or consequential, known or unknown, and whether due or to become due, including those arising under any contract, law, or order.

“Live Oak” means Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation.

“Live Oak Class A Common Stock” means Live Oak’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

“Live Oak Class B Common Stock” means Live Oak’s Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

“Live Oak Initial Stockholders” means the Sponsor, Live Oak’s officers and directors.

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“Live Oak Representative” means Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for Live Oak for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement.

“Live Oak Unit” means one share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and one half of one Live Oak Warrant.

“Live Oak Warrant Agreement” means the warrant agreement, dated May 5, 2020, by and between Live Oak and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, governing Live Oak’s outstanding warrants.

“Live Oak Warrants” means warrants to purchase shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock as contemplated under the Live Oak Warrant Agreement, with each warrant exercisable for one share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50.

“Material Adverse Effect” means any event, change, or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate with any other events, changes, or occurrences, (i) has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the business, assets, Liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise), or results of operations of Danimer and its Subsidiaries (on a long-term basis), taken as a whole, or (ii) that materially impairs, or would reasonably be expected to materially impair, individually or in the aggregate, the ability of Danimer to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; provided, however, that, solely with respect to clause (i) above, excluding any event, change, or occurrence resulting from: (a) effects generally affecting the industries or segments thereof in which Danimer or its Subsidiaries operates; (b) general business, economic, or political conditions (or changes therein); (c) any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or declared or undeclared acts of war, sabotage, terrorist attack, or any other act of terrorism; (d) any natural or man-made disaster or acts of God; (e) any epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak (including the Covid-19 virus); (f) any failure by the Company or its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole to meet budgets, plans, projections, or forecasts (whether internal or otherwise) for any period (it being understood that the underlying cause of the failure to meet such budgets, plans, projections, or forecasts shall be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or could occur); (g) changes in Law or interpretation thereof or GAAP or interpretation thereof; or (h) events attributable to the announcement of the execution of the Merger Agreement or any Contract that is to be entered into at the Closing or otherwise pursuant to the Merger Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date, the announcement of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; provided, however, that any event, change, or occurrence resulting from the matters referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above shall be excluded only to the extent such matters do not disproportionately impact Danimer and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as compared to other Persons operating in the same or similar industry.

“Merger” means the merger of Merger Sub with and into Danimer, with Danimer surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Live Oak.

“Merger Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 3, 2020, as may be amended from time to time, by and among Live Oak, Merger Sub, Danimer, the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 8, 2020, by and among Live Oak, Merger Sub, Danimer, the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative.

“Merger Consideration” means an amount equal to: (a) $450,000,000; (b) minus Closing Date Net Debt; (c) minus the Transaction Expenses Adjustment Amount; and (d) plus any Earn-Out Shares.

“Merger Sub” means Green Merger Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Live Oak incorporated in the State of Georgia.

“Merger Sub Common Stock” means Merger Sub’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

“Net Debt” means (i) the aggregate consolidated Indebtedness of Danimer and its Subsidiaries (including prepayment penalties that would be due if paid off at the Closing), minus (ii) the aggregate consolidated Indebtedness incurred by Danimer and its Subsidiaries pursuant to their participation in the NMTC Program and the Paycheck Protection Program, minus (iii) Cash of Danimer, minus (iv) the amount of all capital expenditures (whether paid in Cash or through the issuance of Danimer Common Stock) up to a maximum of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000) made by Danimer and its Subsidiaries from September 18, 2020 through the Closing Date solely in connection with Danimer’s “Phase 2” expansion of the Winchester, Kentucky facility (“Kentucky Facility”), minus (v) the principal amount of and accrued but unpaid interest on all promissory notes issued in favor of Danimer.

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“New Danimer” means Live Oak, following consummation of the Business Combination.

“NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.

“PCAOB” means the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

“PCAOB Audited Financials” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of Danimer and its consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, and the related audited consolidated statements of operations and cash flows of Danimer and its consolidated subsidiaries for such years, each audited in accordance with the auditing standards of the PCAOB.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, Governmental Authority, or other legal entity.

“PIPE” means the sale of PIPE Shares to the Subscribers, for a purchase price of $10.00 per share and an aggregate purchase price of $210,000,000, in a private placement.

“PIPE Shares” means an aggregate of 21,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock to be issued to Subscribers in the PIPE.

“Private Warrants” means the warrants to purchase shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock purchased in a private placement in connection with the IPO.

“Proposed Transactions” means the Business Combination and other proposed transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

“prospectus” means the prospectus included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-          ) filed with the SEC.

“Public Shares” means shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issued as part of the units sold in the IPO.

“Public Stockholders” means the holders of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock.

“Public Warrants” means the warrants included in the units sold in the IPO, each of which is exercisable for one share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, in accordance with its terms.

“Restricted Cash” means cash needed to satisfy any outstanding check payable by Danimer or any of its Subsidiaries, ACH transaction and other wire transfers, cash required to collateralize any letters of credit, surety bonds, performance bonds, or other similar instruments and any other cash that is otherwise not freely usable by Danimer as of the Closing because it is subject to express contractual restrictions or limitations on use or distribution by law, contract or otherwise.

“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Shareholder Representative” means John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of Danimer for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement.

“Shareholder Representative Amount” means Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000).

“Software” means: (i) computer programs, including software implementation of algorithms, models and methodologies, whether in source-code, object-code, or human readable or other form, including firmware, operating systems, and specifications; (ii) database software that is accessed using computer programs; (iii) descriptions, flow charts and other work products used to design, plan, organize and develop any of the foregoing, screens, user interfaces, report formats, firmware, development tools, templates, menus, buttons, and icons; and (iv) documentation, including programmer notes, user manuals, and training materials, relating to such computer programs; but shall not include standard, commercial, off-the-shelf software.

“Sponsor” means Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

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“Support Agreement” means each of the Support Agreements, dated as of October 3, 2020, by and among Live Oak and certain of Danimer’s executive officers, directors, affiliates, founders and their family members, and holders of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Danimer Common Stock.

“Subscribers” means the purchasers of the PIPE Shares.

“Subsidiary” of any person means (i) any corporation, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, or other legal entity, an amount of the voting Equity Interests of which sufficient to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, board of managers, or other governing body of such corporation, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, or other legal entity is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such person or one or more other Subsidiaries of such person or a combination thereof or (ii) any partnership of which such person or another Subsidiary of such person is the general partner.

“Surviving Corporation” means the entity surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Live Oak.

“Tax” or “Taxes” means (a) all taxes and similar charges, fees, duties, levies, imposts, tariffs, licenses, escheat or other assessments (including income, gross receipts, net proceeds, ad valorem, withholding, turnover, real or personal property (tangible and intangible), occupation, customs, import and export, sales, use, franchise, excise, goods and services, value added, stamp, user, transfer, registration, recording, fuel, profit, excess profits, capital stock, unclaimed property, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, premium, environmental, occupational, interest equalization, windfall profits, severance, payroll, employment, unemployment, disability, and social security or other taxes or fees) that are imposed by any Governmental Authority, in each case including any interest, penalties, or additions to tax attributable thereto (or attributable to the nonpayment thereof), (b) any Liability for payment of amounts described in clause (a) whether as a result of transferee Liability, of being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any period (including under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 or any predecessor thereof or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law), transferor Liability, successor Liability, by contract or otherwise through operation of Law and (c) any Liability for the payment of amounts described in clauses (a) or (b) as a result of any tax sharing, tax indemnity or tax allocation agreement or any other express or implied agreement to indemnify any other Person.

“Tax Return” means any report, return, declaration, election, estimate, information statement, claim for refund or other information or filing (including any related or supporting information and any amendment to any of the foregoing) required to be supplied to a Governmental Authority or any Person in connection with any Taxes.

“Transaction Expenses” means (a) all fees and expenses incurred or payable by Danimer or its Subsidiaries in connection with the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including all fees and expenses of any investment bankers, attorneys, accountants, consultants, experts, or other professionals engaged by or on behalf of Danimer or its Subsidiaries in connection with the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (b) other than as set forth on Schedule 1.1(f) to the Merger Agreement, all transaction bonuses, retention payments, change-of-control payments, severance payments and other amounts payable to any employee of Danimer in connection with the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (c) the cost of the directors’ and officers’ “tail” insurance policy obtained by Danimer or its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 6.6 of the Merger Agreement, (d) fifty percent (50%) of the fees and expenses of the Exchange Agent pursuant to the Exchange Agent Agreement and (e) fifty percent (50%) of the filing fees associated with the HSR Act filing payable pursuant to Section 6.3(b) of the Merger Agreement; provided, that in the case of each of clauses (a) to (e), to the extent not paid prior to the Closing.

“Transaction Expenses Adjustment Amount” means (a) an amount equal to the greater of (i) the amount of all Transaction Expenses up to a maximum of One Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,600,000) and (ii) the amount of all Transaction Expenses incurred that are legal fees and expenses, minus (b) the amount of all Transaction Expenses paid by Danimer and its Subsidiaries prior to Closing.

“Trust Account” means the trust account that holds a portion of the proceeds of the IPO and the concurrent sale of the Private Warrants.

“Warrant Sale and Support Agreement” means the warrant sale and support agreement, dated as of October 2, 2020, between the Sponsor, Valfund Plastics, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (“Valfund Plastics”) and certain Danimer shareholders.

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

The following questions and answers briefly address some commonly asked questions about the proposals to be presented at the special meeting, including with respect to the proposed Business Combination. The following questions and answers may not include all the information that is important to Live Oak stockholders. Stockholders are urged to read carefully this entire proxy statement/prospectus, including the financial statements and annexes attached hereto and the other documents referred to herein.

Questions and Answers About the Special Meeting of Live Oak’s Stockholders and the Related Proposals

Q.     Why am I receiving this proxy statement/prospectus?

A.     Live Oak has entered into the Merger Agreement with Danimer and the other parties thereto pursuant to which Merger Sub will be merged with and into Danimer, with Danimer surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Live Oak. Subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the base aggregate merger consideration to be paid in connection with the Business Combination is $450 million, subject to the adjustments described elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. In addition to the base merger consideration, Danimer’s shareholders will be entitled to receive, as additional consideration, up to an aggregate of 6,000,000 additional shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock (the “Earn-Out Shares”) if the volume-weighted average price of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds certain thresholds for any twenty trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the six month anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date. All consideration for the Business Combination (other than any shareholders electing to exercise dissenters’ rights in accordance with applicable law and the payment of cash for any fractional shares) will be paid in the form of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock. A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A.

Live Oak stockholders are being asked to consider and vote upon the Business Combination Proposal to approve the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Business Combination, among other proposals.

The Live Oak Class A Common Stock, Live Oak Warrants and Live Oak Units are currently listed on NYSE under the symbols “LOAK,” “LOAK WS” and “LOAK.U,” respectively. Live Oak has applied to list shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and the Live Oak Warrants on NYSE under the symbols “DNMR” and “DNMR.W”, respectively, in connection with the Closing. All outstanding Live Oak Units will be separated into their underlying securities immediately prior to the Closing. Accordingly, Live Oak will not have any units following consummation of the Business Combination, and therefore there will be no NYSE listing of the Live Oak Units following the consummation of the Business Combination.

This proxy statement/prospectus and its annexes contain important information about the proposed Business Combination and the proposals to be acted upon at the special meeting. You should read this proxy statement/prospectus and its annexes carefully and in their entirety. This document also constitutes a prospectus of Live Oak with respect to the Live Oak Class A Common Stock issuable in connection with the Business Combination.

Q.     What matters will stockholders consider at the special meeting?

A.     At the Live Oak special meeting of stockholders, Live Oak will ask its stockholders to vote in favor of the following proposals (the “Live Oak Proposals”):

1.      The Business Combination Proposal — a proposal to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the Business Combination;

2.      The Charter Amendment Proposal — a proposal to amend Live Oak’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as more fully described elsewhere herein;

3.      The Election of Directors Proposal — a proposal to elect the directors comprising the board of directors of Live Oak following the Closing of the Business Combination;

4.      The NYSE Proposal — a proposal to approve, for purposes of complying with the applicable provisions of the NYSE’s Listed Company Manual, (a) the issuance of more than 20% of Live Oak’s Common Stock in connection with the Business Combination, including, without limitation, to the investors in the PIPE and (b) the issuance of shares of Live Oak’s Common Stock to a Related Party (as defined in Section 312.03 of the NYSE’s Listed Company Manual) in connection with the Business Combination;

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5.      The Equity Incentive Plan Proposal — a proposal to approve and adopt the equity incentive award plan established to be effective after the Closing of the Business Combination;

6.      The Employee Stock Purchase Plan Proposal — a proposal to approve and adopt the employee stock purchase plan established to be effective after the Closing of the Business Combination; and

7.      The Adjournment Proposal — a proposal to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the special meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve one or more proposals presented to stockholders for vote.

Q.     Are any of the proposals conditioned on one another?

A.     The Charter Amendment Proposal, Election of Directors Proposal, Equity Incentive Plan Proposal, NYSE Proposal and Employee Stock Purchase Plan Proposal are all conditioned on the approval of the Business Combination Proposal. The Adjournment Proposal does not require the approval of the Business Combination Proposal and Business Combination to be effective. It is important for you to note that in the event that the Business Combination Proposal is not approved, then Live Oak will not consummate the Business Combination. If Live Oak does not consummate the Business Combination and fails to complete an initial business combination by May 8, 2022 or obtain the approval of Live Oak stockholders to extend the deadline for Live Oak to consummate an initial business combination, then Live Oak will be required to dissolve and liquidate.

Q.     What will happen upon the consummation of the Business Combination?

A.     Upon consummation of Business Combination, Merger Sub will merge into Danimer, whereupon Merger Sub will cease to exist and Danimer will continue as the surviving entity and become a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Live Oak and Live Oak will change its name to “Danimer Scientific, Inc.”. The Merger will have the effects specified under Georgia law. As consideration for the Business Combination, each outstanding share of Danimer Common Stock will be exchanged for a number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equal to the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration.

Q.     Why is Live Oak proposing the Business Combination Proposal?

A.     Live Oak was organized for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Live Oak is not limited to any particular industry, sector or geographic region for purposes of consummating a business combination.

Live Oak received gross proceeds of $206,000,000, from its IPO and sale of the Private Warrants, $200,000,000 of which was placed into the Trust Account immediately following the IPO. In accordance with Live Oak’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the funds held in the Trust Account will be released upon the consummation of the Business Combination. See the question entitled “— What happens to the funds held in the Trust Account upon consummation of the Business Combination?

There currently are 20,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding and 5,000,000 shares of Live Oak’s Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding. In addition, there currently are 16,000,000 Live Oak Warrants issued and outstanding, consisting of 10,000,000 Public Warrants and 6,000,000 Private Warrants. Each whole Live Oak Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share. The Live Oak Warrants will become exercisable 30 days after the completion of a business combination, and expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, five years after the completion of a business combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation. The Private Warrants, however, are non-redeemable so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees.

Under Live Oak’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Live Oak must provide all holders of Public Shares with the opportunity to have their Public Shares redeemed upon the consummation of Live Oak’s initial business combination in conjunction with a stockholder vote. See “The Special Meeting of Live Oak Stockholders — Redemption Rights.

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Q.     Who is Danimer?

A.     Danimer is a performance polymer company specializing in bioplastic replacements for traditional petrochemical-based plastics. Danimer, through its principal operating subsidiaries, Meredian, Inc., Danimer Scientific, L.L.C. and Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc., brings together innovative technologies to deliver renewable, environmentally friendly bioplastic materials to global consumer product companies. Danimer has core competencies in fermentation process engineering, chemical engineering and polymer science. In addition, Danimer has created an extensive intellectual property portfolio to protect its innovations which, together with its technology, serves as a valuable foundation for its business and future industry collaborations. See “Information About Danimer.”

Q.     What equity stake will current Live Oak stockholders and Danimer shareholders have in New Danimer after the Closing?

A.     It is anticipated that, upon the completion of the Business Combination, the ownership of New Danimer will be as follows:

•        current Danimer shareholders will collectively own 38,748,686 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, representing approximately 45.72% of the total shares outstanding;

•        the PIPE Investors will collectively own 21,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, representing approximately 24.78% of the total shares outstanding;

•        the Public Stockholders will collectively own 20,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, representing approximately 23.60% of the total shares outstanding; and

•        the holders of Founder Shares will collectively own 5,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock upon the automatic conversion of the Founder Shares into Live Oak Class A Common Stock on a one-to-one basis, representing approximately 5.90% of the total shares outstanding.

The numbers of shares and percentage interests set forth above are based on a number of assumptions, including that (i) none of the Public Stockholders exercise their redemption rights, (ii) Danimer does not issue any additional equity securities (or securities convertible into equity securities) subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the Business Combination other than shares issuable upon conversion of the Danimer Convertible Notes, (iii) the amount of Net Debt at Closing is equal to $8,140,304, (iv) the Transaction Expenses Adjustment Amount is $0, (v) the Danimer Convertible Notes are converted immediately prior to Closing and (vi) none of the current holders of outstanding Danimer Options or Danimer Warrants decide to exercise such securities subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the consummation of the Business Combination. If the actual facts differ from our assumptions, the numbers of shares and percentage interests set forth above will be different. In addition, the numbers of shares and percentage interests set forth above do not take into account (i) potential future exercises of Live Oak Warrants, (ii) the Earn-Out Shares, (iii) shares issuable in connection with the Adjustment Holdback Amount, (iv) shares issuable in connection with the Shareholder Representative Amount or (v) shares issuable upon the future exercise of outstanding options and warrants to purchase shares of Danimer Common Stock following conversion pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

Q.     What are the milestones that need to be achieved in order for the Danimer shareholders to receive additional shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock?

A.     In addition to the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration, Live Oak will issue or cause to be issued to each Danimer shareholder its pro rata portion of the following contingent merger consideration amounts, subject to the following terms and conditions:

(a)     2,500,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock if the volume weighted average price of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the NYSE or such other exchange as such shares may then be listed as reported on Bloomberg L.P. under the function “VWAP” (or, if not reported therein, in another authoritative source mutually selected by the parties) (“VWAP”) equals or exceeds fifteen dollars ($15.00) per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the six (6) month anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the third anniversary of the Closing Date;

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(ii)    2,500,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock if the VWAP of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the NYSE or such other exchange as such shares may then be listed equals or exceeds twenty dollars ($20.00) per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the six (6) month anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date; and

(iii)   1,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock if the VWAP of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the NYSE or such other exchange as such shares may then be listed equals or exceeds twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the six (6) month anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date.

The right of a Danimer shareholder to receive any portion of the Earn-Out Shares under the Merger Agreement will be non-transferable, and no Danimer shareholder may transfer, assign, pledge or convey any interest in the Earn-Out Shares, except by operation of law.

Q.     Who will be the officers and directors of Live Oak if the Business Combination is consummated?

A.     Immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination, the board of directors of New Danimer (the “New Danimer Board”) will be comprised of Stephen E. Croskrey, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Danimer, John P. Amboian, Chairman of Live Oak, Richard J. Hendrix, Chief Executive Officer of Live Oak, Christy Basco, Philip Gregory Calhoun, Gregory Hunt, Dr. Isao Noda and Stuart Pratt. Immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination, we expect that the following will be the officers of New Danimer: Stephen E. Croskrey, as Chief Executive Officer, John A. Dowdy, III, as Chief Financial Officer, Phillip Van Trump, as Chief Science & Technology Officer, Michael Smith, as Chief Operating Officer and Scott Tuten as Chief Marketing & Sustainability Officer. See “Management After the Business Combination.”

Q.     What conditions must be satisfied to complete the Business Combination?

A.     There are a number of closing conditions in the Merger Agreement, including that Live Oak’s stockholders have approved and adopted the Merger Agreement. For a summary of the conditions that must be satisfied or waived prior to completion of the Business Combination, see the section entitled “The Merger Agreement — Conditions to Closing.”

Q.     What happens if I sell my shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock before the special meeting of stockholders?

A.     The record date for the special meeting of stockholders will be earlier than the date that the Business Combination is expected to be completed. If you transfer your shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock after the record date, but before the special meeting of stockholders, unless the transferee obtains from you a proxy to vote those shares, you will retain your right to vote at the special meeting of stockholders. However, you will not be entitled to receive any shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock following the Closing because only Live Oak’s stockholders on the date of the Closing will be entitled to receive shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock in connection with the Closing.

Q.     What is the quorum requirement for the special meeting of stockholders?

A.     A quorum will be present at the special meeting of stockholders if a majority of the holders of shares of outstanding Live Oak Class A Common Stock and Live Oak Class B Common Stock entitled to vote at such meeting is represented in person or by proxy. In the absence of a quorum, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the special meeting.

As of the record date for the special meeting, 12,500,001 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and Live Oak Class B Common Stock would be required to achieve a quorum.

Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or your broker, bank or other nominee submits one on your behalf) or if you vote in person at the special meeting of stockholders. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, a majority of the shares represented by stockholders present at the special meeting or by proxy may authorize adjournment of the special meeting to another date.

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Q.     What vote is required to approve the proposals presented at the special meeting of stockholders?

A.     The approval of each of the Business Combination Proposal, the NYSE Proposal, the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan Proposal and Adjournment Proposal require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and Live Oak Class B Common Stock, voting as a single class, represented at the special meeting in person or by proxy. Accordingly, if a valid quorum is established, a Live Oak stockholder’s failure to vote by proxy or to vote at the special meeting with regard to the Business Combination Proposal, the NYSE Proposal, the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan Proposal and Adjournment Proposal will have no effect on such proposals.

The approval of the Charter Amendment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of Live Oak’s outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and Live Oak Class B Common Stock, voting as a single class, entitled to vote thereon at the special meeting. Accordingly, if a valid quorum is established, a Live Oak stockholder’s failure to vote by proxy or to vote at the special meeting with regard to the Charter Amendment Proposal will have the same effect as a vote “against” such proposal.

The approval of the election of each director nominee pursuant to the Election of Directors Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock entitled to vote and actually cast thereon at the special meeting. Accordingly, a Live Oak stockholder’s failure to vote by proxy or to vote in person at the special meeting of stockholders, an abstention from voting, or a broker non-vote will have no effect on the outcome of any vote on the Election of Directors Proposal.

Q.     How does the Sponsor intend to vote on the proposals?

A.     The Sponsor owns of record and is entitled to vote 5,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class B Common Stock representing an aggregate of 20% of the outstanding shares of Live Oak’s common stock as of the record date. The Sponsor intends to vote all such shares in favor of the Business Combination.

Q.     Do Danimer’s shareholders need to approve the Business Combination?

A.     Yes. Contemporaneously with the execution of the Merger Agreement, certain executive officers, directors, affiliates and holders of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Danimer Common Stock representing a majority of the outstanding shares of Danimer Common Stock (the “Key Danimer Shareholders”) entered into the Support Agreements, pursuant to which, among other things and subject to the terms and conditions therein, the Key Danimer Shareholders agreed to vote all shares of Danimer Common Stock beneficially owned by such shareholders at the time of the stockholder vote on the Business Combination in favor of adoption and approval of the Merger Agreement and the approval of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Business Combination, and any other matter necessary to consummate such transactions, and not to (a) transfer any of their shares of Danimer Common Stock (or enter into any arrangement with respect thereto) or (b) enter into any voting arrangement that is inconsistent with the Support Agreements. Collectively, as of October 3, 2020, the Key Danimer Shareholders held a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Danimer. For further information, please see the section entitled “Certain Agreements Related to The Business Combination — Support Agreements.”

Q.     May Live Oak or Live Oak’s directors, officers or advisors, or their affiliates, purchase shares in connection with the Business Combination?

A.     In connection with the stockholder vote to approve the proposed Business Combination, the Sponsor and Live Oak’s board of directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may privately negotiate transactions to purchase shares prior to the Closing from stockholders who would have otherwise elected to have their shares redeemed in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules for a per share pro rata portion of the Trust Account without the prior written consent of Danimer. None of the Sponsor, directors, officers or advisors, or their respective affiliates, will make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material non-public information not disclosed to the seller of such shares. Such a purchase would include a contractual acknowledgement that such stockholder, although still the record holder of such shares, is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that the Sponsor, directors, officers or advisors, or their affiliates, purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from Public Stockholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling stockholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. Any such privately negotiated purchases

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may be effected at purchase prices that are in excess of the per share pro rata portion of the Trust Account. The purpose of these purchases would be to increase the amount of cash available to Live Oak for use in the Business Combination.

Q.     How many votes do I have at the special meeting of stockholders?

A.     Live Oak’s stockholders are entitled to one vote at the special meeting for each share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock or Live Oak Class B Common Stock held of record as of the record date. As of the close of business on the record date, there were 20,000,000 outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and 5,000,000 outstanding shares of Live Oak Class B Common Stock.

Q.     What interests do Live Oak’s current officers and directors have in the Business Combination?

A.     Live Oak’s board of directors and executive officers may have interests in the Business Combination that are different from, in addition to or in conflict with, yours. These interests include:

•        the beneficial ownership of the Sponsor and certain of Live Oak’s board of directors and officers of an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class B Common Stock and 3,040,000 Live Oak Warrants, which shares and warrants would become worthless if Live Oak does not complete a business combination within the applicable time period, as the Sponsor has waived any right to redemption with respect to these shares. Such shares and warrants have an aggregate market value of approximately $        million and $        million, respectively, based on the closing prices of Live Oak Class A Common Stock of $        and Live Oak Warrants of $        on NYSE on             , 2020;

•        Live Oak board of directors will not receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them on Live Oak’s behalf incident to identifying, investigating and consummating a business combination to the extent such expenses exceed the amount not required to be retained in the Trust Account, unless a business combination is consummated;

•        the anticipated continuation of John P. Amboian, Live Oak’s Chairman, and Richard J. Hendrix, Live Oak Chief Executive Officer and a director, as directors of New Danimer following the Closing;

•        that funds affiliated with certain members of the Live Oak board of directors have been committed to invest $49,050,000 in the PIPE; and

•        the continued indemnification of current directors and officers of Live Oak and the continuation of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance after the Business Combination.

These interests may influence Live Oak board of directors in making their recommendation that you vote in favor of the approval of the Business Combination Proposal. You should also read the section entitled “The Business Combination — Interests of Live Oak’s Directors and Officers in the Business Combination.”

Q.     Did Live Oak board of directors obtain a third-party valuation or fairness opinion in determining whether or not to proceed with the Business Combination?

A.     Live Oak board of directors did not obtain a third-party valuation or fairness opinion in connection with its determination to approve the Business Combination. Live Oak board of directors believes that based upon the financial skills and backgrounds of its directors, together with the experience and sector expertise of Live Oak’s financial and other advisors, as well as having consulted with a leading consulting firm regarding the market opportunity, competitive landscape and growth plans of Danimer, it was qualified to conclude that the Business Combination was fair from a financial perspective to its stockholders. Live Oak board of directors also determined, without seeking a valuation from a financial advisor, that Danimer’s fair market value was at least 80% of Live Oak’s net assets, excluding any taxes payable on interest earned. Accordingly, investors will be relying on the judgment of Live Oak board of directors as described above in valuing Danimer’s business and assuming the risk that Live Oak board of directors may not have properly valued such business.

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Q.     What happens if the Business Combination Proposal is not approved?

A.     If the Business Combination Proposal is not approved and Live Oak does not consummate a business combination by May 8, 2022, or amend its amended and restated certificate of incorporation to extend the date by which Live Oak must consummate an initial business combination, Live Oak will be required to dissolve and liquidate the Trust Account.

Q.     Do I have redemption rights?

A.     If you are a holder of Public Shares, you may redeem your Public Shares for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account, which holds the proceeds of the IPO, as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to Live Oak to pay its franchise and income taxes and for working capital purposes, upon the consummation of the Business Combination. The per share amount Live Oak will distribute to holders who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions Live Oak will pay to the underwriters of its IPO if the Business Combination is consummated. Holders of the outstanding Public Warrants do not have redemption rights with respect to such warrants in connection with the Business Combination. The Sponsor has agreed to waive its redemption rights with respect to its Founder Shares and any Public Shares that they may have acquired during or after the IPO in connection with the completion of Live Oak’s initial business combination. The Founder Shares will be excluded from the pro rata calculation used to determine the per share redemption price. For illustrative purposes, based on funds in the Trust Account of approximately $200.03 million on June 30, 2020, the estimated per share redemption price would have been approximately $10.00. Additionally, Public Shares properly tendered for redemption will only be redeemed if the Business Combination is consummated; otherwise, holders of such shares will only be entitled to a pro rata portion of the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable by Live Oak and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), in connection with the liquidation of the Trust Account.

Q.     Is there a limit on the number of shares I may redeem?

A.     A Public Stockholder, together with any affiliate of his or any other person with whom he is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the Public Shares. Accordingly, all shares in excess of 15% of the Public Shares owned by a holder will not be redeemed. On the other hand, a Public Stockholder who holds less than 15% of the Public Shares may redeem all of the Public Shares held by him or her for cash.

Q.     Will how I vote affect my ability to exercise redemption rights?

A.     No. You may exercise your redemption rights whether you vote your Public Shares for or against the Business Combination Proposal or do not vote your shares. As a result, the Business Combination Proposal can be approved by stockholders who will redeem their Public Shares and no longer remain stockholders, leaving stockholders who choose not to redeem their Public Shares holding shares in a company with a less liquid trading market, fewer stockholders, less cash and the potential inability to meet the listing standards of NYSE.

Q.     How do I exercise my redemption rights?

A.     In order to exercise your redemption rights, you must, prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on           , 2020 (two business days before the special meeting), (i) submit a written request to Live Oak’s transfer agent that Live Oak redeem your Public Shares for cash, and (ii) deliver your stock to Live Oak’s transfer agent physically or electronically through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). The address of Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, Live Oak’s transfer agent, is listed under the question “Who can help answer my questions?” below. Live Oak requests that any requests for redemption include the identity as to the beneficial owner making such request. Electronic delivery of your stock generally will be faster than delivery of physical stock certificates.

A physical stock certificate will not be needed if your stock is delivered to Live Oak’s transfer agent electronically. In order to obtain a physical stock certificate, a stockholder’s broker and/or clearing broker, DTC and Live Oak’s transfer agent will need to act to facilitate the request. It is Live Oak’s understanding that stockholders should generally allot at least one week to obtain physical certificates from the transfer agent. However, because Live Oak does not have any control over this process or over the brokers or DTC, it may take significantly longer than

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one week to obtain a physical stock certificate. If it takes longer than anticipated to obtain a physical certificate, stockholders who wish to redeem their shares may be unable to obtain physical certificates by the deadline for exercising their redemption rights and thus will be unable to redeem their shares.

Any demand for redemption, once made, may be withdrawn at any time until the deadline for exercising redemption requests and thereafter, with Live Oak’s consent, until the vote is taken with respect to the Business Combination. If you delivered your shares for redemption to Live Oak’s transfer agent and decide within the required timeframe not to exercise your redemption rights, you may request that Live Oak’s transfer agent return the shares (physically or electronically). You may make such request by contacting Live Oak’s transfer agent at the phone number or address listed under the question “Who can help answer my questions?

Q.     What happens if a substantial number of public stockholders vote in favor of the Business Combination proposal and exercise their redemption rights?

A.     Public Stockholders may vote in favor of the Business Combination Proposal and still exercise their redemption rights. Accordingly, the Business Combination may be consummated even though the funds available from the Trust Account and the number of Public Stockholders are substantially reduced as a result of redemptions by Public Stockholders.

Q.     What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of exercising my redemption rights?

A.     The U.S. federal income tax consequences to Live Oak stockholders who exercise their redemption rights to receive cash from the Trust Account in exchange for their Public Shares will depend on the particular facts and circumstances. See the section entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations of the Redemption and the Business Combination.” You are urged to consult your own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of exercising your redemption rights.

Q.     If I hold Live Oak Warrants, can I exercise redemption rights with respect to my warrants?

A.     No. There are no redemption rights with respect to the Live Oak Warrants.

Q.     Do I have appraisal rights if I object to the proposed Business Combination?

A.     No. There are no appraisal rights available to holders of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock in connection with the Business Combination.

Q.     What happens to the funds held in the Trust Account upon consummation of the Business Combination?

A.     If the Business Combination is consummated, the funds held in the Trust Account will be released to pay (i) Live Oak stockholders who properly exercise their redemption rights and (ii) expenses incurred by Danimer and Live Oak in connection with the Proposed Transactions, to the extent not otherwise paid prior to the Closing. Any additional funds available for release from the Trust Account will be used for general corporate purposes of Live Oak following the Business Combination.

Q.     What happens if the Business Combination is not consummated?

A.     There are certain circumstances under which the Merger Agreement may be terminated. See the section entitled “The Merger Agreement — Termination” for information regarding the parties’ specific termination rights.

If, as a result of the termination of the Merger Agreement or otherwise, Live Oak is unable to complete a business combination by May 8, 2022 or obtain the approval of Live Oak stockholders to extend the deadline for Live Oak to consummate an initial business combination, Live Oak’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that Live Oak will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, subject to lawfully available funds therefor, redeem 100% of the outstanding Public Shares in consideration of a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to Live Oak to pay its taxes (less up to $100,000 of such net interest to pay dissolution expenses) by (B) the total number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law,

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and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and Live Oak board of directors in accordance with applicable law, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and other requirements of other applicable law. See the sections entitled “Risk Factors — Live Oak may not be able to consummate an initial business combination within the required time period, in which case it would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and it would redeem the Public Shares and liquidate” and “— Live Oak’s stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against Live Oak to the extent of distributions received by them.” Holders of Founder Shares have waived any right to any liquidation distribution with respect to those shares.

In the event of liquidation, there will be no distribution with respect to outstanding Live Oak Warrants. Accordingly, the Live Oak Warrants will expire worthless.

Q.     When is the Business Combination expected to be completed?

A.     It is currently anticipated that the Business Combination will be consummated promptly following the special meeting of stockholders, provided that all other conditions to the consummation of the Business Combination have been satisfied or waived.

For a description of the conditions to the completion of the Business Combination, see the section entitled “The Merger Agreement — Conditions to Closing.

Q.     What do I need to do now?

A.     You are urged to carefully read and consider the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus, including the financial statements and annexes attached hereto, and to consider how the Business Combination will affect you as a stockholder. You should then vote as soon as possible in accordance with the instructions provided in this proxy statement/prospectus on the enclosed proxy card or, if you hold your shares through a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, on the voting instruction form provided by the broker, bank or nominee.

Q.     How do I vote?

A.     If you were a holder of record of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on , 2020, the record date for the special meeting of stockholders, you may vote with respect to the applicable proposals in person at the special meeting of stockholders by voting your shares electronically by following the instructions at https://www.cstproxy.com/liveoakacq/sm2020, or by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you hold your shares in “street name,” which means your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee, you should contact your broker, bank or nominee to ensure that votes related to the shares you beneficially own are properly counted. In this regard, you must provide the record holder of your shares with instructions on how to vote your shares or, if you wish to attend the special meeting of stockholders and vote in person, obtain a proxy from your broker, bank or nominee.

In light of the ongoing health concerns relating to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and to best protect the health and welfare of Live Oak’s stockholders and personnel, the special meeting is currently scheduled to be held entirely online as indicated above. Stockholders of record may vote their shares electronically at the special meeting by following the instructions at https://www.cstproxy.com/liveoakacq/sm2020. Stockholders are also urged to vote their proxies by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying pre-addressed postage paid envelope, or to direct their brokers or other agents on how to vote the shares in their accounts, as applicable.

Q.     What will happen if I abstain from voting or fail to vote at the special meeting?

A.     At the special meeting of stockholders, Live Oak will count a properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” with respect to a particular proposal as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. For purposes of approval, an abstention or failure to vote will have the same effect as a vote against each of the Business Combination Proposal and the Charter Amendment Proposal, and will have no effect on any of the other proposals.

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Q.     What will happen if I sign and return my proxy card without indicating how I wish to vote?

A.     Signed and dated proxies received by Live Oak without an indication of how the stockholder intends to vote on a proposal will be voted in favor of each proposal presented to the stockholders.

Q.     How do I attend the special meeting of stockholders?

A.     As a registered shareholder, you will receive or have received a notice and access instruction form or proxy card from the Exchange Agent. Both forms contain instructions on how to attend the virtual special meeting including the URL address (https://www.cstproxy.com/liveoakacq/sm2020), along with your control number. You will need your 12-digit control number for access. If you do not have your 12-digit control number, contact the Exchange Agent by calling phone number 917-262-2373 or sending an e-mail at proxy@continentalstock.com.

You can pre-register to attend the virtual meeting starting             , 2020 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern time, by entering the URL address (https://www.cstproxy.com/liveoakacq/sm2020) into your browser, and entering your 12-digit control number, name and email address. Once you pre-register, you can vote or enter questions in the chat box. At the start of the special meeting, you will need to re-log in using your 12-digit control number. You will also be prompted to enter your 12-digit control number if you vote during the special meeting.

Beneficial investors, who own their investments through a bank or broker, will need to contact the Exchange Agent to receive a 12-digit control number. If you plan to vote at the meeting you will need to have a legal proxy from your bank or broker or if you would like to join and not vote the Exchange Agent will issue you a 12-digit guest control number with proof of ownership. Either way you must contact the Exchange Agent for specific instructions on how to receive the 12-digit control number. The Exchange Agent may be contacted at the phone number or email address above. Please allow up to 72 hours prior to the special meeting for processing your 12-digit control number.

If you do not have internet capabilities, you can listen only to the meeting by dialing 1 877-770-3647 (U.S. and Canada toll-free), or if outside U.S. and Canada, +1 312-780-0854 (standard rates apply). When prompted enter the pin number 77394403#. This call will be for listening only and you will not be able to vote or enter questions during the meeting.

Q.     Do I need to attend the special meeting of stockholders to vote my shares?

A.     No. You are invited to attend the special meeting to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus. However, you do not need to attend the special meeting of stockholders to vote your shares. Instead, you may submit your proxy by signing, dating and returning the applicable enclosed proxy card(s) in the pre-addressed postage-paid envelope. Your vote is important. Live Oak encourages you to vote as soon as possible after carefully reading this proxy statement/prospectus.

Q.     If I am not going to attend the special meeting of stockholders in person, should I return my proxy card instead?

A.     Yes. After carefully reading and considering the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus, please submit your proxy, as applicable, by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided.

Q.     If my shares are held in “street name,” will my broker, bank or nominee automatically vote my shares for me?

A.     No. If your broker holds your shares in its name and you do not give the broker voting instructions, under the applicable stock exchange rules, your broker may not vote your shares on any of the Live Oak Proposals. If you do not give your broker voting instructions and the broker does not vote your shares, this is referred to as a “broker non-vote.” Broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at the special meeting of stockholders. Your bank, broker, or other nominee can vote your shares only if you provide instructions on how to vote. You should instruct your broker to vote your shares in accordance with directions you provide. However, in no event will a broker non-vote have the effect of exercising your redemption rights for a pro rata portion of the Trust Account, and therefore no shares as to which a broker non-vote occurs will be redeemed in connection with the proposed Business Combination.

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Q.     May I change my vote after I have mailed my signed proxy card?

A.     Yes. You may change your vote by sending a later-dated, signed proxy card to Live Oak’s secretary at the address listed below prior to the vote at the special meeting of stockholders, or attend the special meeting and vote in person. You also may revoke your proxy by sending a notice of revocation to Live Oak’s secretary, provided such revocation is received prior to the vote at the special meeting. If your shares are held in street name by a broker or other nominee, you must contact the broker or nominee to change your vote.

Q.     What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?

A.     You may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this proxy statement/prospectus and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one brokerage account, you will receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a holder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive in order to cast your vote with respect to all of your shares.

Q.     What happens to the Live Oak Warrants I hold if I vote my shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock against approval of the Business Combination Proposal and validly exercise my redemption rights?

A.     Properly exercising your redemption rights as a Live Oak stockholder does not result in either a vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” the Business Combination Proposal. If the Business Combination is not completed, you will continue to hold your Live Oak Warrants, and if Live Oak does not otherwise consummate an initial business combination by May 8, 2022 or obtain the approval of Live Oak Stockholders to extend the deadline for Live Oak to consummate an initial business combination, Live Oak will be required to dissolve and liquidate, and your Live Oak Warrants will expire worthless.

Q.     Who will solicit and pay the cost of soliciting proxies?

A.     Live Oak will pay the cost of soliciting proxies for the special meeting. Live Oak has engaged Morrow Sodali LLC to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the special meeting. Live Oak has agreed to pay Morrow Sodali LLC a fee of $25,000. Live Oak will reimburse Morrow Sodali LLC for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and will indemnify Morrow Sodali LLC and its affiliates against certain claims, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses. Live Oak also will reimburse banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries representing beneficial owners of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock for their expenses in forwarding soliciting materials to beneficial owners of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and in obtaining voting instructions from those owners. Live Oak’s directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies by telephone, by facsimile, by mail, on the Internet or in person. They will not be paid any additional amounts for soliciting proxies.

Q.     Who can help answer my questions?

A.     If you have questions about the stockholder proposals, or if you need additional copies of this proxy statement/prospectus, the proxy card or the consent card you should contact our proxy solicitor at:

Morrow Sodali LLC

470 West Avenue

Stamford, CT 06902

Telephone: (800) 662-5200

Banks and brokers can call collect at: (203) 658-9400

Email: LOAK.info@investor.morrowsodali.com

You may also contact Live Oak at:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

774A Walker Rd

Great Falls, VA, 22066

Telephone: (901) 685-2865

Attention: President

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To obtain timely delivery, Live Oak’s stockholders and warrantholders must request the materials no later than five business days prior to the special meeting.

You may also obtain additional information about Live Oak from documents filed with the SEC by following the instructions in the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.”

If you intend to seek redemption of your Public Shares, you will need to send a letter demanding redemption and deliver your stock (either physically or electronically) to Live Oak’s transfer agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the second business day prior to the special meeting of stockholders. If you have questions regarding the certification of your position or delivery of your stock, please contact:

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

One State Street Plaza, 30th Floor

New York, New York 10004

Attention: Mark Zimkind

E-mail: mzimkind@continentalstock.com

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SUMMARY OF THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

This summary highlights selected information from this proxy statement/prospectus and does not contain all of the information that is important to you. To better understand the Business Combination and the proposals to be considered at the special meeting, you should read this entire proxy statement/prospectus carefully, including the annexes. See also the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Parties to the Business Combination

Live Oak

Live Oak is a blank check company incorporated as a Delaware corporation formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Live Oak was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on May 24, 2019.

On May 8, 2020, Live Oak closed its IPO of 20,000,000 Live Oak Units, with each Live Oak Unit consisting of one share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and one-half of one Live Oak Warrant, each whole Live Oak Warrant to purchase one share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock at a purchase price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as provided in Live Oak’s final prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2020 (File No. 333-236800). The Live Oak Units were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating total gross proceeds of $200,000,000.

Simultaneously with the consummation of Live Oak’s IPO, Live Oak consummated the private sale of 6,000,000 Private Warrants at $1.00 per warrant for an aggregate purchase price of $6,000,000. A total of $200,000,000, was deposited into the Trust Account and the remaining net proceeds became available to be used as working capital to provide for business, legal and accounting due diligence on prospective business combinations and continuing general and administrative expenses. As of         , the record date for the special meeting, there was approximately $        held in the trust account.

Upon Closing, we intend to change our name from “Live Oak Acquisition Corp.” to “Danimer Scientific, Inc.”

Live Oak Class A Common Stock, Live Oak Warrants and Live Oak Units, consisting of one share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and one-half of one Live Oak Warrant, are traded on NYSE under the ticker symbols “LOAK,” “LOAK WS” and “LOAK.U,” respectively. We have applied to continue the listing of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock and Live Oak Warrants on NYSE under the symbols “DNMR” and “DNMR.W,” respectively, upon the Closing. The Live Oak Units will automatically separate into the component securities upon consummation of the Business Combination and, as a result, will no longer trade as a separate security.

The mailing address of Live Oak’s principal executive office is 774 A. Walker Rd., Great Falls, VA 22066, and its telephone number is (901) 685-2865.

Green Merger Corp.

Merger Sub is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Live Oak formed solely for the purpose of effectuating the Merger. Merger Sub was incorporated under the laws of the State of Georgia as a corporation on September 24, 2020. Merger Sub owns no material assets and does not operate any business.

The mailing address of Merger Sub’s principal executive office is 774 A. Walker Rd., Great Falls, VA 22066, and its telephone number is (901) 685-2865. After the consummation of the Business Combination, Merger Sub will cease to exist as a separate legal entity.

Danimer

Danimer is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Georgia.

Danimer is a performance polymer company specializing in bioplastic replacements for traditional petrochemical-based plastics. Danimer, through its principal operating subsidiaries, Meredian, Inc., Danimer Scientific, L.L.C. and Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc., brings together innovative technologies to deliver renewable, environmentally friendly bioplastic materials to global consumer product companies. Danimer has core competencies in fermentation process engineering, chemical engineering and polymer science. In addition, Danimer has created

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an extensive intellectual property portfolio to protect its innovations which, together with its technology, serves as a valuable foundation for its business and future industry collaborations.

The mailing address of Danimer’s principal executive office is 140 Industrial Boulevard, Bainbridge, GA 39817, and its telephone number is (229) 243-7075.

For more information about Danimer, see the sections entitled “Information About Danimer” and “Danimer Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.”

The Business Combination

The Merger Agreement

On October 3, 2020, Live Oak, Merger Sub, Danimer, the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative entered into the Merger Agreement, pursuant to which Live Oak and Danimer will consummate the Business Combination. The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, covenants, closing conditions, termination provisions and other terms relating to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby. The Merger Agreement was amended by Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 8, 2020, by and among Live Oak, Merger Sub, Danimer, the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative.

The Merger is to become effective by the filing of a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia and will be effective immediately upon such filing or upon such later time as may be agreed by the parties and specified in the certificate of merger (such time, “Effective Time”). The parties will hold the Closing immediately prior to the filing of the certificate of merger, on the Closing Date to be specified by Live Oak and Danimer, following the satisfaction or, if permitted, waiver of the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of those conditions at such time), or on such other date, time or place as Live Oak and Danimer may mutually agree.

At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Live Oak, Merger Sub, Danimer or the holders of any of Danimer’s securities:

•        each share of Danimer Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equal to the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration, together with amounts that may become payable in respect of the Adjustment Holdback Amount, the Shareholder Representative Amount and the Earn-Out Shares, in each case in accordance with the Merger Agreement;

•        all shares of Danimer Common Stock held in the treasury of Danimer will be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and no payment, distribution or other consideration will be delivered or deliverable in exchange for such shares;

•        each share of Merger Sub Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be converted into and exchanged for one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Surviving Corporation;

•        each Danimer Option that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, whether vested or unvested, shall be assumed by Live Oak and will be converted automatically at the Effective Time into an option (an “Assumed Danimer Option”) to acquire shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such Danimer Option (including applicable vesting and exercise conditions) except that (a) the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock that will be subject to each such Assumed Danimer Option will be determined by multiplying the number of shares of Danimer Common Stock subject to the corresponding Danimer Option by a fraction (the “Award Exchange Ratio”), the numerator of which is Closing Per Share Merger Consideration multiplied by $10.00 and the denominator of which is the fair market value of a share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the Closing Date (rounded down to the nearest whole share) and (b) the exercise price per share of each such Assumed Danimer Option will equal (i) the per share exercise price of the corresponding Danimer Option divided by (ii) the Award Exchange Ratio (rounded up to the nearest whole cent); and

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•        each share of Live Oak Class B Common Stock will automatically convert into shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis.

At least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, Danimer will deliver to Live Oak a statement (the “Estimated Closing Statement”) setting forth the Company’s good faith estimate of the Merger Consideration (such estimated amount, the “Estimated Merger Consideration”), including each of its components. Prior to the Closing, Live Oak will be entitled to review, comment on, and propose changes to the Estimated Closing Statement, including the calculation of the Estimated Merger Consideration set forth therein. The Company will promptly consider in good faith any changes Live Oak proposes to the Estimated Closing Statement and revise the Estimated Closing Statement if, based on its good faith assessment, such changes are warranted.

The Adjustment Holdback Shares will be withheld from Shareholders at Closing for the purpose of securing the variances between the Estimated Merger Consideration and the Final Merger Consideration as agreed upon by the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative, or as determined by their mutually selected accounting firm within the period and through the process set forth in of the Merger Agreement (the “Final Merger Consideration”).

If the Final Merger Consideration is greater than the Estimated Merger Consideration, then, within five Business Days after the date on which the Final Merger Consideration becomes final and binding, Live Oak will deposit with the Exchange Agent the amount of Live Oak Class A Common Stock required to account for such difference (the “Positive Adjustment Shares”). Thereafter, the Exchange Agent will disburse the Positive Adjustment Shares and the Adjustment Holdback Shares to the holders of Danimer Common Stock (other than Cancelled Shares and any Dissenting Shares) in accordance with the Merger Agreement.

If the Final Merger Consideration is less than the Estimated Merger Consideration, then, within five Business Days after the date on which the Final Merger Consideration becomes final and binding, the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative will jointly instruct Live Oak to deduct out of the Adjustment Holdback Shares, the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock (the “Negative Adjustment Shares”) equal to such difference. If the Negative Adjustment Shares is less than the Adjustment Holdback Shares, then the Exchange Agent will disburse such remaining portion of the Adjustment Holdback Amount to the holders of Danimer Common Stock in accordance with the Merger Agreement. If the Negative Adjustment Shares is greater than the Adjustment Holdback Shares, and on the one year anniversary of the Closing Date there remains any funds in the Shareholder Representative Amount after taking into account and accruing for all expenses and other amounts for which the Shareholder Representative Amount is permitted to be used under the Merger Agreement, the Shareholder Representative will pay any such excess amount in the Shareholder Representative Amount to Live Oak within thirty days following the one year anniversary of the Closing Date. The maximum exposure to the holders of Danimer Common Stock based on any adjustments with respect to the Final Merger Consideration and the Estimated Merger Consideration will be limited to the Adjustment Holdback Shares and the remaining funds in the Shareholder Representative Amount.

Conversion of Convertible Notes and Warrants

Prior to the Closing, the Danimer board of directors will have adopted resolutions, and Danimer has agreed to take all other actions reasonably necessary, to permit each Danimer Warrant that remains outstanding as of immediately prior to the Closing to be exercisable in exchange for shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock immediately after the Effective Time. After the conversion or repayment of the Danimer Convertible Notes, and the exercise of the Danimer Warrants, and the resolutions passed by Danimer’s board of directors pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Danimer Convertible Notes and the Danimer Warrants will no longer represent the right to purchase shares of Danimer Common Stock or any other Equity Interests of Danimer, Merger Sub, the Surviving Corporation or any other Person or the right to receive any other consideration other than as provided in the Merger Agreement.

Earn-Out Shares

In addition to the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration, Live Oak will, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth below, issue or cause to be issued to each Danimer shareholder its “pro rata portion” of the following contingent merger consideration amounts (collectively, the “Earn-Out Shares”) subject to the terms and conditions set forth below:

(a)     2,500,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock if the volume weighted average price of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the NYSE or such other exchange as such shares may then be listed as reported on Bloomberg L.P. under the function “VWAP” (or, if not reported therein, in another authoritative source

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mutually selected by the parties) (“VWAP”) equals or exceeds fifteen dollars ($15.00) per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the six (6) month anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the third anniversary of the Closing Date;

(ii)    2,500,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock if the VWAP of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the NYSE or such other exchange as such shares may then be listed equals or exceeds twenty dollars ($20.00) per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the six (6) month anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date; and

(iii)   1,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock if the VWAP of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the NYSE or such other exchange as such shares may then be listed equals or exceeds twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the six (6) month anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date.

The right of a Danimer shareholder to receive any portion of the Earn-Out Shares under the Merger Agreement will be non-transferable, and no Danimer shareholder may transfer, assign, pledge or convey any interest in the Earn-Out Shares, except by operation of law.

For more information about the Merger Agreement and the Business Combination and other transactions contemplated thereby, see the sections entitled “Proposal No. 1 — The Business Combination Proposal” and “The Merger Agreement.”

Conditions to the Closing

Under the Merger Agreement, consummation of the Business Combination is subject to customary and other conditions, including (i) the expiration or termination of the waiting period (or extension thereof) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (as amended, the “HSR Act”), (ii) the absence of any governmental order that would prohibit the Business Combination, (iii) delivery to Live Oak of the duly executed written consent, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Live Oak, of Danimer shareholders holding the requisite approval in favor of the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Proposed Transactions (the “Written Consent”), (iv) Live Oak’s stockholders having approved each of the Live Oak Proposals, including the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (v) effectiveness of the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part, (vi) NYSE listing of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Business Combination, (vii) conversion of Danimer Options into Assumed Danimer Options, (viii) the conversion of the Danimer Convertible Notes and Danimer Warrants into Danimer Common Stock or rights to acquire Live Oak Class A Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, (ix) the representations and warranties of the parties to the Merger Agreement being true and correct, subject to the de minimis, materiality and material adverse effect standards contained in the Merger Agreement, (x) material compliance by the parties with their respective covenants, (xi) Live Oak’s cash and cash equivalents from all sources at the Closing, after giving effect to redemptions made by certain Live Oak stockholders, when added together with the amount of all net proceeds from the PIPE, along with any additional private financing or backstop arrangements concurrent with the Closing that may be pursued by Live Oak at its sole discretion, being at least $300 million and (xii) Live Oak having raised at least $200 million in cash in PIPE financing to be consummated in connection with the Closing .

For more information on the conditions to closing of the Merger and the other Proposed Transactions, see the section entitled: “The Merger Agreement — Conditions to Closing.

Regulatory Matters

To complete the Business Combination, Live Oak and Danimer must obtain approvals or consents from, or make filings with certain U.S. federal authorities. The Business Combination is subject to the requirements of the HSR Act, which prevents Live Oak and Danimer from completing the Business Combination until required information and materials are furnished to the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) and the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”) and specified waiting period requirements have been satisfied. On October 26, 2020, we received notice of early termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act.

For more information, see the section entitled “The Business Combination — Regulatory Approvals Required for the Business Combination.”

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Termination Rights

The Merger Agreement is subject to termination prior to the effective time of the Business Combination as follows:

•        by the mutual written consent of Live Oak and Danimer;

•        by Live Oak or Danimer, if the Effective Time will not have occurred prior to March 31, 2021 (the “Outside Date”); provided, however, that the Merger Agreement may not be terminated by any party that is in breach of or failure to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in the Merger Agreement and such breach or failure has been the cause of or has resulted in the failure of the Closing to occur on or prior to the Outside Date;

•        by Live Oak if (i) there is an occurrence of a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of Danimer set forth in the Merger Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of Danimer has become untrue, in either case such that the conditions described in subsections (a) and (b) under the heading “The Merger Agreement — Conditions to Closing; Live Oak and Merger Sub” would not be satisfied (a “Terminating Company Breach”); provided that Live Oak has not waived such Terminating Company Breach and Live Oak and Merger Sub are not then in material breach of their representations, warranties, covenants or agreements in the Merger Agreement; provided further that, if such Terminating Company Breach is curable by Danimer, Live Oak may not terminate the Merger Agreement under this provision for so long as Danimer continues to exercise its reasonable efforts to cure such breach, unless such breach is not cured within ten days after notice of such breach and Live Oak’s intention to terminate the Merger Agreement is provided by Live Oak to Danimer; or (ii) Danimer has not delivered to Live Oak a certified copy of the Written Consent by 5:00 p.m. (Central Time) on the tenth (10th) Business Day immediately following the date of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part; and

•        by Danimer if (i) there is an occurrence of a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of Live Oak and Merger Sub set forth in the Merger Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of Live Oak and Merger Sub will have become untrue, in either case such that the conditions described in subsections (a) and (b) under the heading “The Merger Agreement — Conditions to Closing; The Company” would not be satisfied (a “Terminating Live Oak Breach”); provided that Danimer has not waived such Terminating Live Oak Breach and Danimer is not then in material breach of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements in the Merger Agreement; provided, however, that, if such Terminating Live Oak Breach is curable by Live Oak and Merger Sub, Danimer may not terminate the Merger Agreement under this section for so long as Live Oak and Merger Sub continue to exercise their reasonable efforts to cure such breach, unless such breach is not cured within ten days after notice of such breach and Danimer’s intention to terminate the Merger Agreement is provided by Danimer to Live Oak; or (ii) Live Oak fails to receive the requisite vote to approve each of the Live Oak Proposals by the Outside Date.

If the Merger Agreement is terminated, the Merger Agreement will immediately become void and have no further force or effect, with no liability under the Merger Agreement on the part of any party to any other party except as set forth in the Merger Agreement, and no such termination will relieve any party from liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of the Merger Agreement by such party prior to such termination.

For more information, see the section entitled “The Merger Agreement — Termination” and “— Effect of Termination.

Amendments to the Charter

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Business Combination, Live Oak’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation will be further amended and restated to:

•        change Live Oak’s name to “Danimer Scientific, Inc.”;

•        increase the number of authorized shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock to 200,000,000 and the number of authorized shares of Live Oak’s preferred stock to 10,000,000 shares;

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•        approve choice of forum provisions;

•        remove the provisions providing for a classified board of directors;

•        remove the provision renouncing the corporate opportunity doctrine;

•        make certain changes relating to the governance of New Danimer; and

•        make certain other changes to the amended and restated certificate of incorporation, including without limitation the elimination of certain provisions related to Live Oak’s initial business combination that will no longer be relevant following the Closing.

For more information about these amendments to Live Oak’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, see the section entitled “Proposal No. 2 — The Charter Amendment Proposal.”

Other Agreements Related to the Merger Agreement

Support Agreements

Contemporaneously with the execution of the Merger Agreement, on October 3, 2020, the Key Danimer Shareholders entered into the Support Agreements pursuant to which such Key Danimer Shareholders agreed to vote all of their shares of Danimer Common Stock in favor of the approval and adoption of the Proposed Transactions. Additionally, such Key Danimer Shareholders have agreed not to (a) transfer any of their shares of Danimer Common Stock (or enter into any arrangement with respect thereto) or (b) enter into any voting arrangement that is inconsistent with the Support Agreements. Collectively, as of October 3, 2020, the Key Danimer Shareholders held a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Danimer.

For more information about the Support Agreements, see the section entitled “Certain Agreements Related to the Business Combination — Support Agreements.”

Lock-Up Agreement

In connection with the Proposed Transactions, Live Oak and certain shareholders of Danimer (the “Shareholder Parties”) will enter into a Lock-Up Agreement at Closing. The Lock-Up Agreement provides for the securities of Live Oak held by the Shareholder Parties to be locked-up for a period of time following the Effective Time, as described below, subject to certain exceptions. The securities held by the Shareholder Parties will be locked-up until the earlier of (i) one year after the Effective Time or (ii) subsequent to the Effective Time, (x) if the reported closing price of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any twenty (20) trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least one hundred fifty (150) days after the Effective Time, or (y) the date on which Live Oak completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of Live Oak’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock for cash, securities or other property (the “Lock Up Period”).

For more information about the Lock-Up Agreement, see the section entitled “Certain Agreements Related to the Business Combination — Lock-Up Agreement.”

Subscription Agreements

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, effective as of October 3, 2020, Live Oak entered into separate subscription agreements (each, a “Subscription Agreement”) with a number of Subscribers, pursuant to which the Subscribers agreed to purchase, and Live Oak agreed to sell to the Subscribers, the PIPE Shares, for a purchase price of $10.00 per share and an aggregate purchase price of $210,000,000. Live Oak agreed to give certain registration rights to the Subscribers with respect to the PIPE Shares pursuant to the Subscription Agreements.

The closing of the sale of the PIPE Shares pursuant to the Subscription Agreement is contingent upon, among other customary closing conditions, the substantially concurrent consummation of the Proposed Transactions. The purpose of the PIPE is to raise additional capital for use by the combined company following the Closing.

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For more information about the Subscription Agreements, see the section entitled “Certain Agreements Related to the Business Combination — Subscription Agreements.”

Non-Competition Agreements

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Live Oak and certain specified shareholders of Danimer entered into non-competition agreements (the “Non-Competition Agreements”), pursuant to which such shareholders agreed, among other things, to not (i) own, manage, operate, control, have any interest in, financial or otherwise, participate in, consult or perform services for, render services in any form to any person in, or otherwise carry on, whether as principal, agent, independent contractor, consultant, partner, manager, member, executive, employee, representative or licensor or otherwise, any business that is competitive with researching, developing, manufacturing, marketing, distributing and selling biodegradable bio-plastic replacements for traditional petroleum-based plastics (the “Business”) in any geographic area throughout the world in which Danimer and any of its subsidiaries has conducted any aspects of the Business during the 12-month period prior to the date of Non-Competition Agreements (a “Competing Business”); (ii)(A) solicit, attempt to solicit, assist in soliciting, directly or indirectly, individually (other than on behalf of Live Oak and its subsidiaries) or on behalf of a Competing Business, any customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of Live Oak or its subsidiaries, or induce or encourage, or attempt to induce or encourage, any customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of Live Oak and its subsidiaries, in each such case, to cease doing business with Live Oak and its subsidiaries or (B) in any way interfere with the relationship between Live Oak and its subsidiaries and any current customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of Live Oak or its subsidiaries; or (iii)(A) solicit or recruit, or attempt to solicit or recruit, any officer, employee, representative, or agent of Live Oak or any of its subsidiaries who has been hired or engaged by Live Oak or any of its subsidiaries (including Danimer and its subsidiaries) to leave the employ of Live Oak or any of its subsidiaries or (B) hire any such individual. The agreements summarized above are subject to customary exceptions and qualifications.

For more information about the Non-Competition Agreements, see the section entitled “Certain Agreements Related to the Business Combination — Non-Competition Agreements.”

Interests of Certain Persons in the Business Combination

In considering the recommendation of Live Oak board of directors to vote in favor of the Business Combination, stockholders should be aware that, aside from their interests as stockholders, the Sponsor and our directors and officers have interests in the Business Combination that are different from, or in addition to, those of other stockholders generally. Our directors were aware of and considered these interests, among other matters, in evaluating the Business Combination, and in recommending to stockholders that they approve the Business Combination. Stockholders should take these interests into account in deciding whether to approve the Business Combination. These interests include:

•        the beneficial ownership of the Sponsor and certain of Live Oak’s board of directors and officers of an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class B Common Stock and 3,040,000 Live Oak Warrants, which shares and warrants would become worthless if Live Oak does not complete a business combination within the applicable time period, as the Sponsor has waived any right to redemption with respect to these shares. Such shares and warrants have an aggregate market value of approximately $        million and $        million, respectively, based on the closing prices of Live Oak Class A Common Stock of $        and Live Oak Warrants of $        on NYSE on              , 2020;

•        Live Oak board of directors will not receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them on Live Oak’s behalf incident to identifying, investigating and consummating a business combination to the extent such expenses exceed the amount not required to be retained in the Trust Account, unless a business combination is consummated;

•        the anticipated continuation of John P. Amboian, Live Oak’s Chairman, and Richard J. Hendrix, Live Oak Chief Executive Officer and a director, as directors of New Danimer following the Closing;

•        that funds affiliated with certain members of the Live Oak board of directors have been committed to invest $49,050,000 in the PIPE; and

•        the continued indemnification of current directors and officers of Live Oak and the continuation of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance after the Business Combination.

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These interests may influence Live Oak board of directors in making their recommendation that you vote in favor of the approval of the Business Combination Proposal.

Reasons for the Approval of the Business Combination

After careful consideration, Live Oak board of directors recommends that Live Oak stockholders vote “FOR” each Live Oak proposal (including each of the sub-proposals) being submitted to a vote of the Live Oak stockholders at the Live Oak special meeting of stockholders.

For a description of Live Oak’s reasons for the approval of the Business Combination and the recommendation of our board of directors, see the section entitled “The Business Combination — Live Oak Board of Directors’ Reasons for the Approval of the Business Combination.”

Redemption Rights

Under Live Oak’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, holders of Live Oak Class A Common Stock may elect to have their shares redeemed for cash at the applicable redemption price per share equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to Live Oak to pay its taxes, by (ii) the total number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock included as part of the units issued in the IPO. However, Live Oak will not redeem any Public Shares to the extent that such redemption would result in Live Oak having net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) of the Exchange Act) of less than $5,000,001. For illustrative purposes, based on funds in the Trust Account of approximately $200.03 million on June 30, 2020, the estimated per share redemption price would have been approximately $10.00. Under Live Oak’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in connection with an initial business combination, a Public Stockholder, together with any affiliate or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert of as a “group” (as defined under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), is restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the Public Shares without the prior consent of Live Oak.

If a holder exercises its redemption rights, then such holder will be exchanging its shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock for cash and will no longer own shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and will not participate in the future growth of Live Oak, if any. Such a holder will be entitled to receive cash for its Public Shares only if it properly demands redemption and delivers its shares (either physically or electronically) to Live Oak’s transfer agent in accordance with the procedures described herein. See the section entitled “The Special Meeting of Live Oak Stockholders — Redemption Rights” for the procedures to be followed if you wish to redeem your shares for cash.

Ownership of New Danimer After the Closing

It is anticipated that, upon the completion of the Business Combination, the ownership of New Danimer will be as follows:

•        current Danimer shareholders will collectively own 38,748,686 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, representing approximately 45.72% of the total shares outstanding;

•        the PIPE Investors will collectively own 21,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, representing approximately 24.78% of the total shares outstanding;

•        the Public Stockholders will collectively own 20,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, representing approximately 23.60% of the total shares outstanding; and

•        the holders of Founder Shares will collectively own 5,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock upon the automatic conversion of the Founder Shares into Live Oak Class A Common Stock on a one-to-one basis, representing approximately 5.90% of the total shares outstanding.

The numbers of shares and percentage interests set forth above are based on a number of assumptions, including that (i) none of the Public Stockholders exercise their redemption rights, (ii) Danimer does not issue any additional equity securities (or securities convertible into equity securities) subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the Business Combination other than shares issuable upon conversion of the Danimer Convertible Notes, (iii) the amount of Net Debt at Closing is equal to $8,140,304, (iv) the Transaction Expenses Adjustment Amount is $0 (v) the Danimer Convertible

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Notes are converted just prior to Closing and (v) none of the current holders of outstanding Danimer Options or Danimer Warrants decide to exercise such securities subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the consummation of the Business Combination. If the actual facts differ from our assumptions, the numbers of shares and percentage interests set forth above will be different. In addition, the numbers of shares and percentage interests set forth above do not take into account (i) potential future exercises of Live Oak Warrants, (ii) the Earn-Out Shares (iii) shares issuable in connection with the Adjustment Holdback Amount, (iv) shares issuable in connection with the Shareholder Representative Amount or (v) shares issuable upon the future exercise of outstanding options and warrants to purchase shares of Danimer Common Stock following conversion pursuant to the Merger Agreement. In addition, New Danimer will reserve an amount of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equal to 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, determined on a fully-diluted basis, immediately following the Effective Time for issuance pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan and 2,730,000 shares of Class A Common Stock for issuance pursuant to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan; provided, however, that the maximum number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock that shall be available for grants of options under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the issued and outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, determined on a fully-diluted basis, immediately following the Effective Time.

Please see the section entitled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” for further information.

Risk Factors

In evaluating the proposals to be presented at the special meeting, you should carefully read this proxy statement/prospectus and especially consider the factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors.”

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SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF DANIMER

The summary historical consolidated financial information and other data for Danimer set forth below should be read in conjunction with “Danimer Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Danimer’s historical consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto contained elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

The summary historical consolidated financial information and other data presented below for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, and the summary consolidated balance sheet and other data as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 have been derived from Danimer’s audited consolidated financial statements included in this proxy statement/prospectus. The summary historical consolidated financial information and other data presented below for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2020, and the summary consolidated balance sheet and other data as of June 30, 2020 have been derived from Danimer’s unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this proxy statement/prospectus.

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

   

(audited)

 

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

2019

 

2018

 

2020

 

2019

Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Products

 

$

26,862

 

 

$

28,741

 

 

$

19,755

 

 

$

12,228

 

Services

 

 

5,482

 

 

 

1,713

 

 

 

2,716

 

 

 

2,790

 

Total revenue

 

 

32,344

 

 

 

30,454

 

 

 

22,471

 

 

 

15,018

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

21,237

 

 

 

19,209

 

 

 

15,870

 

 

 

9,841

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

16,027

 

 

 

7,301

 

 

 

5,808

 

 

 

9,258

 

Research and development

 

 

5,482

 

 

 

5,136

 

 

 

3,375

 

 

 

2,469

 

Gain on disposal of assets

 

 

(281

)

 

 

(4,364

)

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(281

)

Legal settlement

 

 

8,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,000

 

Total costs and expenses

 

 

50,465

 

 

 

27,282

 

 

 

25,044

 

 

 

29,287

 

(Loss) income from operations

 

 

(18,121

)

 

 

3,172

 

 

 

(2,573

)

 

 

(14,269

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonoperating income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(3,475

)

 

 

(3,232

)

 

 

(1,097

)

 

 

(2,121

)

Gain on loan extinguishment

 

 

5,550

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

340

 

 

 

352

 

 

 

174

 

 

 

126

 

Other income (expense), net

 

 

277

 

 

 

(33

)

 

 

15

 

 

 

279

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

 

(15,429

)

 

 

259

 

 

 

(3,481

)

 

 

(15,985

)

Income tax expense

 

 

4,085

 

 

 

51

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,137

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(19,514

)

 

$

208

 

 

$

(3,481

)

 

$

(20,122

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) income per share:(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(7.05

)

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

(1.11

)

 

$

(7.29

)

Diluted

 

$

(7.05

)

 

$

0.07

 

 

$

(1.11

)

 

$

(7.29

)

____________

(1)      See Note 10 to Danimer’s unaudited consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2020 and Note 14 to Danimer’s audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, for an explanation of the calculations of earnings per share and the number of weighted-average shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share.

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As of
December 31,

 

As of
June 30,

   

(audited)

 

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

 

2020

Consolidated balance sheet data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

6,261

 

 

$

6,317

 

 

$

6,705

 

Working capital

 

 

(15,045

)

 

 

5,399

 

 

 

(3,163

)

Total assets

 

 

145,423

 

 

 

114,250

 

 

 

171,817

 

Total long-term debt

 

 

73,779

 

 

 

57,078

 

 

 

75,226

 

Total liabilities

 

 

127,997

 

 

 

87,062

 

 

 

132,469

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(49,080

)

 

 

(29,566

)

 

 

(52,561

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

17,426

 

 

 

27,188

 

 

 

39,348

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

   

(audited)

 

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

 

2020

 

2019

Statement of Cash Flows Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

$

(1,673

)

 

$

323

 

 

$

(9,637

)

 

$

(738

)

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 

 

(49,093

)

 

 

2,811

 

 

 

(19,859

)

 

 

(16,926

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

53,498

 

 

 

(453

)

 

 

28,193

 

 

 

33,865

 

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SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF LIVE OAK

The following table shows summary historical financial information of Live Oak for the periods and as of the dates indicated. The summary historical financial information of Live Oak was derived from the audited historical financial statements of Live Oak included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The following table should be read in conjunction with “Live Oak Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Live Oak’s historical financial statements and the notes and schedules related thereto, included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Statement of Operations Data:

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,
2020

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,
2020

 

Period from May 24, 2019 (inception) to June 30,
2019

   

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

Formation and general and administrative expenses

 

$

112,394

 

 

$

112,394

 

 

$

2,774

 

Interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account

 

 

26,459

 

 

 

26,459

 

 

 

 

Net Loss

 

$

(85,935

)

 

$

(85,935

)

 

$

(2,774

)

Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A redeemable
common stock

 

 

20,000,000

 

 

 

20,000,000

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net income per share, Class A

 

$

0.00

 

 

$

0.00

 

 

$

 

Weighted average shares outstanding of Class B non-redeemable common stock

 

 

5,000,000

 

 

 

5,000,000

 

 

 

5,000,000

 

Basic and diluted net income per share, Class B

 

$

(0.02

)

 

$

(0.02

)

 

$

(0.00

)

Balance Sheet Data:

 

As of
June 30,
2020

 

As of
December 31, 2019

   

(unaudited)

 

(audited)

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,677,652

 

$

20,000

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

29,268

 

 

Deferred offering costs

 

 

 

 

57,950

Cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account

 

 

200,026,459

 

 

Total assets

 

$

201,733,381

 

$

77,950

Total liabilities

 

$

6,819,540

 

$

56,930

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SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial data (the “summary pro forma data”) gives effect to the Business Combination and the issuance of Live Oak Class A Common Stock in the PIPE described in the section entitled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information.” The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2020 combines the historical balance sheet of Live Oak and the historical balance sheet of Danimer on a pro forma basis as if the Business Combination and the PIPE had been consummated on December 31, 2019. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the six months ended June 30, 2020 combine the historical statements of operations of Live Oak and Danimer for such periods on a pro forma basis as if the Business Combination and the PIPE had been consummated on January 1, 2019, the beginning of the earliest period presented.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements present three possible redemption scenarios as follows:

•        Assuming No Redemption — this scenario assumes that no shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock are redeemed; and

•        Assuming Maximum Redemption Condition — this scenario assumes that 9,339,675 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock are redeemed for an aggregate payment of approximately $93.4 million (based on the estimated per share redemption price of approximately $10.00 per share based on the fair value of marketable securities held in the Trust Account of approximately $200.0 million) from the Trust Account, which is the maximum amount of redemptions that would satisfy the Minimum Cash Condition set forth in the merger agreement without having raised additional private financing or backstop agreements; and

•        Assuming Maximum Redemption — this scenario assumes that 20,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock are redeemed for an aggregate payment of approximately $200.0 million (based on the estimated per share redemption price of approximately $10.00 per share based on the fair value of marketable securities held in the Trust Account as of December 31, 2019 of approximately $200.0 million) from the Trust Account.

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming No Redemption)

 

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming Maximum Redemption Condition)

 

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming Maximum Possible Redemption)

Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statement of Operations Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

32,344

 

 

$

32,344

 

 

$

32,344

 

Net loss per share – basic and diluted

 

$

(0.27

)

 

$

(0.31

)

 

$

(0.37

)

Weighted-average share outstanding – basic and diluted

 

 

72,222,678

 

 

 

62,883,003

 

 

 

52,222,678

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming No Redemption)

 

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming Maximum Redemption Condition)

 

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming Maximum Possible Redemption)

Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statement of Operations Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June, 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

22,471

 

 

$

22,471

 

 

$

22,471

 

Net loss per share – basic and diluted

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

(0.05

)

 

$

(0.06

)

Weighted-average share outstanding – basic and diluted

 

 

72,222,678

 

 

 

62,883,003

 

 

 

52,222,678

 

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(in thousands)

 

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming No Redemption)

 

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming Maximum Redemption Condition)

 

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming Maximum Possible Redemption)

Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

Balance Sheet Data as of June 30, 2020

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total assets

 

$

558,551

 

$

465,142

 

$

358,525

Total liabilities

 

$

121,665

 

$

121,665

 

$

121,666

Total equity

 

$

436,886

 

$

343,477

 

$

236,860

Unaudited Historical Comparative and Pro Forma Combined Per Share Data of Live Oak and Danimer

The following table sets forth selected historical comparative share information for Live Oak and Danimer and unaudited pro forma condensed combined per share information of the combined company after giving effect to the Business Combination and the PIPE, assuming three redemption scenarios as follows:

•        Assuming No Redemption — this scenario assumes that no shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock are redeemed; and

•        Assuming Maximum Redemption Condition — this scenario assumes that 9,339,675 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock are redeemed for an aggregate payment of approximately $93.4 million (based on the estimated per share redemption price of approximately $10.00 per share based on the fair value of marketable securities held in the Trust Account of approximately $200.0 million) from the Trust Account, which is the maximum amount of redemptions that would satisfy the Minimum Cash Condition set forth in the merger agreement without having raised additional private financing or backstop agreements; and

•        Assuming Maximum Redemption — this scenario assumes that 20,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock are redeemed for an aggregate payment of approximately $200.0 million (based on the estimated per share redemption price of approximately $10.00 per share based on the fair value of marketable securities held in the Trust Account as of June 30, 2020 of approximately $200.0 million) from the Trust Account.

The pro forma book value information reflects the Business Combination and the PIPE as if they had occurred on June 30, 2020. The weighted average shares outstanding and net loss per share information give pro forma effect to the Business Combination and the PIPE as if they had occurred on January 1, 2019.

This information is only a summary and should be read together with the selected historical financial information included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, and the historical financial statements of Live Oak and Danimer and related notes that are included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The unaudited pro forma combined per share information of Live Oak and Danimer is derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

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The unaudited pro forma combined earnings per share information below does not purport to represent the earnings per share which would have occurred had the companies been combined during the periods presented, nor earnings per share for any future date or period. The unaudited pro forma combined book value per share information below does not purport to represent what the value of Live Oak and Danimer would have been had the companies been combined during the periods presented.

 

Live Oak (Historical)

 

Danimer (Historical)

 

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming No Redemption)

 

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming Maximum Redemption Condition)

 

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming Maximum Possible Redemption)

As of and for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Value per share(1)

 

$

0.83

 

 

$

12.56

 

 

$

6.05

 

 

$

5.46

 

 

$

4.54

 

Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

basic and diluted

 

 

1,008,616

 

 

 

 

 

 

72,222,678

 

 

 

62,883,003

 

 

 

52,222,678

 

Weighted average shares outstanding of Class B common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

basic and diluted

 

 

5,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding of Danimer common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

basic and diluted

 

 

 

 

 

3,133,727

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share of Class A common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

basic and diluted

 

$

0.00

 

 

 

 

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

(0.05

)

 

$

(0.06

)

Net loss per share of Class B common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

basic and diluted

 

$

0.02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share of Danimer common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

basic and diluted

 

 

 

 

$

(1.11

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of and for the Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Value per share(1)

 

$

0.00

 

 

$

6.30

 

 

 

N/A

(2)

 

 

N/A

(2)

 

 

N/A

(2)

Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

basic and diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

72,222,678

 

 

 

62,883,003

 

 

 

52,222,678

 

Weighted average shares outstanding of Class B common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

basic and diluted

 

 

5,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding of Danimer common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

basic and diluted

 

 

 

 

 

2,766,466

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share of Class A common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

basic and diluted

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

$

(0.27

)

 

$

(0.31

)

 

$

(0.37

)

Net loss per share of Class B common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

basic and diluted

 

$

(0.00

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share of Danimer common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

basic and diluted

 

 

 

 

$

(7.05

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

____________

(1)      Book value per share is calculated by dividing total equity by shares outstanding.

(2)      Pro forma balance sheet for year ended December 31, 2019 is not required and as such, no such calculation is included in this table.

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Please note that we may use words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook” and similar expressions which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this proxy statement/prospectus regarding Live Oak’s proposed Business Combination with Danimer, Live Oak’s ability to consummate the transaction, the benefits of the transactions and the combined company’s future financial performance, as well as the combined company’s strategy, future operations, estimated financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events and therefore involve a number of risks and uncertainties. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; the inability of the Live Oak and Danimer to successfully or timely consummate the Proposed Transactions, including the risk that any regulatory approvals are not obtained, are delayed or are subject to unanticipated conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the Proposed Transactions or that the approval of the stockholders of Live Oak or Danimer is not obtained; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of Proposed Transactions; risk relating to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to Danimer; the amount of redemption requests made by Live Oak’s stockholders, the overall level of consumer demand on our products; general economic conditions and other factors affecting consumer confidence, preferences, and behavior; disruption and volatility in the global currency, capital, and credit markets; the financial strength of Danimer’s customers; Danimer’s ability to implement our business strategy, Danimer’s ability to execute and integrate acquisitions; changes in governmental regulation, Danimer’s exposure to product liability or product warranty claims and other loss contingencies; disruptions and other impacts to Danimer’s business, as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic and government actions and restrictive measures implemented in response; stability of our manufacturing facilities and suppliers, as well as consumer demand for Danimer’s products, in light of disease epidemics and health-related concerns such as the COVID-19 global pandemic; the impact that global climate change trends may have on Danimer and its suppliers and customers; Danimer’s ability to protect patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights; any breaches of, or interruptions in, our information systems; fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials and contracted products as well as foreign currency fluctuations; Danimer’s ability to utilize potential net operating loss carryforwards; changes in tax laws and liabilities, tariffs, legal, regulatory, political and economic risks; and the other risks and uncertainties described in this proxy statement/prospectus, including those under the section entitled “Risk Factors.” All forward-looking statements included herein are based upon information available to us as of the date hereof, and speak only as of the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

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RISK FACTORS

The combined company will face a market environment that cannot be predicted and that involves significant risks, many of which will be beyond its control. In addition to the other information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus, you should carefully consider the material risks described below before deciding how to vote your shares of stock. In addition, you should read and consider the risks associated with the business of Live Oak because these risks may also affect the combined company. You should also read and consider the other information in this proxy statement/prospectus and the other documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. Please see the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Risks Related to Danimer

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this section to “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Danimer and its subsidiaries prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.

We have a history of net losses and our future profitability is uncertain.

Danimer has recorded a loss for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and our future profitability is uncertain. At December 31, 2019, our accumulated deficit was approximately $49.1 million. Since our inception, we have been engaged primarily in research and development and early-stage commercial activities. Because we have a limited history of commercial operations and we operate in a rapidly evolving industry, we cannot be certain that we will generate sufficient revenue to operate our business and become profitable.

Our ability to generate revenues in the near-term is highly dependent on the successful commercialization of our biopolymer products, which is subject to many risks and uncertainties as described below. We expect that it will take time for our PHA production to ramp up to an economical scale while the market for our products expands. As a result, we expect to have significant losses and negative cash flow for at least the next several years, as we incur additional costs and expenses for the continued development and expansion of our business, including the costs of establishing manufacturing capacity and ongoing expenses of research and product development. The amount we spend will impact our ability to become profitable and this will depend, in part, on the number of new products that we attempt to develop. We may not achieve any or all of these goals and, thus, we cannot provide assurances that we will ever be profitable or achieve significant revenues.

Even if we can successfully manufacture and sell our products, whether we will be able to generate a profit on any of these products is highly uncertain and depends on a number of factors including the cost of production, the price we are able to charge for these products, and the emergence of competing products.

Our operating results may fluctuate significantly as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control.

We are subject to, among other things, the following factors that may negatively affect our operating results:

•        the announcement or introduction of new products by our competitors;

•        our ability to upgrade and develop our systems and infrastructure to accommodate growth;

•        our ability to attract and retain key personnel in a timely and cost-effective manner;

•        our ability to attract new customer and retain existing customers;

•        technical difficulties;

•        the amount and timing of operating costs and capital expenditures relating to the expansion of our business, operations and infrastructure;

•        our ability to identify and enter into relationships with appropriate and qualified third-party providers of necessary testing and manufacturing services;

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•        regulation by federal, state or local governments; and

•        general economic conditions, as well as economic conditions specific to the plastics industry, and other industries related to compostable or biodegradable substitutes for non-biodegradable plastics.

As a result of our limited operating history and the nature of the markets in which we compete, it is difficult for us to forecast our revenues or earnings accurately. We have based our anticipated future expense levels largely on our investment plans and estimates of future events, although certain of our expense levels will, to a large extent, become fixed. As a strategic response to changes in the competitive environment, we may from time to time make certain decisions concerning expenditures, pricing, service or marketing that could have a material and adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Due to the foregoing factors, our revenues and operating results are difficult to forecast.

Our financial projections may not be accurate.

The financial projections included in this proxy statement/prospectus present our estimates of future results of operations and are based upon the assumptions of Danimer’s management concerning future events, circumstances, and transactions. Realization of the results forecasted will depend on the successful implementation by us of our proposed business plan, and policies and procedures consistent with the assumptions. Future results will also be affected by events and circumstances beyond our control, for example, our competitive environment, our executive team, rapid technological change, economic and other conditions in the markets in which we propose to operate, governmental regulation and reimbursement of our proposed products and markets, uncertainties inherent in product development and testing, our future financing needs and our ability to grow and to manage our growth effectively. In particular, the financial projections assume the buildout of Phase II of the Kentucky Facility, an estimated timeline for such buildout and beginning in October 2020. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus the Phase II buildout is behind schedule as compared to the projection’s estimated timeline. Even if Danimer is able to bring Phase II back to its original schedule, there can be no assurances that Danimer will be able to complete such buildout on such timeline or at all or achieve such rapid production. See “— We may not be able to complete either or both phases of the proposed buildout of the Kentucky Facility”. For the reasons described above, it is likely that the actual results of our operations will be different from the results forecasted and those differences may be material and adverse. The forecasts were prepared by Danimer’s management and have not been certified or examined by an accountant. Neither Live Oak nor Danimer’s management has any duty to update the financial projections included in this proxy statement/prospectus.

We will need to secure additional funding and may be unable to raise additional capital on favorable terms, if at all.

We expect that following the Closing, we will have sufficient capital to fund our planned operations through the completion of Phase II of the buildout of the Kentucky Facility. Thereafter, we will need to raise additional capital to continue to scale and expand our manufacturing capability. If we issue equity or debt securities to raise additional funds, (i) we may incur fees associated with such issuance, (ii) our existing stockholders will experience dilution from the issuance of new equity securities, (iii) we may incur ongoing interest expense and be required to grant a security interest in our assets in connection with any debt issuance, and (iv) the new equity or debt securities may have rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of our existing stockholders. In addition, utilization of our net operating loss and research and development credit carryforwards may be subject to significant annual limitations under Section 382 of the Code due to ownership changes resulting from future equity financing transactions. If we raise additional funds through collaboration, licensing or other similar arrangements, it may be necessary to relinquish valuable rights to our potential products or proprietary technologies, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us. In the event we are unable to obtain additional financing, we may be unable to successfully implement our business plan, which could have a material and adverse impact on our business, including you losing your entire investment.

Our biopolymer products may not achieve market success.

We currently have limited customer commitments for commercial quantities of our biopolymer products. Some prospective customers are currently evaluating and testing our products prior to making large-scale purchase decisions.

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The successful commercialization of our biopolymers is also dependent on our customers’ ability to commercialize the end-products that they make from our biopolymers, which may never gain market acceptance.

Market acceptance of our products will depend on numerous factors, many of which are outside of our control, including among others:

•        public acceptance of such products;

•        our ability to produce products of consistent quality that offer functionality comparable or superior to existing or new polymer products;

•        our ability to produce products fit for their intended purpose;

•        our ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals for our products;

•        the speed at which potential customers qualify our biopolymers for use in their products;

•        the pricing of our products compared to competitive products, including petroleum-based plastics;

•        the strategic reaction of companies that market competitive products;

•        our reliance on third parties who support or control distribution channels; and

•        general market conditions.

Danimer produces bio-based products from renewable resources, whose pricing and availability may be impacted by factors out of our control.

Pricing and availability of raw materials, including renewable resources, for use in our businesses can be volatile due to numerous factors beyond our control, including general, domestic, and international economic conditions, labor costs, production levels, competition, consumer demand. Drought, pestilence, severe weather or other “acts of God” may limit our ability to procure raw materials if crops are lost. This volatility can significantly affect the availability and cost of raw materials for us, and may therefore have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Danimer sells formulated resins which include raw materials purchased from third parties, including PLA. Danimer currently sources all of its PLA from two suppliers, NatureWorks LLC and Total Corbion PLA. Due to the high rate of growth in the biopolymer market, the demand for PLA and other raw materials used in our products may outpace supply, which could result in price increases and deficits in the supply necessary to meet customer demand. If Danimer is unable to secure the required quantities of PLA and other third-party raw materials, it may not be able to achieve its financial forecasts and fulfill customer demand.

If our products and product candidates do not gain market acceptance among key market participants, we may be unable to generate significant revenues, if any.

Even if we obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates, they may not gain market acceptance among plastics manufacturers or other plastic users. Market acceptance will depend on our ability to demonstrate the benefits of our approved products in terms of safety, efficacy, convenience, biodegradability and environmental friendliness, ease of administration and cost effectiveness. In addition, we believe market acceptance depends on the effectiveness of our marketing strategy and the pricing of our approved products. 

We have not produced PHA in large commercial quantities.

We have limited experience in producing large quantities of PHA. While we have succeeded in producing smaller amounts of PHA in our pilot plant for customer trials and testing purposes, we only recently commenced the production of PHA in a large commercial plant with a capacity sufficient to meet the anticipated needs of prospective customers. We may not be able to cost effectively produce PHA at a scale consistent with customer demand in a timely or economical manner, or that the quality of the commercial product will be acceptable on a consistent basis. Further, if the Kentucky Facility is not able to meet customer demands, we will have to expand our facility, which will disrupt production and deplete our resources.

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Our PHA products are not yet manufactured on a commercial scale and may never become commercially marketable.

Although we do currently sell commercial quantities of compostable PLA-based resins, we only recently commenced producing commercially viable quantities of PHA. Limited research and testing have been completed on some of the products that we may produce using PHA. For some applications, we will have to go through extensive research and testing to develop specific products and to determine or demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of their proposed use. Although we have already received food contact approval for some grades of PHA, some of our product candidates and our proposed testing of those products will require additional regulatory approvals and clearances. Accordingly, not all of the products we intend to pursue are presently marketable in the fields of use for which we hope to develop them, and it is possible (or even probable) that some or all of them may never become legally and commercially marketable. The development and testing of our proposed products is difficult, time-consuming and expensive, and the successful development of any products based on innovative technologies is subject to inherent uncertainties and risks of failure. These risks include the possibilities that any or all of the proposed products or procedures may be found to be ineffective, or may otherwise fail to receive necessary regulatory clearances; that the proposed products or procedures may be uneconomical to produce and market or may never achieve broad market acceptance; that third parties may hold proprietary rights that preclude Danimer from marketing its intended products or procedures; or that third parties may develop and market superior or equivalent products and procedures.

Danimer may be unable to obtain certifications required by certain customers.

Many of our customers require biopolymer formulations to undergo biodegradability testing to address physical property deterioration in specific environmental conditions. Biodegradation certification is important for our customers to ensure those products can be effectively marketed and sold and meet customer demands on environmental protection. If our new PHA based resins to be sold out of the Kentucky Facility don’t achieve the required certifications in a timely manner, Danimer may experience a delay in going to market. Such a delay could result in Danimer not achieving its financial forecasts and fulfill customer demand.

We may be unable to manage rapid growth effectively.

Our failure to manage growth effectively could have a material and adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. We anticipate that a period of significant expansion will be required to address potential growth and to handle licensing and research activities. This expansion will place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources. To manage the expected growth of our operations and personnel, we must establish appropriate and scalable operational and financial systems, procedures and controls and must establish a qualified finance, administrative and operations staff. Our management may be unable to hire, train, retain and manage the necessary personnel or to identify, manage and exploit potential strategic relationships and market opportunities.

We may be delayed in or unable to procure necessary capital equipment.

While the equipment we use to produce PHA and our other products is currently widely available, we must rely on outside companies to continue to manufacture the equipment necessary to produce our products. If our suppliers of capital equipment are unable or unwilling to provide us with necessary capital equipment to manufacture our products or if we experience significant delays in obtaining the necessary manufacturing equipment, our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Our success will be influenced by the price of petroleum relative to the price of bio-based feedstocks.

Our success may be influenced by the cost of our products relative to petroleum-based polymers. The cost of petroleum-based polymers is in part based on the price of petroleum. To date, our PHA biopolymers have been primarily manufactured using canola oil, an agricultural feedstock. As the price of biobased feedstocks increases and/or the price of petroleum decreases, our biobased products may be less competitive relative to petroleum-based polymers. A material decrease in the cost of conventional petroleum-based polymers may require a reduction in the prices of our products for them to remain attractive in the marketplace and/or reduce the size of our addressable market.

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Certain contracts granting exclusivity rights to customers may limit our ability to sell products in certain markets.

Danimer has entered into certain agreements with customers, which, subject to the terms therein, grant these customers the exclusive right to purchase certain products and, in some cases, in certain fields and/or territories from us. These agreements could prevent us from selling products to certain prospective customers or entering certain markets, which could have a material and adverse impact on our business.

We may rely heavily on future collaborative partners.

We may enter into strategic partnerships to develop and commercialize our current and future research and development programs with other companies to accomplish one or more of the following:

•        obtain capital, equipment and facilities,

•        obtain funding for research and development programs, product development programs and commercialization activities,

•        obtain expertise in relevant markets,

•        obtain access to raw materials, and/or

•        obtain sales and marketing services or support.

We may not be successful in establishing or maintaining suitable partnerships, and we may not be able to negotiate collaboration agreements having terms satisfactory to us or at all. Failure to make or maintain these arrangements or a delay or failure in a collaborative partner’s performance under any such arrangements could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

We face and will face substantial competition.

We face and will face substantial competition from a variety of companies in the biodegradable, renewable resource-based plastic segment, as well as from companies in the conventional, non-biodegradable petroleum-based industry segment. Some of their products are suitable for use in a range of products at a price which may be lower than our product offerings. Many of these companies have longer operating histories, greater name recognition, larger customer bases and significantly greater financial, sales and marketing, manufacturing, distribution, technical and other resources than us. Our competitors may be able to adapt more quickly to new or emerging technologies, changes in customer requirements and changes in laws and regulations. In addition, current and potential competitors have established or may establish financial or strategic relationships among themselves or with existing or potential customers or other third parties. Accordingly, new competitors or alliances among competitors could emerge and rapidly acquire significant market share. There can be no assurance that we can develop products that are more effective or achieve greater market acceptance than competitive products, or that our competitors will not succeed in developing products and technologies that are more effective than those being developed by us and that would therefore render our products and technologies less competitive or even obsolete. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully against current or new competitors.

We may not be able to complete either or both phases of the proposed buildout of our Kentucky Facility.

In December 2018, Danimer consummated the acquisition of the Kentucky Facility, including the equipment, machinery and other personal property located at such facility for a purchase price of $23 million, and simultaneously entered into a sale and leaseback transaction with a large, diversified commercial property REIT (the “REIT”) pursuant to which Danimer sold the Kentucky Facility and certain of its facilities located in Bainbridge, Georgia to the REIT and leased-back the same properties from the REIT under a net-lease for an initial term of 20 years with renewal terms up to an additional 20 years at Danimer’s option. The assets available at the Kentucky Facility permitted Danimer to embark on a two-phase commissioning strategy, with Danimer commencing production of commercial volumes of PHA in December 2019. The first phase of the buildout was nearing completion at the end of the second quarter of 2020 after investing approximately $47 million since the acquisition of the Kentucky Facility, excluding capitalized interest. Of this total, $7 million in real-estate improvements for the Kentucky Facility were financed by the REIT and leased back to Danimer in May 2020. Once Phase I of the Kentucky Facility buildout is operating at scale, Danimer expects to produce approximately 20 million pounds of finished product per year. Danimer believes that the capacity

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of the plant can be expanded by another 45 million additional pounds of finished product, bringing total plant capacity up to approximately 65 million pounds per year, by investing another $100 million in the future for the Phase II expansion of such facility. There can be no assurances, though, that Danimer will be able to achieve such production capacity or raise the additional financing required to complete Phase II of the Kentucky Facility expansion.

We may not be able to identify additional facilities and assets or secure the funding necessary to acquire them.

Aside from the Kentucky Facility, we may need to identify other facilities and assets that would be beneficial to our production of PHA at the commercial scale or our growth in general. We cannot provide assurances that we will be successful in identifying such facilities and assets or, if we do, securing the funding necessary to acquire them.

Climate Change may impact the availability of our facilities and, in addition, we may incur substantial costs to comply with climate change legislation and related regulatory initiatives.

Changing weather patterns and the increase in frequency of severe storms such as hurricanes and tornadoes could cause disruptions or the complete loss of our facilities. In addition, climate change concerns, and changes in the regulation of such concerns, including greenhouse gas emissions, could also subject us to additional costs and restrictions, including increased energy and raw materials costs which could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations. The effects of climate change can have an adverse effect not only to our operations, but also that of our suppliers and customers, and can lead to increased regulations and changes in consumer preferences, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We may be subject to product liability claims that may not be covered by insurance and could require us to pay substantial sums.

If we are successful in obtaining regulatory approval for our products and/or otherwise begin marketing them, we will become subject to an inherent risk of, and adverse publicity associated with, product liability and other liability claims, whether or not such claims are valid. We intend to obtain product liability insurance coverage in amounts and scope that we believe will be adequate once we begin marketing any products. However, product liability insurance may not be available on commercially acceptable terms, or at all. Even if such insurance is available, product liability or other claims may exceed our insurance coverage limits. A successful product liability claim that exceeds our insurance coverage limits could require us to pay substantial sums and could have a material adverse effect on us.

Changes in government regulations encouraging the use of biodegradable alternatives to plastic products may have an adverse effect on our business.

We anticipate one of the key markets for our products being compostable and biodegradable substitutes for non-biodegradable plastics, which are created in part by laws, regulations and policies designed to encourage or mandate the increased use of compostable and biodegradable alternatives to plastics. Several countries and other political subdivisions of countries have enacted or are considering enacting such laws and regulations. Failure to implement these or similar laws and regulations and changes to existing laws and regulations may adversely affect the demand for our product candidates in the future.

We may not be able to protect adequately our patents and other intellectual property assets, which could adversely affect our competitive position and reduce the value of our products, and litigation to protect our patents and intellectual property assets may be costly.

Our commercial success may depend in part on our ability to obtain patent protection for technologies and products we develop, to preserve trade secrets and to operate without infringing the proprietary rights of others. There can be no assurance that any patents or patent applications that Danimer owns, obtains or files or is able to obtain or license from third parties will afford any competitive advantages or will not be challenged or circumvented by third parties. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that others will not independently develop similar technologies or duplicate any technology developed by Danimer. Because of the extensive time required for development, testing and regulatory review of a potential product, it is possible that before any of our potential products can be commercialized, any related patents may expire or may have only a brief remaining life span following commercialization, thus reducing any advantage of the patents.

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If we are not able to obtain patent coverage or defend the patent protection for our technologies, then we will not be able to exclude competitors from developing or marketing competing technologies, and we may not generate enough revenues from product sales to justify the cost of development of our technologies and to achieve or maintain profitability. The patents currently in the portfolio, as well as any patents which may ultimately issue from currently pending patent applications, have or will have expiration dates ranging from 2022 to 2040.

Our patent position involves complex legal and factual questions. Accordingly, we cannot predict the breadth of claims that may be allowed or enforced in our patents or in third-party patents. Patents may not be issued for any pending or future pending patent applications owned by or licensed to us, and claims allowed under any issued patent or future issued patent owned or licensed by us may not be valid or sufficiently broad to protect our technologies. Moreover, we may be unable to protect certain of our intellectual property in the United States or in foreign countries. Foreign jurisdictions may not afford the same protections as U.S. law, and we cannot ensure that foreign patent applications will have the same scope as the U.S. patents. There will be many countries in which we will choose not to file or maintain patents because of the costs involved. Competitors may also design around our technology or develop competing technologies.

Additionally, any issued patents owned by or licensed to us now or in the future may be challenged, invalidated, or circumvented. To the extent competitors or other third parties develop and market products or procedures that we believe infringe our patents and proprietary rights, we may be compelled to initiate lawsuits to protect and enforce our intellectual property rights. Such litigation is typically expensive, time-consuming and uncertain as to outcome, and may involve opponents who have much more extensive financial resources than we do. An unfavorable outcome of any such litigation could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Third parties may claim that we infringe on their proprietary rights and may prevent us from commercializing and selling our products.

There has been substantial litigation in the manufacturing industry with respect to the manufacture, use and sale of new products. These lawsuits often involve claims relating to the validity of patents supporting the new products and/or the validity and alleged infringement of patents or proprietary rights of third parties. We may be required to defend against challenges to the validity of our patents and against claims relating to the alleged infringement of patent or proprietary rights of third parties.

Litigation initiated by a third-party claiming patent invalidity or patent infringement could:

•        require us to incur substantial litigation expense, even if we are successful in the litigation;

•        require us to divert significant time and effort of our management;

•        result in the loss of our rights to develop, manufacture or market our products; and

•        require us to pay substantial monetary damages or royalties in order to license proprietary rights from third parties or to satisfy judgments or to settle actual or threatened litigation.

Although patent and intellectual property disputes within the biopolymer industry have often been settled through licensing or similar arrangements, costs associated with these arrangements may be substantial and could include the long-term payment of royalties. Furthermore, the required licenses may not be made available to us on acceptable terms. Accordingly, an adverse determination in a judicial or administrative proceeding or a failure to obtain necessary licenses could prevent us from manufacturing and selling our products or increase our costs to market our products.

We rely in part on trade secrets to protect our technology, and our failure to obtain or maintain trade secret protection could limit our ability to compete.

We rely on trade secrets to protect some of our technology and proprietary information, especially where we believe patent protection is not appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect. Litigating a claim that a third party had illegally obtained and was using our trade secrets would be expensive and time consuming, and the outcome would be unpredictable. Moreover, if our competitors independently develop similar knowledge, methods and know-how, it will be difficult for us to enforce our rights and our business could be harmed.

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Danimer may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our debt and operating lease obligations, and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our debt and operating lease obligations, which may not be successful.

Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt service and operating lease obligations and other obligations depends on our ability to generate cash in the future and our financial condition and operating performance, which are subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. We cannot assure you that we will maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our debt , or to pay our operating lease obligations. As of June 30, 2020, Danimer has principal payments on long-term debt due in the next twelve months as well as short-term debt due in the next twelve months in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $12.5 million.

If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund its debt service, operating lease obligations and other obligations, Danimer may be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures, or to sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance its debt.  These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit Danimer to meet its scheduled debt obligations.  If our operating results and available cash are insufficient to meet its debt service, operating lease obligations and other obligations, Danimer could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet its debt service and other obligations.  Danimer may not be able to consummate those dispositions or to obtain the proceeds sought from them, and these proceeds may not be adequate to meet any debt service or other obligations then due.  Further, Danimer may need to refinance all or a portion of its debt on or before maturity, and Danimer cannot assure you that it will be able to refinance any of its debt on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Additionally, if Danimer is unable to service its operating lease payments for its facilities in Bainbridge, Georgia and Winchester, Kentucky, which Danimer leases pursuant to a sale-leaseback transaction that was entered into in 2018 with a commercial property REIT, Danimer could lose the ability to occupy and operate those facilities.

Despite our current significant indebtedness, we may be able to incur more debt in the future, which could further exacerbate the risks of leverage, including the ability to service our indebtedness.

We may need to incur additional debt in the future to complete acquisitions of facilities, equipment, machinery and other assets or capital projects or for working capital. Although the covenants contained in our current indebtedness instruments may impose some limits on our ability to incur new debt, these agreements may permit the incurrence of significant additional debt if we satisfy certain conditions or such debt instruments may be amended in the future to do so. If we incur new debt, the risks related to being in a highly leveraged company that we now face could intensify, including our ability to service such indebtedness.

We are subject to a number of restrictive debt covenants under our loan agreements.

Many of our loan agreements contain certain restrictive covenants, which restrict our ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, incur certain liens on our assets or sell assets, make investments, make capital expenditures, pay dividends and make other restricted payments. Many of our loan agreements also require us to maintain specified financial ratios under certain conditions and satisfy financial condition tests, including a consolidated senior leverage ratio and consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio.

Our ability to meet those financial ratios and tests and otherwise comply with our financial covenants may be affected by the factors described in this “Risk Factors” section of this proxy statement/prospectus and other factors outside our control, and we may not be able to meet those ratios, tests and covenants. Our ability to generate sufficient cash from operations to meet our debt obligations will depend upon our future operating performance, which will be affected by general economic, financial, competitive, business and other factors beyond our control. A breach of any of these covenants, ratios, tests or restrictions, as applicable, or any inability to pay interest on, or principal of, our outstanding debt as it becomes due could result in an event of default. Upon an event of default, if not waived by our lenders, our lenders may declare all amounts outstanding as due and payable. Such an acceleration of the maturity of our indebtedness may, among other things, prevent or limit us from engaging in transactions that benefit us, including responding to changing business and economic conditions and taking advantage of attractive business opportunities.

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Danimer may not be able to satisfy the requirements of its participation in a New Markets Tax Credit (“NMTC”) program for funding its plant expansions.

Danimer has entered into several arrangements under the NMTC program with various third-party financial institutions (the “Investors”) to help fund various phases of plant expansions at its Bainbridge, Georgia, and Winchester, Kentucky locations. In connection with the NMTC transactions Danimer received proceeds which were restricted for use on approved capital expenditures and working capital needs at specific subsidiaries. The NMTCs are subject to 100% recapture of the tax credit for a period of seven years as provided in the Code. Danimer is required to be in compliance with various regulations and contractual provisions that apply to the NMTC arrangements. Danimer has agreed to indemnify the Investors for any loss or recapture of the NMTCs until such time as Danimer’s obligation to deliver tax benefits is relieved. The maximum potential amount of future payments under this indemnification could be up to the face amount of the related debt, net of certain leverage loans receivable in connection with the NMTC transactions, which amount totaled $13.2 million as of June 30, 2020. Danimer’s obligation to deliver tax benefits is relieved in various stages from October 2020 through November 2026. Non-compliance with applicable requirements could result in projected tax benefits not being realized by an Investor and our being required to indemnify such Investor, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Danimer may be unable to obtain forgiveness of the PPP Loan, in whole or in part, in accordance with the provisions of the CARES Act, which could adversely affect our financial condition.

In April 2020, we entered into a promissory note with Truist Bank (“Truist”), under the Paycheck Protection Program of the CARES Act pursuant to which Truist made a loan to us in the amount of approximately $1.8 million (the “PPP Loan”). The PPP Loan matures in April 2022, bears interest at a rate of 1.0% per annum. Monthly principal and interest payments are deferred for six months after the date of disbursement.

The PPP Loan is unsecured and guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”). Under the terms of the PPP Loan, the principal amount of the loan may be forgiven to the extent it is used for qualifying expenses as described in the CARES Act and we otherwise request forgiveness in accordance with the terms of the PPP Loan and the requirements of the SBA. While we expect to request that all of the principal amount of the PPP Loan be forgiven and to comply with all corresponding requirements, we cannot guarantee that we will be successful in obtaining forgiveness of all or any part of such principal amount. We will be required to repay any principal amount of the PPP Loan that is not forgiven, together with accrued and unpaid interest, in equal monthly installments prior to the maturity date of the loan, which would further restrict our operating and financial flexibility.

Danimer’s ability to use net operating losses to offset future taxable income will be subject to certain limitations as a result of the Business Combination, PIPE and past transactions.

As of December 31, 2019, Danimer had federal net operating loss carryforwards of $48.0 million of which $47 million will begin to expire in 2028 and $1 million can be carried forward indefinitely. As of December 31, 2019, Danimer had state net operating loss carryforwards of $45 million which begin to expire in various amounts in 2028.  Danimer may have generated additional net operating losses since then. A portion of these net operating loss carryforwards could expire unused and be unavailable to offset future income tax liabilities. In addition, in general, under Section 382 of the Code, a corporation that undergoes an “ownership change” is subject to limitations on its ability to utilize its pre-change net operating losses (“NOLs”) to offset future taxable income or taxes. For these purposes, an ownership change generally occurs where the aggregate stock ownership of one or more stockholders or groups of stockholders who owns at least 5% of a corporation’s stock increases its ownership by more than 50 percentage points over its lowest ownership percentage within a specified testing period. A portion of Danimer’s existing NOLs are subject to limitations arising from previous ownership changes in 2014. In addition, the Business Combination and the PIPE, if consummated, is expected to constitute an ownership change under Section 382 of the Code. Danimer’s NOLs may also be impaired under state law. A portion of Danimer’s existing NOLs are also subject to the so called separate-return-limitation-year (“SRLY”) rules that may apply to consolidated tax groups. Although depending on applicable law and particular computations, it is expected that the amount of Danimer’s NOLs that the combined company will be able to utilize per year following the consummation of the Business Combination and the PIPE could be only up to $3.8 million per year. Accordingly, the combined company may not be able to utilize a material portion of Danimer’s NOLs.

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The ability of the combined company to utilize Danimer’s NOLs following the Business Combination is also conditioned upon the combined company attaining profitability and generating U.S. federal and state taxable income. As described under “— We have a history of net losses and our future profitability is uncertain,” Danimer has incurred significant net losses in the past, and it is anticipated that it will continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future; therefore, Danimer does not know whether or when the combined company will generate the U.S. federal or state taxable income necessary to utilize Danimer’s NOL carryforwards, even to the extent they are not subject to limitation by Section 382 of the Code or the SRLY rules.

We face various risks related to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and similar public health crises, which may have material adverse effects on our business, financial position, results of operations and/or liquidity.

We face various risks related to health epidemics, pandemics and similar outbreaks, including the global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”). Such risks include disruptions or restrictions on our employees’ ability to work effectively, as well as temporary closures of our facilities or the facilities of our customers or suppliers.

It is possible that the continued spread of COVID-19 could also further cause disruption in our supply chain; cause delay or limit the ability of other customers to perform, including in making timely payments to us; and, cause other unpredictable events. In addition, the continued spread of COVID-19 has led to disruption and volatility in the global capital markets, which increases the cost of capital and adversely impacts access to capital.

We continue to work with our stakeholders (including customers, employees, suppliers and local communities) to responsibly address this global pandemic. Our management is focused on mitigating the impact of the pandemic, which has required and will continue to require a substantial investment of time and resources across Danimer and could delay other value-added initiatives. We continue to monitor the situation, to assess further possible implications to our business, supply chain and customers, and to take actions in an effort to mitigate adverse consequences.

The situation surrounding COVID-19 remains fluid and the ongoing impact on our business and results of operations, financial condition, expected cash flows and liquidity increases the longer the virus impacts activity levels in the United States and globally, both during the initial outbreak, as well as if additional outbreaks occur at a later date. For this reason, Danimer cannot reasonably estimate with any degree of certainty the future impact COVID-19 may have on our results of operations, financial position, and liquidity. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may impact our business, operating results, financial condition, or liquidity will depend on future developments and numerous and evolving factors that are highly uncertain, vary by market and cannot be accurately predicted or quantified at this time, including the duration and spread of the outbreak; new information concerning its transmission and severity; government mandated restrictions and regulations; business and workforce disruptions; impact on demand for Danimer products, and the effectiveness of actions taken to contain and treat the disease actions taken or that might be taken by governments, businesses or individuals to contain or reduce its repercussions and mitigate its economic implications; evolving macroeconomic factors, including general economic uncertainty, unemployment rates, and recessionary pressures; decreased consumer spending levels; reduction or changes in customer demand for our products and services; our ability to manufacture, sell and provide our products and services, including as a result of travel restrictions, closed borders, operating restrictions imposed on our facilities or reduced ability of our employees to continue to work efficiently; increased operating costs (whether as a results of changes to our supply chain or increases in employee costs or otherwise); collectability of customer accounts; additional and prolonged devaluation of other countries’ currencies relative to the dollar; and the general impact of the pandemic on our customers, employees, suppliers, vendors and other stakeholders. Additionally, customers might defer decision making, delay orders or seek to renegotiate or terminate existing agreements.

The continuing global pandemic may also result in delays in our ability to apply for and obtain further regulatory approval for our products in various jurisdictions.

The impact of COVID-19 may also exacerbate other risks discussed herein, any of which could have a material effect on Danimer. This situation is changing rapidly, and additional impacts may arise that Danimer is not aware of currently.

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We depend on key personnel.

We depend greatly on our executive officers and other employees. Our success will depend, in part, upon our ability to attract and retain additional skilled personnel, which will require substantial additional funds. There can be no assurance that we will be able to find, attract and retain additional qualified employees, directors, and advisors having the skills necessary to operate, develop and grow our business. Our inability to hire qualified personnel, the loss of services of any of our executive officers, or the loss of services of other key employees, or advisors that may be hired in the future, may have a material and adverse effect on our business.

If we experience a significant disruption in our information technology systems, including security breaches, or if we fail to implement new systems and software successfully, our business operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

We depend on information technology systems throughout Danimer to, among other functions, control our manufacturing processes, process orders and bill, collect and make payments, interact with customers and suppliers, manage inventory and otherwise conduct business. We also depend on these systems to respond to customer inquiries, contribute to our overall internal control processes, maintain records of our property, plant and equipment and record and pay amounts due to vendors and other creditors. The failure of our information technology systems to perform as we anticipate could disrupt our business and could result in transaction errors, processing inefficiencies, and the loss of sales and customers. As we upgrade or change systems, we may also experience interruptions in service, loss of data or reduced functionality and other unforeseen material issues which could adversely impact our ability to provide quotes, take customer orders and otherwise run our business in a timely manner. In addition, if our new systems fail to provide accurate and increased visibility into pricing and cost structures, it may be difficult to improve or maximize our profit margins. As a result, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

In addition, cyber-attacks or security breaches could compromise confidential, business critical information, cause a disruption in our operations or harm our reputation. Our information technology systems are subject to potential disruptions, including significant network or power outages, cyberattacks, computer viruses, other malicious codes, and/or unauthorized access attempts, any of which, if successful, could result in data leaks or otherwise compromise our confidential or proprietary information and disrupt our operations. Despite our efforts to protect sensitive information and comply with and implement data security measures, there can be no assurance that any controls and procedures that we have in place will be sufficient to protect us. Further, as cyber threats are continually evolving, our controls and procedures may become inadequate and we may be required to devote additional resources to modify or enhance our systems in the future. We may also be required to expend resources to remediate cyber-related incidents or to enhance and strengthen our cyber security. Any such disruptions to our information technology systems, breaches or compromises of data, and/or misappropriation of information could result in violation of privacy and other laws, litigation, fines, negative publicity, lost sales or business delays, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Government regulation of our business is extensive and regulatory approvals are uncertain, expensive and time-consuming.

Our research, development, testing, manufacturing and marketing of most of our intended products are subject to an extensive regulatory approval process by the FDA and other regulatory agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The process of obtaining FDA and other required regulatory approvals is lengthy, expensive and uncertain. There can be no assurance that, even after such time and expenditures, Danimer will be able to obtain necessary regulatory approvals for the manufacturing or marketing of any products. Even if regulatory clearance is obtained, a marketed product is subject to continual review, and later discovery of previously unknown safety issues or failure to comply with the applicable regulatory requirements may result in restrictions on a product’s marketing or withdrawal of the product from the market, as well as possible civil or criminal sanctions.

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Changes in sentiment regarding and laws and regulations relating to plastic products could reduce demand for our products and/or increase the cost of producing our products and have an adverse effect on our business.

Plastic products have recently faced increasingly negative public sentiment and scrutiny. In addition, state and local governments have increasingly proposed, or in some cases implemented, restrictions or bans on plastic-based products, including single-use plastics, plastic straws and utensils. Notwithstanding the fact that our bio-plastic products are intended to address many of the concerns regarding traditional petroleum-based plastics, increased regulation of, or prohibition on, the use of plastics generally, as well as negative public sentiment regarding such products, could increase the costs incurred by our customers to use such products or otherwise limit the use of these products, and could lead to a decrease in demand for the products we make or an increase in the cost of production of such products. Such a decrease in demand could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

Risks Related to Live Oak and the Business Combination

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this section to “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Live Oak.

An active trading market for the Live Oak Class A Common Stock may not be available on a consistent basis to provide stockholders with adequate liquidity. Our stock price may be extremely volatile, and our stockholders could lose a significant part of their investment.

An active trading market for shares of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock may not be sustained on a consistent basis. The public trading price for the Live Oak Class A Common Stock will be affected by a number of factors, including:

•        reported progress of our business and technology development, relative to investor expectations;

•        changes in earnings estimates, investors’ perceptions, recommendations by securities analysts or our failure to achieve analysts’ earnings estimates;

•        quarterly variations in our or our competitors’ results of operations;

•        general market conditions and other factors unrelated to our operating performance or the operating performance of our competitors;

•        future issuance and/or sale of our common stock or preferred stock;

•        announcements by us, or our competitors, of acquisitions, new products, significant contracts, commercial relationships or capital commitments;

•        commencement of, or involvement in, litigation;

•        any major change in our board of directors or management;

•        changes in governmental regulations or in the status of our regulatory approvals;

•        announcements related to patents issued to us or our competitors and to litigation involving our intellectual property;

•        a lack of, limited, or negative industry or security analyst coverage;

•        developments in our industry and general economic conditions;

•        short-selling or similar activities by third parties; and

•        other factors described elsewhere in these “Risk Factors.”

As a result of these factors, our stockholders may not be able to resell their Live Oak Class A Common Stock at, or above, their purchase price. In addition, the stock prices of many technology companies have experienced wide fluctuations that have often been unrelated to the operating performance of those companies. Any negative change in the public’s perception of the prospects of industrial biotechnology or “clean technology” companies could depress our stock price regardless of our results of operations. These factors may have a material adverse effect on the market price of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock.

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Concentration of ownership among our existing executive officers, directors and their affiliates may prevent new investors from influencing significant corporate decisions.

Upon completion of the Business Combination, assuming there are no redemptions of any Public Shares, our executive officers, directors and their affiliates as a group will beneficially own approximately 25.7% of New Danimer outstanding common stock. As a result, these shareholders will be able to exercise a significant level of control over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, any amendment of the amended and restated certificate of incorporation and approval of significant corporate transactions. This control could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or changes in management and will make the approval of certain transactions difficult or impossible without the support of these shareholders.

We do not expect to declare any dividends in the foreseeable future.

After the completion of the Business Combination, we do not anticipate declaring any cash dividends to holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. Consequently, investors may need to rely on sales of their shares after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize any future gains on their investment.

There can be no assurance that the additional Live Oak Class A Common Stock will be approved for listing on NYSE or that New Danimer will be able to comply with the continued listing standards of NYSE.

In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, we intend to list the New Danimer’s common stock and warrants on NYSE under the symbols “DNMR” and “DNMR.W”. New Danimer’s continued eligibility for listing may depend on the number of our shares that are redeemed. If, after the Business Combination, NYSE delists New Danimer’s securities from trading on its exchange for failure to meet the listing standards, New Danimer and its securityholders could face significant material adverse consequences including:

•        a limited availability of market quotations for New Danimer’s securities;

•        a determination that the Live Oak Class A Common Stock is a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in Live Oak Class A Common Stock to adhere to more stringent rules, possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for shares of the combined company’s common stock;

•        a limited amount of analyst coverage; and

•        a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.

Subsequent to the consummation of the Business Combination, New Danimer may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, or New Danimer may be subject to restructuring, impairment or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on New Danimer’s financial condition, results of operations and the price of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.

Although Live Oak has conducted due diligence on Danimer, this diligence may not surface all material issues that may be present with Danimer’s business. Factors outside of Danimer’s and outside of Live Oak’s control may, at any time, arise. As a result of these factors, New Danimer may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets, restructure our operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could result in New Danimer reporting losses. Even if Live Oak’s due diligence successfully identified certain risks, unexpected risks may arise, and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with our preliminary risk analysis. Even though these charges may be non-cash items and therefore not have an immediate impact on New Danimer’s liquidity, the fact that New Danimer reports charges of this nature could contribute to negative market perceptions about New Danimer or its securities. In addition, charges of this nature may cause New Danimer to be unable to obtain future financing on favorable terms or at all.

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If the Business Combination’s benefits do not meet the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the market price of Live Oak’s securities or, following the Closing, New Danimer’s securities, may decline.

If the perceived benefits of the Business Combination do not meet the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the market price of Live Oak’s securities prior to the Closing may decline. The market values of New Danimer’s securities at the time of the Business Combination may vary significantly from their prices on the date the Merger Agreement was executed, the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, or the date on which Live Oak’s stockholders vote on the Business Combination.

In addition, following the Business Combination, fluctuations in the price of New Danimer’s securities could contribute to the loss of all or part of your investment. Prior to the Business Combination, there has not been a public market for Danimer’s capital stock. Accordingly, the valuation ascribed to Danimer may not be indicative of the price that will prevail in the trading market following the Business Combination. If an active market for New Danimer’s securities develops and continues, the trading price of New Danimer’s securities following the Business Combination could be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond New Danimer’s control. Any of the factors listed below could have a material adverse effect on your investment in New Danimer’s securities and New Danimer’s securities may trade at prices significantly below the price you paid for them. In such circumstances, the trading price of New Danimer’s securities may not recover and may experience a further decline.

Factors affecting the trading price of New Danimer’s securities may include:

•        actual or anticipated fluctuations in New Danimer’s quarterly financial results or the quarterly financial results of companies perceived to be similar to it;

•        changes in the market’s expectations about New Danimer’s operating results;

•        success of competitors;

•        New Danimer’s operating results failing to meet the expectation of securities analysts or investors in a particular period;

•        changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts concerning New Danimer or the biopolymer industry in general;

•        operating and share price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to New Danimer;

•        New Danimer’s ability to market new and enhanced products and technologies on a timely basis;

•        changes in laws and regulations affecting New Danimer’s business;

•        New Danimer’s ability to meet compliance requirements;

•        commencement of, or involvement in, litigation involving New Danimer;

•        changes in New Danimer’s capital structure, such as future issuances of securities or the incurrence of additional debt;

•        the volume of New Danimer’s shares of common stock available for public sale;

•        any major change in New Danimer’s board of directors or management;

•        sales of substantial amounts of New Danimer’s shares of common stock by New Danimer’s directors, executive officers or significant stockholders or the perception that such sales could occur; and

•        general economic and political conditions such as recessions, interest rates, fuel prices, international currency fluctuations and acts of war or terrorism.

Broad market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of New Danimer’s securities irrespective of New Danimer’s operating performance. The stock market in general, and NYSE in particular, have experienced price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of the particular companies affected. The trading prices and valuations of these stocks, and of New Danimer’s securities, may

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not be predictable. A loss of investor confidence in the market for retail stocks or the stocks of other companies which investors perceive to be similar to New Danimer could depress New Danimer’s share price regardless of New Danimer’s business, prospects, financial conditions or results of operations. A decline in the market price of New Danimer’s securities also could adversely affect New Danimer’s ability to issue additional securities and New Danimer’s ability to obtain additional financing in the future.

Following the consummation of the Business Combination, New Danimer will incur significant increased expenses and administrative burdens as a public company, which could have an adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

Following the consummation of the Business Combination, New Danimer will face increased legal, accounting, administrative and other costs and expenses as a public company that Danimer does not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), including the requirements of Section 404, as well as rules and regulations subsequently implemented by the SEC, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and the rules and regulations promulgated and to be promulgated thereunder, the PCAOB and the securities exchanges, impose additional reporting and other obligations on public companies. Compliance with public company requirements will increase costs and make certain activities more time-consuming. A number of those requirements will require New Danimer to carry out activities Danimer has not done previously. For example, New Danimer will create new board committees and adopt new internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. In addition, expenses associated with SEC reporting requirements will be incurred. Furthermore, if any issues in complying with those requirements are identified (for example, if the auditors identify a material weakness or significant deficiency in the internal control over financial reporting), New Danimer could incur additional costs rectifying those issues, and the existence of those issues could adversely affect New Danimer’s reputation or investor perceptions of it. It may also be more expensive to obtain director and officer liability insurance. Risks associated with New Danimer’s status as a public company may make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on New Danimer’s board of directors or as executive officers. The additional reporting and other obligations imposed by these rules and regulations will increase legal and financial compliance costs and the costs of related legal, accounting and administrative activities. These increased costs will require New Danimer to divert a significant amount of money that could otherwise be used to expand the business and achieve strategic objectives. Advocacy efforts by stockholders and third parties may also prompt additional changes in governance and reporting requirements, which could further increase costs.

New Danimer’s failure to timely and effectively implement controls and procedures required by Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that will be applicable to it after the Business Combination is consummated could have a material adverse effect on its business.

Danimer is currently not subject to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. However, following the consummation of the Business Combination, New Danimer will be required to provide management’s attestation on internal controls. The standards required for a public company under Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act are significantly more stringent than those required of Danimer as a privately-held company. Management may not be able to effectively and timely implement controls and procedures that adequately respond to the increased regulatory compliance and reporting requirements that will be applicable after the Business Combination. If New Danimer is not able to implement the additional requirements of Section 404(a) in a timely manner or with adequate compliance, it may not be able to assess whether its internal controls over financial reporting are effective, which may subject it to adverse regulatory consequences and could harm investor confidence and the market price of its securities.

New Danimer will qualify as an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if it takes advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies, it could make New Danimer’s securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare New Danimer’s performance to the performance of other public companies.

New Danimer will qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. As such, New Danimer will be eligible for and intends to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies for as long as it continues to be an emerging growth company, including (a) the exemption from the auditor attestation requirements with respect to internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (b) the exemptions from say-on-pay, say-on-frequency and say-on-golden parachute voting

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requirements and (c) reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements. New Danimer will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which the market value of Live Oak Class A Common Stock that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of June 30 of that fiscal year, (ii) the last day of the fiscal year in which it has total annual gross revenue of $1.07 billion or more during such fiscal year (as indexed for inflation), (iii) the date on which it has issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt in the prior three-year period or (iv) the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of Live Oak Class A Common Stock in the IPO. In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the exemption from complying with new or revised accounting standards provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act as long as New Danimer is an emerging growth company. An emerging growth company can therefore delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period and, therefore, New Danimer may not be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. Investors may find Live Oak Class A Common Stock less attractive because New Danimer will rely on these exemptions, which may result in a less active trading market for the Live Oak Class A Common Stock and its price may be more volatile.

The unaudited pro forma financial information included herein may not be indicative of what New Danimer’s actual financial position or results of operations would have been.

The unaudited pro forma financial information included herein is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what New Danimer’s actual financial position or results of operations would have been had the Business Combination been completed on the dates indicated.

Danimer’s management has limited experience in operating a public company.

Danimer’s executive officers have limited experience in the management of a publicly traded company. Danimer’s management team may not successfully or effectively manage its transition to a public company that will be subject to significant regulatory oversight and reporting obligations under federal securities laws. Their limited experience in dealing with the increasingly complex laws pertaining to public companies could be a significant disadvantage in that it is likely that an increasing amount of their time may be devoted to these activities which will result in less time being devoted to the management and growth of New Danimer. Danimer may not have adequate personnel with the appropriate level of knowledge, experience, and training in the accounting policies, practices or internal controls over financial reporting required of public companies in the United States. The development and implementation of the standards and controls necessary for New Danimer to achieve the level of accounting standards required of a public company in the United States may require costs greater than expected. It is possible that New Danimer will be required to expand its employee base and hire additional employees to support its operations as a public company which will increase its operating costs in future periods.

The Sponsor, Live Oak’s executive officers, directors and director nominees have agreed to vote in favor of the Business Combination, regardless of how the Public Stockholders vote.

Unlike many other blank check companies in which the founders, executive officers, directors and director nominees agree to vote their founder shares in accordance with the majority of the votes cast by the Public Stockholders in connection with an initial business combination, the Sponsor, Live Oak’s executive officers and directors have agreed (and their permitted transferees will agree), pursuant to the terms of a letter agreement entered into with Live Oak, to vote any shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock held by them in favor of the Business Combination. We expect that the Sponsor, Live Oak’s executive officers, directors and director nominees (and their permitted transferees) will own at least approximately 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock at the time of any such stockholder vote. Accordingly, it is more likely that the necessary stockholder approval will be received than would be the case if such persons agreed to vote their Founder Shares in accordance with the majority of the votes cast by the Public Stockholders.

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The Sponsor, Live Oak’s directors, executive officers, advisors or their affiliates may elect to purchase shares from Public Stockholders, which may influence the vote on the Business Combination and reduce the public “float” of our Live Oak Class A Common Stock.

The Sponsor, Live Oak’s directors, executive officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of the Business Combination, although they are under no obligation to do so. Such a purchase may include a contractual acknowledgement that such stockholder, although still the record holder of Live Oak’s shares is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that the Sponsor, Live Oak’s directors, executive officers, advisors or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from Public Stockholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling stockholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. The purpose of such purchases could be to vote such shares in favor of the Business Combination and thereby increase the likelihood of obtaining stockholder approval of the Business Combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. This may result in the completion of the Business Combination that may not otherwise have been possible.

In addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, possibly making it difficult to maintain or obtain the quotation, listing or trading of Live Oak’s securities on a national securities exchange.

Live Oak’s ability to successfully effect the Business Combination and New Danimer’s ability to successfully operate the business thereafter will be largely dependent upon the efforts of certain key personnel of Danimer, all of whom we expect to stay with New Danimer following the Business Combination. The loss of such key personnel could negatively impact the operations and financial results of the combined business.

Live Oak’s ability to successfully effect the Business Combination and New Danimer’s ability to successfully operate the business following the Closing is dependent upon the efforts of certain key personnel of Danimer. Although we expect key personnel to remain with New Danimer following the Business Combination, there can be no assurance that they will do so. It is possible that Danimer will lose some key personnel, the loss of which could negatively impact the operations and profitability of New Danimer. Furthermore, following the Closing, certain of the key personnel of Danimer may be unfamiliar with the requirements of operating a company regulated by the SEC, which could cause New Danimer to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements.

Live Oak board of directors did not obtain a fairness opinion in determining whether or not to proceed with the Business Combination and, as a result, the terms may not be fair from a financial point of view to the Public Stockholders.

In analyzing the Business Combination, Live Oak board of directors conducted significant due diligence on Danimer. For a complete discussion of the factors utilized by Live Oak board of directors in approving the business combination, see the section entitled, “The Business Combination — Live Oak Board of Directors’ Reasons for the Approval of the Business Combination.” Live Oak board of directors believes because of the financial skills and background of its directors, it was qualified to conclude that the Business Combination was fair from a financial perspective to its stockholders and that Danimer’s fair market value was at least 80% of our net assets (excluding any taxes payable on interest earned).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Live Oak board of directors did not obtain a fairness opinion to assist it in its determination. Accordingly, Live Oak board of directors may be incorrect in its assessment of the Business Combination.

Unlike many blank check companies, Live Oak does not have a specified maximum redemption threshold. The absence of such a redemption threshold may make it easier for Live Oak to consummate the Business Combination even if a substantial majority of Live Oak’s stockholders do not agree.

Since Live Oak has no specified percentage threshold for redemption contained in its Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, its structure is different in this respect from the structure used by many blank check companies. Historically, blank check companies would not be able to consummate an initial business combination if the holders of such company’s Public Shares voted against a proposed business combination and elected to redeem more than a specified maximum percentage of the shares sold in such company’s initial public offering,

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which percentage threshold was typically between 19.99% and 39.99%. As a result, many blank check companies were unable to complete a business combination because the amount of shares voted by their public stockholders electing redemption exceeded the maximum redemption threshold pursuant to which such company could proceed with its initial business combination. As a result, Live Oak may be able to consummate the Business Combination even if a substantial majority of the Public Stockholders do not agree with the Business Combination and have redeemed their shares. However, in no event will Live Oak redeem Public Shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon the consummation of the Business Combination. If enough Public Stockholders exercise their redemption rights such that Live Oak cannot satisfy cash and cash equivalents condition to closing set forth in the Merger Agreement, Live Oak would not proceed with the redemption of our Public Shares and the Business Combination, and instead may search for an alternate business combination.

Public Stockholders will not have any rights or interests in funds from the Trust Account, except under certain limited circumstances. To liquidate their investment, therefore, Public Stockholders may be forced to sell their securities, potentially at a loss.

Public Stockholders shall be entitled to receive funds from the Trust Account only (i) in the event of a redemption to Public Stockholders prior to any winding up in the event Live Oak does not consummate its initial business combination or its liquidation, (ii) if they redeem their shares in connection with an initial business combination that Live Oak consummates or, (iii) if they redeem their shares in connection with a stockholder vote to amend Live Oak’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of Live Oak’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Public Shares if Live Oak does not complete its initial business combination by May 8, 2022 or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to Live Oak’s pre-business combination activity and related stockholders’ rights. In no other circumstances will a stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to the funds in the Trust Account. Accordingly, to liquidate their investment, the Public Stockholders may be forced to sell their securities, potentially at a loss.

If a stockholder or a “group” of stockholders are deemed to hold in excess of 15% of the issued and outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, such stockholder or group will lose the ability to redeem all such shares in excess of 15% of the issued and outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock.

Live Oak’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that a Public Stockholder, individually or together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to an aggregate of more than 15% of the shares of common stock sold in the IPO without Live Oak’s prior written consent. The inability of a stockholder to redeem an aggregate of more than 15% of the shares of common stock sold in the IPO will reduce its influence over Live Oak’s ability to consummate its initial business combination and such stockholder could suffer a material loss on its investment in Live Oak if it sells such excess shares in open market transactions. As a result, such stockholders will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 15% and, in order to dispose of such shares, would be required to sell its shares in open market transaction, potentially at a loss.

If third parties bring claims against Live Oak, the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be reduced and the per share redemption amount received by stockholders may be less than $10.00 per share.

Live Oak’s placing of funds in the Trust Account may not protect those funds from third-party claims against Live Oak. Although Live Oak has sought to have all vendors, service providers (other than its independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses or other entities with which it does business execute agreements with Live Oak waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account for the benefit of the Public Stockholders, such parties may not execute such agreements, or even if they execute such agreements they may not be prevented from bringing claims against the Trust Account, including, but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain advantage with respect to a claim against Live Oak’s assets, including the funds held in the Trust Account. If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the Trust Account, Live Oak’s management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to Live Oak’s than any alternative.

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Examples of possible instances where Live Oak may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third-party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where Live Oak is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason. Upon redemption of our Public Shares, if Live Oak is unable to complete its initial business combination within the prescribed timeframe, or upon the exercise of a redemption right in connection with its initial business combination, Live Oak will be required to provide for payment of claims of creditors that were not waived that may be brought against Live Oak within the 10 years following redemption. Accordingly, the per share redemption amount received by Public Stockholders could be less than the $10 per share initially held in the Trust Account, due to claims of such creditors.

The Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to Live Oak if and to the extent any claims by a third party (other than Live Oak’s independent registered public accounting firm) for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which Live Oak has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below (i) $10.00 per Public Share and (ii) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.00 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable; provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third-party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the Trust Account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of our IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. Live Oak has not independently verified whether the Sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and believes that the Sponsor’s only assets are securities of Live Oak and, therefore, the Sponsor may not be able to satisfy those obligations. Live Oak has not asked the Sponsor to reserve for such obligations. As a result, if any such claims were successfully made against the Trust Account, the funds available for Live Oak’s initial business combination and redemptions could be reduced to less than $10.00 per Public Share. In such event, Live Oak may not be able to complete its initial business combination, and its stockholders would receive such lesser amount per share in connection with any redemption of their Public Shares. None of Live Oak’s officers or directors will indemnify Live Oak for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.

Live Oak’s directors may decide not to enforce indemnification obligations against the Sponsor, resulting in a reduction in the amount of funds in the Trust Account available for distribution to the Public Stockholders.

In the event that the proceeds in the Trust Account are reduced below (i) $10.00 per Public Share and (ii) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.00 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable, and the Sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, Live Oak’s independent directors would determine on Live Oak’s behalf whether to take legal action against the Sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations. While Live Oak currently expects that its independent directors would take legal action on Live Oak’s behalf against the Sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to Live Oak, it is possible that Live Oak’s independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so in any particular instance. If Live Oak’s independent directors choose not to enforce these indemnification obligations on Live Oak’s behalf, the amount of funds in the Trust Account available for distribution to the Public Stockholders may be reduced below $10 per share.

Live Oak’s stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against Live Oak to the extent of distributions received by them.

Live Oak’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that Live Oak will continue in existence only until May 8, 2022. As promptly as reasonably possible following the redemptions Live Oak is required to make to the Public Stockholders in such event, subject to the approval of Live Oak’s remaining stockholders and board of directors, Live Oak would dissolve and liquidate, subject to its obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. Live Oak cannot assure you that it will properly assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us. As such, Live Oak’s stockholders could potentially be liable for

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any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of Live Oak’s stockholders may extend well beyond the third anniversary of the date of distribution. Accordingly, Live Oak cannot assure you that third parties will not seek to recover from our stockholders’ amounts owed to them by Live Oak.

If Live Oak is forced to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against Live Oak which is not dismissed, any distributions received by stockholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover all amounts received by Live Oak’s stockholders. Furthermore, because Live Oak intends to distribute the proceeds held in the Trust Account to the Public Stockholders promptly after expiration of the time Live Oak has to complete an initial business combination, this may be viewed or interpreted as giving preference to the Public Stockholders over any potential creditors with respect to access to or distributions from Live Oak’s assets. Furthermore, Live Oak board of directors may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to Live Oak’s creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, and thereby exposing itself and Live Oak to claims of punitive damages, by paying Public Stockholders from the Trust Account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. Live Oak cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against Live Oak for these reasons.

The Sponsor, Live Oak’s executive officers and directors have potential conflicts of interest in recommending that stockholders vote in favor of approval of the Business Combination Proposal and approval of the other proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus.

When considering Live Oak board of directors’ recommendation that our stockholders vote in favor of the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, Live Oak’s stockholders should be aware that certain of the Sponsor, Live Oak’s executive officers and directors have interests in the Business Combination that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of Live Oak’s stockholders. These interests include:

•        the beneficial ownership of the Sponsor and certain of Live Oak’s board of directors and officers of an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class B Common Stock and 3,040,000 Live Oak Warrants, which shares and warrants would become worthless if Live Oak does not complete a business combination within the applicable time period, as the Sponsor has waived any right to redemption with respect to these shares. Such shares and warrants have an aggregate market value of approximately $         million and $         million, respectively, based on the closing prices of Live Oak Class A Common Stock of $         and Live Oak Warrants of $         on NYSE on         , 2020;

•        Live Oak board of directors will not receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them on Live Oak’s behalf incident to identifying, investigating and consummating a business combination to the extent such expenses exceed the amount not required to be retained in the Trust Account, unless a business combination is consummated;

•        the anticipated continuation of John P. Amboian, Live Oak’s Chairman, and Richard J. Hendrix, Live Oak Chief Executive Officer and a director, as directors of New Danimer following the Closing;

•        that funds affiliated with certain members of the Live Oak board of directors have been committed to invest $49,050,000 in the PIPE; and

•        the continued indemnification of current directors and officers of Live Oak and the continuation of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance after the Business Combination.

These interests may influence Live Oak’s directors in making their recommendation that you vote in favor of the Business Combination Proposal, and the transactions contemplated thereby.

We may amend the terms of the Live Oak Warrants in a manner that may be adverse to holders with the approval by the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding Public Warrants.

The Live Oak Warrants were issued in registered form under the Live Oak Warrant Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. The Live Oak Warrant Agreement provides that the terms of the Live Oak Warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision but requires the approval by the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding Public Warrants to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders. Accordingly, we may amend the terms of the Live Oak Warrants in a manner adverse to a holder if holders of at least a majority of the then

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outstanding Public Warrants approve of such amendment. Although our ability to amend the terms of the Live Oak Warrants with the consent of at least a majority of the then outstanding Public Warrants is unlimited, examples of such amendments could be amendments to, among other things, increase the exercise price of the Live Oak Warrants, convert the Live Oak Warrants into stock or cash, shorten the exercise period or decrease the number of warrant shares issuable upon exercise of a Live Oak Warrant.

New Danimer may redeem your unexpired Live Oak Warrants prior to their exercise at a time that is disadvantageous to you, thereby making your Live Oak Warrants worthless.

New Danimer will have the ability to redeem outstanding Live Oak Warrants at any time after they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per warrant, provided that the last reported sales price of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third business day prior to the date New Danimer gives notice of redemption. If and when the Live Oak Warrants become redeemable by New Danimer, New Danimer may exercise its redemption right even if it is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws. Redemption of the outstanding Live Oak Warrants could force you (i) to exercise your Live Oak Warrants and pay the exercise price therefor at a time when it may be disadvantageous for you to do so, (ii) to sell your Live Oak Warrants at the then-current market price when you might otherwise wish to hold your Live Oak Warrants or (iii) to accept the nominal redemption price which, at the time the outstanding Live Oak Warrants are called for redemption, is likely to be substantially less than the market value of your Live Oak Warrants. None of the Private Warrants will be redeemable by New Danimer so long as they are held by their initial purchasers or their permitted transferees.

We will require Public Stockholders who wish to redeem their shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock in connection with the Business Combination to comply with specific requirements for redemption that may make it more difficult for them to exercise their redemption rights prior to the deadline for exercising their rights.

We will require the Public Stockholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent prior to the expiration date set forth in the tender offer documents mailed to such holders, or in the event we distribute proxy materials, up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the Business Combination, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using DTC’s Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian System (“DWAC System”), at the holder’s option. In order to obtain a physical stock certificate, a stockholder’s broker and/or clearing broker, DTC and our transfer agent will need to act to facilitate this request. It is our understanding that stockholders should generally allot at least one week to obtain physical certificates from the transfer agent. However, because we do not have any control over this process or over the brokers or DTC, it may take significantly longer than one week to obtain a physical stock certificate. While we have been advised that it takes a short time to deliver shares through the DWAC System, this may not be the case. Under our bylaws, we are required to provide at least 10 days advance notice of any stockholder meeting, which would be the minimum amount of time a stockholder would have to determine whether to exercise redemption rights. Accordingly, if it takes longer than we anticipate for stockholders to deliver their shares, stockholders who wish to redeem may be unable to meet the deadline for exercising their redemption rights and thus may be unable to redeem their shares. In the event that a stockholder fails to comply with the various procedures that must be complied with in order to validly tender or redeem Public Shares, its shares may not be redeemed.

Additionally, despite our compliance with the proxy rules, stockholders may not become aware of the opportunity to redeem their shares.

We may issue additional shares of common stock or preferred shares under an employee incentive plan upon or after consummation of the Business Combination, which would dilute the interest of our stockholders.

Our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of 110,000,000 shares of common stock, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, in each case, par value $0.0001 per share. The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation increases the authorized shares of common stock and preferred stock to 200,000,000 shares and 10,000,000, respectively. We may issue a substantial number of additional shares of common stock or shares of preferred stock under an employee incentive plan upon or after consummation of the Business Combination. Although no such issuance will affect the per share amount available for redemption from the Trust Account, the issuance of additional common stock or preferred shares:

•        may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors from the IPO, who will not have preemption rights in respect of such an issuance;

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•        may subordinate the rights of holders of Live Oak Class A Common Stock if one or more classes of preferred stock are created, and such preferred shares are issued, with rights senior to those afforded to Live Oak Class A Common Stock;

•        could cause a change in control if a substantial number of shares of common stock are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors; and

•        may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our Live Oak Units, Live Oak Class A Common Stock and/or Live Oak Warrants.

Our Proposed Certificate of Incorporation will provide, subject to limited exceptions, that the courts of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for certain stockholder litigation matters, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or stockholders.

Our Proposed Certificate of Incorporation will require, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against directors, officers and employees for breach of fiduciary duty and other similar actions may be brought in the state courts in the State of Delaware or, if that court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, another federal or state court situated in the State of Delaware. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. In addition, our Proposed Certificate of Incorporation will provide that the federal district courts of the United States shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

In March 2020, the Delaware Supreme Court issued a decision in Salzburg et al. v. Sciabacucchi, which found that an exclusive forum provision providing for claims under the Securities Act to be brought in federals court is facially valid under Delaware law. It is unclear whether this decision will be appealed, or what the final outcome of this case will be. We intend to enforce this provision, but we do not know whether courts in other jurisdictions will agree with this decision or enforce it.

This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

Because we have no current plans to pay cash dividends on Live Oak Class A Common Stock for the foreseeable future, you may not receive any return on investment unless you sell Live Oak Class A Common Stock for a price greater than that which you paid for it.

We may retain future earnings, if any, for future operations, expansion and debt repayment and have no current plans to pay any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. Any decision to declare and pay dividends as a public company in the future will be made at the discretion of Live Oak board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors that Live Oak board of directors may deem relevant. In addition, our ability to pay dividends may be limited by covenants of any existing and future outstanding indebtedness we or our subsidiaries incur. As a result, you may not receive any return on an investment in Live Oak Class A Common Stock unless you sell Live Oak Class A Common Stock for a price greater than that which you paid for it. See the section entitled “Price Range of Securities and Dividends — Dividends.”

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If, following the Business Combination, securities or industry analysts do not publish or cease publishing research or reports about New Danimer, its business, or its market, or if they change their recommendations regarding New Danimer’s securities adversely, the price and trading volume of New Danimer’s securities could decline.

The trading market for New Danimer’s securities will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts may publish about New Danimer, its business, market or competitors. Securities and industry analysts do not currently, and may never, publish research on New Danimer. If no securities or industry analysts commence coverage of New Danimer, New Danimer’s share price and trading volume would likely be negatively impacted. If any of the analysts who may cover New Danimer change their recommendation regarding New Danimer’s shares of common stock adversely, or provide more favorable relative recommendations about New Danimer’s competitors, the price of New Danimer’s shares of common stock would likely decline. If any analyst who may cover New Danimer were to cease coverage of New Danimer or fail to regularly publish reports on it, New Danimer could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause its share price or trading volume to decline.

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Defined terms included below have the same meaning as terms defined and included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements of Live Oak present the combination of the financial information of Live Oak and Danimer adjusted to give effect to the Business Combination and related transactions. The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2020 combines the historical balance sheet of Live Oak and the historical balance sheet of Danimer on a pro forma basis as if the Business Combination and related transactions, summarized below, had been consummated on December 31, 2019. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the six months ended June 30, 2020 combine the historical statements of operations of Live Oak and Danimer for such periods on a pro forma basis as if the Business Combination and related transactions, summarized below, had been consummated on January 1, 2019, the beginning of the earliest period presented:

•        the merger of Danimer with and into Merger Sub, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Live Oak, with Danimer surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Live Oak; and

•        the issuance and sale of 21,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock for a purchase price of $10.00 per share and an aggregate purchase price of $210,000,000 in the PIPE pursuant to the Subscription Agreements;

The historical financial statements have been adjusted in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements to give pro forma effect to events that are: (i) directly attributable to the Business Combination; (ii) factually supportable; and (iii) with respect to the statement of operations, expected to have a continuing impact on Live Oak’s results following the completion of the Business Combination. Other than related transactions that have already occurred, there are no circumstances under which the Business Combination could proceed without one or more of the related transactions also occurring.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been developed from and should be read in conjunction with:

•        the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements;

•        the historical audited financial statements of Live Oak as of December 31, 2019 and for the period from May 24, 2019 (inception) through December 31, 2019 and the unaudited interim financial statements of Live Oak as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and their related notes included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus;

•        the historical audited consolidated financial statements of Danimer as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the unaudited interim financial statements of Danimer as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and their related notes included elsewhere in this proxy statement/ prospectus; and

•        other information relating to Live Oak and Danimer contained in this proxy statement/prospectus, including the Merger Agreement and the description of certain terms thereof set forth under “The Business Combination.”

Pursuant to Live Oak’s Existing Certificate of Incorporation, Public Stockholders are being offered the opportunity to redeem, upon the closing of the Business Combination, shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock then held by them for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit (as of two business days prior to the Closing) in the Trust Account. For illustrative purpose, based on the fair value of marketable securities held in the Trust Account as of June 30, 2020 of approximately $200.0 million, the estimated per share redemption price would have been approximately $10.00 per share.

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The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements present three possible redemption scenarios as follows:

•        Assuming No Redemption — this scenario assumes that no shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock are redeemed;

•        Assuming Maximum Redemption Condition — this scenario assumes that 9,339,675 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock are redeemed for an aggregate payment of approximately $93.4 million (based on the estimated per share redemption price of approximately $10.00 per share based on the fair value of marketable securities held in the Trust Account as of June 30, 2020 of approximately $200.0 million) from the Trust Account, which is the maximum amount of redemptions that would satisfy the Minimum Cash Condition set forth in the merger agreement without having raised additional private financing or backstop agreements; and

•        Assuming Maximum Redemption — this scenario assumes that 20,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock are redeemed for an aggregate payment of approximately $200.0 million (based on the estimated per share redemption price of approximately $10.00 per share based on the fair value of marketable securities held in the Trust Account as of June 30, 2020 of approximately $200.0 million) from the Trust Account.

Notwithstanding the legal form of the Business Combination pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Business Combination will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, Live Oak will be treated as the acquired company and Danimer will be treated as the acquirer for financial statement reporting purposes. Danimer has been determined to be the accounting acquirer based on evaluation of the following facts and circumstances:

•        Danimer’s existing shareholders will have the greatest voting interest in the combined company under the no and maximum redemption condition scenarios with over 43% and 50% voting interest, respectively;

•        Danimer’s directors will represent six (6) of the eight (8) board seats for the combined company’s board of directors; and

•        Danimer’s senior management will be the senior management of the combined company.

In addition to the Final Merger Consideration as defined in the Merger Agreement, Danimer shareholders will have the contingent right to receive Earn-Out Shares, subject to the following terms and conditions:

1.      2,500,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock if the volume weighted average price of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the NYSE or such other exchange as such shares may then be listed as reported on Bloomberg L.P. under the function “VWAP” (or, if not reported therein, in another authoritative source mutually selected by the parties) (“VWAP”) equals or exceeds fifteen dollars ($15.00) per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the six (6) month anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the third anniversary of the Closing Date;

2.2,500,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock if the VWAP of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the NYSE or such other exchange as such shares may then be listed equals or exceeds twenty dollars ($20.00) per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the six (6) month anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date; and

3.1,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock if the VWAP of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the NYSE or such other exchange as such shares may then be listed equals or exceeds twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the six (6) month anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date.

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If such targets are achieved, such Danimer shareholders will receive, in aggregate, a maximum of 6,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock for the achievement of all targets based on their proportional holding of such Danimer Common Stock immediately prior to the Business Combination. New Danimer has preliminarily concluded that the Earn-Out Shares will be classified as equity on the balance sheet. The impact of the Earn-Out Shares is not expected to be material to the future results of operations of New Danimer.

In the event the $15.00 earn-out target is achieved, the maximum potential value of the 2,500,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issued related to this earnout would be $37,500,000. In the event the $20.00 earn-out target is achieved, the maximum potential value of the 2,500,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock related to this earnout would be an additional $50,000,000. In the event the $25.00 earn-out target is achieved, the maximum potential value of the 1,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock related to this earnout would be an additional $25,000,000.

The issuance of such Earn-Out Shares would dilute the value of all shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock outstanding at that time. Assuming the current capitalization structure, the 2,500,000 shares issued associated with the $15.00 earnout threshold would represent between 3% and 5% of total shares outstanding, depending on the redemption scenarios set forth herein. If the $20.00 earnout threshold were achieved, the 5,000,000 total shares issued associated with these earnouts would represent between 7% and 10% of total shares outstanding, depending on the redemption scenarios set forth herein. If the $25.00 earnout threshold were achieved, the 6,000,000 total shares issued associated with these earnouts would represent between 8% and 11% of total shares outstanding, depending on the redemption scenarios set forth herein. As none of the earn-out targets have been achieved, Danimer has not reflected these Earn-Out Shares in its pro forma financial information.

Assumptions and estimates underlying the unaudited pro forma adjustments set forth in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are described in the accompanying notes. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been presented for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the operating results and financial position that would have been achieved had the Business Combination and related transactions occurred on the dates indicated. Further, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements do not purport to project the future operating results or financial position of Live Oak following the completion of the Business Combination and related transactions. The unaudited pro forma adjustments represent management’s estimates based on information available as of the date of these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements and are subject to change as additional information becomes available and analyses are performed.

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
AS OF JUNE 30, 2020
(in thousands)

 

As of
June 30, 2020

         

As of
June 30, 2020

         

As of
June 30, 2020

         

As of
June 30, 2020

(in thousands, except share and par value amounts)

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

 

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc.

 

Pro Forma Adjustments (Assuming No Redemption)

     

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming No Redemption)

 

Additional Pro Forma Adjustments (Assuming Maximum Redemption Condition)

     

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming Maximum Redemption Condition)

 

Pro Forma Adjustments (Assuming Maximum Possible Redemption)

     

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming Maximum Possible Redemption)

Assets

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,678

 

$

6,705

 

$

200,026

 

 

(A

)

 

$

393,409

 

$

(93,409

)

 

(G

)

 

$

300,000

 

$

(106,617

)

 

(H

)

 

$

193,383

   

 

   

 

   

 

(6,738

)

 

(B

)

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 
   

 

   

 

   

 

210,000

 

 

(C

)

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 
   

 

   

 

   

 

(18,262

)

 

(D

)

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account

 

 

200,026

 

 

 

 

(200,026

)

 

(A

)

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

 

 

5,917

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

5,917

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

5,917

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

5,917

Inventory

 

 

 

 

12,818

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

12,818

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

12,818

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

12,818

Prepaid expenses

 

 

30

 

 

1,508

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

1,538

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

1,538

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

1,538

Contract assets

 

 

 

 

1,240

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

1,240

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

1,240

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

1,240

Total current assets

 

 

201,734

 

 

28,188

 

 

185,000

 

   

 

 

 

414,922

 

 

(93,409

)

   

 

 

 

321,513

 

 

(106,617

)

   

 

 

 

214,896

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

 

 

85,578

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

85,578

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

85,578

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

85,578

Intellectual property, net

 

 

 

 

1,903

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

1,903

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

1,903

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

1,903

Deferred tax asset

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Right-of-use asset

 

 

 

 

27,020

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

27,020

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

27,020

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

27,020

Leverage loans receivable

 

 

 

 

27,742

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

27,742

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

27,742

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

27,742

Restricted cash

 

 

 

 

1,270

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

1,270

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

1,270

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

1,270

Other assets

 

 

 

 

116

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

116

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

116

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

116

Total assets

 

$

201,734

 

$

171,817

 

$

185,000

 

   

 

 

$

558,551

 

$

(93,409

)

   

 

 

$

465,142

 

$

(106,617

)

   

 

 

$

358,525

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

 

$

4,326

 

 

 

   

 

 

$

4,326

 

 

 

   

 

 

$

4,326

 

 

 

   

 

 

$

4,326

Accrued liabilities

 

 

82

 

 

8,063

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

8,145

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

8,145

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

8,145

Unearned revenue and contract liabilities

 

 

 

 

3,674

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

3,674

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

3,674

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

3,674

Lease liability, current portion

 

 

 

 

3,159

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

3,159

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

3,159

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

3,159

Long-term debt, current portion

 

 

 

 

12,129

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

12,129

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

12,129

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

12,129

Total current liabilities

 

 

82

 

 

31,351

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

31,433

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

31,433

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

31,433

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Long-term lease liability, net

 

 

 

 

24,017

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

24,017

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

24,017

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

24,017

Long-term debt, net

 

 

 

 

75,226

 

 

(10,886

)

 

(E

)

 

 

64,340

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

64,340

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

64,340

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

 

 

1,875

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

1,875

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

1,875

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

1,875

Deferred underwriting fee payable

 

 

6,738

 

 

 

 

(6,738

)

 

(B

)

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

6,820

 

 

132,469

 

 

(17,624

)

   

 

 

 

121,665

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

121,665

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

121,665

55

Table of Contents

 

As of
June 30, 2020

         

As of
June 30, 2020

         

As of
June 30, 2020

         

As of
June 30, 2020

(in thousands, except share and par value amounts)

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

 

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc.

 

Pro Forma Adjustments (Assuming No Redemption)

     

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming No Redemption)

 

Additional Pro Forma Adjustments (Assuming Maximum Redemption Condition)

     

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming Maximum Redemption Condition)

 

Pro Forma Adjustments (Assuming Maximum Possible Redemption)

     

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming Maximum Possible Redemption)

Live Oak Class A Common stock subject to possible redemptions (18,991,384 shares at $10 share)

 

$

189,914

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(189,914

)

 

(F

)

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

$

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

MHG Common stock, $0.001 par value

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

(4

)

 

(I

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Live Oak Class A
common stock,
$0.0001 par value

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

(C

)

 

 

8

 

 

 

(1

)

 

(G

)

 

 

7

 

 

 

(1

)

 

(H

)

 

 

6

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

(F

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

(I

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Live Oak Class B
common stock,
$0.0001 par value

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

1

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

5,089

 

 

 

91,905

 

 

 

209,998

 

 

(C

)

 

 

507,609

 

 

 

(93,408

)

 

(G

)

 

 

414,201

 

 

 

(106,616

)

 

(H

)

 

 

307,585

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

189,912

 

 

(F

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,705

 

 

(E

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

181

 

 

(E

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(90

)

 

 

(52,561

)

 

 

(18,262

)

 

(D

)

 

 

(70,732

)

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

(70,732

)

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

(70,732

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

39,348

 

 

 

392,538

 

   

 

 

 

436,886

 

 

 

(93,409

)

   

 

 

 

343,477

 

 

 

(106,617

)

   

 

 

 

236,860

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

201,734

 

 

$

171,817

 

 

$

185,000

 

   

 

 

$

558,551

 

 

$

(93,409

)

   

 

 

$

465,142

 

 

$

(106,617

)

   

 

 

$

358,525

 

56

Table of Contents

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019
(in thousands)

 

May 24, 2019
(inception) to
December 31,
2019

 

Year Ended December 31, 2019

         

Year Ended December 31, 2019

     

Year Ended December 31, 2019

     

Year Ended December 31, 2019

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Live Oak
Acquisition
Corp.

 

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc.

 

Pro Forma Adjustments (Assuming No Redemption)

     

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming No Redemption)

 

Additional Pro Forma Adjustments (Assuming Maximum Redemption Condition)

 

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming Maximum Redemption Condition)

 

Pro Forma Adjustments (Assuming Maximum Possible Redemption)

 

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming Maximum Possible Redemption)

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Products

 

$

 

 

$

26,862

 

 

$

   

 

 

$

26,862

 

 

 

 

$

26,862

 

 

$

 

$

26,862

 

Services

 

 

 

 

 

5,482

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

5,482

 

 

 

 

 

5,482

 

 

 

 

 

5,482

 

   

 

 

 

 

32,344

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

32,344

 

 

 

 

 

32,344

 

 

 

 

 

32,344

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

 

 

 

21,237

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

21,237

 

 

 

 

 

21,237

 

 

 

 

 

21,237

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

 

 

 

16,027

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

16,027

 

 

 

 

 

16,027

 

 

 

 

 

16,027

 

Research and development

 

 

 

 

 

5,482

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

5,482

 

 

 

 

 

5,482

 

 

 

 

 

5,482

 

Gain on disposal of
assets

 

 

 

 

 

(281

)

 

 

   

 

 

 

(281

)

 

 

 

 

(281

)

 

 

 

 

(281

)

Legal settlement

 

 

 

 

 

8,000

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

8,000

 

 

 

 

 

8,000

 

 

 

 

 

8,000

 

Formation costs

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

Total costs and expenses

 

 

4

 

 

 

50,465

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

50,469

 

 

 

 

 

50,469

 

 

 

 

 

50,469

 

Loss from
operations

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(18,121

)

 

 

   

 

 

 

(18,125

)

 

 

   

 

(18,125

)

 

 

 

 

(18,125

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nonoperating income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

(3,475

)

 

 

47

 

(J

)

 

 

(3,428

)

 

 

 

 

(3,428

)

 

 

 

 

(3,428

)

Gain on loan extinguishment

 

 

 

 

 

5,550

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

5,550

 

 

 

 

 

5,550

 

 

 

 

 

5,550

 

Interest income

 

 

 

 

 

340

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

340

 

 

 

 

 

340

 

 

 

 

 

340

 

Other income, net

 

 

 

 

 

277

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

277

 

 

 

 

 

277

 

 

 

 

 

277

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(15,429

)

 

 

47

   

 

 

 

(15,386

)

 

 

 

 

(15,386

)

 

 

 

 

(15,386

)

Income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

4,085

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

4,085

 

 

 

 

 

4,085

 

 

 

 

 

4,085

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(4

)

 

$

(19,514

)

 

$

47

   

 

 

$

(19,471

)

 

$

 

$

(19,471

)

 

$

 

$

(19,471

)

57

Table of Contents

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2020
(in thousands)

 

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2020

         

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

     

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

     

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

 

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc.

 

Pro Forma Adjustments (Assuming No Redemption)

     

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming No Redemption)

 

Additional Pro Forma Adjustments (Assuming Maximum Redemption Condition)

 

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming Maximum Redemption Condition)

 

Pro Forma Adjustments (Assuming Maximum Possible Redemption)

 

Pro Forma Combined (Assuming Maximum Possible Redemption)

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Products

 

$

 

 

$

19,755

 

 

$

   

 

 

$

19,755

 

 

 

 

$

19,755

 

 

$

 

$

19,755

 

Services

 

 

 

 

 

2,716

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

2,716

 

 

 

 

 

2,716

 

 

 

 

 

2,716

 

   

 

 

 

 

22,471

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

22,471

 

 

 

 

 

22,471

 

 

 

 

 

22,471

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

 

 

 

15,870

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

15,870

 

 

 

 

 

15,870

 

 

 

 

 

15,870

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

 

 

 

5,808

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

5,808

 

 

 

 

 

5,808

 

 

 

 

 

5,808

 

Research and development

 

 

 

 

 

3,375

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

3,375

 

 

 

 

 

3,375

 

 

 

 

 

3,375

 

Gain on disposal of
assets

 

 

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

   

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

 

 

(9

)

Legal settlement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Formation and general and administrative expenses

 

 

112

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

112

 

 

 

 

 

112

 

 

 

 

 

112

 

Total costs and expenses

 

 

112

 

 

 

25,044

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

25,156

 

 

 

 

 

25,156

 

 

 

 

 

25,156

 

Loss from
operations

 

 

(112

)

 

 

(2,573

)

 

 

   

 

 

 

(2,685

)

 

 

 

 

(2,685

)

 

 

 

 

(2,685

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nonoperating income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

(1,097

)

 

 

420

 

(J

)

 

 

(677

)

 

 

 

 

(677

)

 

 

 

 

(677

)

Gain on loan extinguishment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

26

 

 

 

174

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

200

 

 

 

 

 

200

 

 

 

 

 

200

 

Other income, net

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

Loss before income taxes

 

 

(86

)

 

 

(3,481

)

 

 

420

   

 

 

 

(3,147

)

 

 

 

 

(3,147

)

 

 

 

 

(3,147

)

Income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(86

)

 

$

(3,481

)

 

$

420

   

 

 

$

(3,147

)

 

$

 

$

(3,147

)

 

$

 

$

(3,147

)

58

Table of Contents

Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements

1.     Basis of Presentation

The Business Combination will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded, in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, Live Oak will be treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Business Combination will be treated as the equivalent of Danimer issuing stock for the net assets of Live Oak, accompanied by a recapitalization.

The net assets of Live Oak will be stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2020 gives pro forma effect to the Business Combination and related transactions as if they had been consummated on June 30, 2020. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the six months ended June 30, 2020 give pro forma effect to the Business Combination and related transactions as if they had been consummated on January 1, 2019.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2020 has been prepared using, and should be read in conjunction with, the following:

•        Live Oak’s unaudited balance sheet as of June 30, 2020 and the related notes included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus; and

•        Danimer’s unaudited balance sheet as of June 30, 2020 and the related notes included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 and six months ended June 30, 2020 has been prepared using, and should be read in conjunction with, the following:

•        Live Oak’s audited statement of operations for the period from May 24, 2019 (inception) through December 31, 2019 and the related notes included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus; and

•        Danimer’s audited statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the related notes included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

•        Live Oak’s unaudited statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and the related notes included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus; and

•        Danimer’s unaudited statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and the related notes included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Management has made significant estimates and assumptions in its determination of the pro forma adjustments. As the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared based on these preliminary estimates, the final amounts recorded may differ materially from the information presented.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not give effect to any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies, tax savings or cost savings that may be associated with the Business Combination. The pro forma adjustments reflecting the consummation of the Business Combination and related transactions are based on certain currently available information and certain assumptions and methodologies that Live Oak believes are reasonable under the circumstances. The unaudited condensed pro forma adjustments, which are described in the accompanying notes, may be revised as additional information becomes available and is evaluated. Therefore, it is likely that the actual adjustments will differ from the pro forma adjustments and it is possible the difference may be material. Live Oak believes that its assumptions and methodologies provide a reasonable basis for presenting all of the significant effects of the Business Combination and related transactions based on information available to management at the time and that the pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and are properly applied in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations and financial position would have been had the Business Combination and related transactions taken place on the dates indicated, nor are they indicative of the future consolidated results of operations or financial position of the post-combination company. They should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements and notes thereto of Live Oak and Danimer.

59

Table of Contents

2.     Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared to illustrate the effect of the Business Combination and related transactions and has been prepared for informational purposes only. The historical financial statements have been adjusted in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information to give pro forma effect to events that are (1) directly attributable to the Business Combination and related transactions, (2) factually supportable, and (3) with respect to the statements of operations, expected to have a continuing impact on the results of the post-combination company. Live Oak and Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. have not had any historical relationship prior to the Business Combination. Accordingly, no pro forma adjustments were required to eliminate activities between the companies.

The pro forma combined provision for income taxes does not necessarily reflect the amounts that would have resulted had the post-combination company filed consolidated income tax returns during the periods presented.

Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet

The adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2020 are as follows:

(A)    Reflects the reclassification of $200.0 million of cash and cash equivalents held in the Trust Account that becomes available after the merger, assuming no redemptions.

(B)    Reflects the payment of $6.7 million of deferred underwriters’ fees incurred during the Live Oak initial public offering due upon the completion of the Business Combination. This is not included in the unaudited condensed combined statements of operations as it is nonrecurring.

(C)    Reflects net proceeds of $210.0 million from the issuance and sale of 21,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock at $10.00 per share in a private placement to be consummated substantially concurrently with the Business Combination.

(D)    Represents preliminary estimated transaction costs incurred by Live Oak and Danimer of approximately $18.3 million excluding $6.7 million of deferred underwriters’ fees described in note 2(B), for advisory, banking, printing, legal and accounting fees that are not capitalized as part of the Business Combination. These costs reflect a reduction of cash and a corresponding increase to accumulated deficit. These costs are not included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations as they are nonrecurring.

(E)    Reflects the conversion of $11.0 million of Danimer’s convertible debt into 1,779,883 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock consummated immediately after the merger.

(F)    Reflects the reclassification of $189.9 million of Live Oak Class A Common Stock subject to possible redemption to permanent equity, assuming no redemptions.

(G)    Represents the redemption of the maximum number of shares that may be made while satisfying the Minimum Cash Condition of 9,339,675 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock subject to redemption for approximately $93.4 million allocated to the common stock and additional paid-in capital using par value of $0.0001 per share at a redemption price of $10.00 per share (based on the fair value of marketable securities held in the Trust Account as of June 30, 2020 of approximately $200.0 million).

(H)    Represents the full redemption of an additional 10,660,325 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock subject to redemption for approximately $106.6 million allocated to the common stock and additional paid-in capital using par value of $0.0001 per share at a redemption price of $10.00 per share (based on the fair value of marketable securities held in the Trust Account as of June 30, 2020 of approximately $200.0 million).

(I)     Represents the recapitalization of common shares between Danimer Common Stock and Live Oak Class A Common Stock.

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Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Operations

The pro forma adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 and for the six months ended June 30, 2020 are as follows:

(J)     Reflects the elimination of interest expense related to Danimer’s convertible debt that is converted into Live Oak Class A Common Stock as described in note 2(E).

3.     Loss per Share

Basic loss per share represents the net loss per share calculated using the historical weighted average shares outstanding, and the issuance of additional shares in connection with the Business Combination, assuming the shares were outstanding at the beginning of the periods presented.

Diluted loss per common share is the same as basic loss per common share for all periods presented because the effects of potentially dilutive items were anti-dilutive given the pro forma combined net loss. The following common share equivalent securities have been excluded from the calculation of weighted-average common shares outstanding because the effect is anti-dilutive for the periods presented.

When assuming redemptions, the calculations are adjusted to eliminate such shares for the entire periods.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Assuming No Redemption

 

Assuming Maximum Redemption Condition

 

Assuming Maximum Possible Redemption

 

Assuming No Redemption

 

Assuming Maximum Redemption Condition

 

Assuming Maximum Possible Redemption

Pro Forma Net Loss

 

$

(19,471

)

 

$

(19,471

)

 

$

(19,471

)

 

$

(3,147

)

 

$

(3,147

)

 

$

(3,147

)

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

72,222,678

 

 

 

62,883,003

 

 

 

52,222,678

 

 

 

72,222,678

 

 

 

62,883,003

 

 

 

52,222,678

 

Net loss per share – Basic and Diluted(1) (2)

 

$

(0.27

)

 

$

(0.31

)

 

$

(0.37

)

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

(0.05

)

 

$

(0.06

)

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live Oak’s public stockholders

 

 

1,008,616

 

 

 

1,008,616

 

 

 

1,008,616

 

 

 

1,008,616

 

 

 

1,008,616

 

 

 

1,008,616

 

Shares from purchases of redeemable Live Oak Stock

 

 

18,991,384

 

 

 

9,651,709

 

 

 

(1,008,616

)

 

 

18,991,384

 

 

 

9,651,709

 

 

 

(1,008,616

)

Shares pursuant to the Subscription Agreements

 

 

21,000,000

 

 

 

21,000,000

 

 

 

21,000,000

 

 

 

21,000,000

 

 

 

21,000,000

 

 

 

21,000,000

 

Shares from conversion of Danimer convertible debt

 

 

1,779,883

 

 

 

1,779,883

 

 

 

1,779,883

 

 

 

1,779,883

 

 

 

1,779,883

 

 

 

1,779,883

 

Former equity holders of Danimer

 

 

29,442,795

 

 

 

29,442,795

 

 

 

29,442,795

 

 

 

29,442,75

 

 

 

29,442,795

 

 

 

29,442,795

 

   

 

72,222,678

 

 

 

62,883,003

 

 

 

52,222,678

 

 

 

72,222,678

 

 

 

62,883,003

 

 

 

52,222,678

 

____________

(1)      For the purposes of applying the if converted method for calculating diluted earnings per share, it was assumed that all outstanding warrants issued by Danimer were converted, however, since this results in anti-dilution, the effect of such exchange was excluded.

(2)      The effects of applying the treasury method for calculating diluted earnings per share for the exercise of outstanding equity options or warrants would be anti-dilutive. As such the effects of such exercise were excluded.

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THE SPECIAL MEETING OF LIVE OAK STOCKHOLDERS

The Live Oak Special Meeting

Live Oak is furnishing this proxy statement/prospectus to you as part of the solicitation of proxies by its board of directors for use at the special meeting of stockholders to be held on         , 2020, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy statement/prospectus is first being furnished to Live Oak’s stockholders on or about         , 2020. This proxy statement/prospectus provides you with information you need to know to be able to vote or instruct your vote to be cast at the special meeting of stockholders.

Date, Time and Place of the Special Meeting

The special meeting of stockholders of Live Oak will be held at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, on         , 2020, or such other date, time and place to which such meeting may be adjourned or postponed, for the purpose of considering and voting upon the proposals. The special meeting will be held entirely online to allow for greater participation in light of the public health impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Stockholders may participate in the special meeting by visiting the following website https://www.cstproxy.com/liveoakacq/sm2020.

In light of the ongoing health concerns relating to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and to best protect the health and welfare of Live Oak’s stockholders and personnel, the special meeting is currently scheduled to be held entirely online as indicated above. Stockholders of record may vote their shares electronically at the special meeting by following the instructions at https://www.cstproxy.com/liveoakacq/sm2020. Stockholders are also urged to vote their proxies by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying pre-addressed postage paid envelope, or to direct their brokers or other agents on how to vote the shares in their accounts, as applicable.

Purpose of the Special Meeting

At the Live Oak special meeting of stockholders, Live Oak will ask the Live Oak stockholders to vote in favor of the following proposals:

•        The Business Combination Proposal — a proposal to approve the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Business Combination.

•        The Charter Amendment Proposal — a proposal to amend Live Oak’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

•        The Election of Directors Proposal — a proposal to elect the directors comprising the board of directors of Live Oak following the closing of the Business Combination.

•        The NYSE Proposal — a proposal to issue Live Oak Class A Common Stock to Danimer shareholders in the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement and to the investors in the PIPE.

•        The Equity Incentive Plan Proposal — a proposal to approve and adopt the equity incentive award plan established to be effective after the Closing of the Business Combination.

•        The Employee Stock Purchase Plan Proposal — a proposal to approve and adopt the employee stock purchase plan established to be effective after the Closing of the Business Combination.

•        The Adjournment Proposal — a proposal to authorize the adjournment of the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based on the tabulated vote at the time of the special meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve the Business Combination Proposal or Public Stockholders have elected to redeem an amount of Public Shares such that the minimum available cash condition to the obligation to closing of the Business Combination would not be satisfied.

Recommendation of the Live Oak Board of Directors

Live Oak board of directors believes that each of the proposals to be presented at the special meeting of stockholders is in the best interests of Live Oak and its stockholders and unanimously recommends that its stockholders vote “FOR” each of the proposals (including each of the sub-proposals).

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When you consider the recommendation of Live Oak board of directors in favor of approval of the Business Combination Proposal, you should keep in mind that certain of Live Oak’s board of directors and officers have interests in the Business Combination that are different from, or in addition to, your interests as a stockholder. These interests include, among other things:

•        the beneficial ownership of the Sponsor and certain of Live Oak’s board of directors and officers of an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class B Common Stock and 3,040,000 Live Oak Warrants, which shares and warrants would become worthless if Live Oak does not complete a business combination within the applicable time period, as the Sponsor has waived any right to redemption with respect to these shares. Such shares and warrants have an aggregate market value of approximately $         million and $         million, respectively, based on the closing prices of Live Oak Class A Common Stock of $         and Live Oak Warrants of $         on NYSE on         , 2020;

•        Live Oak board of directors will not receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them on Live Oak’s behalf incident to identifying, investigating and consummating a business combination to the extent such expenses exceed the amount not required to be retained in the Trust Account, unless a business combination is consummated;

•        the anticipated continuation of John P. Amboian, Live Oak’s Chairman, and Richard J. Hendrix, Live Oak Chief Executive Officer and a director, as directors of New Danimer following the Closing;

•        that funds affiliated with certain members of the Live Oak board of directors have been committed to invest $49,050,000 in the PIPE; and

•        the continued indemnification of current directors and officers of Live Oak and the continuation of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance after the Business Combination.

Record Date and Voting

You will be entitled to vote or direct votes to be cast at the special meeting of stockholders if you owned shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock at the close of business on         , 2020, which is the record date for the special meeting of stockholders. You are entitled to one vote for each share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock that you owned as of the close of business on the record date. If your shares are held in “street name” or are in a margin or similar account, you should contact your broker, bank or other nominee to ensure that votes related to the shares you beneficially own are properly counted. On the record date, there were          shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock outstanding, of which          are shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and          are Founder Shares held by Live Oak Initial Stockholders.

The Sponsor has agreed to vote all of its Founder Shares and any Public Shares acquired by them in favor of the Business Combination Proposal. Live Oak’s issued and outstanding Live Oak Warrants do not have voting rights at the special meeting of stockholders.

Voting Your Shares

Each share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock that you own in your name entitles you to one vote on each of the proposals for the special meeting of stockholders. Your one or more proxy cards show the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock that you own.

If you are a holder of record, there are two ways to vote your shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock at the special meeting of stockholders:

•        You can vote by completing, signing and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you hold your shares in “street name” through a bank, broker or other nominee, you will need to follow the instructions provided to you by your bank, broker or other nominee to ensure that your shares are represented and voted at the applicable special meeting(s). If you vote by proxy card, your “proxy,” whose name is listed on the proxy card, will vote your shares as you instruct on the proxy card. If you sign and return the proxy card but do not give instructions on how to vote your shares, your shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock will be voted as recommended by Live Oak board of directors. With respect to proposals for the special meeting of stockholders, that means: “FOR” the Business Combination Proposal

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and “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal; “FOR” the Charter Amendment Proposal, “FOR” the Election of Directors Proposal, “FOR” the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal, NYSE Proposal and “FOR” the Employee Stock Purchase Plan Proposal and “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal.

•        You can attend the special meeting online and vote your shares electronically at the special meeting by following the instructions at https://www.cstproxy.com/liveoakacq/sm2020. However, if your shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock are held in the name of your broker, bank or other nominee, you must get a proxy from the broker, bank or other nominee. That is the only way we can be sure that the broker, bank or nominee has not already voted your shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock.

Who Can Answer Your Questions About Voting Your Shares

If you have any questions about how to vote or direct a vote in respect of your shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, you may contact our proxy solicitor at:

Morrow Sodali LLC
470 West Avenue
Stamford CT 06902
Telephone: (800) 662-5200
Banks and brokers can call collect at: (203) 658-9400
Email: LOAK.info@investor.morrowsodali.com

Quorum and Vote Required for the Live Oak Proposals

A quorum will be present at the special meeting of stockholders if a majority of the holders of shares of outstanding Live Oak Class A Common Stock and Live Oak Class B Common Stock entitled to vote at such meeting is represented in person or by proxy. In the absence of a quorum, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the special meeting.

As of the record date for the special meeting, 12,500,001 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and Live Oak Class B Common Stock would be required to achieve a quorum.

Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or your broker, bank or other nominee submits one on your behalf) or if you vote in person at the special meeting of stockholders. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, a majority of the shares represented by stockholders present at the special meeting or by proxy may authorize adjournment of the special meeting to another date.

Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes

Under the rules of various national and regional securities exchanges, your broker, bank or nominee cannot vote your shares with respect to non-discretionary matters unless you provide instructions on how to vote in accordance with the information and procedures provided to you by your broker, bank or nominee. Live Oak believes the proposals presented to its stockholders will be considered non-discretionary and therefore your broker, bank or nominee cannot vote your shares without your instruction. If you do not provide instructions with your proxy, your bank, broker or other nominee may deliver a proxy card expressly indicating that it is NOT voting your shares; this indication that a bank, broker or nominee is not voting your shares is referred to as a “broker non-vote.”

Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at the special meeting of Live Oak stockholders.

Revocability of Proxies

If you have submitted a proxy to vote your shares and wish to change your vote, you may do so by delivering a later-dated, signed proxy card to Live Oak’s proxy solicitor, Morrow Sodali LLC, at 470 West Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902, prior to the date of the special meeting or by voting in person at the special meeting. Attendance at the special meeting alone will not change your vote. You also may revoke your proxy by sending a notice of revocation to Live Oak’s secretary at the above address.

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Redemption Rights

Pursuant to Live Oak’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, any holders of Public Shares may demand that such shares be redeemed in exchange for a pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account, less taxes payable, provided that such stockholders follow the specific procedures for redemption set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus relating to the stockholder vote on the Business Combination. If demand is properly made and the Business Combination is consummated, these shares, immediately prior to the Business Combination, will cease to be outstanding and will represent only the right to receive a pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account which holds the proceeds of the IPO as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, net of any taxes payable, upon the consummation of the Business Combination. For illustrative purposes, based on funds in the Trust Account of approximately $200.03 million on June 30, 2020, the estimated per share redemption price would have been approximately $10.00.

Redemption rights are not available to holders of Live Oak Warrants in connection with the Business Combination.

In order to exercise your redemption rights, you must, prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on         , 2020 (two business days before the special meeting), both:

•        Submit a request in writing that Live Oak redeem your Public Shares for cash to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, Live Oak’s transfer agent, at the following address:

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
One State Street Plaza, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attention: Mark Zimkind
E-mail: mzimkind@continentalstock.com

•        Deliver your Public Shares either physically or electronically through DTC to Live Oak’s transfer agent. Stockholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights and opting to deliver physical certificates should allot sufficient time to obtain physical certificates from the transfer agent. It is Live Oak’s understanding that stockholders should generally allot at least one week to obtain physical certificates from the transfer agent. However, Live Oak does not have any control over this process and it may take longer than one week. Stockholders who hold their shares in street name will have to coordinate with their bank, broker or other nominee to have the shares certificated or delivered electronically. If you do not submit a written request and deliver your Public Shares as described above, your shares will not be redeemed.

Any demand for redemption, once made, may be withdrawn at any time until the deadline for exercising redemption requests and thereafter, with Live Oak’s consent, until the vote is taken with respect to the Business Combination. If you delivered your shares for redemption to Live Oak’s transfer agent and decide within the required timeframe not to exercise your redemption rights, you may request that Live Oak’s transfer agent return the shares (physically or electronically). You may make such request by contacting Live Oak’s transfer agent at the phone number or address listed above.

Each redemption of Public Shares by the Public Stockholders will decrease the amount in the Trust Account. In no event, however, will Live Oak redeem Public Shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon completion of the Business Combination.

Prior to exercising redemption rights, stockholders should verify the market price of their Live Oak Class A Common Stock as they may receive higher proceeds from the sale of their Live Oak Class A Common Stock in the public market than from exercising their redemption rights if the market price per share is higher than the redemption price. Live Oak cannot assure you that you will be able to sell your shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock in the open market, even if the market price per share is higher than the redemption price stated above, as there may not be sufficient liquidity in Live Oak Class A Common Stock when you wish to sell your shares.

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If you exercise your redemption rights, your shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock will cease to be outstanding immediately prior to the Business Combination and will only represent the right to receive a pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account, less taxes payable. You will no longer own those shares. You will be entitled to receive cash for these shares only if you properly demand redemption.

If the Business Combination Proposal is not approved and Live Oak does not consummate an initial business combination by May 8, 2022 or obtain the approval of Live Oak Stockholders to extend the deadline for Live Oak to consummate an initial business combination, it will be required to dissolve and liquidate and the Live Oak Warrants will expire worthless.

Appraisal or Dissenters’ Rights

No appraisal or dissenters’ rights are available to holders of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock or Live Oak Warrants in connection with the Business Combination.

Solicitation of Proxies

Live Oak will pay the cost of soliciting proxies for the special meeting. Live Oak has engaged Morrow Sodali LLC to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the special meeting. Live Oak has agreed to pay Morrow Sodali LLC a fee of $25,000. Live Oak will reimburse Morrow Sodali LLC for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and will indemnify Morrow Sodali LLC and its affiliates against certain claims, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses. Live Oak also will reimburse banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries representing beneficial owners of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock for their expenses in forwarding soliciting materials to beneficial owners of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and in obtaining voting instructions from those owners. Live Oak’s directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies by telephone, by facsimile, by mail, on the Internet or in person. They will not be paid any additional amounts for soliciting proxies.

Stock Ownership

As of the record date, the Sponsor beneficially owns an aggregate of approximately         % of the outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock. The Sponsor has agreed to vote all of its Founder Shares and any Public Shares acquired by it in favor of the Business Combination Proposal. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, the Sponsor has not acquired any shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock.

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PROPOSALS TO BE CONSIDERED BY LIVE OAK’S STOCKHOLDERS PROPOSAL NO. 1 — THE BUSINESS COMBINATION PROPOSAL

THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

The Background of the Business Combination

The terms of the Merger Agreement are the result of arm’s-length negotiations between representatives of Live Oak and Danimer. The following is a brief discussion of the background of these negotiations, the Merger Agreement and related transactions.

Live Oak was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Live Oak was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on May 24, 2019.

On May 8, 2020, Live Oak closed its IPO of 20,000,000 Live Oak Units, with each Live Oak Unit consisting of one share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and one-half of one Live Oak Warrant, each whole Live Oak Warrant to purchase one share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock at a purchase price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as provided in Live Oak’s final prospectus filed with the SEC on May 6, 2020 (File No. 333-236800). The Live Oak Units were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating total gross proceeds of $200 million (before underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses). Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, Live Oak completed a private placement of 6,000,000 Private Units issued to the Sponsor, generating total proceeds of $6 million. A total of $200 million from the net proceeds from the IPO and the private placement were placed in the Trust Account. The underwriters’ over-allotment option was not exercised.

Except for a portion of the interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account that may be released to Live Oak to pay taxes, none of the funds held in the Trust Account will be released until the earlier of the completion of our initial business combination and the redemption of 100% of our Public Shares if we are unable to consummate a business combination by May 8, 2022 or obtain the approval of Live Oak stockholders to extend the deadline for Live Oak to consummate an initial business combination.

Also in connection with the IPO, the Anchor Investor, which purchased 1,500,000 Public Shares in the IPO, agreed with Live Oak that, if it owns less than 1,500,000 Public Shares at the time of any stockholder vote with respect to an initial business combination or the business day immediately prior to the consummation of Live Oak’s initial business combination, it will forfeit all of the Public Shares and Warrants it purchased prior to the IPO.

Prior to the consummation of the IPO, neither Live Oak, nor anyone on its behalf, contacted any prospective target business or had any substantive discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to a transaction with Live Oak.

On an ongoing basis, Danimer’s management team and board of directors, together with its financial and legal advisors, have reviewed and evaluated potential strategic opportunities and alternatives with a view to enhancing stockholder value. Such opportunities and alternatives included, among other things, capital markets transactions and possible business combinations. In 2019 and through the first four months of 2020, Danimer raised in the aggregate over $34 million from private placements of shares of Danimer Common Stock and approximately an additional $10 million in aggregate principal amount of notes convertible into shares of Danimer Common Stock. Danimer was continuing to evaluate capital raising alternatives and strategic alternatives when it held an introductory meeting with Live Oak management on June 15, 2020.

From the date of the IPO through the signing of the Merger Agreement with Danimer on October 3, 2020, Richard J. Hendrix, Live Oak Chief Executive Officer and Director, Andrea K. Tarbox, Live Oak Chief Financial Officer and Director, Gary K. Wunderlich, Jr., Live Oak’s President, Ross Berner, Live Oak Chief Operating Officer and John P. Amboian, Live Oak’s Non-Executive Chairman, along with Live Oak’s other directors and representatives of Live Oak’s financial advisor, Jefferies, Inc. (“Jefferies”) reviewed self-generated ideas, contacted, and were contacted by, a number of individuals and entities with respect to numerous business combination opportunities. As part of this process, representatives of Live Oak considered and evaluated over 32 potential acquisition targets in a wide variety of industry sectors and evaluated illustrative transaction structures to effect a potential business combination with 10 of such potential acquisition targets. In connection with such evaluation, representatives of Live Oak had discussions regarding certain transaction structures and economic considerations with the members of management and/or the boards of directors of certain potential acquisition targets.

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Representatives of Live Oak engaged in significant due diligence and detailed discussions directly with the senior executives and/or shareholders of six potential business combination targets. Live Oak did not pursue a potential transaction with the other potential acquisition targets for a variety of factors, including the ability to reach a valuation that was acceptable to both sides and mutual decisions to pursue potential alternative transactions.

From the date of the IPO through the end of July 2020, representatives of Live Oak submitted non-binding letters of intent to two potential acquisition targets following evaluation of, and discussions with, each such potential acquisition target.

Live Oak decided to pursue a combination with Danimer because it determined that Danimer represented a compelling opportunity based upon Danimer’s technology leadership, strong and visionary management team, large addressable market within the vast plastics industry, and its strong runway for growth into the foreseeable future. Danimer’s patented technology, world-class partnerships, and its recent history of successfully winning customer contracts demonstrates the company’s likely ability to seize this opportunity. Danimer’s customer contracts which exceed its current PHA production capacity, evidence how strongly the market is seeking Danimer’s bio-degradable PHA resin.

Compared to Danimer, Live Oak and its advisors did not consider the other alternative combination targets to be as compelling when taking into consideration their business prospects, strategy, management teams, structure, likelihood of execution and valuation considerations.

On June 17, 2020, Live Oak and Danimer executed a Non-Disclosure Agreement to facilitate the review by Live Oak of Danimer’s non-public information.

On June 22, 2020, Jefferies, Live Oak and Danimer held a teleconference to discuss business due diligence matters, Danimer’s product capabilities and existing relationships with key customers.

On July 9, 2020, Jefferies, Live Oak and Danimer held a teleconference to discuss the Danimer financial model.

During the week of July 13, 2020, Live Oak held discussions with Jefferies regarding the feasibility of executing a pre-closing private investment in public equity (PIPE) to support the potential transaction.

On July 14, 2020, members of Live Oak management held calls with representatives of Jefferies and Mayer Brown, LLP (“Mayer Brown”), Live Oak’s legal counsel, to discuss formulating a non-binding letter of intent, valuation parameters and financing.

On July 21, 2020, members of Live Oak and Danimer held a teleconference in which Live Oak communicated Live Oak’s views on valuation, cash requirements to fund the business, and post-combination board of directors composition and the possibility of granting Live Oak a period of exclusivity to further investigate a combination. During that teleconference, Live Oak management also proposed that it would seek to raise $200 million dollars in a PIPE in connection with the potential transaction, in order to provide more certainty as to the amount of cash to be available to the combined company in the event of redemptions by Public Stockholders. Danimer management did not comment on the proposed valuation at that time. Also on July 21, 2020, Live Oak sent a non-binding letter of intent to Danimer. On July 23, 2020, Mr. Hendrix had a phone conversation with Stephen E. Croskrey, Danimer’s chief executive officer, and received feedback on the draft letter of intent. On July 24, 2020, Danimer sent back comments on the letter of intent reflecting a proposed valuation of approximately $460 million on a pre-money basis and proposed that the combined company’s board of directors retain five (5) representatives of Danimer and two (2) representatives of Live Oak. In response, Live Oak proposed a valuation of $450 million, or approximately 3.4% more than the $435 million valuation that had been set forth in its original draft of the letter of intent, and agreeing that two (2) representatives of Live Oak remain on the combined company’s board of directors. The parties tentatively agreed on a valuation of $450 million and two (2) Live Oak board representatives, and a condition to closing that Live Oak raise at least $200 million in the PIPE and have at least $300 million cash on hand in the aggregate at closing, which the parties agreed would provide a reasonable amount of cash for the combined company following the closing of the potential transaction. On July 26, 2020, after discussions with Jefferies, Live Oak sent a revised draft of a non-binding letter of intent to Danimer. Danimer management discussed the draft of the non-binding letter of intent internally as well as with its legal counsel and financial advisor and provided comments back to Live Oak for review. Such comments were accepted. On July 29, 2020, Live Oak sent a revised draft of a non-binding letter of intent to Danimer on which Danimer management had no further comments. On July 30, 2020, Danimer held a board meeting at which Danimer’s fundraising activities to date and potential strategic alternatives were discussed. At this meeting,

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Danimer’s board of directors was also presented with the possibility of a merger transaction with Live Oak and the potential deal terms set forth in the non-binding letter of intent were discussed. Danimer’s board of directors voted in favor of pursuing discussions with Live Oak on the terms described in the non-binding letter of intent and approved management entering into the non-binding letter of intent with Live Oak.

During the week of July 28, 2020, members of the management teams from both companies met at Danimer’s plant in Winchester, Kentucky to enable Live Oak’s management to learn more about Danimer’s current and planned business. Throughout the week the management teams also held calls to discuss scheduling for continued due diligence meetings as well as a timeline for a potential combination.

On July 31, 2020, Live Oak and Danimer signed the non-binding letter of intent, which included an obligation of Danimer, subject to certain exclusions, to negotiate exclusively with Live Oak regarding a potential transaction for a period from July 31, 2020 to October 14, 2020.

During the week of August 3, 2020, representatives of Live Oak and its advisors held calls to discuss marketing documents, timeline and investor targeting for the PIPE. Near the end of this week, Live Oak, Danimer and outside legal counsel for each company began discussing the wall cross procedures to allow potential interested investors to consider participation in the PIPE as part of the transaction.

During the week of August 18, 2020, members of Live Oak management visited Danimer’s headquarters in Bainbridge, GA for additional diligence. During the month of August 2020, Live Oak contracted with technology and manufacturing experts to advise with respect to PHA technology, production methods, volume achievements and the cost of future expansion in connection with its due diligence efforts. Additionally in late August of 2020, Live Oak contracted with a leading management consulting firm to assist its diligence regarding the end markets, pricing, and competitive landscape for Danimer and its key products. During the month of August, members of Live Oak’s management held confidential teleconferences with some of Danimer’s key customers.

During the week of August 18, 2020, representatives of Live Oak and Danimer and their advisors engaged in discussions regarding governance, lockup periods, investor participation in the PIPE, subscription terms and the process to exchange drafts of the Merger Agreement. On August 21, 2020, Mayer Brown provided an initial draft of the Merger Agreement to Kane Kessler, P.C. (“Kane Kessler”), legal counsel to Danimer, the proposed terms of which Kane Kessler began to review with Danimer.

During the week of August 24, 2020, representatives of the parties held a series of update calls to discuss various agreements related to the Business Combination and the PIPE financing and remaining due diligence items.

On September 3, 2020 representatives of Live Oak and Danimer held a technical due diligence call to review the work completed by Live Oak’s technical consultants.

During the week of August 31, 2020 and September 7, 2020, Live Oak’s advisors began to confidentially contact investors. Also during this period, members of the Live Oak management team held additional in-person discussions with Danimer management and held diligence calls with two significant corporate investors in Danimer.

On September 10, 2020, members of management of Live Oak and Danimer began engaging in confidential discussions with potential investors in the PIPE.

During the week September 7, 2020, representatives of Live Oak and Danimer continued confidential investor meetings, and provided a draft subscription agreement for the PIPE to certain interested investors.

During the weeks of August 31, 2020 and September 7, 2020, representatives of Live Oak and Danimer held multiple calls to discuss the terms of the Business Combination and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Among other points, these discussions included the need for Danimer to be able to continue to raise capital through its ongoing private placement offering, particularly to investors with which Danimer was already in active discussion. Kane Kessler and Mayer Brown also exchanged updated drafts of the Merger Agreement and certain related documents and agreements during this period. In addition, Mayer Brown and certain of the potential PIPE investors exchanged revised drafts of the form of subscription agreement for the PIPE.

During the week of September 21, 2020, the form of the subscription for the PIPE was finalized and representatives of Jefferies assisted in obtaining commitments from the PIPE investors. The parties also continued to discuss the terms of the Business Combination, the provisions of the Merger Agreement.

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On September 30, 2020, representatives of Mayer Brown reviewed with the Live Oak board of directors its fiduciary duties and summarized the material terms of the Business Combination, including those contained in the Merger Agreement and related transaction documents. Mr. Hendrix reviewed with the Live Oak board of directors the background of the Business Combination, the strategic rationale for the Business Combination and Live Oak’s management’s perspective on a number of things, including Danimer’s business, prospects, including backlog, and valuation as implied by the terms of the proposed Business Combination and the benefits to Live Oak’s stockholders of consummating such a transaction. The representatives of Jefferies discussed with the Live Oak board of directors their views on Danimer’s business, prospects as well as on the valuation as implied by terms of the proposed transaction, Mr. Hendrix then discussed with the Live Oak board of directors the fact that, based upon the forecasts discussed with the Live Oak board of directors (as further described in the section “— Certain Danimer Projected Financial Information”) the enterprise value as a multiple of EBITDA (as defined in, and further described in, “— Certain Danimer Projected Financial Information”) of the pro forma company for the estimated calendar years 2021 through 2025 were lower than those of a selected group of public companies operating in the sectors in which Danimer operates, and the representatives of Jefferies agreed with that analysis and the discussions. The representatives of Jefferies then described the background and process leading up to the PIPE and the level of interest obtained. The Live Oak board of directors discussed the fact that the PIPE had been successful at the valuation implied by the Business Combination all indicated support for the reasonableness of the consideration being paid. After more discussion, including asking questions of Live Oak’s management and their legal and financial advisors, the Live Oak board of directors determined that based upon the Business Combination terms and the financial analysis, the Business Combination was fair to, advisable, and in the best interests of Live Oak and its stockholders. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Live Oak board of directors unanimously (i) determined that it is in the best interests of Live Oak and its stockholders, and declared it advisable, to enter into the Merger Agreement, (ii) approved the Merger Agreement and the Proposed Transactions, including the Merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement and (iii) adopted a resolution recommending the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby be adopted by Live Oak’s stockholders.

Danimer’s board of directors met via teleconference on the afternoon of September 30, 2020 to further consider and discuss the proposed transaction with Live Oak. Also present were representatives of Kane Kessler and Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (“Houlihan Lokey”), Danimer’s financial advisor. Mr. Croskrey reviewed with Danimer’s board of directors the background of the Business Combination and the strategic rationale for the Business Combination and the benefits to Danimer’s stockholders of consummating such a transaction. The representatives of Houlihan Lokey discussed with Danimer’s board of directors Houlihan Lokey’s financial analysis of Danimer and the proposed Business Combination. Following a thorough review and discussion, Danimer’s board of directors concluded that the proposed Business Combination represented the best potential strategic alternative for the Company and Danimer’s board of directors then unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and related documents and agreements, and the board determined to recommend the approval of the Merger Agreement and the Merger to its stockholders.

The Merger Agreement and related documents and agreements were executed on October 3, 2020. Prior to the market open on October 5, 2020, Live Oak and Danimer issued a joint press release announcing the execution of the Merger Agreement and Live Oak filed with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K announcing the execution of the Merger Agreement. During the morning of October 5, 2020, representatives of Live Oak and Danimer conducted an investor conference call to announce the Business Combination.

On October 8, 2020, Live Oak, Merger Sub, the Company, the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative, entered the Amendment to the Merger Agreement. The Amendment (1)(x) eliminated the definition of “Cash Free Exercise Option and Warrant Shares” and (y) provides for revised definitions of “Closing Payment” and “Closing Per Share Merger Consideration,” in each case, to adjust, for purposes of calculating the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration: (i) the assumed value of the Company by adding the total amount of cash proceeds that would be received by the Company if all outstanding Company Options and Company Warrants were exercised in connection with the Closing and (ii) the assumed total number of Company Shares outstanding at the Closing to include Shares issuable under all Company Options and Company Warrants, (2) revised the definition of “Net Debt” to deduct amounts relating to issuances of Danimer Common Stock completed to fund capital expenditures in connection with the Company’s “Phase 2” expansion of the Kentucky Facility through the Closing Date and (3) clarifies the calculation of the Award Exchange Ratio.

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Live Oak Board of Directors’ Reasons for the Approval of the Business Combination

As described under “The Background of the Business Combination” above, Live Oak board of directors, in evaluating the Business Combination, consulted with Live Oak’s management and financial and legal advisors. In reaching its unanimous decision to approve the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Live Oak board of directors considered a range of factors, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed below. In light of the number and wide variety of factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the combination, Live Oak board of directors did not consider it practicable to, and did not attempt to, quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors that it considered in reaching its determination and supporting its decision. Live Oak board of directors viewed its decision as being based on all of the information available and the factors presented to and considered by it. In addition, individual directors may have given different weight to different factors.

This explanation of Live Oak’s reasons for the combination and all other information presented in this section is forward-looking in nature and, therefore, should be read in light of the factors discussed under the section titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

In approving the combination, Live Oak board of directors determined not to obtain a fairness opinion. The officers and directors of Live Oak have substantial experience in evaluating the operating and financial merits of companies from a wide range of industries and concluded that their experience and background, together with experience and sector expertise of Jefferies, enabled them to make the necessary analyses and determinations regarding the Business Combination.

Live Oak board of directors considered a number of factors pertaining to the Business Combination as generally supporting its decision to enter into the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including, but not limited to, the following:

•        Highly Attractive PHA Technology.    Live Oak’s management and board of directors believe that Danimer is a high-growth next generation eco-tech company that produces 100% biodegradable polymers for use in plastic applications. Its polyhydroxyalkanoates (“PHA”) serve as a best end-of-life solution for plastics and Danimer is the leading PHA innovator with patent protected technology and 13 years of production knowhow;

•        Strong Partnerships.    Live Oak’s management and board of directors considered Danimer’s strong partnerships with industry leaders, such as CPG brands including Pepsi and Nestle and key converters such as Wincup and Genpak, which it believes contribute to Danimer’s rapidly growing blue chip customer base with take-or-pay contracts that has led to fully sold-out position through Phase II capacity addition;

•        Large Addressable Market for Product.    Live Oak’s management and board of directors considered the fact that Danimer has large addressable market, with currently over 500 billion pounds worldwide of single-use plastics that are not recycled or incinerated;

•        Tailwinds Associated with Global Pollution Crisis.    Live Oak’s management and board of directors believe that Danimer’s business products are well positioned to benefit from increased corporate initiatives focused on addressing the environmental impact of plastics on the world’s pollution crisis;

•        Due Diligence.    Live Oak’s management and board of directors conducted due diligence examinations of Danimer and discussions with Danimer’s management and Live Oak’s financial, technical, manufacturing and legal advisors concerning Live Oak’s due diligence examination of Danimer;

•        Financial Condition.    Live Oak board of directors also considered factors such as Danimer’s outlook, financial plan and debt structure taking into consideration the fact that after consummation of the Business Combination, Danimer would have enough cash on hand to fully fund the planned expansion of its production capacity until 2025, as well as valuations and trading of publicly traded companies and valuations of precedent combination and combination targets in similar and adjacent sectors (see “— Certain Danimer Projected Financial Information”);

•        Attractive Market Valuation of Comparable Companies.    The public trading market valuation of comparable “materials” companies (consisting of Corbion, Novozymes, Croda, GFL Environmental, VOW ASA, US Ecology and Xebec Adsorption , which we refer to collectively as the “Comparable Materials Companies”) have expected 2021 enterprise value/revenue multiples and enterprise value/EBITDA multiples (in each case based on market data as of October 23, 2020) ranging from 1.9x to 7.8x and

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9.5x to 32.4x (and a median of 4.4x) and up to 19.6x, respectively. The public trading market valuation of comparable natural innovation large cap companies (consisting of Corbion, Novozymes and Croda, which we refer to collectively as the “Comparable Natural Innovation Companies”) have expected 2021 enterprise value/revenue multiples and enterprise value/EBITDA multiples (in each case based on market data as of October 23, 2020) ranging from 2.7x to 7.8x and 16.0x to 22.2x (and a median of 6.0x and 19.6x, respectively). The public trading market valuation of comparable high growth sustainable companies (consisting of GFL Environmental, VOW ASA, US Ecology and Xebec Adsorption, which we refer to collectively as the “Comparable High Growth Sustainable Solutions Companies”) have expected 2021 enterprise value/revenue multiples and enterprise value/EBITDA multiples (in each case based on market data as of October 23, 2020) ranging from 1.9x to 4.4x and 9.5x to 32.4x (and a median of 3.5x and 19.6x, respectively). The Live Oak board of directors believes that these multiples compare favorably to an initial market valuation of the post-Business Combination company reflected in the terms of the Business Combination corresponding to projected enterprise value/revenue multiples of 2.8x, 1.9x, 1.2x and 1.0x in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively, and projected enterprise value/EBITDA multiples of 3.6x and 3.1x in 2024 and 2025, respectively. While Danimer’s projected performance metrics used to derive the initial market valuation multiples of the post-Business Combination company reflected in the terms of the Business Combination are based on forecast periods two to five years beyond the comparable peer metrics, the Live Oak board of directors believes that the implied valuation discount is such that even applying conservative discount rate assumptions to arrive at a present value for the post-Business Combination company results in a favorable comparison. For example, when applying the median 2022 enterprise value/EBITDA multiple for the Comparable Materials Companies of 15.0x to Danimer’s 2025 projected EBITDA, the initial market valuation of the post-Business Combination company implies an approximate 40% annual discount rate from 2020 to 2025. Since Danimer’s business is not expected to achieve scale until 2022, the Live Oak board of directors believes this present value methodology is the most reasonable method of comparison. Although this analysis is based on the current Danimer projections, the valuation multiples decline each year as a result of the high growth projected for Danimer’s business;

•        Experienced and Proven Management Team.    Live Oak’s management and board of directors believe that Danimer has a strong management team, with extensive industry experience and proven track record, which is expected to remain with the combined company to seek to execute Danimer’s strategic and growth goals;

•        Other Alternatives.    Live Oak board of directors believes, after a thorough review of other business combination opportunities reasonably available to Live Oak, that the proposed combination represents the best potential business combination for Live Oak and the most attractive opportunity for Live Oak based upon the process utilized to evaluate and assess other potential combination targets, and Live Oak board of directors’ belief that such process has not presented a better alternative; and

•        Negotiated Transaction.    The financial and other terms of the Merger Agreement and the fact that such terms and conditions are reasonable and were the product of arm’s length negotiations between Live Oak and Danimer.

Live Oak board of directors also considered a variety of uncertainties and risk and other potentially negative factors concerning the Business Combination including, but not limited to, the following:

•        Macroeconomic Risks.    Macroeconomic uncertainty and the effects it could have on the combined company’s revenues;

•        Redemption Risk.    The potential that a significant number of Live Oak stockholders elect to redeem their shares prior to the consummation of the combination and pursuant to Live Oak’s existing charter, which would potentially make the combination more difficult or impossible to complete, and/or reduce the amount of cash available to the combined company following the Closing;

•        Stockholder Vote.    The risk that Live Oak’s or Danimer’s stockholders may fail to provide the respective votes necessary to effect the Business Combination;

•        Closing Conditions.    The fact that the completion of the combination is conditioned on the satisfaction of certain closing conditions that are not within Live Oak’s control;

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•        Litigation.    The possibility of litigation challenging the Business Combination or that an adverse judgment granting permanent injunctive relief could indefinitely enjoin consummation of the Business Combination;

•        Benefits May Not Be Achieved.    The risks that the potential benefits of the Business Combination may not be fully achieved or may not be achieved within the expected timeframe;

•        No Third-Party Valuation.    The risk that Live Oak did not obtain a third-party valuation or fairness opinion in connection with the combination;

•        Live Oak Stockholders Receiving a Minority Positions.    The fact that Live Oak stockholders will hold a minority position in the combined company;

•        Interests of Live Oak’s Directors and Officers.    The interests of Live Oak board of directors and officers in the Business Combination (see “— Interests of Live Oak’s Directors and Officers in the Business Combination”); and

•        Other Risks Factors.    Various other risk factors associated with the business of motor, as described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” appearing elsewhere in this document.

In connection with analyzing the Business Combination, Live Oak’s management, based on its experience and judgment, selected the Comparable Materials Companies. Live Oak’s management selected these companies because they are publicly traded companies with certain operations, results, business mixes or size and scale that, for the purposes of analysis, may be considered similar to certain operations, results, business mixes or size and scale of Danimer. None of the Comparable Materials Companies is identical or directly comparable to Danimer.

In connection with its analysis of the Business Combination, Live Oak’s management reviewed and compared, using publicly available information, certain current, projected and historical financial information for Danimer corresponding to current and historical financial information, ratios and public market multiples for the Comparable Materials Companies, as described above.

Live Oak board of directors also considered the Business Combination in light of the investment criteria set forth in Live Oak’s final prospectus for its IPO including, without limitation, that based upon Live Oak’s analyses and due diligence, Danimer has the potential to be a market leader and has substantial future growth opportunities, all of which Live Oak board of directors believed have a strong potential to create meaningful stockholder value following the consummation of the Business Combination.

The above discussion of the material factors considered by Live Oak board of directors is not intended to be exhaustive but does set forth the principal factors considered by Live Oak board of directors.

Certain Danimer Projected Financial Information

Danimer provided Live Oak with its internally prepared forecasts for each of the years in the six-year period ending December 31, 2025. Danimer does not, as a matter of general practice, publicly disclose long-term forecasts or internal projections of its future performance, revenue, financial condition or other results. However, in connection with the proposed Business Combination, management of Danimer prepared the financial projections set forth below to present key elements of the forecasts provided to Live Oak. Danimer’s forecasts were prepared solely for internal use and not with a view toward public disclosure, the published guidelines of the SEC regarding projections or the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for preparation and presentation of prospective financial information.

The inclusion of financial projections in this proxy statement/prospectus should not be regarded as an indication that Danimer, its board of directors, or their respective affiliates, advisors or other representatives considered, or now considers, such financial projections necessarily to be predictive of actual future results or to support or fail to support your decision whether to vote for or against the Business Combination Proposal. The financial projections are not fact and should not be relied upon as being necessarily indicative of future results, and readers of this proxy statement/prospectus, including investors or stockholders, are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information. You are cautioned not to rely on the projections in making a decision regarding the Business Combination, as the projections may be materially different than actual results. We will not refer back to the financial projections in our future periodic reports filed under the Exchange Act.

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The financial projections reflect numerous estimates and assumptions with respect to general business, economic, regulatory, market and financial conditions and other future events, as well as matters specific to Danimer’s business, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond Danimer’s and Live Oak’s control. The financial projections are forward looking statements that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond Danimer’s control. The various risks and uncertainties include those set forth in the “Risk Factors,” “Danimer Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” sections of this proxy statement/prospectus, respectively. As a result, there can be no assurance that the projected results will be realized or that actual results will not be significantly higher or lower than projected. Since the financial projections cover multiple years, such information by its nature becomes less reliable with each successive year. These financial projections are subjective in many respects and thus are susceptible to multiple interpretations and periodic revisions based on actual experience and business developments.

Furthermore, the financial projections do not take into account any circumstances or events occurring after the date they were prepared, including, but not limited to, a delay of at least one month in commencing Phase II expansion of the Kentucky Facility (beyond some initial preparatory and engineering work which has already commenced). None of Danimer’s independent registered accounting firm, Live Oak’s independent registered accounting firm or any other independent accountants, have compiled, examined or performed any procedures with respect to the financial projections included below, nor have they expressed any opinion or any other form of assurance on such information or their achievability, and they assume no responsibility for, and disclaim any association with, the financial projections. Nonetheless, a summary of the financial projections is provided in this proxy statement/prospectus because they were made available to Live Oak and its board of directors in connection with their review of the proposed transaction.

EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS, BY INCLUDING IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS A SUMMARY OF THE FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS FOR DANIMER, LIVE OAK UNDERTAKES NO OBLIGATIONS AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO UPDATE OR REVISE, OR PUBLICLY DISCLOSE ANY UPDATE OR REVISION TO, THESE FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS TO REFLECT CIRCUMSTANCES OR EVENTS, INCLUDING UNANTICIPATED EVENTS, THAT MAY HAVE OCCURRED OR THAT MAY OCCUR AFTER THE PREPARATION OF THESE FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS, EVEN IN THE EVENT THAT ANY OR ALL OF THE ASSUMPTIONS UNDERLYING THE FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS ARE SHOWN TO BE IN ERROR OR CHANGE.

The projections were prepared by, and are the responsibility of, Danimer’s management. Thomas, Howell Ferguson P.A., Danimer’s independent auditor, has not examined, compiled or otherwise applied procedures with respect to the accompanying prospective financial information presented herein and, accordingly, expresses no opinion or any other form of assurance on it. Thomas, Howell Ferguson P.A.’s report included in this proxy statement/prospectus relates to historical financial information of Danimer. It does not extend to the projections and should not be read as if it does.

The key elements of the projections provided by management of Danimer to Live Oak, which assume the Phase II expansion of the Kentucky Facility and the construction of an additional greenfield PHA-production facility, are summarized in the tables below:

Key Financial Metrics:

 

Year Ended December 31,

   

2020P

 

2021P

 

2022P

 

2023P

 

2024P

 

2025P

Income Statement Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Revenue

 

$

51.0

 

 

$

117.0

 

 

$

192.7

 

 

$

273.5

 

 

$

454.7

 

 

$

512.7

 

Cost of Goods Sold

 

 

(30.3

)

 

 

(70.8

)

 

 

(108.7

)

 

 

(157.7

)

 

 

(259.6

)

 

 

(290.2

)

Operating Expenses

 

 

(23.0

)

 

 

(35.0

)

 

 

(40.2

)

 

 

(55.0

)

 

 

(75.8

)

 

 

(79.2

)

Operating Income

 

$

(2.2

)

 

$

11.3

 

 

$

43.8

 

 

$

60.8

 

 

$

119.3

 

 

$

143.3

 

Total Other Income / (Expense)

 

 

5.1

 

 

 

6.6

 

 

 

(15.4

)

 

 

(20.5

)

 

 

(30.9

)

 

 

(36.9

)

Net Income (Loss)

 

$

2.9

 

 

$

17.9

 

 

$

28.4

 

 

$

40.3

 

 

$

88.4

 

 

$

106.3

 

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

 

$

2.1

 

 

$

21.3

 

 

$

54.3

 

 

$

78.4

 

 

$

144.5

 

 

$

168.8

 

CAPEX (2)

 

$

21.4

 

 

$

94.5

 

 

$

202.5

 

 

$

95.1

 

 

$

12.3

 

 

$

12.9

 

____________

(1)      Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization and non-recurring items.

(2)      2020 capital expenditures reflected above exclude $13.5 million of Phase 1 expenditures.

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Projected revenue is based upon a customer by customer basis based primarily on contracted demand and anticipated pricing for the product(s) they are purchasing. Annual volumes available for sale are based on ramp schedules for the expanded production capacity at the Kentucky Facility.

Projected net income is based upon building up costs of goods sold based on the specific customer’s purchases and the formulations used in that particular product, and all other related direct costs to determine Cost of Goods sold expense as well as projecting operating expenses which the Company built up line item expenses in detail such as staffing, rent, public company and other similar costs then subtracting these costs from projected revenue.

Other key assumptions include the level of net interest expense and income taxes.

Annual capital expenditures are predominately related to the Phase II expansion of the Kentucky Facility and the engineering and construction costs related to the Greenfield plant.

Use of SPAC Trust Account and PIPE Proceeds

Immediately following the completion of the Business Combination, Danimer projects a cash balance of approximately $385 million to $390 million on a pro forma basis to fund the Phase II expansion of the Kentucky Facility. Following the completion of the Business Combination, Danimer intends to use these funds for capital expenditures related to the Phase II expansion of the Kentucky Facility and the construction of an additional greenfield PHA-production facility. Danimer expects that funds available following the closing of the Business Combination will be sufficient to cover forecasted capital needs and operating expenditures for the period covered in the foregoing projections.

Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, is an addition, and not a substitute for or superior to, measure of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP or as alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity.

This information should be read in conjunction with “Danimer Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” as well as the audited financial statements of Danimer elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Interests of Live Oak’s Directors and Officers in the Business Combination

When you consider the recommendation of Live Oak board of directors in favor of approval of the Business Combination Proposal, you should keep in mind that certain of Live Oak’s board of directors and officers have interests in the Business Combination that are different from, or in addition to, your interests as a stockholder or warrantholder. These interests include, among other things:

•        the beneficial ownership of the Sponsor and certain of Live Oak’s board of directors and officers of an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class B Common Stock and 3,040,000 Live Oak Warrants, which shares and warrants would become worthless if Live Oak does not complete a business combination within the applicable time period, as the Sponsor has waived any right to redemption with respect to these shares. Such shares and warrants have an aggregate market value of approximately $                million and $          million, respectively, based on the closing prices of Live Oak Class A Common Stock of $                and Live Oak Warrants of $          on NYSE on              , 2020;

•        Live Oak board of directors will not receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them on Live Oak’s behalf incident to identifying, investigating and consummating a business combination to the extent such expenses exceed the amount not required to be retained in the Trust Account, unless a business combination is consummated;

•        the anticipated continuation of John P. Amboian, Live Oak’s Chairman, and Richard J. Hendrix, Live Oak Chief Executive Officer and a director as directors of New Danimer following the Closing;

•        that funds affiliated with certain members of the Live Oak board of directors have been committed to invest $49,050,000 in the PIPE; and

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•        the continued indemnification of current directors and officers of Live Oak and the continuation of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance after the Business Combination.

Interests of Danimer’s Directors and Officers in the Business Combination

When you consider the recommendation of Danimer’s board of directors in favor of approval of the Business Combination Proposal, you should keep in mind that certain of Danimer’s directors and officers have interests in the Business Combination that are different from, or in addition to, your interests as a stockholder. Danimer’s board of directors was aware of such interests during its deliberations on the merits of the Business Combination Proposal and in deciding to recommend that Danimer shareholders submit written consents in favor of the Business Combination Proposal. These interests include, among other things:

•        Stephen E. Croskrey will receive a bonus equal to one percent (1%) of the gross purchase price paid by Live Oak for Danimer (net of Danimer’s closing costs and expenses) upon the Closing of the Merger.

•        Certain of Danimer’s executive officers are expected to become executive officers of New Danimer upon the consummation of the Business Combination. Specifically, the following individuals who are currently executive officers of Danimer are expected to become executive officers of New Danimer upon the consummation of the Business Combination, serving in the offices set forth opposite their names below.

 

Name

 

Position

Stephen E. Croskrey

 

Chief Executive Officer

John A. Dowdy, III

 

Chief Financial Officer

Michael Smith

 

Chief Operating Officer

Phillip Van Trump

 

Chief Science and Technology Officer

Scott Tuten

 

Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer

•        In addition, the following individuals who are currently directors of Danimer are expected to become directors of New Danimer upon the consummation of the Business Combination: Stephen E. Croskrey (who is also expected to become chairman of the board of New Danimer); Stuart Pratt; Dr. Isao Noda; Philip Gregory Calhoun; Gregory W. Hunt; and Christy Basco.

•        Certain of Danimer’s executive officers hold vested and unvested options to purchase shares of Danimer’s common stock. The treatment of such equity awards in connection with the Business Combination is described in “The Merger Agreement — Conversion of Securities”, which description is incorporated by reference herein. The ownership of such awards by such executive officers, as of October 23, 2020, is set forth in the table below.

 

Name

 

Vested Stock Options

 

Unvested Stock Options

Named Executive Officers

       

Stephen E. Croskrey

 

 

John A. Dowdy, III

 

96,198

 

14,000

Michael Smith

 

91,883

 

17,000

Phillip Van Trump

 

85,780

 

19,000

Scott Tuten

 

62,780

 

20,000

All Other Executive Officers as a Group

 

0

 

0

Directors

       

Stuart Pratt

 

0

 

650

Dr. Isao Noda

 

37,780

 

650

Philip Gregory Calhoun

 

21,935

 

650

Gregory W. Hunt

 

500

 

650

Christy Basco

 

0

 

0

All Other Directors as a Group

 

38,438

 

2,600

•        Certain of Danimer’s executive officers will receive upon closing of the Merger new grants of unvested options to purchase shares of Live Oak’s Class A Common Stock under Live Oak’s new equity incentive plan. Messrs. Croskrey, Dowdy, Smith, Van Trump and Tuten will receive a number of option shares equal

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to 3.0%, 0.75%, 0.75%, 0.75% and 0.75%, respectively, of the number of fully-diluted shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock (excluding certain shares underlying warrants) outstanding as of the Closing, at an exercise price equal to the fair market value at Closing. If fair market value exceeds $10 per share, each of those persons would be entitled to additional restricted shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock in an amount equal to the difference between such fair market value and $10, multiplied by the number of options shares and divided by such fair market value.

•        Stephen E. Croskrey has entered into an Employment Agreement with Live Oak to be effective as of the Closing. See “Danimer’s Executive CompensationAgreements with Danimer’s Named Executive Officers — Employment Agreement with Stephen E. Croskrey” for the terms of this Employment Agreement, which description is incorporated by reference herein.

•        Stuart Pratt has entered into a Consulting Agreement with Live Oak to be effective as of the Closing pursuant to which he will receive $1,500 per month and at Closing a grant of options to purchase 30,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, at an exercise price equal to the greater of (i) ten dollars ($10) and (ii) the fair market value of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock as of Closing. If fair market value exceeds $10 per share, Mr. Pratt would be entitled to additional restricted shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock in an amount equal to the difference between such fair market value and $10, multiplied by the number of options shares and divided by such fair market value.

•        Certain of Danimer’s executive officers and directors hold shares of Danimer Common Stock, the treatment of which is described in “The Merger AgreementConversion of Securities,” which description is incorporated herein by reference.

•        John A. Dowdy, Jr., a director and shareholder of Danimer, is serving as the Shareholder Representative. See “The Merger Agreement,” for a description of the rights and duties of the Shareholder Representative, which description is incorporated by reference herein.

Potential Actions to Secure Requisite Stockholder Approvals

In connection with the stockholder vote to approve the Business Combination, the Sponsor and Live Oak’s board of directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may privately negotiate transactions to purchase shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock from stockholders who would have otherwise elected to have their shares redeemed in conjunction with the Business Combination for a per share pro rata portion of the Trust Account. None of the Sponsor or Live Oak’s board of directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates will make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material non-public information not disclosed to the seller of such shares. Such a purchase of shares may include a contractual acknowledgement that such stockholder, although still the record holder of the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that the Sponsor or Live Oak’s board of directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from Public Stockholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling stockholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. Any such privately negotiated purchases may be effected at purchase prices that are in excess of the per share pro rata portion of the Trust Account. The purpose of these purchases would be to increase the amount of cash available to Live Oak for use in the Business Combination.

Regulatory Approvals Required for the Business Combination

Under the HSR Act and related rules, certain transactions, including the Business Combination, may not be completed until notifications have been given and information is furnished to the Antitrust Division of the DOJ and the FTC and all statutory waiting period requirements have been satisfied. Completion of the Business Combination is subject to the expiration or earlier termination of the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act. On October 26, 2020, we received notice of early termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act.

At any time before or after the expiration of the statutory waiting periods under the HSR Act, the Antitrust Division of the DOJ and the FTC may take action under the antitrust laws, including seeking to enjoin the completion of the Business Combination, to rescind the Business Combination or to conditionally permit completion of the Business Combination subject to regulatory conditions or other remedies. In addition, non-U.S. regulatory bodies and U.S. state attorneys general could take action under other applicable regulatory laws as they deem necessary or desirable in the public interest, including, without limitation, seeking to enjoin or otherwise prevent the completion

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of the Business Combination or permitting completion subject to regulatory conditions. Private parties may also seek to take legal action under regulatory laws under some circumstances. There can be no assurance that a challenge to the Business Combination on antitrust grounds will not be made or, if such a challenge is made, that it would not be successful. Live Oak and Danimer are not aware of any other regulatory approvals in the United States required for the consummation of the Business Combination.

Accounting Treatment of the Business Combination

The Business Combination will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, Live Oak will be treated as the acquired company and Danimer will be treated as the acquirer for financial statement reporting purposes. Danimer has been determined to be the accounting acquirer based on evaluation of the following facts and circumstances:

•        Danimer’s existing shareholders will have the greatest voting interest in the combined company under the no and maximum redemption condition scenarios with over 43% and 50% voting interest, respectively;

•        Danimer’s directors will represent six (6) of the eight (8) board seats for the combined company’s board of directors; and

•        Danimer’s senior management will be the senior management of the combined company.

The preponderance of evidence as described above is indicative that Danimer is the accounting acquirer in the Business Combination.

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THE MERGER AGREEMENT

The following is a summary of the material terms of the Merger Agreement. A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. The Merger Agreement has been attached to this proxy statement/prospectus to provide you with information regarding its terms. It is not intended to provide any other factual information about Live Oak, Merger Sub, Danimer, the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative. The following description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement. You should refer to the full text of the Merger Agreement for details of the Business Combination and the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement.

The Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties that Live Oak and Merger Sub, on the one hand, and Danimer, on the other hand, have made to one another as of specific dates. These representations and warranties have been made for the benefit of the other parties to the Merger Agreement and may be intended not as statements of fact but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be incorrect. In addition, the assertions embodied in the representations and warranties are qualified by information in confidential disclosure schedules exchanged by the parties in connection with signing the Merger Agreement. While Live Oak and Danimer do not believe that these disclosure schedules contain information required to be publicly disclosed under the applicable securities laws, other than information that has already been so disclosed, the disclosure schedules do contain information that modifies, qualifies and creates exceptions to the representations and warranties set forth in the attached Merger Agreement. Accordingly, you should not rely on the representations and warranties as current characterizations of factual information about Live Oak or Danimer, because they were made as of specific dates, may be intended merely as a risk allocation mechanism between Live Oak, Merger Sub and Danimer and are modified by the disclosure schedules.

General; Structure of the Business Combination

On October 3, 2020, Live Oak, Merger Sub, Danimer, the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative entered into the Merger Agreement, pursuant to which Live Oak and Danimer will consummate the Business Combination. On October 8, 2020, Live Oak, Merger Sub, the Company, the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative, entered the Amendment to the Merger Agreement. The Amendment (1)(x) eliminated the definition of “Cash Free Exercise Option and Warrant Shares” and (y) provides for revised definitions of “Closing Payment” and “Closing Per Share Merger Consideration,” in each case, to adjust, for purposes of calculating the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration: (i) the assumed value of the Company by adding the total amount of cash proceeds that would be received by the Company if all outstanding Company Options and Company Warrants were exercised in connection with the Closing and (ii) the assumed total number of Company Shares outstanding at the Closing to include Shares issuable under all Company Options and Company Warrants, (2) revised the definition of “Net Debt” to deduct amounts relating to issuances of Danimer Common Stock completed to fund capital expenditures in connection with the Company’s “Phase 2” expansion of the Kentucky Facility through the Closing Date and (3) clarifies the calculation of the Award Exchange Ratio. The terms of the Merger Agreement, as amended, which contains customary representations and warranties, covenants, closing conditions, termination provisions and other terms relating to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby, are summarized below.

The Merger is to become effective by the filing of a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia and will be effective immediately upon such filing or upon such later time as may be agreed by the parties and specified in such certificate of merger (such time, the “Effective Time”). The parties will hold the Closing immediately prior to such filing of a certificate of merger, on the Closing Date to be specified by Live Oak and Danimer, following the satisfaction or, if permitted, waiver of the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of those conditions at such time), or on such other date, time or place as Live Oak and Danimer may mutually agree.

Consideration

Conversion of Securities

At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Live Oak, Merger Sub, Danimer or the holders of any of Danimer’s securities:

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•        each share of Danimer Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equal to the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration, together with amounts that may become payable in respect of the Adjustment Holdback Amount, the Shareholder Representative Amount and the Earn-Out Shares, in each case in accordance with the Merger Agreement;

•        all shares of Danimer Common Stock held in the treasury of Danimer will be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and no payment, distribution or other consideration will be delivered or deliverable in exchange for such shares;

•        each share of Merger Sub Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be converted into and exchanged for one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Surviving Corporation;

•        each Danimer Option that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, whether vested or unvested, shall be assumed by Live Oak and will be converted automatically at the Effective Time into an option (an “Assumed Danimer Option”) to acquire shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such Danimer Option (including applicable vesting and exercise conditions) except that (a) the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock that will be subject to each such Assumed Danimer Option will be determined by multiplying the number of shares of Danimer Common Stock subject to the corresponding Danimer Option by a fraction (the “Award Exchange Ratio”), the numerator of which is Closing Per Share Merger Consideration multiplied by $10.00 and the denominator of which is the fair market value of a share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the Closing Date (rounded down to the nearest whole share) and (b) the exercise price per share of each such Assumed Danimer Option will equal (i) the per share exercise price of the corresponding Danimer Option divided by (ii) the Award Exchange Ratio (rounded up to the nearest whole cent); and

•        each share of Live Oak Class B Common Stock will automatically convert into shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis.

Earn-Out Shares

In addition to the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration, Live Oak will, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth below, issue or cause to be issued to each Danimer shareholder its “pro rata portion” of the following contingent merger consideration amounts (collectively, the “Earn-Out Shares”) subject to the terms and conditions set forth below:

(a)     2,500,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock if the volume weighted average price of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the NYSE or such other exchange as such shares may then be listed as reported on Bloomberg L.P. under the function “VWAP” (or, if not reported therein, in another authoritative source mutually selected by the parties) (“VWAP”) equals or exceeds fifteen dollars ($15.00) per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the six (6) month anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the third anniversary of the Closing Date;

(ii)    2,500,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock if the VWAP of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the NYSE or such other exchange as such shares may then be listed equals or exceeds twenty dollars ($20.00) per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the six (6) month anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date; and

(iii)   1,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock if the VWAP of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the NYSE or such other exchange as such shares may then be listed equals or exceeds twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the six (6) month anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date.

The right of a Danimer shareholder to receive any portion of the Earn-Out Shares under the Merger Agreement will be non-transferable, and no Danimer shareholder may transfer, assign, pledge or convey any interest in the Earn-Out Shares, except by operation of law.

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Adjustment Holdback Shares

At least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, Danimer will deliver to Live Oak the Estimated Closing Statement setting forth the Company’s good faith estimate of the Estimated Merger Consideration, including each of its components. Prior to the Closing, Live Oak will be entitled to review, comment on, and propose changes to the Estimated Closing Statement, including the calculation of the Estimated Merger Consideration set forth therein. The Company will promptly consider in good faith any changes Live Oak proposes to the Estimated Closing Statement and revise the Estimated Closing Statement if, based on its good faith assessment, such changes are warranted.

The Adjustment Holdback Shares will be withheld from Shareholders at Closing for the purpose of securing the variances between the Estimated Merger Consideration and the Final Merger Consideration as agreed upon by the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative, or as determined by their mutually selected accounting firm within the period and through the process set forth in of the Merger Agreement (the “Final Merger Consideration”).

If the Final Merger Consideration is greater than the Estimated Merger Consideration, then, within five Business Days after the date on which the Final Merger Consideration becomes final and binding, Live Oak will deposit with the Exchange Agent the amount of Live Oak Class A Common Stock required to account for such difference (the “Positive Adjustment Shares”). Thereafter, the Exchange Agent will disburse the Positive Adjustment Shares and the Adjustment Holdback Shares to the holders of Danimer Common Stock (other than Cancelled Shares and any Dissenting Shares) in accordance with the Merger Agreement.

If the Final Merger Consideration is less than the Estimated Merger Consideration, then, within five Business Days after the date on which the Final Merger Consideration becomes final and binding, the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative will jointly instruct Live Oak to deduct out of the Adjustment Holdback Shares, the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock (the “Negative Adjustment Shares”) equal to such difference. If the Negative Adjustment Shares is less than the Adjustment Holdback Shares, then the Exchange Agent will disburse such remaining portion of the Adjustment Holdback Amount to the holders of Danimer Common Stock in accordance with the Merger Agreement. If the Negative Adjustment Shares is greater than the Adjustment Holdback Shares, and on the one year anniversary of the Closing Date there remains any funds in the Shareholder Representative Amount after taking into account and accruing for all expenses and other amounts for which the Shareholder Representative Amount is permitted to be used under the Merger Agreement, the Shareholder Representative will pay any such excess amount in the Shareholder Representative Amount to Live Oak within thirty days following the one year anniversary of the Closing Date. The maximum exposure to the holders of Danimer Common Stock based on any adjustments with respect to the Final Merger Consideration and the Estimated Merger Consideration will be limited to the Adjustment Holdback Shares and the remaining funds in the Shareholder Representative Amount.

Conversion of Convertible Notes and Warrants

Prior to the Closing, Danimer’s board of directors will have adopted resolutions, and Danimer has agreed to take all other actions reasonably necessary, to permit each Danimer Warrant that remains outstanding as of immediately prior to the Closing to be exercisable in exchange for shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock immediately after the Effective Time. After the conversion or repayment of the Danimer Convertible Notes, and the exercise of the Danimer Warrants, and the resolutions passed by Danimer’s board of directors pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Danimer Convertible Notes and the Danimer Warrants will no longer represent the right to purchase shares of Danimer Common Stock or any other Equity Interests of Danimer, Merger Sub, the Surviving Corporation or any other Person or the right to receive any other consideration other than as provided in the Merger Agreement.

Closing

The Closing will occur within two Business Days following the satisfaction or if permitted waiver of all of the closing conditions or at such other time as Live Oak and Danimer may agree.

Representations, Warranties and Covenants

The Merger Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants of Danimer, Live Oak and Merger Sub relating to, among other things, their ability to enter into the Merger Agreement and their respective outstanding capitalization. These representations and warranties are subject to materiality, knowledge and other similar qualifications in many respects and expire at the Effective Time. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the Merger Agreement.

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The Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties made by Danimer to Live Oak and Merger Sub relating to a number of matters, including the following:

•        organization and authorization of Danimer and its subsidiaries;

•        capitalization of Danimer;

•        governmental consents; no conflicts;

•        financial statements; no undisclosed liabilities; indebtedness;

•        absence of certain changes;

•        assets;

•        real property;

•        intellectual property;

•        information technology; data privacy and security;

•        material contracts;

•        permits;

•        benefit plans;

•        employee and labor matters;

•        environmental matters;

•        taxes;

•        proceedings and orders;

•        compliance with laws;

•        compliance with regulatory requirements and product certifications;

•        accounts receivables;

•        inventory;

•        material customers and material suppliers;

•        related party transactions;

•        bank accounts;

•        insurance policies;

•        required shareholder approval;

•        takeover laws;

•        exchange act; and

•        brokers.

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The Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties made by Live Oak and Merger Sub to Danimer relating to a number of matters, including the following:

•        organization and authorization;

•        governmental consents; no conflicts;

•        proceedings;

•        compliance with laws;

•        issuance of shares;

•        Live Oak trust fund;

•        capitalization of Live Oak;

•        Merger Sub;

•        SEC filings;

•        internal controls;

•        listing;

•        absence of certain changes or events;

•        no undisclosed liabilities;

•        employees;

•        tax matters; and

•        brokers.

Conduct of Business Pending the Merger

Danimer has agreed that, prior to the Closing Date or termination of the Merger Agreement, it will conduct its business, and cause its subsidiaries to conduct their respective businesses, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice. Danimer will also cause its subsidiaries to keep and maintain its assets in good and satisfactory operating condition and repair, normal wear and tear excepted, and use its reasonable best efforts consistent with good business practice to maintain the business organization of Danimer and its subsidiaries intact and to preserve the goodwill of the suppliers, contractors, licensors, employees, customers, distributors, and others having business relations with Danimer and its subsidiaries.

In addition to the general covenants above, Danimer has agreed that prior to the Effective Time, subject to specified exceptions, it will not, and will cause its subsidiaries not to, without the written consent of Live Oak:

•        amend its certificate or articles of incorporation, certificate of formation, bylaws, limited liability company agreement or other organizational documents;

•        (i) issue or sell any of its Equity Interests (other than in connection with the exercise of outstanding Danimer Options), (ii) grant any options, warrants, calls, or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire any of its Equity Interests or (iii) split, combine, reclassify, cancel, redeem, or repurchase any of its Equity Interests; provided that the grant of Danimer Options in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice to employees (other than Danimer’s executive officers) shall not require Live Oak’s consent, authorization or approval; provided, further that copies of all such grants will be delivered to Live Oak within two Business Days following execution thereof, provided, further, that Danimer may issue additional Equity Interests with an aggregate value of up to $978,449.71 in the form of shares underlying a convertible note and shares to Hargrove & Associates, Inc.;

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•        sell, lease, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, or incur certain lien, mortgage, pledge, security interest, imperfection of title, encroachment, lease, license, easement, right-of-way, covenant, condition, restriction, adverse claim, or other encumbrance, on, any of its properties or assets, except for the sale, transfer, or disposition of finished goods inventory in the ordinary course of business;

•        make any capital expenditures in an aggregate amount of more than ten million dollars ($10,000,000);

•        create, incur, guarantee, or assume any Indebtedness in an aggregate amount of more than eighteen million dollars ($18,000,000);

•        enter into any transaction between Danimer or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any officer, director or certain shareholder or any Affiliate of such shareholder (excluding Danimer or its subsidiaries), on the other hand, that (i) is not on an arm’s-length basis or (ii) would be binding on Danimer after the Closing;

•        make any loans, advances, or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person (including any Affiliate);

•        acquire any business, Equity Interests, or assets of any other Person (whether by merger, sale of Equity Interests, sale of assets, or otherwise);

•        create any new Subsidiary;

•        make any material change in Danimer’s business or operations, except such changes as may be required to comply with any applicable Law;

•        grant any increase in the base salary or wages, bonus opportunity, or other compensation or benefits payable to any individuals employed by Danimer or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case except (i) base salary or hourly wage increases in the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent with past practice, (ii) as required by Law, or (iii) as required by the terms of any existing Contract, Danimer Benefit Plan, or collective bargaining agreement;

•        except as set forth in the Merger Agreement, make any amendment to, establish, enter into, or terminate any Danimer Benefit Plan or any employment agreement or other Contract with any individuals employed by Danimer or any of its Subsidiaries, other than as required by applicable Law, the other provisions of the Merger Agreement, or by the terms of any existing Contract, Danimer Benefit Plan, or collective bargaining agreement;

•        (i) amend or modify in any material respect any Material Contract (as defined in Section 4.10 of the Merger Agreement), Real Property Lease (as defined in Section 4.7(b) of the Merger Agreement), Outbound IP License (as defined in Section 4.9(b) of the Merger Agreement), or Inbound IP License (as defined in Section 4.9(c) of the Merger Agreement), (ii) terminate, not renew, or extend any Material Contract, Real Property Lease, Outbound IP License, or Inbound IP License, or (iii) enter into a Contract that, if entered into prior to the date hereof, would have been a Material Contract, Real Property Lease, Outbound IP License, or Inbound IP License;

•        make any change in any accounting principle, policy, or procedure used by it (other than regarding Taxes), other than changes required by GAAP or applicable Law;

•        change, revoke or make any material Tax election, file any amended Tax Return or claim for refund, adopt or change any method of tax accounting or accounting period, settle, compromise, or file any appeal with respect to any tax liability or refund; consent, authorize, or approve to or file any appeal with respect to any claim or assessment relating to taxes, or consent, authorize, or approve to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any tax claim or assessment (other than any request in the ordinary course of business to extend the initial due date for any tax return not yet filed);

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•        accelerate or delay collection of any notes or accounts receivable in advance of or beyond their regular due dates or the dates when the same would have been collected in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

•        delay or accelerate payment of any account payable or other Liability beyond or in advance of its due date or the date when such Liability would have been paid in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

•        offer any rebates, discounts, commissions, incentives, or inducements for the purchase of products or services that are materially different from those rebates, discounts, commissions, incentives or inducements offered by it in the ordinary course of business consistent with prior practice, or engage in any form of “channel stuffing” or other activity that could reasonably be expected to result in a reduction, temporary or otherwise, in the demand for its products and services following the Closing;

•        make any material change in its general pricing practices or policies or any change in its credit or allowance practices or policies other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

•        enter into any Contract for the lease or purchase of real property, other than contemplated amendments to Danimer’s Amended and Restated Master Lease Agreement, dated as of May 2020 with STORE Capital Acquisitions, LLC in connection with the “Phase 2” expansion of the Kentucky Facility;

•        declare, set aside, or pay any dividend or any other distribution with respect to its Equity Interests;

•        (i) settle or commence any material action, suit, arbitration, proceeding, audit, hearing, examination, investigation, or litigation (whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, or informal) by or before any Governmental Authority or (ii) cancel any other debts owed to or claims held by it other than, in the case of this sub-clause (ii), in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

•        intentionally waive, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any rights in or to any material item of the Intellectual Property of Danimer and its Subsidiaries;

•        adopt a complete or partial plan of liquidation, dissolution, restructuring, recapitalization, bankruptcy, suspension of payments, or other reorganization; or

•        agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing; provided, however, that Danimer will not require Live Oak’s consent, authorization or approval to (i) issue or sell any Danimer Common Stock to investors at a price of at least $63.00 per share for general working capital purposes; provided that (x) any sales made pursuant thereto will not exceed (A) $10,000,000.00 in the aggregate or (B) if the Closing has not occurred on or prior to December 31, 2020, Danimer may raise up to $42,300,000 in the aggregate through either issuance of Danimer Common Stock to investors at a price of at least $63.00 per share, incurrence of Indebtedness or a combination of both,, and (y) Danimer will update and deliver an updated capitalization table of Danimer setting forth the number of issued and outstanding Danimer Common Stock to Live Oak within two (2) Business Days of each issuance or sale of any of Danimer Common Stock, or (ii) perform its obligations under that certain settlement agreement entered into by Danimer prior to the date of the Merger Agreement.

Additional Agreements

Proxy Statement; Registration Statement

As promptly as practicable after the execution of the Merger Agreement and receipt of the PCAOB Audited Financials, Live Oak and Danimer agreed to prepare and file with the SEC this proxy statement/prospectus to be sent to the stockholders of Live Oak relating to the special meeting of Live Oak’s stockholders to be held to consider approval and adoption of the Live Oak Proposals.

Live Oak Stockholders’ Meetings; Merger Sub Stockholder’s Approval; Danimer’s Shareholders’ Written Consent

Live Oak has agreed to call and hold the special meeting as promptly as practicable after the date on which this Registration Statement becomes effective (but in any event no later than 30 days after the date on which this proxy

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statement/prospectus is mailed to the stockholders of Live Oak). Live Oak has agreed, through the Live Oak board of directors, to recommend to its stockholders that they approve the Live Oak Proposals contained in this proxy statement/prospectus and shall include the recommendation of the Live Oak board of directors in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Danimer has agreed to solicit the Written Consent as soon as practicable after the Registration Statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part becomes effective (and in any event within 10 Business Days after the Registration Statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part becomes effective).

Exclusivity

Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, from the date of the Merger Agreement until the Effective Time, Danimer has agreed on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries not to (i) solicit, initiate, induce, facilitate or encourage the making, submission of any inquiries, proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a potential business combination with or acquisition of Danimer or the Business (whether by way of merger, purchase of Equity Interests, purchase of assets, or otherwise) or any portion of the Equity Interests or assets of Danimer or any of its Subsidiaries (a “Competing Transaction”), (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, (iii) provide information regarding Danimer, its Subsidiaries or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person or (iv) fail to provide a copy of the resolutions of Danimer’s board of directors recommending adoption of the Merger Agreement by the holders of Danimer Common Stock for inclusion by Live Oak in this proxy statement/prospectus. Danimer and its Subsidiaries have also agreed to cause their representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Danimer has agreed to immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Danimer or any of its representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

Danimer and its Subsidiaries have also agreed to not, directly or indirectly, and cause their representatives not, to, (i) withdraw or modify in any manner adverse to Live Oak or Merger Sub, the consummation of the Business Combination, propose to withdraw or modify in any manner adverse to Live Oak or Merger Sub, the resolutions of Danimer’s board of directors recommending adoption of the Merger Agreement by the holders of Danimer Common Stock or (ii) recommend, declare advisable, or propose publicly to recommend or declare advisable any Competing Transaction.

Live Oak has agreed to not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, induce, facilitate or encourage the making, submission of any inquiries, proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a potential business combination with Live Oak or acquisition by Live Oak of another company or business (whether by way of merger, purchase of Equity Interests, purchase of assets, or otherwise) or any portion of the Equity Interests or assets of another company or business (a “Competing Live Oak Transaction”), (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Live Oak Transaction or (iii) provide information regarding Live Oak or its business, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Danimer and its representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Live Oak Transaction with such Person. Live Oak has also agreed to cause its representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Live Oak undertakes to immediately advise Danimer orally and in writing of the receipt by Live Oak or any of its representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Live Oak Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

Live Oak has also agreed to not, directly or indirectly, and cause its representatives not, to (i) withdraw or modify in any manner adverse to Danimer, the consummation of the Business Combination, propose to withdraw or modify in any manner adverse to Danimer, the approval of the Merger Agreement by the Live Oak board of directors and the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement or the recommendation of the Live Oak board of directors to the Live Oak stockholders to approve the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby or (ii) recommend, declare advisable, or propose publicly to recommend or declare advisable any Competing Live Oak Transaction.

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Stock Exchange Listing

Live Oak will cause the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Business Combination to be approved for listing on NYSE at Closing.

Other Covenants and Agreements

The Merger Agreement contains other covenants and agreements, including covenants related to:

•        Danimer and Live Oak providing access to the offices, facilities, books and records and furnishing relevant information to the other party, subject to certain limitations and confidentiality provisions;

•        Consents and approvals;

•        Notification of certain matters;

•        Termination of certain related party and other contracts;

•        Director and officer insurance;

•        Resignations;

•        Confidentiality;

•        Transfer of assets;

•        Parachute payment waivers;

•        Section 280G stockholder approval;

•        PCAOB Audited Financials;

•        Directors and officers;

•        Claims against Trust Account;

•        Other disclosures;

•        Road shows;

•        Publicity;

•        Conduct of Live Oak’s business pending closing; and

•        Section 16 matters.

Conditions to Closing

Mutual

The obligations of Danimer, Live Oak and Merger Sub to consummate the Business Combination, including the Merger, are subject to the satisfaction or waiver at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

(a)     All required filings under the HSR Act shall have been completed and any applicable waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the consummation of the Business Combination under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated (we received notice of early termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act on October 26, 2020), and any pre-Closing approvals or clearances reasonably required thereunder shall have been obtained;

(b)    No governmental authority shall have entered or issued any order, judgment, decree, injunction, stipulation, settlement or consent order preventing, enjoining or making the Business Combination illegal or otherwise prohibiting consummation of the Business Combination;

(c)     The Written Consent shall have been delivered by Danimer to Live Oak;

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(d)    The Live Oak Proposals (as defined elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus) shall have been approved and adopted by the requisite affirmative vote of the Live Oak stockholders in accordance with this proxy statement/prospectus and the applicable Law;

(e)     The Registration Statement shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect, and no proceedings for purposes of suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been initiated or be threatened by the SEC;

(f)     The shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock to be issued to the shareholders of Danimer (including Earn-Out Shares) shall be listed on NYSE as of the Closing Date;

(g)    All Danimer Options have been converted into Assumed Danimer Options in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement; and

(h)    All outstanding warrants and all other convertible securities of Danimer (other than the Danimer Options) have been converted into equity of Danimer, repaid, cancelled (in case of out-of-the-money securities) or otherwise converted at or prior to the Closing, and any rights to acquire equity of Danimer will be extinguished as of the Closing.

Live Oak and Merger Sub

The obligations of Live Oak and Merger Sub to consummate the Business Combination are subject to the satisfaction or waiver at or prior to the Closing of the following additional conditions:

(a)     Each of Danimer’s representations and warranties set forth in the Merger Agreement’s Section 4.1 (Organization and Authorization of the Company and its Subsidiaries), Section 4.2 (Capitalization of the Company; Subsidiaries), Section 4.3(b) (No Conflicts) and Section 4.25 (Required Shareholder Approval), Section 4.28 (Brokers) shall have been true and correct as of the date of the Merger Agreement and shall be true as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date (except to the extent any such representation speaks as of the date of the Merger Agreement or any other specific date, in which case such representation shall have been true and correct as of such date). Each of the other representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Article IV of the Merger Agreement shall have been true and correct in all respects, in the case of any representation or warranty qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, or in all material respects, in the case of any representation or warranty not qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in each case as of the date of the Merger Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date (except to the extent any such representation or warranty speaks as of the date of the Merger Agreement or any other specific date, in which case such representation or warranty shall have been true and correct in all respects or all material respects, as the case may be, as of such date).

(b)    Danimer has performed or complied with in all material respects all covenants and agreements required to be performed or complied with by Danimer under the Merger Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date.

(c)     No action, suit, arbitration, proceeding, audit, hearing, examination, investigation, or litigation (whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, or informal) shall be pending by or before any governmental authority seeking to, or wherein an unfavorable order would, (i) prevent the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the related agreements specified in the Merger Agreement, (ii) make illegal any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the related agreements specified in the Merger Agreement, (iii) cause any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the related agreements to be rescinded following the Closing, or (iv) impose any conditions, restrictions, undertakings, or limitations that, individually or in the aggregate, would impair, or could reasonably be expected to impair, the ability of Live Oak to consummate any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the related agreements specified in the Merger Agreement.

(d)    Since the date of the Merger Agreement, there has been no Material Adverse Effect.

(e)     Live Oak has received the written consents specified in the Merger Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Live Oak.

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(f)     Live Oak has received from Danimer each delivery required pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

(g)    Each of the key employment agreements between Danimer and certain of its key executives are effective and in full force and effect; and, each of the key executives remains employed by Danimer and none of the key executives has expressed an intention to terminate his or her employment with Danimer or withdraw or rescind his or her key employment agreement (except in each case due to disability or death).

(h)    No specified shareholder has sought, or threatened, to withdraw or rescind his or her non-competition agreement.

(i)     All parties to the Lock-Up Agreement (other than Live Oak) have delivered, or cause to be delivered, to Live Oak, copies of the Lock-Up Agreement, duly executed by such parties.

Danimer

The obligations of Danimer to consummate the Business Combination are subject to the satisfaction or waiver at or prior to Closing of the following additional conditions:

(a)     Each of Live Oak’s and Merger Sub’s representations and warranties set forth in the Merger Agreement’s Section 5.1 (Organization and Authorization), and Section 5.16 (Brokers) have been true and correct in all respects as of the date of the Merger Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date (except to the extent any such representation speaks as of the date of the Merger Agreement or any other specific date, in which case such representation shall have been true and correct as of such date). Each of the other representations and warranties of Live Oak and Merger Sub set forth in Article V of the Merger Agreement shall have been true and correct in all respects, in the case of any representation or warranty qualified by materiality, or in all material respects, in the case of any representation or warranty not qualified by materiality, in each case as of the date of the Merger Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date (except to the extent any such representation or warranty speaks as of the date of the Merger Agreement or any other specific date, in which case such representation or warranty shall have been true and correct in all respects or all material respects, as the case may be, as of such date).

(b)    Live Oak and Merger Sub have performed or complied with in all material respects all covenants and agreements required to be performed or complied with by Live Oak and Merger Sub under the Merger Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date.

(c)     Danimer have received from Live Oak and Merger Sub each delivery required pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

(d)    Live Oak have raised at least Two Hundred Million Dollars ($200,000,000) in cash in an equity financing to be consummated in connection with the Closing (the “PIPE”). Live Oak’s cash and cash equivalents from all sources at the Closing, after giving effect to redemptions made by certain Live Oak Stockholders, when added together with the amount of all net proceeds from the PIPE, along with any additional private financing or backstop arrangements concurrent with the Closing that may be pursued by Live Oak at its sole discretion, are at least Three Hundred Million Dollars ($300,000,000).

Termination

The Merger Agreement may be terminated and the Business Combination may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing, as follows:

•        by the mutual written consent of Live Oak and Danimer;

•        by Live Oak or Danimer, if the Closing will not have occurred prior to the Outside Date; provided, however, that the Merger Agreement may not be terminated by any party that is in breach of or failure to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in the Merger Agreement and such breach or failure has been the cause of or has resulted in the failure of the Closing to occur on or prior to the Outside Date;

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•        by Live Oak if (i) there is an occurrence of a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of Danimer set forth in the Merger Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of Danimer has become untrue, in either case such that the conditions described in subsections (a) and (b) under the heading “The Merger Agreement — Conditions to Closing; Live Oak and Merger Sub” would not be satisfied (a “Terminating Company Breach”); provided that Live Oak has not waived such Terminating Company Breach and Live Oak and Merger Sub are not then in material breach of their representations, warranties, covenants or agreements in the Merger Agreement; provided further that, if such Terminating Company Breach is curable by Danimer, Live Oak may not terminate the Merger Agreement under this provision for so long as Danimer continues to exercise its reasonable efforts to cure such breach, unless such breach is not cured within ten days after notice of such breach and Live Oak’s intention to terminate the Merger Agreement is provided by Live Oak to Danimer; or (ii) Danimer has not delivered to Live Oak a certified copy of the Written Consent by 5:00 p.m. (Central Time) on the tenth (10th) Business Day immediately following the date of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part; and

•        by Danimer if (i) there is an occurrence of a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of Live Oak and Merger Sub set forth in the Merger Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of Live Oak and Merger Sub will have become untrue, in either case such that the conditions described in subsections (a) and (b) under the heading “The Merger Agreement — Conditions to Closing; The Company” would not be satisfied (a “Terminating Live Oak Breach”); provided that Danimer has not waived such Terminating Live Oak Breach and Danimer is not then in material breach of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements in the Merger Agreement; provided, however, that, if such Terminating Live Oak Breach is curable by Live Oak and Merger Sub, Danimer may not terminate the Merger Agreement under this section for so long as Live Oak and Merger Sub continue to exercise their reasonable efforts to cure such breach, unless such breach is not cured within ten days after notice of such breach and Danimer’s intention to terminate the Merger Agreement is provided by Danimer to Live Oak; or (ii) Live Oak fails to receive the requisite vote to approve each of the Live Oak Proposals by the Outside Date.

Effect of Termination

If the Merger Agreement is terminated, the Merger Agreement will immediately become void and have no further force or effect, with no liability under the Merger Agreement on the part of any party to any other party except as set forth in the Merger Agreement, and no such termination will relieve any party from liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of the Merger Agreement by such party prior to such termination.

Recommendation of the Board

LIVE OAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS
VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION PROPOSAL.

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CERTAIN AGREEMENTS RELATED TO THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

This section describes the material provisions of certain additional agreements entered into or to be entered into pursuant to or in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, which are referred to as the “Related Agreements,” but does not purport to describe all of the terms thereof. The descriptions below are qualified by reference to the actual text of these agreements. You are encouraged to read the Related Agreements in their entirety.

Support Agreements

Contemporaneously with the execution of the Merger Agreement, on October 3, 2020, the Key Danimer Shareholders entered into the Support Agreements pursuant to which such Key Danimer Shareholders agreed to vote all of their shares of Danimer Common Stock in favor of the approval and adoption of the Proposed Transactions. Additionally, such Key Danimer Shareholders have agreed not to (a) transfer any of their shares of Danimer Common Stock (or enter into any arrangement with respect thereto) or (b) enter into any voting arrangement that is inconsistent with the Support Agreements. Collectively, as of October 3, 2020, the Key Danimer Shareholders held a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Danimer.

Lock-Up Agreement

In connection with the Proposed Transactions, Live Oak and the Shareholder Parties will enter into a Lock-Up Agreement at Closing. The Lock-Up Agreement provides for the securities of Live Oak held by the Shareholder Parties to be locked-up for a period of time following the Effective Time, as described below, subject to certain exceptions. The securities held by the Shareholder Parties will be locked-up until the earlier of (i) one year after the Effective Time or (ii) subsequent to the Effective Time, (x) if the reported closing price of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any twenty (20) trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least one hundred fifty (150) days after the Effective Time, or (y) the Lock Up Period.

Subscription Agreements

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, effective as of October 3, 2020, Live Oak entered into separate subscription agreements (each, a “Subscription Agreement”) with a number of Subscribers, pursuant to which the Subscribers agreed to purchase, and Live Oak agreed to sell to the Subscribers, the PIPE Shares, for a purchase price of $10.00 per share and an aggregate purchase price of $210,000,000. Live Oak agreed to give certain registration rights to the Subscribers with respect to the PIPE Shares pursuant to the Subscription Agreements.

The closing of the sale of the PIPE Shares pursuant to the Subscription Agreement is contingent upon, among other customary closing conditions, the substantially concurrent consummation of the Proposed Transactions. The purpose of the PIPE is to raise additional capital for use by the combined company following the Closing.

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS OF THE REDEMPTION AND THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations of (i) the election by the holders of Live Oak Class A Common Stock to have their Live Oak Class A Common Stock redeemed for cash if the Business Combination is completed and (ii) the Business Combination to the holders of Danimer Common Stock. This discussion applies only to shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock or Danimer Common Stock, as the case may be, held as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment), and in the case of the Danimer Common Stock, only to Danimer Common Stock exchanged for Live Oak Class A Common Stock pursuant to the Business Combination. Further, with respect to the redemption of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, the discussion is applicable only to holders who purchased Live Oak Class A Common Stock in the IPO. The following does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects stemming from Redemption or the Business Combination and does not address any U.S. federal income tax consequences related to the Earn-Out Shares. The effects of other U.S. federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, and any applicable state, local or non-U.S. tax laws are not discussed. This discussion is based on the Code, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions and published rulings and administrative pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), in each case in effect as of the date hereof. These authorities may change or be subject to differing interpretations. Any such change or differing interpretation may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect holders to which this section applies and could affect the accuracy of the statements herein. Live Oak has not sought and will not seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position to that regarding tax consequences discussed below. Neither Live Oak nor Danimer obtained a tax opinion regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Redemption or the Business Combination.

This discussion does not address all U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to your particular circumstances, including the impact of the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income. In addition, it does not address consequences relevant to holders subject to special rules, including, without limitation:

•        U.S. expatriates and former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;

•        persons subject to the alternative minimum tax;

•        persons holding Live Oak Class A Common Stock or Danimer Common Stock as part of a hedge, straddle or other risk reduction strategy or as part of a conversion transaction or other integrated transaction;

•        banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions;

•        brokers, dealers or traders in securities;

•        “controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies” and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;

•        partnerships or other entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes or other flow-through entities (and investors therein);

•        tax-exempt organizations or governmental organizations;

•        persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to Live Oak Class A Common Stock or Danimer Common Stock being taken into account in an applicable financial statement;

•        U.S. holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;

•        regulated investment companies or real estate investment trusts;

•        tax-qualified retirement plans;

•        holders who acquired (or will acquire) their shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock or Danimer Common Stock, as the case may be, through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation; and

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•        “qualified foreign pension funds” as defined in Section 897(l)(2) of the Code and entities all of the interests of which are held by qualified foreign pension funds.

If you are a partnership (or other pass-through entity) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax treatment of your partners (or other owners) will generally depend on the status of the partners, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. Accordingly, partnerships (or other pass-through entities) and the partners (or other owners) in such partnerships (or such other pass-through entities) should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them relating to the matters discussed below.

For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock or Danimer Common Stock, as the case may be, who or that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

•        an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States,

•        a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia,

•        an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source, or

•        an entity treated as a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and the control of one or more “United States persons” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) or (2) has a valid election in effect to be treated as a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Also, for purposes of this discussion, a “Non-U.S. holder” is any beneficial owner of Live Oak Class A Common Stock or Danimer Common Stock, as the case may be, who or that is neither a U.S. holder nor an entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations of the Redemption to the Holders of Live Oak Class A Common Stock

Holders of Live Oak Class A Common Stock who do not exercise their redemption rights will not be selling, exchanging, or otherwise transferring their Live Oak Class A Common Stock as described in this section.

U.S. Holders

Redemption of Live Oak Class A Common Stock.    In the event that a U.S. holder’s Live Oak Class A Common Stock is redeemed pursuant to the redemption provisions described in the section entitled “The Special Meeting of Live Oak Stockholders — Redemption Rights,” the treatment of the transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes will depend on whether the redemption qualifies as a sale of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock under Section 302 of the Code. If the redemption qualifies as a sale of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock, the U.S. holder will be treated as described under “— U.S. Holders — Gain or Loss on Redemption Treated as a Sale of Live Oak Class A Common Stock” below. If the redemption does not qualify as a sale of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock, the U.S. holder will be treated as receiving a corporate distribution with the tax consequences described below under “— U.S. Holders — Taxation of Redemption Treated as a Distribution.”

Whether a redemption qualifies for sale treatment will depend largely on whether the U.S. holder owns any of Live Oak’s stock following the redemption (including any stock treated as constructively owned by the U.S. holder as a result of owning warrants or by attribution from certain related individuals and entities), and if so, the total number of shares of Live Oak’s stock held by the U.S. holder both before and after the redemption (including any stock constructively treated as owned by the U.S. holder as a result of owning warrants or by attribution from certain related individuals and entities) relative to all of Live Oak’s shares outstanding both before and after the redemption. The redemption of Live Oak Class A Common Stock generally will be treated as a sale of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock (rather than as a corporate distribution) if the redemption (i) is “substantially disproportionate” with respect

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to the U.S. holder, (ii) results in a “complete termination” of the U.S. holder’s interest in us or (iii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the U.S. holder. These tests are explained more fully below.

In determining whether any of the foregoing tests are satisfied, a U.S. holder takes into account not only stock actually owned by the U.S. holder, but also shares of our stock that are constructively owned by it. A U.S. holder may constructively own, in addition to stock owned directly, stock owned by certain related individuals and entities in which the U.S. holder has an interest or that have an interest in such U.S. holder, as well as any stock that the U.S. holder has a right to acquire by exercise of an option, which would generally include Live Oak Class A Common Stock that could be acquired pursuant to the exercise of the Public Warrants. Moreover, any Live Oak stock that a U.S. holder directly or constructively acquires pursuant to the Business Combination generally should be included in determining the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the redemption.

In order to meet the substantially disproportionate test, the percentage of Live Oak’s outstanding voting stock actually and constructively owned by the U.S. holder immediately following the redemption of Live Oak Class A Common Stock must, among other requirements, be less than 80% of the percentage of Live Oak’s outstanding stock actually and constructively owned by such U.S. holder immediately before the redemption (taking into account both redemptions by other holders of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Business Combination). There will be a complete termination of a U.S. holder’s interest if either (i) all of the shares of our capital stock actually and constructively owned by the U.S. holder are redeemed or (ii) all of the shares of our capital stock actually owned by the U.S. holder are redeemed, the U.S. holder is eligible to waive, and effectively waives in accordance with specific rules, the attribution of stock owned by certain family members and the U.S. holder does not constructively own any other stock. The redemption of Live Oak Class A Common Stock will not be essentially equivalent to a dividend if a U.S. holder’s redemption results in a “meaningful reduction” of the U.S. holder’s proportionate interest in Live Oak. Whether the redemption will result in a meaningful reduction in a U.S. holder’s proportionate interest in Live Oak will depend on the particular facts and circumstances. However, the IRS has indicated in a published ruling that even a small reduction in the proportionate interest of a small minority stockholder in a publicly held corporation who exercises no control over corporate affairs may constitute such a “meaningful reduction.” A U.S. holder should consult with its own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of a redemption.

If none of the foregoing tests is satisfied, then the redemption will be treated as a corporate distribution, and the tax effects will be as described under “— U.S. Holders — Taxation of Redemption Treated as a Distribution” below. After the application of those rules, any remaining tax basis of the U.S. holder in the redeemed Live Oak Class A Common Stock will be added to the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its remaining stock, or, if it has none, to the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its warrants or possibly in other stock constructively owned by it.

Gain or Loss on Redemption Treated as a Sale of Live Oak Class A Common Stock.    If the redemption qualifies as a sale of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, a U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized in the redemption and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its disposed of Live Oak Class A Common Stock. The amount realized is the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received and a U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Live Oak Class A Common Stock generally will equal the U.S. holder’s acquisition cost less any prior distributions paid to such U.S. holder that were treated as a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period for the Live Oak Class A Common Stock so disposed of exceeds one year. It is unclear, however, whether the redemption rights with respect to the Live Oak Class A Common Stock may suspend the running of the applicable holding period for this purpose. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. holders will be eligible to be taxed at reduced rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Taxation of Redemption Treated as a Distribution.    If the redemption does not qualify as a sale of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, a U.S. holder will generally be treated as receiving a distribution. Such distributions generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles (sometimes referred to below as constructive dividends).

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Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero) the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in Live Oak Class A Common Stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock as described under “— U.S. Holders — Gain or Loss on Redemption Treated as a Sale of Live Oak Class A Common Stock” above.

Dividends (including constructive dividends paid pursuant to a redemption of Live Oak Class A Common Stock) Live Oak pays to a U.S. holder that is a taxable corporation generally will qualify for the dividends received deduction if the requisite holding period is satisfied. Provided that certain holding period requirements are met, dividends Live Oak pays to a non-corporate U.S. holder generally will constitute “qualified dividends” that will be subject to tax at the relevant tax rate accorded to long-term capital gains. It is unclear whether the redemption rights with respect to the Live Oak Class A Common Stock described in this proxy statement/prospectus may prevent a U.S. holder from satisfying the applicable holding period requirements with respect to the dividends received deduction or the preferential tax rate on qualified dividend income, as the case may be.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding.    In general, information reporting requirements will generally apply to dividends (including constructive dividends paid pursuant to a redemption of Live Oak Class A Common Stock) paid to a U.S. holder and to the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, unless the U.S. holder is an exempt recipient. Backup withholding may apply to such payments if the U.S. holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number, a certification of exempt status or has been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding (and such notification has not been withdrawn).

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. holder’s federal income tax liability provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Non-U.S. Holders

Redemption of Live Oak Class A Common Stock.    The characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of the redemption of a Non-U.S. holder’s Live Oak Class A Common Stock pursuant to the redemption provisions described in the section entitled “The Special Meeting of Live Oak Stockholders — Redemption Rights” generally will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax characterization of such a redemption of a U.S. holder’s Live Oak Class A Common Stock, as described under “U.S. Holders — Redemption of Live Oak Class A Common Stock” above, and the consequences of the redemption to the Non-U.S. holder will be as described below under “Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Redemption Treated as a Sale of Live Oak Class A Common Stock” and “Non-U.S. Holders — Taxation of Redemption Treated as a Distribution,” as applicable.

Gain on Redemption Treated as a Sale of Live Oak Class A Common Stock.    A Non-U.S. holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized on a redemption treated as a sale of Live Oak Class A Common Stock unless:

•        the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such gain is attributable);

•        the Non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the redemption and certain other requirements are met; or

•        we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or the period that the Non-U.S. holder held Live Oak Class A Common Stock.

Gain described in the first bullet point above generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates. A Non-U.S. holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected gain, as adjusted for certain items.

Gain described in the second bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses of

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the Non-U.S. holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States) provided that the Non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

If the third bullet point above applies to a Non-U.S. holder, gain recognized by such holder on the sale, exchange or other disposition of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock will be subject to tax at generally applicable U.S. federal income tax rates. In addition, a buyer of Live Oak Class A Common Stock (Live Oak would be treated as a buyer with respect to a redemption of Live Oak Class A Common Stock) may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 15% of the amount realized upon such disposition. Live Oak believes that it is not, and has not been at any time since our formation, a United States real property holding corporation.

Taxation of Redemption Treated as a Distribution.    If the redemption does not qualify as a sale of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, a Non-U.S. holder will generally be treated as receiving a distribution. Such distributions generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from Live Oak’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of Live Oak’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, will constitute a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero) the Non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in Live Oak Class A Common Stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock and will be treated as described under “Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Redemption Treated as a Sale of Live Oak Class A Common Stock” above. In general, with respect to any distributions that constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes and are not effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States, we will be required to withhold tax from the gross amount of the dividend at a rate of 30%, unless such Non-U.S. holder is eligible for a reduced rate of withholding tax under an applicable income tax treaty and provides proper certification of its eligibility for such reduced rate (on an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E or other applicable documentation).

If dividends paid to a Non-U.S. holder are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such dividends are attributable), the Non-U.S. holder will be exempt from the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax described above if such Non-U.S. holder furnishes to the applicable withholding agent a valid IRS Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States.

Any such effectively connected dividends will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates. A Non-U.S. holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected dividends, as adjusted for certain items. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding.    Payments of dividends (including constructive dividends received pursuant to a redemption of Live Oak Class A Common Stock) on Live Oak Class A Common Stock will not be subject to backup withholding, provided that the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know the holder is a United States person and the holder either certifies its non-U.S. status, such as by furnishing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI, or otherwise establishes an exemption. However, information returns are required to be filed with the IRS in connection with any payments of dividends on Live Oak Class A Common Stock paid to the Non-U.S. holder, regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld. In addition, proceeds of the sale or other taxable disposition of Live Oak Class A Common Stock within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related brokers generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting, if the applicable withholding agent receives the certification described above and does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a United States person, or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Proceeds of a disposition of Live Oak Class A Common Stock conducted through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting.

Copies of information returns that are filed with the IRS may also be made available under the provisions of an applicable treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-U.S. holder resides or is established.

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Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a Non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

FATCA Withholding Taxes.    Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code (such sections commonly referred to as “FATCA”) impose withholding of 30% on payments of dividends (including constructive dividends received pursuant to a redemption of stock) on Live Oak Class A Common Stock to stockholders that fail to meet prescribed information reporting or certification requirements. In general, no such withholding will be required with respect to a U.S. holder or an individual Non-U.S. holder that timely provides the certifications required on a valid IRS Form W-9 or W-8BEN, respectively. Holders potentially subject to withholding include “foreign financial institutions” (which is broadly defined for this purpose and in general includes investment vehicles) and “non-financial foreign entities” unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements (generally relating to ownership by U.S. persons of interest in or accounts with those entities) have been satisfied, or an exemption applies (typically certified as to by the delivery of a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN-E). If FATCA withholding is imposed, a beneficial owner that is not a foreign financial institution or a non-financial foreign entity may be entitled to a refund of any amounts withheld by filing a U.S. federal income tax return (which may entail significant administrative burden). Foreign financial institutions and non-financial foreign entities located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the effects of FATCA on a redemption of Live Oak Class A Common Stock.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations of The Business Combination for Holders of Danimer Common Stock

Characterization of the Business Combination

Each of Live Oak and Danimer intends the Business Combination to qualify for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. In the Merger Agreement, each of Live Oak, Merger Sub, and Danimer and its subsidiaries represents that none has taken or agreed to take any action, has omitted to take any action, has any plan or intention to take any action or to omit to take any action, or has any knowledge of any fact or circumstance, the taking, omission, or existence of which, as the case may be, that would reasonably be expected to prevent the Business Combination from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences for U.S. Holders

If the Business Combination qualifies as a reorganization, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders of Danimer Common Stock will be as follows:

•        a U.S. holder will not recognize gain or loss upon the exchange of Danimer Common Stock for Live Oak Class A Common Stock pursuant to the Business Combination, except with respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock as described below;

•        a U.S. holder who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock in the Business Combination will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash received instead of a fractional share and the U.S. holder’s tax basis allocable to such fractional share;

•        a U.S. holder’s aggregate tax basis for the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock received in the Business Combination (except to the extent of any tax basis allocated to any fractional share interest for which cash is received) will equal the U.S. holder’s aggregate tax basis in the shares of Danimer Common Stock surrendered in the Business Combination; and

•        the holding period of the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock received by a U.S. holder in the Business Combination will include the holding period of the shares of Danimer Common Stock surrendered in exchange therefor.

Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. holder who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock will constitute capital gain or loss and any such gain or loss will constitute long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period in Danimer Common Stock surrendered in the Business Combination is more

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than one year as of the Effective Date. Under current law, long-term capital gains of non-corporate taxpayers are taxed at a reduced U.S. federal income tax rate. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. In addition, for purposes of the above discussion regarding the determination of the bases and holding periods for shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock received in the Business Combination, U.S. holders who acquired different blocks of Danimer Common Stock at different times for different prices must calculate their bases and holding periods in their shares of Danimer Common Stock separately for each identifiable block of such stock exchanged in the Business Combination.

Certain U.S. holders may be subject to reporting requirements with respect to the Business Combination. Holders of Danimer Common Stock are urged to consult with their own tax advisors in this regard.

If the Business Combination fails to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, then a U.S. holder would recognize gain or loss upon the exchange of the holder’s shares of Danimer Common Stock for shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equal to the difference between the fair market value, at the time of the exchange, of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock received in the Business Combination plus any cash received in lieu of a fractional share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and such U.S. holder’s tax basis in the shares of Danimer Common Stock surrendered in the Business Combination. Such gain or loss would be long-term capital gain or loss if the Danimer Common Stock was held for more than one year at the time of the Business Combination. In addition, the U.S. holder’s aggregate tax basis in the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock received in the Business Combination would equal their fair market value at the time of the closing of the Business Combination, and the U.S. holder’s holding period of such shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock would commence the day after the closing of the Business Combination.

The above discussion does not apply to U.S. holders of Dissenting Shares. A U.S. holder of Dissenting Shares generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash paid in exchange for such stock and such U.S. holder’s tax basis in such stock.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Proceeds received by a U.S. holder of Danimer Common Stock may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and U.S. backup withholding. The current backup withholding rate is 24%. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a U.S. holder who (i) furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies the U.S. holder is not subject to backup withholding on IRS Form W-9 or a substantially similar form or (ii) certifies the U.S. holder is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. U.S. holders of shares of Danimer Common Stock should consult their tax advisors regarding their qualification for an exemption from backup withholding and the procedures for obtaining such an exemption. If a U.S. holder does not provide a correct taxpayer identification number on IRS Form W-9 or other proper certification, the U.S. holder may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or allowed as a credit against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. In the event of backup withholding, consult with your tax advisor to determine if you are entitled to any tax credit, tax refund or other tax benefit as a result of such backup withholding.

Non-U.S. Holders

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Business Combination for Non-U.S. holders of Danimer Common Stock will generally be the same as for U.S. holders except as noted below.

Non-U.S. holders will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain recognized as a result of the Business Combination (i.e., with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock or if the Business Combination does not qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code) unless:

•        the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such gain is attributable);

•        the Non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the Business Combination and certain other requirements are met; or

•        Danimer is or has been a “United States real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the Business

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Combination or the period that the Non-U.S. holder held Danimer Common Stock. The Merger Agreement provides that, at or prior to Closing Date, Danimer will deliver to Live Oak and Merger Sub a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date and duly executed on behalf of Danimer certifying that no interest in Danimer is, or has been, during the relevant period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code, a “U.S. real property interest” within the meaning of Section 897(c) of the Code.

Gain described in the first bullet point above generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at generally applicable U.S. federal income tax rates. A Non-U.S. holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected gain, as adjusted for certain items.

Gain described in the second bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses of the Non-U.S. holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States) provided that the Non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

A Non-U.S. holder of Danimer Common Stock may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and U.S. backup withholding. Backup withholding will not apply, however, if the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know the holder is a United States person (as defined under the Code) and the non-U.S. holder either certifies its non-U.S. status, such as by furnishing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI, or otherwise establishes an exemption.

THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS AND ANY OTHER TAX LAW TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS.

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PROPOSAL NO. 2 — THE CHARTER AMENDMENT PROPOSAL

Overview

If the Business Combination is to be consummated, Live Oak will replace its current certificate of incorporation (the “Existing Certificate of Incorporation”) with the proposed fourth amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Proposed Certificate of Incorporation”) in the form attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B, which, in the judgment of Live Oak board of directors, is necessary to adequately address the needs of the post-Business Combination company.

The following table sets forth a summary of the principal proposed changes and the differences between the Existing Certificate of Incorporation and the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation. This summary is qualified by reference to the complete text of the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B. All stockholders are encouraged to read the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation in its entirety for a more complete description of its terms.

 

Existing Certificate of
Incorporation

 

Proposed Certificate of
Incorporation

Name

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

 

Danimer Scientific, Inc.

Purpose

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL. In addition to the powers and privileges conferred upon the Corporation by law and those incidental thereto, the Corporation shall possess and may exercise all the powers and privileges that are necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the business or purposes of the Corporation, including, but not limited to, effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Corporation and one or more businesses

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

   

See Article II of Existing Certificate of Incorporation

   

Number of Authorized Shares

 

The Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that the total number of shares of all classes of capital stock, each with a par value of $0.0001 per share, which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 111,000,000 shares, consisting of (a) 110,000,000 shares of common stock, including (i) 100,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, and (ii) 10,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, and (b) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock.

 

The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation increases the total number of shares of all classes of capital stock, each with a par value of $0.0001 per share, which the Corporation is authorized to issue to 210,000,000 shares, consisting of  (a) 200,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, and (b) 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock.

   

See Article IV of the Existing Certificate of Incorporation.

   

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Existing Certificate of
Incorporation

 

Proposed Certificate of
Incorporation

Business Combination
Requirements

 

The Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides for requirements related to Live Oak’s initial business combination, including the time period during which Live Oak must consummate its initial business combination, redemption rights for holders of Public Shares upon the consummation of its initial business combination, the creation of, and distributions from the Trust Account, and share issuances prior to its initial business combination.

 

None.

   

See Article IX of the Existing Certificate of Incorporation.

   

Choice of Forum

 

The Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable law, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or this Third Amended and Restated Certificate or the Bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel except any action (A) as to which the Court of Chancery determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, (C) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction, or (D) any action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as to which the Court of Chancery and the federal district court for the District of Delaware shall have concurrent jurisdiction.

See Article XII of the Existing Certificate of Incorporation.

 

The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation provides that unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for: (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation; (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders; (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Corporation’s Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws (as either may be amended, restated, modified, supplemented or waived from time to time); (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine; or (v) any action asserting an “internal corporate claim” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the DGCL, shall be a state court located within the State of Delaware (or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware).

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Existing Certificate of
Incorporation

 

Proposed Certificate of
Incorporation

Supermajority Voting Provisions

 

None.

 

The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation requires an affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of the shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting as one class, in order to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws.

Corporate Opportunity Doctrine

 

The Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any other analogous doctrine, shall not apply with respect to the Corporation or any of its officers or directors in circumstances where the application of any such doctrine to a corporate opportunity would conflict with any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations they may have as of the date of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate or in the future, and the Corporation renounces any expectancy that any of the directors or officers of the Corporation will offer any such corporate opportunity of which he or she may become aware to the Corporation

See Article X of the Existing Certificate of Incorporation.

 

None.

Classification of Board of Directors

 

The Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that the board of directors of the Corporation shall be divided into three classes, with each of the successors elected to replace the class of directors whose term expires at an annual meeting.

See Article V of the Existing Certificate of Incorporation.

 

The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation provides that the total number of directors will be determined from time to time exclusively by resolution adopted by the board of directors.

Reasons for the Amendments to Live Oak’s Certificate of Incorporation

In the judgment of Live Oak board of directors, the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation is necessary to address the needs of the post-Business Combination company. In particular:

•        the name of the new public entity is desirable to reflect the combined company’s business;

•        the streamlined purpose of the new public company is desirable to clarify the business purpose of New Danimer;

•        the greater number of authorized shares of capital stock is desirable for New Danimer to have sufficient shares to complete the Business Combination and have additional authorized shares to support its growth and to provide flexibility for future corporate needs;

•        the provisions specific to the Business Combination prior to the consummation Live Oak’s initial business combination will not be applicable to New Danimer;

•        the choice of forum provision is desirable to delineate matters for which a state court located within the State of Delaware (or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) is the sole and exclusive forum (unless New Danimer consents to the selection of an alternative forum);

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•        the supermajority voting provisions are desirable to enhance the continuity and stability of the bylaws;

•        the classification of board members provisions provide flexibility to adjust the number of board members and classes to order to serve corporate needs; and

•        the removal of the corporate opportunity doctrine provisions ensures that directors, officers and controlling shareholders may not take advantage of opportunities beneficial to New Danimer for themselves without first disclosing the opportunity to the New Danimer Board and giving the New Danimer Board the opportunity to decline the opportunity on behalf of the company.

Vote Required for Approval

The Closing is conditioned on the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, the Charter Amendment Proposal, the Election of Directors Proposal, the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal, the NYSE Proposal and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan Proposal at the special meeting. The Charter Amendment Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the Business Combination Proposal at the special meeting.

The Charter Amendment Proposal will be approved and adopted if the holders of a majority of outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and Live Oak Class B Common Stock, voting as a single class, entitled to vote thereon at the special meeting vote “FOR” the Charter Amendment Proposal (including each of the sub-proposals).

Recommendation of the Board

LIVE OAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE CHARTER AMENDMENT PROPOSAL (INCLUDING EACH OF THE SUB-PROPOSALS).

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PROPOSAL NO. 3 — THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS PROPOSAL

Overview

Pursuant to the Existing Certificate of Incorporation, the Live Oak board of directors is currently divided into three classes, Class I and Class II and Class III, with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual meeting of stockholders) serving a three-year term. The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation provides that the authorized number of directors shall be fixed in the manner as provided in the bylaws of Live Oak, which bylaws are to provide for a non-classified board with each director serving a one-year term.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at Closing, we will expand the size of our board of directors from seven directors to eight, and our board of directors will consist of John P. Amboian, Richard J. Hendrix, Stephen E. Croskrey, Christy Basco, Philip Gregory Calhoun, Gregory Hunt, Dr. Isao Noda, and Stuart Pratt.

Information regarding each nominee is set forth in the section entitled “Management After the Business Combination.

Vote Required for Approval

The Election of Directors Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the Business Combination Proposal at the special meeting.

The approval of each director nominee pursuant to the Election of Directors Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock entitled to vote and actually cast thereon at the special meeting.

Recommendation of the Board

LIVE OAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS PROPOSAL.

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PROPOSAL NO. 4 — THE NYSE PROPOSAL

Overview

In connection with the Business Combination, we intend to effect (subject to customary terms and conditions, including the Closing):

•        the issuance, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, of up to 51,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock to the Danimer shareholders in the Merger; and

•        the issuance of 21,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock to the investors in the PIPE, which will be consummated concurrently with the Closing.

For further information, please see the section entitled “Proposal No. 1 — The Business Combination Proposal,” as well as the annexes to this proxy statement/prospectus.

Why Live Oak Needs Stockholder Approval

We are seeking stockholder approval in order to comply with Section 312.03(c) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.

Under Section 312.03(c) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual, stockholder approval is required prior to the issuance of common stock, or of securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock, in any transaction or series of related transactions if such securities are not issued in a public offering for cash and (a) have, or will have upon issuance, voting power equal to or in excess of 20% of the voting power outstanding before the issuance of such stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock; or (b) the number of shares of common stock to be issued is, or will be upon the issuance, equal to or in excess of 20% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding before the issuance of the common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock. Live Oak will issue shares representing 20% or more of the number of outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and Live Oak Class B Common Stock prior to such issuance, or 20% or more of its voting power prior to the issuance, pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

Stockholder approval of the NYSE Proposal is also a condition to the Closing under the Merger Agreement.

Effect of Proposal on Current Stockholders

If the NYSE Proposal is adopted, we will issue up to 45,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock to the Danimer shareholders as consideration for the Business Combination. Under certain circumstances we will issue up to 6,000,000 Earn-Out Shares to Danimer shareholders as additional consideration following the Closing. We will also issue 21,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock to the PIPE investors upon the consummation of the PIPE.

The issuance of the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock described above would result in significant dilution to Live Oak stockholders and result in Live Oak stockholders having a smaller percentage interest in the voting power, liquidation value and aggregate book value of Live Oak.

Vote Required for Approval

The NYSE Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the Business Combination Proposal at the special meeting.

Approval of the NYSE Proposal requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the votes cast by holders of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and Live Oak Class B Common Stock, voting as a single class, represented at the at the special meeting. Failure to vote by proxy or to vote in person at the special meeting or an abstention from voting will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on the Live Oak Proposals.

Recommendation of Live Oak Board of Directors

LIVE OAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL THE NYSE PROPOSAL.

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PROPOSAL NO. 5 — THE EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN PROPOSAL

Equity Incentive Plan Description

On       , 2020, the Live Oak board of directors adopted the Live Oak Acquisition Corp. 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan”), which will become effective as of the Closing Date subject to approval by Live Oak stockholders. The Equity Incentive Plan was established as required by the Merger Agreement and the purpose of the Equity Incentive Plan is to assist Live Oak in attracting and awarding employees, officers, directors, consultants and other persons who provide services to Live Oak or its affiliates by enabling such persons to acquire or increase a proprietary interest in Live Oak to strengthen the mutuality of interests between such persons and Live Oak’s stockholders, and by providing such persons with performance incentives to expend their maximum efforts in the creation of stockholder value. The Equity Incentive Plan will continue in effect until terminated by the Live Oak board of directors but in no event may awards be granted under the Equity Incentive Plan after the ten-year anniversary of the Closing Date.

The principal features of the Equity Incentive Plan are summarized below. The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Equity Incentive Plan. A copy of the Equity Incentive Plan is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex C and is incorporated herein by reference.

Types of Awards

The grant of an award under the Equity Incentive Plan is referred to as an “EIP Award.” The types of EIP Awards that may be granted under the Equity Incentive Plan are incentive stock options (“ISOs”), non-qualified stock options (“NQOs”, which together with ISOs, are referred to collectively as “EIP Options”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), and “Full Value Awards” (which may include restricted stock, performance stock, restricted stock unit awards, performance units, and other stock-based awards), and “Substitute Awards”. Substitute Awards are the Assumed Company Options and EIP Awards granted in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to make future awards, by a company (a) acquired by Live Oak or any Related Company (as defined below), (b) which becomes a Related Company after the effective date of the Equity Incentive Plan or (c) with which Live Oak or any Related Company combines.

Administration of the Equity Incentive Plan

The authority to control and manage the operation and administration of the Equity Incentive Plan generally will be vested in a committee of the Live Oak board of directors (the “EIP Committee”) that is selected by the Live Oak board of directors and must consist of at least two members of the Live Oak board of directors (or such greater number required by applicable law) who are (i) non-employee directors, unless administration of the Equity Incentive Plan by non-employee directors is not then required in order for exemptions under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, and (ii) independent for purposes of applicable stock exchange listing requirements. If the EIP Committee does not exist, or for any other reason determined by the Live Oak board of directors, the Live Oak board of directors may take any action under the Equity Incentive Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the EIP Committee.

Participation

The persons eligible to receive EIP Awards under the Equity Incentive Plan (“EIP Eligible Individuals”) are employees, officers, directors, consultants, independent contractors, advisors and any other person who provides services to Live Oak or a “Related Company” (which is a subsidiary of Live Oak or an entity in which Live Oak owns, directly or indirectly, a controlling interest), provided that ISOs may only be granted to an employee of Live Oak and certain of its subsidiaries. Subject to the terms of the Equity Incentive Plan, the EIP Committee determines from among the EIP Eligible Individuals who will receive EIP Awards, the types of EIP Awards to be awarded, the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock subject to the EIP Awards, the exercise price of an EIP Award (“EIP Exercise Price”) (if applicable), and other terms of the EIP Awards.

The consideration to be received by Live Oak for the granting of EIP Awards under the Equity Incentive Plan is service to Live Oak or its affiliates or in surrender of other compensation that may be due. An EIP Eligible Individual who is granted an EIP Award under the Equity Incentive Plan is referred to as a participant in the Equity Incentive Plan (an “EIP Participant”).

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Available Shares and Share Information; Limitations on EIP Awards

If approval of the Equity Incentive Plan is obtained, the total number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock that will be available for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan will be equal to 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, determined on a fully-diluted basis, immediately following the Effective Time. Any shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock that are subject to an EIP Award under the Equity Incentive Plan that is forfeited, expires or is terminated without issuance of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock (including shares that are attributable to EIP Awards that are settled in cash) and shares that are tendered or withheld for payment of the taxes with respect to the grant, vesting or payment of a Full Value Award shall thereafter be available for future grants under the Equity Incentive Plan. Shares withheld in payment of the EIP Exercise Price of an EIP Option or to pay taxes upon exercise of an EIP Option or SAR will not thereafter be available for future grants under the Equity Incentive Plan. In the event of the exercise of SARs, only the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock actually issued in payment of such SARs shall be charged against the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock available for the grant of EIP Awards. Shares subject to Substitute Awards will not reduce the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock available for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan (and shares subject to a Substitute Award that is forfeited, expires or is terminated or settled in cash will not be added back to the total number of shares that may be issued under the Equity Incentive Plan). To the extent provided by the EIP Committee, any EIP Award under the Equity Incentive Plan may be settled in cash rather than shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock.

The Live Oak Class A Common Stock shares with respect to which EIP Awards may be made under the Equity Incentive Plan will be shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock authorized but unissued or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, subsequently acquired by Live Oak as treasury shares, including shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock purchased in the open market or in private transactions.

As of October 23, 2020, we had an aggregate of 20,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock outstanding. The closing price per share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on October 23, 2020, as reported by NYSE, was $11.40.

Adjustments to Shares Available

In the event of a stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, exchange of shares, sale of assets or subsidiaries, combination, or other corporate transaction that affects the Live Oak Class A Common Stock such that the EIP Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that an adjustment is warranted in order to preserve the benefits or prevent the enlargement of benefits of EIP Awards under the Equity Incentive Plan, the EIP Committee shall, in the manner it determines equitable in its sole discretion, (a) adjust the number and kind of shares which may be delivered under the Equity Incentive Plan, (b) adjust the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding EIP Awards, (c) adjust the EIP Exercise Price of outstanding EIP Options and SARs, and (d) make any other adjustments that the EIP Committee determines to be equitable (which may include, without limitation, (i) replacement of EIP Awards with other awards which the EIP Committee determines have comparable value and which are based on stock of a company resulting from the transaction, and (ii) cancellation of the EIP Award in return for cash payment of the current value of the EIP Award, determined as though the EIP Award is fully vested at the time of payment, provided that in the case of an EIP Option or SAR, the amount of such payment may be the excess of value of the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock subject to the EIP Option or SAR at the time of the transaction over the EIP Exercise Price.

EIP Options and SARs

The grant of an EIP Option under the Equity Incentive Plan entitles the EIP Participant to purchase shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock at an EIP Exercise Price established by the EIP Committee at the time the EIP Option is granted. The EIP Committee also will determine whether an EIP Option is an ISO or an NQO, provided that an EIP Option will be deemed to be an NQO unless it is specifically designated by the EIP Committee as an ISO and/or to the extent it does not otherwise satisfy the requirements for an ISO.

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In addition to EIP Options, the EIP Committee may grant SARs to an EIP Participant. On the exercise of a SAR, the EIP Participant shall receive cash or shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock having a value that is equal to the excess of: (a) the Fair Market Value of a share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock at the time of exercise, over (b) the exercise price established by the EIP Committee at the time of grant.

The EIP Exercise Price of each EIP Option or SAR granted under the Equity Incentive Plan is established by the EIP Committee or determined by a method established by the EIP Committee at the time the EIP Option or SAR is granted; provided, however, that the EIP Exercise Price will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on such date (or, if greater, the par value of a share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on such date); and further provided that the EIP Exercise Price of an ISO will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the date of grant and the EIP Exercise Price of an ISO granted to an EIP Participant who owns or is deemed to own (pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% combined voting power of all classes of stock of Live Oak (or any parent or subsidiary company of Live Oak) (a “Ten Percent Stockholder”) will not be less than 110% of the fair market value of a share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the date of grant.

The EIP Exercise Price for any outstanding EIP Option or SAR may not be decreased after the date of grant nor may an outstanding EIP Option or SAR granted under the Equity Incentive Plan be surrendered to Live Oak as consideration for the grant of a replacement EIP Option or SAR with a lower EIP Exercise Price (except for either (a) adjustments related to the adjustment of shares or (b) reductions in exercise price approved by Live Oak’s stockholders). Unless approved by Live Oak’s stockholders, no EIP Option or SAR granted under the Equity Incentive Plan may be surrendered to Live Oak in consideration for a cash payment or Full Value Award if, at the time of surrender, the EIP Exercise Price of the EIP Option or SAR is greater than the then current fair market value of a share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock. No EIP Option or SAR will be exercisable after the tenth anniversary of the grant date, and no ISO granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder will be exercisable after the fifth anniversary of the ISO’s grant date.

The expiration date with respect to an EIP Option or SAR will be established by the EIP Committee at the time of the grant, but will not be later than the earliest to occur of the tenth year anniversary of the date on which the EIP Option or SAR is granted or the following dates (unless otherwise determined by the EIP Committee): (a) if the EIP Participant’s termination occurs by reason of death, disability or retirement, the first anniversary of the termination date, (b) if the EIP Participant’s termination occurs for reasons other than death, disability, retirement or cause, the three month anniversary of the termination date, and (c) if the EIP Participant’s termination occurs for reasons of cause, on the day preceding the EIP Participant’s termination date. Unless otherwise agreed between an EIP Participant and Live Oak or a Related Company, an unvested EIP Option or SAR shall expire on the EIP Participant’s termination date.

EIP Options and SARs may be subject to such other terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Equity Incentive Plan, as determined by the EIP Committee.

Full Value Awards

A “Full Value Award” is a grant of, or right to receive, one or more shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, including restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units, performance stock and performance stock units. Such grants may be in consideration of an EIP Participant’s previously performed services or surrender of other compensation that may be due, contingent on the achievement of performance or other objectives (including completion of service) during a specified period, subject to a risk of forfeiture or other restrictions that will lapse upon the achievement of the performance of future services or the achievement of performance or other objectives, and/or that may be granted for other purposes.

No dividends or dividend equivalent rights will be paid or settled on performance-based awards that have not yet been earned based on established performance criteria. Such grants may be made under other arrangements or plans that are treated as subplans of the Equity Incentive Plan and, in such case, any awards under such subplans will be treated as a grant of an Award under the Equity Incentive Plan.

All Full Value Awards will be subject to an award agreement, the terms and conditions of which will be determined by the EIP Committee.

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Restrictions on Shares

Unless otherwise specified by the EIP Committee, any Awards under the Equity Incentive Plan and any shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan shall be subject to Live Oak’s compensation recovery, clawback and recoupment policies as in effect from time to time.

Transferability

EIP Awards under the Equity Incentive Plan are not transferable except as permitted by the EIP Committee or by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or, unless otherwise provided by the EIP Committee, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order (within the meaning of the Code and applicable rules thereunder). To the extent that the EIP Participant who receives an EIP Award under the Equity Incentive Plan has the right to exercise such EIP Award, the EIP Award may be exercised during the lifetime of the EIP Participant only by the EIP Participant.

Withholding

We have the right to deduct from any and all payments made under the Equity Incentive Plan or to require the EIP Participant, through payroll withholding, cash payment, or otherwise (including, with the consent of the EIP Committee, through the surrender of Live Oak Class A Common Stock the EIP Participant already owns or to which the EIP Participant is otherwise entitled under the Equity Incentive Plan), an amount that is required by law to be withheld by Live Oak or a Related Company with respect to an EIP Award or the shares or cash acquired pursuant thereto.

Amendment or Termination

The Live Oak board of directors may, at any time, amend or terminate the Equity Incentive Plan, and the Live Oak board of directors or the EIP Committee may amend any award agreement thereunder, provided that no amendment or termination may, in the absence of written consent to the change by the affected EIP Participant (or, if the EIP Participant is not then living, the affected beneficiary), adversely affect the rights of any EIP Participant or beneficiary under any EIP Award granted under the Equity Incentive Plan prior to the date such amendment is adopted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) no revision of the Equity Incentive Plan will be made without stockholder approval, if such shareholder approval would be required for such revision by applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule, and (b) except in connection with adjustments made on account of corporate transactions (as described above), the prohibitions on repricing of EIP Options and SARs shall be subject to the approval of Live Oak stockholders. Adjustments in connection with corporate events and amendments required to comply with Code Section 409A are not subject to the prohibition on amendments without EIP Participant consent.

Change in Control

In the event of a change in control of Live Oak, and except as otherwise provided by the EIP Committee, (i) if an EIP Participant is employed on the date of such change in control and the EIP Participant’s employment or service is terminated without cause within 24 months following such change in control, or (ii) the Equity Incentive Plan is terminated by Live Oak or its successor in connection with or following such change in control without providing for the continuation of outstanding EIP Awards under the Equity Incentive Plan (or replacement thereof with substantially equivalent awards), all EIP Options or SARs that have not otherwise expired will become immediately exercisable and all other EIP Awards will become fully vested.

Awards Granted Under the Equity Incentive Plan

Upon Closing, new grants of unvested EIP Options under the Equity Incentive Plan will be made to certain of Danimer’s executive officers, namely Messrs. Croskrey, Dowdy, Smith, Van Trump and Tuten, will receive a number of EIP Options to purchase shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equal to 3.0%, 0.75%, 0.75%, 0.75% and 0.75%, respectively of the number of fully-diluted shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock (excluding certain shares underlying warrants) outstanding as of the Closing, at an exercise price equal to the fair market value at Closing. If fair market value exceeds $10 per share, each of such persons would be entitled to additional restricted shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock in an amount equal to the difference between such fair market value and $10, multiplied by the number of options shares and divided by such fair market value.

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Stuart Pratt, a director of Danimer and nominee for director of New Danimer, has entered into a Consulting Agreement with Live Oak to be effective as of the Closing pursuant to which he will receive, at Closing, a grant of options to purchase 30,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, at an exercise price equal to the greater of (i) ten dollars ($10) and (ii) the fair market value of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock as of Closing. If fair market value exceeds $10 per share, Mr. Pratt would be entitled to additional restricted shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock in an amount equal to the difference between such fair market value and $10, multiplied by the number of options shares and divided by such fair market value.

As a result of the discretionary nature of the Equity Incentive Plan, future awards thereunder are not determinable.

Tax Effects

The following is a brief summary of the U.S. federal income tax rules relevant to EIP Awards under the Equity Incentive Plan, based upon the Code as currently in effect. These rules are highly technical and subject to change in the future, and the discussion does not purport to be a complete description of the tax aspects of the Equity Incentive Plan. Moreover, the following summary relates only to U.S. federal income tax treatment, and the state, local and foreign tax consequences may be substantially different.

ISOs.    Generally, the grant of an ISO will not result in taxable income to the EIP Participant or a deduction for Live Oak. The exercise of an ISO will not result in taxable income to the EIP Participant or a deduction for Live Oak provided that the EIP Participant was, without a break in service, an employee of Live Oak and its eligible Subsidiaries during the period beginning on the date of the grant of the ISO and ending on the date three months prior to the date of exercise (one year prior to the date of exercise if the EIP Participant is disabled, as that term is defined in the Code).

If the EIP Participant does not sell or otherwise dispose of the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock within two years from the date of the grant of the ISO or within one year after receiving the transfer of such shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, then, upon disposition of such shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, any amount realized in excess of the EIP Exercise Price will be taxed to the EIP Participant as capital gain, and will not be entitled to any deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The EIP Participant will recognize a capital loss to the extent that the amount realized is less than the EIP Exercise Price.

If the foregoing holding period requirements are not met, the EIP Participant will generally realize ordinary income, and a corresponding deduction will be allowed to Live Oak, at the time of the disposition of the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, in an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the excess of the fair market value of the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the date of exercise over the EIP Exercise Price, or (b) the excess, if any, of the amount realized upon disposition of the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock over the EIP Exercise Price. If the amount realized exceeds the value of the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the date of exercise, any additional amount will be capital gain. If the amount realized is less than the EIP Exercise Price, the EIP Participant will recognize no income, and a capital loss will be recognized equal to the excess of the EIP Exercise Price over the amount realized upon the disposition of the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock.

If the EIP Exercise Price of an ISO is paid with shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock acquired through a prior exercise of an ISO, gain will be realized on the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock given up (and will be taxed as ordinary income) if those shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock have not been held for the minimum ISO holding period (two years from the date of grant and one year from the date of transfer), but the exchange will not affect the tax treatment, as described in the immediately preceding paragraph, of the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock received.

NQOs.    Generally, the grant of an NQO will not result in taxable income to the EIP Participant or a deduction for Live Oak. Except as described below, the EIP Participant will realize ordinary income at the time of exercise in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock acquired over the EIP Exercise Price for those shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, and Live Oak will be entitled to a corresponding deduction. Gains or losses realized by the EIP Participant upon disposition of such shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock will be treated as capital gains and losses, with the basis in such shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equal to the fair market value of the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock at the time of exercise.

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SARs.    An EIP Participant generally will not realize any taxable income upon the grant of a SAR. Upon the exercise of the SAR, the EIP Participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the amount of cash and/or the fair market value, at the date of such exercise, of the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock received by the EIP Participant as a result of such exercise. Live Oak will generally be entitled to a deduction in the same amount as the ordinary income realized by the EIP Participant.

Full Value Awards.    The federal income tax consequences of a Full Value Award will depend on the type of award. The tax treatment of the grant of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock depends on whether the shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (determined under Code rules) at the time of the grant. If the shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the EIP Participant will not recognize taxable income at the time of the grant and when the restrictions on the shares lapse (that is, when the shares are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture), the EIP Participant will recognize ordinary taxable income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares at that time. If the shares are not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture or if the EIP Participant elects to be taxed at the time of the grant of such shares under Section 83(b) of the Code, the EIP Participant will recognize taxable income at the time of the grant of shares in an amount equal to the fair market value of such shares at that time, determined without regard to any of the restrictions. If the shares are forfeited before the restrictions lapse, the EIP Participant will be entitled to no deduction on account thereof. The EIP Participant’s tax basis in the shares is the amount recognized by him or her as income attributable to such shares. Gain or loss recognized by the EIP Participant on a subsequent disposition of any such shares is capital gain or loss if the shares are otherwise capital assets.

In the case of other Full Value Awards, such as restricted stock units or performance stock units, the EIP Participant generally will not have taxable income upon the grant of the award provided that there are restrictions on such awards that constitute a substantial risk of forfeiture under applicable Internal Revenue Code rules. EIP Participants will generally recognize ordinary income when the restrictions on awards lapse, on the date of grant if there are no such restrictions or, in certain cases, when the award is settled. At that time, the EIP Participant will recognize taxable income equal to the cash or the then fair market value of the shares issuable in payment of such award, and such amount will be the tax basis for any shares received. In the case of an award which does not constitute property at the time of grant (such as an award of units), EIP Participants will generally recognize ordinary income when the award is paid or settled.

Live Oak generally will be entitled to a tax deduction in the same amount, and at the same time, as the income is recognized by the EIP Participant.

Vote Required for Approval

The Equity Incentive Plan Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the Business Combination Proposal at the special meeting.

The Equity Incentive Plan Proposal will be approved and adopted if the holders of a majority of the votes cast by holders of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and Live Oak Class B Common Stock, voting as a single class, represented at the at the special meeting vote “FOR” the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal.

Recommendation of Live Oak Board of Directors

LIVE OAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN PROPOSAL.

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PROPOSAL NO. 6 — THE EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN PROPOSAL

Employee Stock Purchase Plan Description

On       , 2020, the Live Oak board of directors authorized and approved the Live Oak Acquisition Corp. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Employee Stock Purchase Plan”), subject to Live Oak stockholders’ approval. If the Employee Stock Purchase Plan is approved by the Live Oak stockholders, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan will become effective as of the Closing Date.

The purpose of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan is to provide the eligible employees of Live Oak and certain Subsidiaries of Live Oak that have been designated by the Committee to participate in the Plan (“Participating Companies”) the opportunity to become stockholders through the purchase of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock. As of the effective date of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Participating Companies are Live Oak, Danimer, Danimer Scientific Manufacturing, Inc., Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, Meredian, Inc., Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., Danimer Scientific L.L.C., Danimer Bioplastics, Inc. and Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc. The Live Oak board of directors believes that it is in the best interest of Live Oak and its stockholders to approve the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

The principal features of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan are summarized below. The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. A copy of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex D and is incorporated herein by reference.

Live Oak stockholders are asked to approve the Employee Stock Purchase Plan in order for awards under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan to be eligible for special tax treatment under Section 423 of the Code, and to comply with applicable stock exchange rules.

Administration

The Employee Stock Purchase Plan will be administered by a committee appointed by the Live Oak board of directors (the “ESPP Committee”). The ESPP Committee shall have the authority to appoint an administrator of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP Administrator”). Subject to the terms and conditions of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the ESPP Committee will have the authority and duty to (a) manage and control the operation of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan; (b) conclusively interpret and construe the provisions of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and prescribe, amend and rescind rules, regulations and procedures relating to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan; (c) correct any defect or omission and reconcile any inconsistency in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan; (d) determine whether and to what extent a company will be a Participating Company in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan; and (e) make all other determinations and take all other actions as it deems necessary or desirable for the implementation and administration of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The ESPP Administrator will perform such functions with respect to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan as the ESPP Committee and the ESPP Administrator agree. The determination of the ESPP Committee and the ESPP Administrator, respectively, on matters within their respective authorities will be conclusive and binding on Live Oak, the Participating Companies, each eligible employee who has elected to become a participant in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP Participant”) and all other persons.

Eligibility

Employees of the Participating Companies are eligible to participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan as more fully described below. We or the ESPP Committee will determine whether a company is a Participating Company. As of October 23, 2020 approximately 174 employees are eligible to participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

How Participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan Works

Offering Periods

The Employee Stock Purchase Plan gives ESPP Participants the right to purchase shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock using amounts deducted from their base pay during “Offering Periods”. The first Offering Period under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan is anticipated to commence on the first day of the calendar month following

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the Closing Date and anticipated to end on December 31, 2020 (if the Closing Date occurs in 2020) or June 30, 2021 (if the Closing Date occurs in 2021). Subsequent Offering Periods will be six months long and will begin on each January 1 and July 1.

Participation

An ESPP Participant may participate in an Offering Period by filing a “Participation Election” in accordance with the rules and procedures established by the ESPP Committee or the ESPP Administrator in the time, form and manner specified by the ESPP Committee or the ESPP Administrator (which may include electronically). Payroll deductions will be made from a Participant’s base pay for each payroll period during an Offering Period during which the Participation Election is in effect in such amounts authorized by the ESPP Participant in his or her Participation Election, subject to a 1 percent minimum and 15 percent maximum of base pay unless otherwise specified by the ESPP Committee. Payroll deductions will be made only after all other withholdings, deductions, garnishments and similar deductions have been made and only if the ESPP Participant’s remaining base pay is sufficient to allow the entire payroll deduction contemplated. An ESPP Participant’s Participation Election for an Offering Period will remain in effect for the entire Offering Period unless suspended or withdrawn earlier as described below.

Grants of ESPP Options and Limitations

As of the first day of an Offering Period (the “Grant Date”), each ESPP Participant for such Offering Period will be considered to have been granted an option under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP Option”) which, subject to the terms and conditions of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, grants the ESPP Participant the right to purchase shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan on the last trading day of the Offering Period (the “Exercise Date”) and at the ESPP Exercise Price (as described below); provided, however, that:

(a)     no ESPP Participant will be granted an ESPP Option on any Grant Date if the ESPP Participant, immediately after the ESPP Option is granted, owns stock (including stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options held by the ESPP Participant) possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of shares of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries;

(b)    for any calendar year, no ESPP Participant may purchase shares under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (or any other employee stock purchase plan of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries) having a fair market value (as determined as of the Grant Date) in excess of $25,000; and

(c)     no ESPP Participant will be granted an ESPP Option to purchase a number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock that exceeds 3,750 for any Offering Period.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan Accounts

All payroll deductions made with respect to an ESPP Participant will be credited to his or her bookkeeping account under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. An ESPP Participant may participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan only through payroll deductions and no other contributions will be accepted. No interest will accrue or be paid on any amount credited to an ESPP Participant’s account (or withheld from an ESPP Participant’s pay).

Amounts credited to an ESPP Participant’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan account will not be credited with interest and, in general, all amounts credited to the account for an Offering Period will be used to purchase shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan for that Offering Period. Amounts credited to an ESPP Participant’s account for one Offering Period will not be used to purchase shares with respect to any other Offering Period. Generally, no cash refunds will be provided to the ESPP Participant from amounts credited to his or her account under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan; provided, however, that, upon termination of participation or upon an ESPP Participant’s withdrawal from the Employee Stock Purchase Plan during an Offering Period, amounts will be returned to the ESPP Participant as described in greater detail below. In addition, amounts remaining in an ESPP Participant’s account at the end of an Offering Period that are not otherwise used to purchase shares will be returned to the ESPP Participant.

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Purchases

On the Exercise Date, each ESPP Participant whose participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan for that Offering Period has not been withdrawn or terminated will be deemed to have exercised his or her ESPP Option with respect to that number of whole and fractional shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equal to the quotient of (a) the balance in the ESPP Participant’s account as of the Exercise Date, and (b) the ESPP Exercise Price. The “ESPP Exercise Price” will be equal to 85% of the lesser of (i) the fair market value of a share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the Grant Date or (ii) the fair market value of a share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the Exercise Date, in either case rounded up to the nearest cent. Any amounts remaining in an ESPP Participant’s account as of any Exercise Date after the purchase of Live Oak Class A Common Stock shares will be distributed to the ESPP Participant as soon as practicable after the Exercise Date. The closing price of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock on October 23, 2020 was $11.40.

Live Oak Class A Common Stock shares purchased by an ESPP Participant under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan will be issued in the name of the ESPP Participant. Live Oak Class A Common Stock shares will be uncertificated but a stock certificate for whole shares will be delivered to the ESPP Participant upon the ESPP Participant’s request.

Termination of Participation

An ESPP Participant may, at any time and for any reason, voluntarily suspend contributions to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan during an Offering Period by notifying the appropriate payroll office at least 10 business days (or such other period provided by the ESPP Committee) before the payroll period in which such suspension is to be effective. If an ESPP Participant elects to suspend contributions during an Offering Period, the ESPP Participant’s payroll deductions for the remainder of the Offering Period will cease (and he or she will not be permitted to resume payroll deductions for the remainder of the Offering Period) and the balance in his or her Employee Stock Purchase Plan account determined as of the effective date of his or her suspension shall be used as of the next Exercise Date to purchase shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan in accordance with the terms thereof.

An ESPP Participant (including an ESPP Participant who previously elected to have contributions suspended) may, at any time and for any reason, voluntarily withdraw from participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan for an Offering Period by notifying the appropriate payroll office at least 10 business days (or such other period provided by the ESPP Committee) before the next payroll period in which the withdrawal is to be effective. If an ESPP Participant elects to withdraw from participation during an Offering Period, the ESPP Participant’s participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan for that Offering Period will terminate and the ESPP Participant’s payroll deductions for the remainder of the Offering Period will cease (and he or she will not be permitted to resume payroll deductions for the remainder of the Offering Period) and the balance in his or her Employee Stock Purchase Plan account determined as of the effective date of his or her withdrawal will be paid to him or her in cash, in a manner determined by the ESPP Committee, as soon as practicable following the effective date of his or her withdrawal and no shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock will be purchased on behalf of the ESPP Participant for the Offering Period in which the withdrawal occurs. An ESPP Participant’s withdrawal from the Employee Stock Purchase Plan during an Offering Period will have no effect on the ESPP Participant’s eligibility to participate in a subsequent Offering Period.

An ESPP Participant’s participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan will be automatically terminated immediately upon termination of his or her employment with the Participating Companies for any reason and the ESPP Participant’s account balance determined on the date of his or her termination of employment will be returned to him or her in cash as soon as possible thereafter and no shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock will be purchased on behalf of the ESPP Participant for the Offering Period in which the termination occurs.

Shares Subject to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock that may be issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan shall be shares currently authorized but unissued or currently held or subsequently acquired by us or purchased in the open market or in private transactions (including shares purchased in the open market with ESPP Participants’ account balances under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan). Subject to adjustment upon changes in Live Oak’s capitalization as described below, the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock that may be issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan shall not exceed 2,730,000 shares; provided, however, that the maximum number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock that shall be available for the grant of ESPP Options under the Employee Stock

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Purchase Plan shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the issued and outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, determined on a fully-diluted basis, immediately following the Effective Time. In the event of the expiration, withdrawal, termination or other cancellation of an ESPP Option under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock that were subject to the ESPP Option but not delivered will again be available for issuance under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

If, on an Exercise Date, ESPP Participants in the aggregate have outstanding ESPP Options to purchase more shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock than are available to purchase under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, each ESPP Participant shall be eligible to purchase a reduced number of shares on a pro rata basis and any excess payroll deductions will be returned to such ESPP Participants, without interest, all as provided by uniform and nondiscriminatory rules adopted by the ESPP Committee in accordance with Section 423 of the Code.

Adjustments

In the event of any transaction involving Live Oak (including, without limitation, any merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, spinoff, stock dividend, extraordinary cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, combination, exchange or other distribution with respect to shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock or other change in the corporate structure or capitalization affecting the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock), the ESPP Committee shall make adjustments to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and ESPP Options under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan as the ESPP Committee determines appropriate in its sole discretion in order to preserve the benefits or potential benefits of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and ESPP Options and to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the benefits of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the ESPP Options. Action by the ESPP Committee may include (a) adjustment to the number and kind of shares which are or may be subject to ESPP Options under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, (b) adjustment to the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding ESPP Options under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, (c) adjustment to the ESPP Exercise Price of outstanding ESPP Options under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, (d) cancellation of outstanding ESPP Options, and (e) any other adjustments that the ESPP Committee determines to be equitable.

Amendment and Termination of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Live Oak board of directors may, at any time and in any manner, amend, suspend or terminate the Employee Stock Purchase Plan or any election outstanding under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan; provided, however, that no such amendment will be made without approval of Live Oak stockholders to the extent such approval would be required under Section 423 of the Code, the rules of any securities exchange or similar entity on which Live Oak Class A Common Stock is listed or otherwise by applicable law.

Transferability

Neither the right of an ESPP Participant to purchase shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, nor his or her account balance, may be transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise disposed of by the ESPP Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and any such attempt at transfer, pledge, assignment or other disposition will be without effect, and we will treat such act as an election to withdraw from participation in an Offering Period in accordance with the terms of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. An ESPP Option granted under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan may be exercised during an ESPP Participant’s lifetime only by the ESPP Participant.

United States Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following is a brief discussion of the U.S. federal income tax treatment that will generally apply to grants of ESPP Options and purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan by U.S. taxpayers based on the current U.S. federal tax laws and regulations presently in effect, which are subject to change, and it does not purport to be a complete description of the U.S. federal income tax aspects of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The following does not discuss any state and local tax consequences in connection with grants of ESPP Options and purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

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No income will be taxable to an ESPP Participant upon the grant of an ESPP Option under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan or at the time shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock are purchased under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and we will not be entitled to a deduction. Upon the disposition of the shares acquired upon exercise of an ESPP Option, the tax treatment, and the company’s entitlement to a deduction, depends on whether the shares acquired pursuant to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan are held for the “holding period” which is the 2 year period after the date the ESPP Option is granted and one year after the Exercise Date, as summarized below.

In the event shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock are sold or disposed of prior to the expiration of the holding period, the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the Exercise Date over the ESPP Exercise Price will be treated as ordinary income to the ESPP Participant. This excess will constitute ordinary income in the year of sale or other disposition even if no gain is realized on the sale or a gratuitous transfer of the shares is made. The balance of any gain will be treated as capital gain. Even if the shares are sold for less than their fair market value on the Exercise Date, the same amount of ordinary income is attributed to an ESPP Participant and a capital loss is recognized equal to the difference between the sale price and the value of the shares on the Exercise Date. If a sale or disposition occurs before the expiration of the holding period, we will be entitled to a deduction for the taxable year in which such sale or disposition occurs in the same amount includible as compensation in the ESPP Participant’s ordinary income.

In the event that shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock acquired pursuant to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan are sold or disposed of (including by way of gift) after the expiration of the holding period, the ESPP Participant’s ordinary income will equal the lesser of (i) the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the Grant Date (first day of the Offering Period) over the ESPP Exercise Price or (ii) the gain actually realized by the ESPP Participant on the sale of the shares (if there is a gain). Any further gain on disposition will be treated as capital gain and any loss will be treated as a capital loss. If the ESPP Participant holds the acquired shares for the holding period, we will not be entitled to a deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to shares transferred to an ESPP Participant.

Vote Required for Approval

The Employee Stock Purchase Plan Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the Business Combination Proposal at the special meeting.

The Employee Stock Purchase Plan Proposal will be approved and adopted if the holders of a majority of the votes cast by holders of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and Live Oak Class B Common Stock, voting as a single class, represented at the at the special meeting vote “FOR” the Employee Stock Purchase Plan Proposal.

Recommendation of Live Oak Board of Directors

LIVE OAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN PROPOSAL.

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PROPOSAL NO. 7 — THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL

The Adjournment Proposal

The Adjournment Proposal, if adopted, will allow Live Oak board of directors to adjourn the special meeting of stockholders to a later date or dates to permit further solicitation of proxies. The Adjournment Proposal will only be presented to Live Oak’s stockholders in the event that, based on the tabulated votes, there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting of stockholders to approve one or more of the proposals presented at the special meeting or Public Stockholders have elected to redeem an amount of Public Shares such that the minimum available cash condition to the obligation to closing of the Business Combination would not be satisfied. In no event will Live Oak board of directors adjourn the special meeting of stockholders or consummate the Business Combination beyond the date by which it may properly do so under Live Oak’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and Delaware law.

Consequences if the Adjournment Proposal is Not Approved

If the Adjournment Proposal is not approved by Live Oak’s stockholders, Live Oak board of directors may not be able to adjourn the special meeting of stockholders to a later date in the event that, based on the tabulated votes, there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting of stockholders to approve the Business Combination Proposal or Public Stockholders have elected to redeem an amount of Public Shares such that the minimum available cash condition to the obligation to closing of the Business Combination would not be satisfied.

Vote Required for Approval

The Adjournment Proposal will be approved and adopted if the holders of a majority of the votes cast by holders of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and Live Oak Class B Common Stock, voting as a single class, represented at the at the special meeting vote “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal. Adoption of the Adjournment Proposal is not conditioned upon the adoption of any of the other proposals.

Recommendation of the Live Oak Board of Directors

LIVE OAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL.

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INFORMATION ABOUT DANIMER

Investors should read this section in conjunction with the more detailed information about Danimer, contained in this proxy statement/prospectus, including Danimer’s audited and unaudited financial statements and the other information appearing in the section entitled “Danimer Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” In this section, references to “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Danimer and its subsidiaries prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Overview

Danimer is a performance polymer company specializing in bioplastic replacements for traditional petrochemical-based plastics. Danimer, through its principal operating subsidiaries, Meredian, Inc., Danimer Scientific, L.L.C. and Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc., brings together innovative technologies to deliver renewable, environmentally friendly bioplastic materials to global consumer product companies. We have core competencies in fermentation process engineering, chemical engineering and polymer science. In addition, we have created an extensive intellectual property portfolio to protect our innovations which, together with our technology, serves as a valuable foundation for our business and future industry collaborations. We primarily market our products to manufacturers in the plastics industry seeking to address environmental, public health, renewability, certification, composting and biodegradability concerns because of customer perceptions or government regulations.

We believe that we are the only commercial company in the bioplastics market to combine the production of a base polymer along with the reactive extrusion capacity in order to give customers a “drop-in” replacement for a wide variety of petrochemical-based plastics. Our process uses sustainably sourced canola oil. Our proprietary extraction and extrusion processes are cost competitive and leave almost no carbon footprint. Our customized formulations enable us to team up with other makers of biobased products to create an even wider range of goods. Our scalable production capacity and modular manufacturing model will soon enable us to serve an increasingly large customer base. As an industry leader, Danimer is one of the few companies anywhere in the world to achieve this level of sustainability in biopolymer products and processes.

Our Technologies

PHA Technology Platform

Danimer is a leading producer of polyhydroxyalkanoate (“PHA”), which occurs naturally in living organisms and are chemically similar to polyesters. PHAs serve as a biodegradable plastic alternative to petrochemical-based plastics. Since 2020, Danimer has sold PHAs commercially under its proprietary Nodax® brand name for usage in a wide variety of plastic applications including water bottles, straws, food containers, among others. Our PHA biopolymers are formulated to meet the biodegradability requirements for ASTM International and European (EN) standards. Our PHA is also FDA-approved for food contact and will biodegrade aerobically or anaerobically in soil, water and industrial or home compost within three to six months depending on conditions.

Danimer originally acquired its PHA technology from Procter & Gamble in 2007. PHAs are made through a fermentation process in which bacteria consume vegetable oil and produce PHA within their cell membranes as energy reserves. Danimer harvests the excess PHA from the bacteria, purifies and filters it before extruding it into a pellet, which is sold to our customers. We believe PHAs are a complete replacement for petrochemical-based plastics with the added benefit that our customers in most cases are not required to purchase new equipment in order to switch to using Danimer’s bio-plastics products. Utilizing PHAs as a base resin significantly expands the number of potential applications for bioplastics in the plastics industry and also enables Danimer to produce resin that is not just compostable, but also fully biodegradable.

PLA Technology Platform

Danimer also creates proprietary plastics using the natural plastic Polylactic Acid (“PLA”) as a base resin and has been in this line of business since 2004. Danimer’s reactive extrusion technology has allowed many companies to begin to use renewable and compostable plastics to meet their customers’ growing sustainability needs. Danimer is a pioneer in bioplastics technology, demonstrated by early successes such as creating a bioplastic suitable for coating disposable paper cups to withstand the temperatures of hot liquids such as coffee. Danimer has expanded its product portfolio and now supplies customers globally. Danimer has two primary manufacturing platforms: reactive extrusion and

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polymer synthesis. In reactive extrusion, new polymers are made by combining PLA with other plant-based materials or minerals, to be able to meet the needs of customers that cannot use non-formulated neat PLA. In polymer synthesis, new proprietary polymers are made in reactors (vertical tanks with ability to control pressure, heat, agitation, pH, etc.) and then pelletized. In addition to the plastics developed by Danimer, Danimer also toll manufactures for customers that need the unique extruder or reactor setup employed by Danimer for new or scale-up production. Our PLA-based biopolymers are formulated to meet the biodegradability requirements for ASTM International and European (EN) standards.

The Plastics Market and Competitive Landscape

The plastics market is large, with many established players. The market has grown around the chemical processing of oil and natural gas, and is concentrated in the conventional, non-biodegradable petroleum-based segment.

Established companies in this segment include The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow Chemical”), E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company (“DuPont”), BASF Corporation (“BASF”), INEOS USA LLC, LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Saudi Basic Industries Corporation and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (“Mitsubishi Chemical”), among many others. The price of conventional petroleum-based plastic is volatile, as it is dependent on petroleum as a key manufacturing input. In addition, the non-biodegradability of conventional petroleum-based plastics makes them persistent in and harmful to the environment and creates significant waste.

Competitive companies that produce bioplastics include: Kaneka Corporation (produces the biopolymer PHBH); and Novamont S.p.A. (makes polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT)).

Danimer PHA biopolymers offer a broad range of properties and processing options and can address a large portion of the opportunities for environmentally attractive yet functionally equivalent alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Unlike PLA and most starch-based composite biodegradables, Danimer biopolymers can:

•        biodegrade in natural soil and water environments, including the marine environment;

•        remain functional through a wide range of temperatures; and

•        not break down in everyday use.

Market Opportunity

General:    Globally, over 800 billion pounds of plastic are produced each year. We believe that both PHA and PLA are excellent replacements for commercial plastics created with synthetic polymers derived from petrochemicals. Danimer believes that PHA is a competitive replacement for polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics. These plastics represent over 63% of traditional petrochemical-based plastic worldwide, so there is potential for PHAs to replace over 500 billion pounds of plastic applications annually.

The bioplastics industry is diverse and rapidly evolving. As companies continue to innovate new bioplastic products to meet existing and future customer needs, the industry is expected to expand substantially. Bioplastics are used in a wide range of applications, including packaging, adhesives, food additives, food service items and many others. Bioplastics are a key segment of the plastics industry and offer a renewably sourced replacement for traditional petrochemical-based plastics with additional benefits such as compostability, biodegradability and enhanced safety.

Environmental:    Opportunities arising from the plastics industry’s negative environmental impacts include a demand for an alternative of more products and packaging using sustainable, renewable and non-petroleum resources. Additionally, we believe there is heightened demand for biodegradable and compostable materials, as well as materials that facilitate greater safety for the public and the environment. A 2018 global corporate sustainability report by Nielsen found consumers in global markets are motivated to be more environmentally conscious with their purchases. In light of this sentiment, companies are looking for ways to divert landfill waste and environmental waste with the use of bioplastics. With the “end of life” scenarios that bioplastics provide, these companies are now testing new materials to be more proactive in reducing the global pollution problem.

Public Health:    Manufacturers of products that are used for food packaging or food services may place priority on the development of bioplastics that eliminate the potentially negative health effects of petrochemical-based plastics. While not yet conclusive, some scientific research suggests that polystyrene, PVC, polyethylene and many other

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traditional plastics may be linked to certain cancers, endocrine disruptions, digestive dysfunctions, impaired immune function and other serious health issues. We believe that this perception of traditional plastics, especially in food contact applications, is driving numerous product manufacturers toward the use of non-petrochemical-based plastics.

Renewability:    Some manufacturers place an even greater emphasis on renewability rather than biodegradability or compostability of materials. In Europe, many manufacturers place higher priority on renewability simply because of consumer perceptions and governmental regulations.

Certification:    The certification of materials in the bioplastics industry is based upon third-party standards that establish criteria for labeling materials and products. Certifications are important to brand owners and consumers as they give assurance that materials have been rigorously tested and vetted. Once certification has been achieved for our products, Danimer and its customers are authorized to utilize labels indicating the bioplastic meets certification guidelines, which we believe give consumers greater confidence in our products.

Business Strategy

Our goal is to build a commercially successful biopolymers business, with attractive margins, based on the unique properties of our PHA and PLA biopolymers. To achieve this goal, we are developing and commercializing biopolymers in a range of applications. We believe this will provide an attractive base of commercial opportunities for the Company, creating value for our business and our customers and generating leading intellectual property positions in the field.

Key elements of our strategy include:

•        Expansion of our Kentucky Facility.    In order to meet the increasing demand for PHA, in December 2018, Danimer purchased an idled fermentation facility in Kentucky that was well-suited for the commercial production of PHA (the “Kentucky Facility”) and simultaneously entered into a sale and leaseback transaction with a large, diversified commercial property REIT with respect to the Kentucky Facility and certain of its facilities located in Bainbridge, Georgia. Danimer has embarked on a two-phase commissioning strategy for the Kentucky Facility. When acquired, the Kentucky Facility included fermentation capacity, some downstream processing equipment, and warehouse space.  Phase I of the buildout of the Kentucky Facility, which was nearing completion at the end of the second quarter of 2020, involved the retrofitting of the facility to startup the three smaller fermenters, removing existing equipment not needed for our PHA-production process, and adding downstream processing equipment necessary to process PHA from those three fermenters.  Phase I also included the necessary extrusion equipment to create the final formulated bioplastic. Danimer commenced scale-up fermentation runs in December 2019. Phase I capacity is approximately 20 million pounds of finished product per year. Danimer believes that the capacity of the plant can be expanded by another 45 million additional pounds of finished product, bringing total plant capacity up to 65 million pounds per year, by investing approximately $100 million for Phase II expansion. Phase II construction has commenced and Danimer expects Phase II to be completed by the end of 2021. Phase II will involve retrofitting two more fermenters that already exist in the Kentucky Facility. Phase II will also include a new building to house the additional downstream processing equipment and extrusion equipment needed to handle the increase output from the two larger fermenters.

•        Greenfield Facilities.    The Company has begun exploring construction of new fermentation plants in order to further expand its production capability of PHA. In 2020, the Company intensified those efforts by engaging with its engineering partner to design an optimal commercial production module for future greenfield PHA plants.

•        Research and Development.    As part of its long-term growth strategy, Danimer is seeking to expand on the number PHA research and development (“R&D”) contracts that it has with global consumer product companies. R&D contracts themselves provide revenue to Danimer. Additionally, a successful R&D process is expected to culminate in a supply agreement with the customer. As customers’ products are moved from R&D to commercialization, new customer R&D contracts can be signed, which we believe will result in a pipeline of future products. As our PHA production capacity expands, through completion of Phase II of the Kentucky Facility and the development of additional greenfield PHA plants thereafter, Danimer believes that it will have adequate supply needs in significant part due to the pipeline created by our R&D contracts.

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•        Strategic Partnerships.    As global plastic production increases, Danimer anticipates that it will not be able to supply all bioplastic needs in the foreseeable future. To address this, Danimer is exploring strategic partnerships and licensing opportunities. These opportunities have the potential to greatly expand Danimer’s product penetration beyond Danimer’s ability to raise capital. Even with an aggressive plan to add facilities, Danimer expects that the percent of the market captured by Danimer through new plants will still be less than 1% of the global demand for petrochemical replacements during the next decade. Considering the size of the plastics market, and the uniqueness of Danimer’s PHA, Danimer will continue to explore innovative ways to partner with world leading companies to meet what is expected to be a growing demand.

Danimer’s Products and Services

Danimer has the following products and services.

PHA-based resins:    PHA is a naturally occurring bioplastic that effectively biodegrades in both anaerobic environments, such as a waste treatment facility, and aerobic environments, such as an ocean. PHA will degrade in environments in which microbes or fungi are present, without the presence of heat and moisture. This ease of degradation creates numerous options for companies that use plastics as part of their business because, industrial composting facilities, which are have limited capacity throughout the world, are not required in order to ensure PHA-based plastics ultimately biodegrade after use. PHA is degradable in industrial compost, home compost, soil, fresh water, marine water and anaerobic conditions. PHA is made in a fermentation process where bacteria consume vegetable oil to make PHA as energy reserves. Numerous configurations of these polymers can be achieved, yielding a diverse array of possible properties in the resulting material. Danimer’s Nodax® PHAs possesses seven TUV AUSTRIA certifications and statements of industrial and home compostability, is biodegradable in anaerobic soil, freshwater and marine environments and is 100% bio-based. All of Danimer’s biopolymers, including its Nodax® PHA, are FDA approved for food contact.

Danimer currently holds over 150 patents and pending patent applications worldwide (of which more than 80 are patents issued and more than 70 pending applications) in more than 20 countries that protect the material’s composition and applications. Danimer is responding to unprecedented customer demand for PHA by developing an aggressive long-term plan to add facilities beyond the new fermentation plant in Kentucky in order to further monetize its technology. In 2020, the Company intensified those efforts by engaging with its engineering partner to design an optimal commercial production module for future greenfield PHA plants. This modular plant design will continue to be improved as it employs the valuable learnings obtained as it operates the commercial facility in Kentucky and its development plant in Bainbridge.

PLA-based resins:    PLA is made from dextrose “sugar” that is derived from corn, sugar beets, and sugar cane among others. It is “industrially compostable” as per ASTM D6400 standards, which require a plastic to aerobically compost in a municipal industrial facility within 180 days. PLA requires additional heat and moisture to begin degrading by hydrolysis, which is why it is certified for industrial composting only. While PLA is produced by other companies such as NatureWorks LLC (“NatureWorks”) and Total Corbion PLA (“Total Corbion”), PLA in non-formulated neat form has limited functionality, However, when PLA is combined with other plant-based chemicals and minerals through Danimer’s reactive extrusion process, PLA can be manufactured for a wide range of applications to support petrochemical-based plastic replacement.

Danimer purchases PLA and formulates it into bioplastics applications for its customers. Danimer produces products from PLA and changes or modifies this material, typically compounding PLA with other materials to improve processability, impact strength, heat tolerance and numerous other attributes in order for it to work for applications desired by its customers. Danimer’s ability to formulate PLA in this manner enables it to acquire customers that neat PLA producers cannot.

Research and development:    Danimer has a number of PHA research and development (“R&D”) contracts with global consumer products companies, including PepsiCo, Nestlé and Genpak. Danimer and the R&D staff of each customer collaborate on products that are tailored for such customer’s specific applications.

Tolling:    Danimer contracts with customers to use its existing production facilities and expertise to help customers meet complex raw material opportunities. In 2015, Danimer started making its production facilities and expertise available to tolling customers. There are many companies that toll manufacture in the U.S. for products that

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are large volumes at low prices. Danimer considers “Specialty Tolling” which usually means lower volumes at higher margins, to be one of its core competencies. In many cases, the tolling products can be manufactured on the same equipment as the PLA based resins.

Customers and Product Applications

Danimer believes it is well-positioned to capture market share with its streamlined and flexible development process. Danimer possesses world-class research and development capabilities for new products. Since the inception and commercialization of its first products, a significant portion of Danimer’s revenues have been generated from the sale of materials utilized in single-use food service articles. While single-use food service articles currently are expected to remain a significant component of its revenue, Danimer continues to develop new products for many different applications; therefore, its client base is changing along with its product mix.

For the years ended, December 31, 2019 and 2018, Danimer had four customers that each individually accounted for more than 10% of revenue and collectively represented 65% and 59% of total revenue, respectively.

PHA Products:    Danimer has successfully executed multiple contracts for the development and production of PHA-based resins. Some of Danimer’s current customers and their product applications using PHA-based resins are below:

•        PepsiCo In December 2016, Danimer and PepsiCo, Inc. entered into a joint development agreement that provides for the development of Danimer’s biodegradable film resins to meet the packaging requirements of PepsiCo’s global food and beverage business, including compostable films to be used in Frito Lay chip bags.

•        Genpak — In November 2019, Danimer and Genpak, LLC entered into a multi-year agreement under which the Company will deliver biodegradable resins that Genpak will use exclusively for the manufacture of its new GenZero line of food packaging products. Genpak’s line of foodservice items are designed for a wide range of applications, including to-go hinged food containers, plates, bowls and platters, serving trays and two-piece food containers.

•        Nestlé — In December 2018, Nestec Ltd. (a Nestlé affiliate) and Danimer entered into a global partnership to develop biodegradable water bottles. Nestlé and Danimer are collaborating to design and manufacture bio-based resins for Nestlé’s water business using Danimer’s PHA polymer Nodax®. Once the development of these products is complete, Nestlé and Danimer will enter into negotiations to produce these products commercially.

•        UrthPactIn October 2019, Danimer and UrthPact, LLC, a long-time customer of Danimer for PLA-based resins for use in single-serve coffee pods, entered into an agreement providing for manufacture by Danimer of drinking straws that are fully biodegradable in environments ranging from waste treatment facilities to home compost piles, waterways and oceans. These straws will be manufactured using the Company’s Nodax® PHA. In addition, UrthPact also signed a contract with the Company to produce PHA-based resin for single serve coffee pods.

•        WinCup — In September 2019, WinCup Plastics, Inc., a leading manufacturer of disposable foodservice to-go-ware, announced the launching of phade™, a new line of straws and stirrers made from Danimer’s Nodax® PHA. WinCup and Danimer have entered into a commercial supply contract for PHA to be produced in the Kentucky Facility.

In addition to the customers noted above, Danimer has supply agreements for PHA-resins with over six other customers and has contractual commitments for all of its PHA-production capacity through then end of 2021, the expected completion date of Phase II of the buildout of the Kentucky Facility.

PLA Products: Some of Danimer’s current product applications using PLA-based resins are below:

•        Drinking cups that are coated with Danimer’s compostable extrusion coating resin.

•        Coffee rings for single-serve coffee pods.

•        PLA-based shrink wrap films for various food packaging.

•        Cutlery packaging.

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Raw Materials and Suppliers

Danimer’s operations depend upon obtaining adequate supplies of raw materials on a timely basis, in particular PLA, polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and canola oil. Although certain of these raw materials have limited sources of supply, Danimer has developed strategic relationships with key suppliers for these products and generally have commitments or contracts from these suppliers to meet current and projected needs. Danimer buys PLA from NatureWorks and Total Corbion, PBS from PTT MCC Biochem Co., Ltd and PBAT from BASF. Commodities such as canola oil is readily available from numerous suppliers. Accordingly, Danimer believes it will be able to procure the necessary quantity and quality of raw materials needed to manufacture its products.

Intellectual Property

Danimer’s success depends in part upon its ability to protect its core technology and intellectual property, and Danimer relies on a combination of patents, know-how, trade secrets, non-disclosure agreements and supply chain partnerships to establish and protect its intellectual property. Danimer holds a portfolio of more than 150 patents and pending patent applications applicable across more than 20 countries. Danimer’s technology is also protected by maintaining trade secret status for key technology and know-how. In addition, non-disclosure agreements with customers and research partners help to keep Danimer’s technology proprietary.

Danimer purchased the intellectual property portfolio that formed the original basis of its PHA technology platform from Procter & Gamble. After a global offering of the technology to competent entities, Procter & Gamble determined that Danimer’s expertise and demonstrated success offered the highest probability of successful commercialization. Procter & Gamble has retained a royalty interest until one year following the expiration of the patents.

Examples of intellectual property held by Danimer include patents addressing the conversion of PHA into articles such as diapers, feminine hygiene products, films, fibers, and molded articles, which protects Danimer to the “store shelf”. In addition, the Company holds patents or applications as diverse as production systems, additives for bioplastics, and unique specialty applications such as the use of materials in the oil and gas industry.

Regulatory

Regulation by government authorities in the United States and other countries is a significant factor in the production and marketing of Danimer’s products and its ongoing R&D activities. In order to research, develop and manufacture products for Danimer’s customers and ultimately for consumer use, Danimer must satisfy mandatory procedures and standards established by various regulatory bodies. Compliance with these standards is complex, and failure to comply with any of these standards can result in significant consequences.

Some applications for which Danimer biopolymers may be suitable, such as food packaging, PHA-coated paper cups and drinking straws, involve food contact, which, in the United States, is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). Our PHA has been cleared for use in food-contact applications by the FDA.  The PHA polymer is also contained on positive lists for food-contact in the European Union and Japan.  Danimer is in the process of seeking further regulatory approvals necessary to sell and produce its products based on local requirements in various jurisdictions worldwide, and is prepared to seek additional such approvals as may become necessary in the ordinary course of business.

Biobased and Biodegradability Certification

Danimer biopolymers in neat form have the advantage in the marketplace of being both biobased and biodegradable while having comparable functional properties to petroleum-based polymers. Danimer’s products may be certified for both biodegradability and composting. Danimer obtains such certifications from recognized certifying bodies for its base products. As customers purchase product for a specific use, the customer typically obtains an updated certification covering the customer’s manufacturing specifications.

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Headquarters and Manufacturing Facilities

Danimer’s corporate headquarters, primary research facility, PLA reactive extrusion plant, tolling operation, as well the site of its PHA commercial demonstration plant are located in Bainbridge, GA, in approximately 200,000 square feet of real property.

Danimer’s PHA commercial production facility is located in Winchester, Kentucky in approximately 80,000 square feet of real property.

Danimer leases these facilities as part of a sale and leaseback arrangement with a large, diversified commercial property REIT. The triple net lease under which we lease these properties has an initial term through December 31, 2038 with four (4) options terms of five (5) years each pursuant to which we may elect to extend the term.

Employees

As of September 30, 2020, Danimer had approximately 173 total employees located in the United States. None of our employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement and we believe we have a good relationship with our employees.

Legal Proceedings

Danimer does not currently have any outstanding material litigation.

Corporate Information

Danimer was formed in 2004. Danimer’s principal executive offices are located at 140 Industrial Blvd, Bainbridge GA 39817 and its telephone number is (229) 243-7075.

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DANIMER’S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Danimer has designed, and intends to modify as necessary or appropriate, its compensation and benefits program to attract, retain, incentivize and reward deeply talented and qualified executives who share its philosophy and desire to work towards achieving its goals. Danimer believes its compensation program should promote the success of the company and align executive incentives with the long-term interests of its shareholders. Danimer’s current executive compensation programs reflect its startup origins in that they consist primarily of salary and stock option awards. As Danimer’s needs evolve, Danimer intends to continue to evaluate and modify its philosophy and compensation programs as circumstances require or is appropriate.

This section provides an overview of Danimer’s executive compensation programs as they relate to the executive officers named below (the “named executive officers”), including a narrative description of the material factors necessary to understand the information disclosed in the summary compensation table below. Danimer’s board of directors, with input from its Chief Executive Officer, has historically determined the compensation for Danimer’s named executive officers. For the year ended December 31, 2019, Danimer’s named executive officers were:

•        Stephen E. Croskrey, Chief Executive Officer

•        John A. Dowdy, III, Chief Financial Officer

•        Phillip Van Trump, Chief Science and Technology Officer

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of the named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Name and Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary
($)

 

Bonus
($)
(1)

 

Option
Awards
($)
(2)

 

All Other
Compensation
($)
(3)

 

Total
($)

Stephen E. Croskrey
Chief Executive Officer

 

2019

 

394,423

 

598,397

 

4,720,062

 

22,886

 

5,735,768

John A. Dowdy, III
Chief Financial Officer

 

2019

 

234,616

 

 

 

22,410

 

257,026

Phillip Van Trump
Chief Science and Technology Officer

 

2019

 

234,616

 

 

 

21,157

 

255,773

____________

(1)      The bonus amounts for Messrs. Dowdy and Van Trump for the year ended December 31, 2019 are not calculable as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus. Danimer expects these amounts to be determined on or about November 13, 2020.

(2)      The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant-date fair value of awards granted to each named executive officer, computed in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718. See Note 2, “Stock-based Compensation” to Danimer’s audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus for a discussion of the assumptions made by Danimer in determining the grant-date fair value of Danimer’s equity awards.

(3)      All Other Compensation is comprised of Danimer matching contributions under Danimer’s 401(k) plan which is a tax-qualified defined contribution plan, car allowance or use of company car, and use of company housing. The following table summarizes “All Other Compensation” provided to the named executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2019 are as follows:

•        Mr. Croskrey: annual value (on depreciation basis) of company house ($7,081); annual value (on depreciation basis) of company automobile ($4,605); and 401(k) plan match ($11,200).

•        Mr. Dowdy: car allowance ($11,371); and 401(k) match ($11,039).

•        Mr. Van Trump: car allowance ($5,696); and certain tuition payments ($15,461).

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table

For 2019, the compensation program for Danimer’s named executive officers consisted of base salary and incentive compensation delivered in the form of an annual bonus and/or stock option awards.

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Base Salary

Base salary for Danimer’s named executive officers has historically been set at a level that is commensurate with such executive’s duties and authorities, contributions, prior experience and sustained performance.

Cash Bonus

In 2019, pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Croskrey was entitled to receive a bonus equal to ten percent (10%) of Danimer’s EBITDAR (earnings before interests, taxes, depreciation, amortization and rent, stock-based compensation, certain non-recurring charges and operating leases) until such bonus amount equals his base annual salary then in effect, and five percent (5%) of any additional EBITDAR in excess thereof. Danimer provides annual bonuses to the other named executive officers based on the achievement of individual and corporate performance, as determined by Danimer’s CEO in his sole discretion. The amount of the 2019 bonus payable to the other named executive officers has not yet been determined.

Equity Compensation

     Danimer provides stock options to the named executive officers under Danimer’s 2016 Director and Executive Officer Stock Incentive Plan and/or Danimer’s 2016 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plans (collectively, the “2016 Plans”), as determined by Danimer’s board of directors in their sole discretion. Danimer believes that such equity awards serve to better align the interests of stockholders and the named executive officers, and serve as a strong retention tool. In 2019, pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Croskrey was entitled to receive non-qualified stock options to acquire 150,000 shares of Danimer common stock under the 2016 Plans. Mr. Croskrey also received options to 99,386 shares of Danimer common stock under the 2016 Plans in connection with his previous employment agreement. All options granted to Mr. Croskrey in 2019 were fully vested upon issuance.

Benefits and Perquisites

Danimer provides benefits to its named executive officers on the same basis as provided to all of its employees, including medical, dental and vision insurance; life insurance; accidental death and dismemberment insurance; critical illness insurance; short-and long-term disability insurance; and a tax-qualified Section 401(k) plan for which Danimer matches elective deferrals of up to 4% of an employee’s eligible earnings. The named executive officers are entitled either to use of a company car or a monthly car allowance. Certain executives also receive reimbursement for tuition for graduate level degrees. Except as otherwise disclosed herein, Danimer does not maintain any other executive-specific benefit or perquisite programs.

Additionally, Danimer has agreed to provide Mr. Croskrey with, or reimburse him for, a rental home or apartment in the Bainbridge, Georgia area, with Danimer paying for rent, furnishings and incremental living expenses not exceeding $1,500.00 per month. Danimer has also agreed to gross-up Mr. Croskrey to reimburse him for any tax liability incurred in respect of such housing payments.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

Mr. Croskrey and Danimer entered into the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement on August 13, 2018 (the “Prior Croskrey Employment Agreement”), pursuant to which he earned a base salary of $400,000 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, and was entitled to certain benefits, perquisites, and payments in connection with a change of control of Danimer. On October 3, 2020, Mr. Croskrey and Danimer entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Prior Croskrey Employment Agreement providing, among other things, that the Prior Croskrey Employment Agreement would be terminated effective upon the closing of the Business Combination. The Amendment provides that Mr. Croskrey will be entitled to receive the bonus equal to one percent (1%) of the gross purchase price paid by Live Oak for Danimer (net of Danimer’s closing costs and expenses) upon the closing of the Business Combination, as set forth in the Prior Croskrey Employment Agreement, but that Mr. Croskrey was waiving a separate severance payment to which he would have been entitled to effective upon the closing of the Business Combination under the Prior Croskrey Employment Agreement.

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Agreements with Danimer’s Named Executive Officers

As a part of the Business Combination, New Danimer has entered into a new employee agreement with Stephen E. Croskrey that will be effective upon the closing of the Business Combination, and Danimer will assign prior to Closing the existing employment agreements of Messrs. Dowdy and Van Trump to New Danimer, effective upon the closing of the Business Combination. Details of these agreements are outlined below.

Employment Agreement with Stephen E. Croskrey

On October 3, 2020, Mr. Croskrey and Live Oak entered into the Employment Agreement (the “New Croskrey Employment Agreement”), which will be effective upon the closing of the Business Combination. The Prior Croskrey Employment Agreement will terminate upon the effectiveness of the New Croskrey Employment Agreement.

The New Croskrey Employment Agreement is effective upon the closing of the Business Combination and ends on February 1, 2024 unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms. The New Croskrey Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Croskrey shall serve as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of New Danimer, and provides for an annual base salary of $425,000, which shall increase by $25,000 on January 1 of each year of the term. Under the New Croskrey Employment Agreement, Mr. Croskrey is entitled to an annual bonus based upon the Company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent and operating leases (“EBITDAR”) for each fiscal year, pursuant to which Mr. Croskrey will be paid an annual bonus equal to (i) 10% of the Company’s EBITDAR until such bonus amount equals his annual base salary then in effect, plus (ii) 5% of the Company’s EBITDAR in excess thereof. The New Croskrey Employment Agreement also provides that Mr. Croskrey will be entitled to participate in New Danimer’s equity incentive plans for executives and employees and receive annual equity awards thereunder. Under the New Croskrey Employment Agreement, Mr. Croskrey is eligible to participate in employee benefit plans offered to New Danimer’s executives, and is entitled to use of a reasonably acceptable rental home or apartment in the area of Bainbridge, GA, as well as reimbursements for incremental living expenses of up to $1,500 per month for the periods during which he resides in such rental home on New Danimer business, as well as a potential gross-up for such reimbursement.

Pursuant to the New Croskrey Employment Agreement, upon a termination of Mr. Croskrey’s employment by New Danimer without cause, or a termination by Mr. Croskrey for good reason: (i) Mr. Croskrey will receive an amount in cash equal to 24 months of his annual base salary; (ii) Mr. Croskrey will receive any accrued but unpaid portion of his annual bonus; (iii) any unvested equity awards that are held by Mr. Croskrey will automatically vest and become exercisable; and (iv) in the event that Mr. Croskrey is entitled to and elects to utilize coverage under Section 4980B of the Code (“COBRA Coverage”), reimbursement for COBRA Coverage for Mr. Croskrey and his dependents for the lesser of 24 months following termination or the date that the COBRA Coverage terminates in accordance with its terms.

Employment Agreement with Other Named Executive Officers

On August 31, 2020, each of the other named executive officers entered into Amended and Restated Employment Agreements (each, an “NEO Employment Agreement”) with Danimer. Under the NEO Employment Agreement, John A. Dowdy, III will serve as Chief Financial Officer and Phillip Van Trump will serve as Chief Science and Technology Officer. Except as otherwise set forth below, each of the NEO Employment Agreement have identical terms, as summarized below.

Under the NEO Employment Agreements, each of Messrs. Dowdy and Van Trump earn a salary of $300,000 per year. Under the NEO Employment Agreements, each such named executive officer is entitled to an annual bonus under Danimer’s employee bonus plan, if any, or as otherwise approved by Danimer’s Board of Directors. The NEO Employment Agreements also provide that such named executive officers will be entitled to participate in certain of Danimer’s equity incentive plans for executives and employees and receive annual equity awards thereunder, and provides that each such named executive officer shall be granted a stock option for 10,000 shares of Danimer’s common stock, at an exercise price of $63 per share, vesting in three, approximately equal, annual installments, beginning on September 1, 2021. Under the NEO Employment Agreements, such named executive officers are eligible to participate in employee benefit programs available to similarly situated employees, and is entitled to use of a Danimer-owned automobile.

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Pursuant to each NEO Employment Agreement, upon a termination of such named executive officer’s employment by Danimer without cause but not in connection with a change in control of Danimer, such named executive officer will receive his annual base salary for 12 months following the date of his termination.

Pursuant to each NEO Employment Agreement, upon a termination of such named executive officer’s employment by Danimer without cause in connection with a change in control of Danimer or within 12 months following a change in control of Danimer, such named executive officer will receive his annual base salary for 24 months following the date of his termination.

Other Compensation Arrangements with Named Executive Officers

Danimer’s named executive officers will also receive upon closing of the Merger new grants of unvested options to purchase shares of Live Oak’s Class A Common Stock under Live Oak’s new equity incentive plan in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement. Messrs. Croskrey, Dowdy and Van Trump will receive a number of option shares equal to 3.0%, 0.75% and 0.75%, respectively, of the number of fully-diluted shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock (excluding certain shares underlying warrants) outstanding as of the Closing, at an exercise price equal to the greater of the fair market value at Closing and ten dollars ($10). If fair market value exceeds ten dollars $10 per share, each of those persons would be entitled to additional restricted shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock in an amount equal to the difference between such fair market value and $10, multiplied by the number of options shares and divided by such fair market value. See “— Interests of Danimer’s Directors and Officers in the Business Combination”.

Retirement Benefits

Danimer provides a tax-qualified Section 401(k) plan for all employees, including the named executive officers. Danimer matches elective deferrals of up to 4% of an employee’s eligible earnings. Danimer does not provide to employees, including its named executive officers, any other retirement benefits, including but not limited to tax-qualified defined benefit plans, supplemental executive retirement plans and nonqualified defined contribution plans.

Executive Compensation Following the Closing of the Business Combination

New Danimer’s board of directors expects to review executive compensation periodically to ensure that executive compensation remains competitive such that New Danimer is able to recruit, incentivize and retain qualified executives. Following the consummation of the Business Combination, the named executive officers will be employed in accordance with the terms of the employment agreements discussed above, and New Danimer intends to develop an executive compensation program that is designed to also align with the long-term interests of New Danimer’s shareholders for value creation and conformance with prevailing standards of good corporate governance.

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2019 Year End

The following table presents information regarding outstanding equity awards held by Danimer’s named executive officers as of December 31, 2019.

 

Option Awards

Name

 

Grant Date

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
(#)

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
(#)

 

Option
Exercise Price
($)

 

Option Expiration Date

Stephen E. Croskrey

 

 

 

 

 

 

John A. Dowdy, III

 

June 30, 2016

 

82,780

 

 

$

30.00

 

June 30, 2026

   

December 18, 2017

 

8,000

 

4,000

 

$

30.00

 

December 18, 2027

   

June 30, 2016

 

67,780

 

 

$

30.00

 

June 30, 2026

Phillip Van Trump

 

December 18, 2017

 

18,000

 

9,000

 

$

30.00

 

December 18, 2027

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Director Compensation

Danimer has periodically granted its directors stock options for their service on Danimer’s board of directors or its committees. In setting director compensation, Danimer’s board of directors considered the time, experience and background required for the directors to fulfill their duties. Any option awards are evaluated annually. Directors were not granted option awards in 2019, except for Gregory W. Hunt, who was granted an option for 500 shares of Danimer Common Stock as a new director. In 2020, all directors received an option for 650 shares of Danimer Common Stock, except for Christy Basco, who had not yet been appointed at such time, and Stephen E. Croskrey, who as CEO typically does not receive additional director compensation. Danimer’s policy is to reimburse directors for reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending board and committee meetings or performing other services in their capacities as directors. In addition, Stuart Pratt receives fees earned pursuant to a consulting agreement for his service on the board of directors.

The following table shows information regarding the compensation earned by Danimer’s directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

Name

 

Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash
($)

 

Stock
Awards
($)

 

Option
Awards
($)

 

All Other
Compensation
($)

 

Total
($)

Stuart Pratt

 

18,000

 

 

 

 

18,000

Dr. Isao Noda

 

 

 

 

 

Philip Gregory Calhoun

 

 

 

 

 

Gregory W. Hunt

 

 

 

11,672

 

 

11,672

John A. Dowdy Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

Steve Economos

 

 

 

 

 

Richard Ivey

 

 

 

 

 

Ralph Powell

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Lindsey(1)

 

 

 

 

 

Christy Basco(1)

 

 

 

 

 

____________

(1)      Mr. Lindsey resigned his Board seat in 2020 and Ms. Basco filled the resulting vacancy.

Consulting Agreement of Stuart Pratt

Mr. Pratt and Danimer entered into a letter agreement on March 1, 2016 (the “Prior Pratt Consulting Agreement”), pursuant to which he earned a base salary of $18,000 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, and was entitled to certain benefits and perquisites. On October 3, 2020, Mr. Croskrey and Danimer entered into an amendment to the Prior Pratt Consulting Agreement providing, among other things, that the Prior Pratt Consulting Agreement would be terminated effective upon the closing of the Business Combination and that Mr. Pratt was waiving any severance payment to which he may have been entitled. On October 3, 2020, Mr. Pratt and Live Oak entered into the Consulting Agreement (the “New Pratt Consulting Agreement”), which will be effective upon the closing of the Business Combination.

The New Pratt Consulting Agreement is effective upon the closing of the Business Combination and ends on October 3, 2023 unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms. Under the New Pratt Consulting Agreement, Mr. Pratt is entitled to an annual base salary of $18,000. The New Pratt Consulting Agreement also provides that, upon the closing of the Business Combination, Mr. Pratt will be granted options to purchase 30,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, at an exercise price equal to the greater of ten dollars ($10) and the fair market value of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock as of such date. If fair market value exceeds $10 per share, Mr. Pratt would be entitled to additional restricted shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock in an amount equal to the difference between such fair market value and $10, multiplied by the number of options shares and divided by such fair market value. The nature of Mr. Pratt’s relationship with Danimer deems him to not be independent as a director of New Danimer.

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Independent Director Compensation Following the Closing of the Business Combination

New Danimer’s board of directors expects to review independent director compensation periodically to ensure that director compensation remains competitive such that New Danimer is able to recruit and retain qualified directors. Following the consummation of the Business Combination, New Danimer intends to develop a board of directors compensation program that is designed to align compensation with New Danimer’s business objectives and the creation of stockholder value, while enabling New Danimer to attract, retain, incentivize and reward directors who contribute to the long-term success of New Danimer.

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DANIMER MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Danimer and its subsidiaries should be read together with the section of this proxy statement/prospectus entitled “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Information of Danimer” and the audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements, together with related notes thereto, included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The discussion and analysis should also be read together with the section of this proxy statement/prospectus entitled “Information About Danimer” and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and for the year ended December 31, 2019 (in the section of this proxy statement/prospectus entitled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information”). The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. See the section entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Actual results and timing of selected events may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under the section entitled “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Danimer” or elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this “Danimer Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” to “we”, “us” and “our” are intended to mean the business and operations of Danimer and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Danimer is a performance polymer company specializing in bioplastic replacement for traditional petroleum-based plastics. Danimer, through its principal operating subsidiaries, Meredian, Inc., Danimer Scientific, L.L.C. and Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc., brings together innovative technologies to deliver renewable, environmentally friendly bioplastic materials to global consumer product companies. We believe that we are the only commercial company in the bioplastics market to combine the production of a base polymer along with the reactive extrusion capacity in order to give customers a “drop-in” replacement for a wide variety of petroleum-based plastics.

PHA-Based Resins

Danimer is a leading producer of polyhydroxyalkanoate (“PHA”), a new, 100% biodegradable plastic feedstock alternative sold under the proprietary Nodax® brand name, for usage in a wide variety of plastic applications including water bottles, straws, food containers, among other things. We originally acquired the technology to produce PHA from Procter & Gamble in 2007. PHA is made through a fermentation process where bacteria consume vegetable oil and make plastic within their cell membranes as energy reserves. Danimer harvests the PHA from the bacteria, purifies and filters the bioplastic before extruding the PHA into a pellet, which is sold to converters. PHAs are a complete replacement for petroleum-based plastics where the convertors do not have to purchase new equipment to switch to the new biodegradable plastic. Utilizing PHA as a base resin significantly expands the number of potential applications for bioplastics in the industry and also enables Danimer to produce resin that is not just compostable, but also fully biodegradable.

Having successfully scaled up PHA production from the laboratories to a contract manufacturer and later to its own commercial development plant, Danimer recently has begun making PHA on a commercial scale. In December 2018, Danimer acquired a fermentation facility in Winchester, Kentucky (the “Kentucky Facility”) and simultaneously entered into a long-term sale and leaseback transaction with a large, diversified commercial property REIT with respect to the Kentucky Facility and certain of its facilities located in Bainbridge, Georgia. Danimer embarked on a two-phase commissioning strategy for the Kentucky Facility. Danimer commenced scale-up fermentation runs in December 2019 and was nearing completion of the Phase I improvements at the end of the second quarter of 2020 after investing approximately an additional $47.0 million since the acquisition of the Kentucky Facility, excluding capitalized interest. Of this total, $7 million in real-estate improvements for the Kentucky Facility were financed by the REIT and leased back to Danimer in May 2020. Once Phase I is producing at full capacity, Danimer expects to produce approximately 20 million pounds of finished product per year. Danimer believes that the capacity of the plant can be expanded by another 45 million additional pounds of finished product, bringing total plant capacity up to 65 million pounds per year, by investing approximately $100.0 million for the Phase II expansion. Phase II construction has commenced and Danimer expects Phase II to be completed by the end of 2021.

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PLA-Based Resins

Since 2004, Danimer has been producing proprietary plastics using a natural plastic called Polylactic Acid (“PLA”) as a base resin. While PLA is produced by other biopolymer manufacturers, PLA has limited functionality in its neat (“unformulated”) form. Danimer purchases PLA and formulates it into bioplastic applications by leveraging the expertise of its chemists as well as its proprietary reactive extrusion process. Danimer’s formulated PLA products allow many companies to begin to use renewable and compostable plastics to meet their customers’ growing sustainability needs. Danimer was the first company in the world to create a bioplastic suitable for coating disposable paper cups to withstand the temperatures of hot liquids such as coffee. Danimer has expanded its product portfolio and now supplies customers globally.

Research and Development (“R&D”) and Other Services

Danimer’s technology team partners with global consumer product companies to develop custom biopolymer formulations for specific applications. R&D contracts are designed to develop a formulated resin using PHA, PLA and other biopolymers that can be run efficiently on existing conversion equipment. A successful R&D contract is expected to culminate in a supply agreement with the customer. Danimer’s R&D services not only provide revenue but also a pipeline of future products for Danimer.

In 2015, Danimer started making its production facilities and expertise available to process customer materials in accordance with their specifications and instructions. Danimer’s specialty tolling services primarily involve processing customer owned raw materials to assist them in addressing their extrusion capacity constraints or manufacturing challenges.

Comparability of Financial Information

Danimer’s results of operations and statements of assets and liabilities may not be comparable between periods as a result of the Business Combination.

Business Combination and Public Company Costs

Danimer entered into a Merger Agreement with Live Oak on October 3, 2020. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and assuming a favorable vote of Live Oak’s stockholders, Merger Sub, a newly formed subsidiary of Live Oak, will be merged with and into Danimer. Upon consummation of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease and we shall continue as the surviving corporation of the Merger. Danimer will be deemed the accounting predecessor and the combined entity will be the successor SEC registrant, meaning that Danimer’s financial statements for previous periods will be disclosed in the registrant’s future periodic reports filed with the SEC.

The Merger is anticipated to be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization. Under this method of accounting, Live Oak will be treated as the acquired company for financial statement reporting purposes. The most significant change in the successor’s future reported financial position and results are expected to be an estimated increase in cash (as compared to Danimer’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2019) of between approximately $291.6 million, assuming maximum shareholder redemptions permitted under the Merger Agreement, and $385.0 million, assuming no shareholder redemptions. Total non-recurring transaction costs are estimated at approximately $25 million, of which Danimer expects the substantial majority to be capitalized as an offset to equity. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information.”

As a consequence of the Merger, Danimer will become the successor to an SEC-registered and NYSE-listed company which will require Danimer to hire additional personnel and implement procedures and processes to address public company regulatory requirements and customary practices. Danimer expects to incur additional annual expenses as a public company for, among other things, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, director fees and additional internal and external accounting and legal and administrative resources, including increased audit and legal fees.

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Key Factors Affecting Operating Results

We believe that our performance and future success depend on several factors that present significant opportunities for us but also pose risks and challenges, including those discussed below and in the section of this proxy statement/prospectus titled “Risk Factors.”

Factors Impacting Danimer’s Revenue

Danimer derives its revenue from product sales of PLA and PHA-based resins as well as from services such as R&D and tolling.

Danimer’s product revenue is significantly impacted by its ability to successfully scale the Kentucky Facility for commercial production of PHA. The completion of Phase I and Phase II of the Kentucky Facility will significantly increase Danimer’s capacity to produce and sell PHA, which is in high demand by its customers. Utilizing Danimer’s PHAs as a base resin significantly expands the number of potential applications for bioplastics and also enables Danimer to produce a resin that is not just compostable, but also fully biodegradable. Since Danimer just recently introduced its PHA on a commercial scale, Danimer’s product revenues are also impacted by the timing and success of customer trials and product degradation testing and certifications. Danimer’s product revenue from PLA-based resins is primarily impacted by the effective launch of new product offerings in new markets by its customers as well as the ability of its suppliers to continue to grow their production capacity of neat PLA. Finally, Danimer’s product revenue is impacted by its ability to deliver biopolymer formulations that can be efficiently run on customer conversion equipment and meet customer application specifications and requirements. Revenue from product sales is generally recognized when the finished products are shipped to customers as this represents the transfer of control of the product. Due to the highly specialized nature of Danimer’s products, Danimer does not offer its customers a right of return nor does Danimer offer rebates or volume discounts that would impact selling prices.

Danimer’s services revenue is primarily impacted by the timing of, and execution against, customer contracts. Research and development services generally involve milestone-based contracts to develop PHA-based solutions designed to a customer’s specifications and may involve single or multiple performance obligations with the transaction price being allocated to each performance obligation based on the standalone selling price of the performance obligation. Service revenues are recognized over time with progress measured using an input method based on personnel costs incurred to date as a percentage of total estimated personnel costs for each performance obligation within the contract. Upon the completion of research and development contracts, customers generally have the option to enter into long-term supply agreements with Danimer for the developed product solutions. Danimer’s ability to grow its services revenue depends on Danimer’s ability to develop a track record of developing successful biopolymer formulations for its customers and its ability to effectively transition those customer formulations to commercial scale production.

Factors Impacting Danimer’s Operating Expenses

Costs of revenue

Cost of revenue is comprised of costs of goods sold and direct costs associated with research and development service projects. Costs of goods sold consists of raw materials and ingredients, labor costs, related production overhead, rent and depreciation costs. Costs associated with research and development service contracts include labor costs, related overhead costs and outside consulting and testing fees incurred in direct relation to the specific service contract.

Selling, general and administrative expense

Selling, general and administrative expense consists of salaries, marketing expense, corporate administration expenses, stock-based compensation not allocated to research and development or costs of revenue personnel, and elements of depreciation, rent and facility expenses that are not directly attributable to direct costs of production or associated with research and development activities.

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Research and development expense

Research and development expense include salaries, stock-based compensation, third-party consulting and testing fees, and rent and related facility expenses directly attributable to research and development activities not associated with revenue generating service projects.

Impacts Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 to be a global pandemic and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. In response, government authorities have issued an evolving set of mandates, including requirements to shelter-in-place, curtail business operations, restrict travel, and avoid physical interaction. These mandates and the continued spread of COVID-19 have disrupted normal business activities in many segments of the global economy, resulting in weakened economic conditions. More recently, government mandates have been lifted by certain public authorities and economic conditions have improved in certain sectors of the economy relative to early in the second quarter. Certain regions of the world have experienced increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases, however, and if this continues and if public authorities intensify efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, normal business activity may be further disrupted and economic conditions could weaken.

Our ability to continue to operate without any significant negative impacts will in part depend on our ability to protect our employees and our supply chain. We have endeavored to follow actions recommended by governments and health authorities to protect our employees, with particular measures in place for those working in our manufacturing and laboratory facilities. We have been able to broadly maintain our operations, and we intend to continue to work with our stakeholders (including customers, employees, suppliers and local communities) to responsibly address this global pandemic. However, uncertainty resulting from the global pandemic could result in an unforeseen disruption to our supply chain (for example a closure of a key manufacturing or distribution facility or the inability of a key material or transportation supplier to source and transport materials) that could impact our operations.

Although our revenue has continued to grow during the continuing global pandemic, we believe that some of our customers have deferred decision making and commitments regarding future orders and new contracts. The global pandemic has also resulted in delays in performing trials with new customers and obtaining certification for new products. We have also not observed any material impairments of our assets or a significant change in the fair value of assets due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For additional information on risk factors that could impact our results, please refer to “Risk Factors” located elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Key non-GAAP financial measures

This proxy statement/prospectus includes the non-GAAP financial measure “Adjusted EBITDA”. Danimer management views this metric as a useful way to look at the performance of its operations between periods and to exclude decisions on capital investment and financing that might otherwise impact the review of profitability of the business based on present market conditions.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income or loss prior to interest income, interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted to add back certain charges that Danimer may record each period such as stock-compensation expense, as well as non-recurring charges such as (i) asset disposal gains or losses as well as other significant gains or losses such as debt extinguishments; (ii) legal settlements; or (iii) other discrete expenses related to non-recurring items. Danimer believes these expenses and non-recurring charges are not considered an indicator of ongoing performance. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance defined in accordance with GAAP. The measure is used as a supplement to GAAP results in evaluating certain aspects of Danimer’s business, as described below.

Danimer believes that Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors in evaluating its performance because the measure considers the performance of its operations, excluding decisions made with respect to capital investment, financing, and other non-recurring charges as outlined in the preceding paragraph. Danimer believes the non-GAAP metric offers additional financial information that, when coupled with the GAAP results and the reconciliation to GAAP results, provides a more complete understanding of its results of operations and the factors and trends affecting its business.

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Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income as an indicator of its performance or as alternatives to any other measure prescribed by GAAP as there are limitations to using such non-GAAP measures. Although Danimer believes that Adjusted EBITDA may enhance an evaluation of its operating performance based on recent revenue generation and product/overhead cost control because it excludes the impact of prior decisions made about capital investment, financing, and other expenses, (i) other companies in Danimer’s industry may define Adjusted EBITDA differently than Danimer does and, as a result, they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in its industry, and (ii) Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain financial information that some may consider important in evaluating Danimer’s performance.

Danimer compensates for these limitations by providing disclosure of the differences between Adjusted EBITDA and GAAP results, including providing a reconciliation to GAAP results, to enable investors to perform their own analysis of the Company’s operating results.

Critical accounting policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires Danimer’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported periods. The more critical accounting estimates include estimates related to revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, and leases. Danimer also has other key accounting policies, which involve the use of estimates, judgments and assumptions that are significant to understanding its results, which are described in Note 2 to Danimer’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Revenue recognition

Danimer recognizes revenue from product sales and services in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). This standard applies to all contracts with customers, except for contracts that are within the scope of other standards, such as leases, insurance, collaboration arrangements and financial instruments. Under ASC 606, Danimer recognizes revenue when its customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration that Danimer expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that are determined to be within the scope of ASC 606, Danimer performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. Danimer only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that Danimer will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services it transfers to the customer. At contract inception, once the contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC 606, Danimer assesses the goods or services promised within each contract and determines those that are performance obligations and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct. Danimer then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied.

Danimer derives its revenues primarily from: 1) research and development (R&D) services related to developing customized formulations of biodegradable and compostable resins based on polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA); and 2) product sales of Danimer’s developed compostable resins based on polyactic acid (PLA), PHA and other renewable materials. R&D service revenues generally involve milestone-based contracts under which Danimer works with a customer to develop a PHA-based solution designed to the customer’s specifications, which may involve a single or multiple performance obligations. When an R&D contract has multiple performance obligations, Danimer allocates the transaction price to the performance obligations utilizing a cost-plus approach to estimate the stand-alone selling price, which contemplates the level of effort to satisfy the performance obligations, and then allocates the transaction price to each of the performance obligations based on the relative percentage of the stand-alone selling price. Danimer recognizes revenue for these R&D services over time with progress measured utilizing an input method based on personnel costs incurred to date as a percentage of total estimated personnel costs for each performance obligation identified within the contract. Upon completion of the R&D services, the customers have an option to enter into long-term supply agreements with Danimer for the product(s) that were developed within the respective contracts. Danimer concluded these customer options were not separate performance obligations, but instead were marketing offers as the options did not provide a material right to any of its customers. For Danimer’s product sales, Danimer

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generally produces and sells finished products to customers for which Danimer recognizes revenue upon shipment, which is typically when control of the underlying product is transferred to the customer and all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.

For its product sales, due to the highly specialized nature of its products, Danimer does not offer its customers any significant right of return, and therefore does not estimate amounts for sales returns and allowances. Danimer offers a standard quality assurance warranty related to the fitness of its finished goods. There are no other forms of variable consideration such as discounts, rebates or volume discounts that Danimer estimated to reduce its transaction price.

Stock-based compensation

Awards to employees have been granted with service conditions that affect vesting.  Service-based only awards have graded vesting features, usually over three-year periods. Expense associated with service condition awards with graded vesting features is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period

Stock-based compensation awards have a contractual life that ranges from less than one year to ten years and are recognized in the consolidated financial statements based on their grant date fair value. The fair value of each stock option award is estimated using an appropriate valuation method. Danimer uses a Black-Scholes option pricing model to value its option awards. The resulting value for the employee options is used for financial reporting purposes.

Upon adoption of ASU 2016-09Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Accounting, Danimer has continued to estimate forfeitures. If the estimate of forfeitures exceeds the rate of pre-vesting cancellations, Danimer records a true-up to ensure that expense is fully recognized for awards that have vested.

Leases

Danimer accounts for leases in accordance with ASC 842, Leases, and determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in right of use assets and lease liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The right of use assets and lease liabilities are recognized as the present value of the future lease payments over the lease term at commencement date, adjusted for lease incentives, prepaid or accrued rent and unamortized initial direct costs, as applicable. As most of the leases do not provide a readily determinable rate implicit in the lease, Danimer uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. Danimer’s incremental borrowing rate for a lease is the rate of interest it would have to pay on a collateralized basis to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments under similar terms. Danimer’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease, typically at its own discretion. Danimer evaluates the renewal options at commencement and when they are reasonably certain of exercise, Danimer includes the renewal period in its lease term.

Lease costs associated with operating leases consist of both fixed and variable components. Expense related to fixed lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Additional payments, such as insurance and property taxes, are recorded as incurred and are not included in the initial lease liability.

Recent accounting pronouncements

A discussion of recently issued accounting standards applicable to the Company is described in Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

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Results of operations

Year ended December 31, 2019 compared to year ended December 31, 2018

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

(in thousands)

 

Year ended December 31,

 

Percentage
Change

   

2019

 

2018

 

Revenue

 

$

32,344

 

 

$

30,454

 

 

6.2

%

Cost of revenue

 

 

21,237

 

 

 

19,209

 

 

10.6

%

Gross profit

 

 

11,107

 

 

 

11,245

 

 

-1.2

%

Gross profit percentage

 

 

34.3

%

 

 

36.9

%

 

-7.0

%

Operating expenses

 

 

21,509

 

 

 

12,437

 

 

72.9

%

Gain on disposal of assets

 

 

(281

)

 

 

(4,364

)

 

-93.6

%

Legal settlement

 

 

8,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) income from operations

 

 

(18,121

)

 

 

3,172

 

 

*

 

Interest expense

 

 

(3,475

)

 

 

(3,232

)

 

7.5

%

Gain on NMTC loan extinguishment

 

 

5,550

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income, net

 

 

617

 

 

 

319

 

 

93.4

%

Income tax expense

 

 

(4,085

)

 

 

(51

)

 

*

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(19,514

)

 

$

208

 

 

*

 

Revenue

Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $32.3 million which compares with total revenue of $30.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The 6.2% increase in our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to 2018 reflects a $3.7 million increase in revenue from research and development service projects offset by a $1.9 million reduction in product sales. Services revenue was $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase in research and development services revenue was primarily attributed to the execution of a significant contract in December of 2018 and our performance under that contract during 2019. Product sales revenue, primarily attributed to PLA-based resin sales, amounted to $26.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $28.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The decrease in product revenue resulted primarily from fluctuating demand year over year for a specific application of a recently introduced PLA solution for a developing consumer market application. Danimer had four customers that accounted for 65% of the total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019 which compares to 59% of the total revenue for four customers during the year ended December 31, 2018. With the addition of the Kentucky Facility, Danimer has begun to produce PHA resins on a commercial scale thereby creating the potential for increased product revenue in 2020 and beyond.

Cost of revenue and gross profit

Gross margin percentage decreased to 34.3% from 36.9% for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2018. The slight decline in Danimer’s gross profit margin was primarily the result of incremental ramp up costs for the Kentucky Facility acquired in December 2018. As Danimer begins the production process of PHA resins in its new Kentucky Facility, Danimer expects to increase margins beginning in the latter portion of 2020 resulting primarily from the full-scale commercialization of the PHA production process. Danimer is already in the process of a Phase II expansion of PHA production capabilities at the Kentucky Facility and expects this expansion to be fully operational by the end of 2021.

Operating expense

Our operating expense is comprised of selling, general and administrative expense and research and development expense. Each of these functional areas include expenses related to salaries, stock-based compensation, and other general overhead expenses. Selling, general and administrative expense totaled $16.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $7.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. One of the primary components of operating expense, research and development expense was $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and

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$5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. This slight increase was the result of additional efforts around the development of PHA products. Overall, operating expense increased approximately 72.9% for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2018. This overall increase was primarily attributable to an increase in stock-based compensation of $4.4 million, an increase in corporate office rent expense of $2.4 million as a result of the sale and leaseback transaction, an increase in legal expense of $1.5 million primarily related to litigation, and increased general office expenditures. Danimer expects that its overall operating expense will increase in future periods commensurate with the expected growth of its business and increased expenditures associated with its status as an exchange listed public company.

Gain on disposal of assets

During the year ended December 31, 2019, Danimer recognized a gain on the disposal of assets of $0.3 million which compares to a gain on the disposal of assets totaling $4.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2018. During 2018, Danimer acquired its Kentucky Facility, including equipment, machinery and other personal property, for $23.0 million. Simultaneous with the acquisition, Danimer entered into a sale and leaseback transaction pursuant to which Danimer sold the Kentucky Facility and certain of its facilities located in Bainbridge, Georgia to the lessor for $30.0 million. Danimer recognized a net gain of $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily from the portion of the sale and leaseback transaction related to its Bainbridge, Georgia facilities.

Legal settlement

Subsequent to December 31, 2019 and prior to the issuance of our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019, Danimer agreed to a settlement of $8.0 million in connection with certain legal proceedings originating in 2015 related to a former executive and a related advisory contract. In connection with this settlement, Danimer recognized this liability during the year ended December 31, 2019. Further details regarding the settlement are contained in Note 16 of the notes to Danimer’s consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 contained elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Interest expense

Interest expense for the years December 31, 2019 and 2018 represents interest under loans and notes, and amortization of debt costs, net of interest capitalized for the year ended December 31, 2019. Long-term debt is described in Note 9 of the notes to Danimer’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 increased 7.5% as compared to the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase in interest expense is primarily attributable to increased debt from additional borrowings throughout the year ended December 31, 2019, offset by $1.4 million of capitalized interest related to the build-out of the Kentucky Facility during 2019.

Gain on New Market Tax Credit (“NMTC”) loan extinguishment

During the year ended December 31, 2019, Danimer recognized a gain on the extinguishment of its NMTC loans totaling $5.6 million. The gain on this extinguishment is a result of the simultaneous repurchase of NMTC loans for a nominal amount from community development entities and the extinguishment of a leveraged loan receivable in July 2019 as further described in Note 6 of the notes to Danimer’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 contained elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Other income, net

Other income, net for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 amounted to income of $0.6 million and expense of $0.3 million, respectively. Other income, net for both periods relates primarily to interest income earned on leveraged loans receivable and other miscellaneous income.

Income tax expense

Income tax expense amounted to $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 which compares to $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The primary increase in income tax expense is attributed to an increase in the valuation allowance. Danimer’s effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2019 was negative 26.4% compared to the federal statutory rate of 21.0%. The difference was primarily attributed to the recording of additional valuation allowance amounts, partially offset by provision to return estimate adjustments.

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Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA was a negative of $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, a decrease of $4.8 million from Adjusted EBITDA of $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The primary drivers of the decrease were a decrease in net income of $19.7 million as well as the gain on loan extinguishment which increased net income but is an addback for Adjusted EBITDA. This was offset by items that were adjusted from net loss including $8.0 million related to a legal settlement, increased stock compensation expense and income tax expense.

The following is a reconciliation of net (loss) income to Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

(in thousands)

 

For the years ended
December 31,

   

 

2019

 

 

 

2018

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(19,514

)

 

$

208

 

Interest expense, net of interest income

 

 

3,135

 

 

 

2,880

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

3,507

 

 

 

3,538

 

Income tax expense

 

 

4,085

 

 

 

51

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

5,271

 

 

 

869

 

Legal settlement

 

 

8,000

 

 

 

 

Gain on loan extinguishment

 

 

(5,550

)

 

 

 

Gain on disposal of fixed assets

 

 

(281

)

 

 

(4,364

)

Other income (expense), net

 

 

(277

)

 

 

33

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

(1,624

)

 

$

3,215

 

Six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to six months ended June 30, 2019

The following table sets forth Danimer’s unaudited statements of operations data for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Danimer has prepared the six-month data on a consistent basis with the audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 included in this proxy statement/prospectus. In the opinion of Danimer’s management, the unaudited six-month financial information reflects all necessary adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of this data.

(in thousands)

 

Six months ended
June 30,

 

Percentage
Change

   

 

2020

 

 

 

2019

 

 
   

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

Revenue

 

$

22,471

 

 

$

15,018

 

 

49.6

%

Cost of revenue

 

 

15,870

 

 

 

9,841

 

 

61.3

%

Gross profit

 

 

6,601

 

 

 

5,177

 

 

27.5

%

Gross profit percentage

 

 

29.4

%

 

 

34.5

%

 

-14.8

%

Operating expense

 

 

9,183

 

 

 

11,727

 

 

-21.7

%

Gain on disposal of assets

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(281

)

 

-96.8

%

Legal settlement

 

 

 

 

 

8,000

 

 

-100.0

%

Loss from operations

 

 

(2,573

)

 

 

(14,269

)

 

-82.0

%

Interest expense

 

 

(1,097

)

 

 

(2,121

)

 

-48.3

%

Other income, net

 

 

189

 

 

 

405

 

 

-53.3

%

Income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

(4,137

)

 

-100.0

%

Net loss

 

$

(3,481

)

 

$

(20,122

)

 

-82.7

%

Revenue

Revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $22.5 million compared to $15.0 million for the same period in 2019. Revenue from product sales totaled $19.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 which compares to $12.2 million for the same period in 2019. The increase in revenue is primarily attributable to an increase in PLA-based product sales of $6.6 million and an increase in PHA-based product sales of $0.9 million for the

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six-month period ended June 30, 2020. The increase in PLA-based product sales is primarily the result of increasing customer demand for a specific application of a recently introduced PLA solution for a developing consumer market application. Additionally, some of our customers purchasing PLA-based products decided to increase their inventory levels to protect against potential supply chain disruptions that may arise due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Revenue from research and development services totaled $2.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $2.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The slight decrease in service revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 relates primarily to a $0.4 million decrease in research and development service activity, offset by a $0.3 million increase in tolling services. Danimer has two customers that accounted for 52% of the total revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2020 which compares with five customers that accounted for 73% of the total revenue during the six months ended June 30, 2019.

Cost of revenue and gross profit

Cost of revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $15.9 million compared to $9.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in cost of revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2020 over the same period in 2019 is a direct result of the increase in the products sold and shipped during the period. Gross margin percentage decreased to 29.4% from 34.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decline in Danimer’s gross profit margin was primarily the result of commencing limited PHA manufacturing activities in the first half of 2020 at the Kentucky Facility and the incurrence of associated incremental ramp-up costs. There were no PHA related manufacturing activities at the Kentucky Facility allocated to cost of revenue in the first half of 2019.

Operating expense

Operating expense for the six months ended June 30, 2020 decreased by $2.5 million, or 21.7%, compared to the same period in 2019. Selling, general and administrative expense for the six months ended June 30, 2020 totaled $5.8 million compared to $9.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expense is attributed primarily to a reduction in stock-based compensation of $4.7 million. This was partially offset by a $0.9 million increase in research and development expense for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019 ($3.4 million compared to $2.5 million). The increase in research and development expense period over period was primarily attributed to increased salaries of $0.4 million, increased third-party consulting fees, and increased legal services. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expense was further offset by an increase in salaries of $0.8 million, as well as increases in general office expense and additional legal expense.

Gain on the disposal of assets

The gain on the disposal of assets was negligible for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The gain on the disposal of assets during the six months ended June 30, 2019 is attributed to the sale of miscellaneous machinery and equipment that was no longer being utilized by Danimer.

Legal settlement

Subsequent to December 31, 2019, and prior to the issuance of any financial statements of Danimer containing 2019 results of operation for any period, Danimer agreed to a settlement of $8.0 million in connection with certain legal proceedings originating in 2015 related to a former executive and a related advisory contract. In connection with this settlement, Danimer recognized this liability during the six months ended June 30, 2019. Further details regarding the settlement are contained in Note 11 of the notes to Danimer’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 contained elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Interest expense

Interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2020 decreased by $1.0 million as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019 primarily resulting from the capitalization of $1.8 million of interest for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $0.4 million for the same period in 2019. The interest capitalization primarily relates to the build-out of the Kentucky Facility.

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Other income, net

Other income, net for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 amounted to $0.02 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Other income, net for both periods relates primarily to interest income earned on leveraged loans receivable and other miscellaneous income.

Income tax expense

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, Danimer had an effective tax rate of 0%. Danimer’s effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 21% due to Danimer’s net loss position and full valuation allowance.

Income tax expense amounted to $4.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and Danimer’s effective tax rate was negative 25.9%. The income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is attributed to an increase in our valuation allowance. Danimer’s effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 21% due to Danimer’s net loss position and full valuation allowance being recorded.

At June 30, 2020, Danimer continues to maintain a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty surrounding realization of such assets. There had been no significant changes in the estimated uncertain tax benefits recorded as of December 31, 2019.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA was a negative $0.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020, a decrease of $0.7 million from Adjusted EBITDA of $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. While our GAAP net loss was significantly improved in the 2020 period compared to the 2019 period, there was a net period to period decrease of items totaling $16.6 million which were adjusted out of the six months ended 2019 Adjusted EBITDA calculation compared to the six months ended 2020 Adjusted EBITDA amount. These included legal settlement expense, income tax expense, and stock compensation expense.

The following is a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019:

(in thousands)

 

For the six months ended
June 30,

   

2020

 

2019

   

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

Net loss

 

$

(3,481

)

 

$

(20,122

)

Interest expense, net of interest income

 

 

923

 

 

 

1,995

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

1,809

 

 

 

1,733

 

Income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

4,137

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

303

 

 

 

4,968

 

Legal settlement

 

 

 

 

 

8,000

 

Gain on disposal of fixed assets

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(281

)

Other income (expense), net

 

 

(15

)

 

 

(279

)

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

(470

)

 

$

151

 

Liquidity and capital resources

Danimer’s primary sources of liquidity are cash generated from operations, cash generated from equity issuances, and borrowings from various debt issuances. Danimer had an accumulated deficit of $52.6 million and $49.1 million as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. As of June 30, 2020, Danimer had $6.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and a deficit in working capital of $3.2 million. As of December 31, 2019, Danimer had $6.3 million in cash and cash equivalents and a deficit in working capital of $15.0 million. While Danimer believes it has established an ongoing source of revenue that is sufficient to cover its ongoing operating costs, Danimer is currently experiencing a period of limited liquidity resulting from the build-up of inventory and the opening of its Kentucky Facility.

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2019 Debt Financings

In March 2019, Danimer entered into a term loan for $30.0 million which is secured by all real and personal property of Danimer (the “Senior Secured Term Loan”). Proceeds of the Senior Secured Term Loan were used to repay Danimer’s original term loan, notes payable to stockholders and other notes payable amounting to $13.6 million, and the remainder for general corporate purposes. Interest on amounts outstanding under the Senior Secured Term Loan is payable monthly at the greater of (a) 2.25% or (b) three-month LIBOR Rate, plus 4.50%. Danimer also entered into a subordinated term loan for $10.0 million which is secured by substantially all real and personal property of Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries but is subordinate to all other existing lenders (the “Subordinated Secured Term Loan” and, together with the Senior Secured Term Loan, the “Term Loans”). Proceeds of the Subordinated Secured Term Loan were used for general corporate purposes. The base interest rate is the “Prime Rate” as quoted by the Wall Street Journal plus 2.75%. Danimer has the option to elect to pay up to two percent (2.00%) of any interest payable in any fiscal quarter by adding such interest payment to the principal balance of the Subordinated Secured Term Loan (“PIK Interest”). In connection with the terms of the Subordinated Secured Term Loan, the lender purchased 16,667 shares of Danimer Common Stock for $1.0 million.

In July 2020, Danimer executed an amendment to its Senior Secured Term Loan such that the applicable margin in the interest rate formula changed from 4.50% in all cases to a five-level tiered amount ranging from 4.50% if the consolidated senior leverage ratio of Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries is less than 1.50 to 1.00, to as high as 6.35% if such consolidated senior leverage ratio is greater than 2.25 to 1.00. When the amendment was executed, the applicable margin was 6.35%. The applicable margin will remain 6.35% until the first day of the first full fiscal quarter after the delivery of the annual audited financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2020. Thereafter, the applicable margin will be adjusted on a quarterly basis. The credit agreements governing the Term Loans contain various affirmative and negative covenants that restrict Danimer’s operations. Danimer’s credit agreement governing the Senior Secured Term Loan requires that Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries comply with the following financial covenants for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2020: (a) a quarterly consolidated maximum senior leverage ratio of 4.50 to 1.00 and (b) a consolidated minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 0.95 to 1.00. The financial covenants for the Senior Secured Term Loan become more restrictive over time. The credit agreement governing the Subordinated Secured Term Loan requires that Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries comply with minimum consolidated adjusted EBITDA of approximately $4.0 million for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2020, which level increases over time and through the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2021. Beginning in the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2021, the Subordinated Secured Term Loan requires that Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries to comply with the following financial covenants: (a) a quarterly consolidated maximum senior leverage ratio of 5.00 to 1.00 and (b) a consolidated minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.00 to 1.00. The financial covenants for the Subordinated Secured Term Loan become more restrictive over time. Danimer was in compliance with its financial covenants for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2020.

In April and November 2019, Danimer entered into NMTC notes in the amounts of $9.0 million and $12.0 million, respectively. Proceeds of these NMTC notes were primarily used to purchase and install new equipment at Danimer’s facilities in Bainbridge, Georgia and Winchester, Kentucky. Danimer makes interest only payments on a quarterly basis with interest calculated annually at approximately 1.96%. on the $9.0 million note and under the same terms at a rate of 1.06% on the $12.0 million note.

In November and December 2019, Danimer issued convertible notes payable with an aggregate principal amount of $8.3 million. The proceeds of the convertible notes were used for general corporate purposes. These convertible notes were issued at a 4% discount and bear an annual interest rate of 8%, payable monthly. The convertible notes contain an option for Danimer to capitalize and add any interest payments to the principal amount of the convertible note (“PIK Interest”). Such PIK Interest bears the same interest rate as the original principal of the notes. The convertible notes may be converted into shares of Danimer Common Stock at the option of the holder by dividing the amount of principal and accrued interest due under the note by the lesser of (i) $60 per share and (ii) the price per share at which shares of equity securities were offered in the most recent stock offering, as described in Note 9 of Danimer’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

2019 Equity Financings

At various times during 2019, Danimer sold 155,869 shares of Danimer Common Stock for $8.8 million, net of issuance costs, which compares to the sale of 61,752 shares of Danimer Common Stock for $3.5 million, net of issuance costs, during 2018.

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2020 Debt Financings

In January 2020, Danimer issued convertible notes in an aggregate principal amount of $2.3 million. The convertible notes bear interest at 8% payable monthly. The proceeds of the convertible notes were used for general corporate purposes. The convertible notes may be converted into shares of Danimer Common Stock at the option of the holder by dividing the amount of principal and accrued interest due under the note by the lesser of (i) $60 per share and (ii) the price per share at which shares of equity securities were offered in the most recent stock offering.

In April 2020, Danimer received $1.8 million in funds under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP Loan”). The PPP Loan has a two-year term and bears interest at a rate of 1.0% per annum. The PPP Loan is being used to retain employees, as well as other permitted uses under the terms and conditions of the PPP Loan program.

2020 Equity Financings

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, Danimer sold 396,825 shares of Danimer Common Stock for $25.0 million, net of issuance costs.

Cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

The following table summarizes Danimer’s cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

(in thousands)

 

For the years ended
December 31,

   

 

2019

 

 

 

2018

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

$

(1,673

)

 

$

323

 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 

$

(49,093

)

 

$

2,811

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

$

53,498

 

 

$

(453

)

Cash flows from operating activities

Net cash used in operating activities was $1.7 million during 2019 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $0.3 million during comparable period for 2018. The period to period change was primarily attributable to an increase in net loss (after adjusting for non-cash items) and decreases in Danimer’s accounts receivable, and increases in inventory partially offset by increases in its accounts payable, and accrued and other long-term liabilities.

Cash flows from investing activities

For the year ended December 31, 2019, Danimer used $36.6 million for the purchase of property, plant and equipment which compares to $5.6 million for the purchase of property, plant and equipment for the year ended December 31, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2019, Danimer invested $13.4 million in leveraged loans related to NMTC financing arrangements. During the year ended December 31, 2018, proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment totaled $8.4 million compared to $0.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily attributable to the sale and leaseback transaction discussed above. Danimer is currently in the process of seeking financing to further expand its Kentucky Facility and plans to invest approximately $100.0 million toward that expansion.

Cash flows from financing activities

For the year ended December 31, 2019, net cash provided by financing activities was $53.5 million which represented the proceeds from sale of Danimer Common Stock, net of issuance costs, and proceeds from long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs, which was offset by the repurchase of Danimer Common Stock and repayments of Danimer’s long-term debt. This compares to net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 of $0.5 million which represented the proceeds from long-term debt, net of costs, proceeds from the issuance of Danimer Common Stock, net of issuance costs, and the exercise of warrants, offset by the repayments of long-term debt and the repurchase of Danimer Common Stock.

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Cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

The following table summarizes Danimer’s cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019:

(in thousands)

 

For the six months ended
June 30,

   

2020

 

2019

   

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

Net cash used in operating activities

 

$

(9,637

)

 

$

(738

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

$

(19,859

)

 

$

(16,926

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

$

28,193

 

 

$

33,865

 

Cash flows from operating activities

Net cash used in operating activities was $9.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to net cash used in operating activities of $0.7 million during the comparable period for 2019. The period to period change was primarily attributable to increases in our accounts receivable, inventory, and other current assets, partially offset by decreases in accounts payable, and accrued and other liabilities, as well as to a decrease in net loss (after adjusting for non-cash items).

Cash flows from investing activities

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, Danimer used $27.2 million for the purchase of property, plant and equipment which compares to $11.5 million for the purchase of property, plant and equipment for the six months ended June 30, 2019. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, Danimer invested $6.3 million in leveraged loans related to NMTC financing arrangements. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment totaled $7.3 million compared to $0.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019 primarily attributable to the sale of unused machinery and equipment. Danimer is currently in the process of seeking financing to further expand its Kentucky Facility and plans to invest approximately $100.0 million toward that expansion.

Cash flows from financing activities

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, net cash provided by financing activities was $28.2 million which represented the proceeds from sale of Danimer Common Stock, net of issuance costs, and proceeds from long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs, which was offset by repayments of Danimer’s long-term debt. This compares to net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2019 which was $33.9 million and which represented the proceeds from long-term debt, net of costs, proceeds from NMTC financing arrangements, and proceeds from the issuance of Danimer Common Stock, net of issuance costs, offset by the repayments of long-term debt, cash paid for financing costs, and the repurchase of Danimer Common Stock.

Commitments and Contractual Obligations

In the normal course of business, Danimer enters into various contractual obligations that impact, or could impact, its liquidity. The table below outlines Danimer’s projected cash payments for material obligations at December 31, 2019. Also refer to Note 16 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus for further information on Danimer’s commitments and contractual obligations.

 

Payments Due by Period:

(in thousands)

 

Total

 


Less than
1 year

 

1 to 3 years

 

3 to 5 years

 


More than 5 years

Long-term debt obligations(1)

 

$

80,184

 

$

1,626

 

$

3,465

 

$

34,093

 

$

41,000

Convertible notes(2)

 

 

8,267

 

 

8,267

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense on long-term debt(3)

 

 

9,484

 

 

3,086

 

 

4,521

 

 

1,877

 

 

Operating lease obligations(4)

 

 

57,661

 

 

2,525

 

 

5,201

 

 

5,412

 

 

44,523

Purchase commitments(5)

 

 

10,751

 

 

10,751

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

166,347

 

$

26,255

 

$

13,187

 

$

41,382

 

$

85,523

____________

(1)      Reflects principal payments (but not interest expense) on Danimer’s long term debt obligations. See note 9 to Danimer’s consolidated annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus for information regarding Danimer’s long term debt obligations.

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(2)      Reflects principal payments (but not interest expense) on Danimer’s convertible debt obligations. See note 9 to Danimer’s consolidated annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus for information regarding Danimer’s convertible debt obligations.

(3)      Reflects interest payments under Danimer’s long-term and convertible debt obligations. See note 9 to Danimer’s consolidated annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus for information regarding the interest rates on Danimer’s long-term and convertible debt obligations.

(4)      Reflects future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases with original terms exceeding one year.

(5)      Reflects purchase commitments related to raw material purchase orders and capital expenditure purchase commitments.

Off balance sheet arrangements

As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Danimer does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors. The term “off-balance sheet arrangement” generally means any transaction, agreement or other contractual arrangement to which an entity unconsolidated with Danimer is a party, under which it has any obligation arising under a guarantee contract, derivative instrument or variable interest or a retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to such entity or similar arrangement that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support for such assets.

Currently Danimer does not engage in off-balance sheet financing arrangements.

Emerging Growth Company Status

We are an emerging growth company (“EGC”), as defined in the JOBS Act. The JOBS Act permits companies with EGC status to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards, delaying the adoption of these accounting standards until they would apply to private companies. We have elected to use this extended transition period to enable us to comply with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date we (i) are no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with the new or revised accounting standards as of public company effective dates.

In addition, we intend to rely on the other exemptions and reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, if, as an EGC, we intend to rely on such exemptions, we are not required to, among other things: (i) provide an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; (ii) provide all of the compensation disclosure that may be required of non-emerging growth public companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act; (iii) comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis); and (iv) disclose certain executive compensation-related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation to median employee compensation.

We will remain an EGC under the JOBS Act until the earliest of (i) the last day of our first fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the closing of Live Oak’s initial public offering, (ii) the last date of our fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, (iii) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the rules of the SEC with at least $700.0 million of outstanding securities held by non-affiliates, or (iv) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the previous three-years.

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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Danimer’s operations expose Danimer to a variety of market risks. Danimer monitors and manages these financial exposures as an integral part of its overall risk management program.

Interest Rate Risk

Certain of Danimer’s outstanding indebtedness bears interest at a floating rate. As a result, Danimer may be exposed to fluctuations in interest rates to the extent of its borrowings under these arrangements. Danimer does not currently engage in any hedging or derivative instruments to attempt to offset this risk. Based on the total amount of variable debt outstanding as of December 31, 2019, if the three-month LIBOR and Prime Rate increase by 1.0% due to normal market conditions, Danimer’s interest expense will increase by approximately $0.4 million per annum.

Danimer had $38.5 million of borrowings under loans with variable rates as of December 31, 2019.

Foreign Currency Risk

Danimer’s operations are primarily conducted in the United States. While Danimer does generate revenue from customers in Europe, all of its contracts have been executed in U.S. Dollars and it has no foreign operations or recurring expenses. Danimer does not hedge any limited risk to fluctuations in foreign currency rates.

Commodity Risk

The primary raw commodity Danimer purchases and consumes in the production of its PHA is canola oil. Danimer’s formulated resins include raw materials purchased from third parties, including PLA. The PLA we purchase is derived from dextrose “sugar” that is derived from corn, sugar beets and sugar cane among others. A significant change in the prices of these crops could materially impact Danimer’s operating results. Danimer does not currently engage in any hedging or derivative instruments to attempt to offset this risk.

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CERTAIN DANIMER RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Support Agreements

Contemporaneously with the execution of the Merger Agreement, on October 3, 2020, the Key Danimer Shareholders entered into the Support Agreements pursuant to which such Key Danimer Shareholders agreed to vote all of their shares of Danimer Common Stock in favor of the approval and adoption of the Proposed Transactions. Additionally, such Key Danimer Shareholders have agreed not to (a) transfer any of their shares of Danimer Common Stock (or enter into any arrangement with respect thereto) or (b) enter into any voting arrangement that is inconsistent with the Support Agreements. Collectively, as of October 3, 2020, the Key Danimer Shareholders held a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Danimer.

Indemnification Agreements

New Danimer intends to enter into separate indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers, in addition to the indemnification provided for in New Danimer’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws. These agreements, among other things, will require New Danimer to indemnify New Danimer’s directors and executive officers for certain expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by a director or executive officer in any action or proceeding arising out of their services as one of New Danimer’s directors or executive officers or as a director or executive officer of any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at New Danimer’s request. For more information regarding these indemnification arrangements, see “Management After the Business Combination — Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers.” New Danimer believes that these charter provisions and indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers.

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in New Danimer’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duties. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit New Danimer’s and its stockholders. A stockholder’s investment may decline in value to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.

Transactions with Certain Directors and Executive Officers

John A. Dowdy, Jr., a director and shareholder of Danimer, acts as the Shareholder Representative under the Merger Agreement. See “Merger Agreement — Shareholder Representative”.

Stephen E. Croskrey, Danimer’s chief executive officer, leases a house from Danimer in Brinson, Georgia for a nominal rental fee and has an option to purchase such property from Danimer, which option continues co-terminously with Mr. Croskrey’s employment as chief executive officer of Danimer.

Mr. Croskrey has acquired 483,977 shares of Danimer Common Stock upon exercise of options granted by Danimer and for which the exercise prices were paid in the form of non-recourse notes issued by Mr. Croskrey to Danimer. The aggregate amount of principal and accrued interest payable by Mr. Croskrey pursuant to these promissory notes is currently $22,775,822. In connection with the exchange of these shares of Danimer Common Stock for shares of New Danimer common stock upon closing of the Business Combination, these non-recourse notes will be assigned to New Danimer and the New Danimer shares will secure repayment of such notes.

Stuart Pratt, Danimer’s chairman of the board of directors, has acquired 187,147 shares of Danimer Common Stock upon exercise of options granted by Danimer and for which the exercise prices were paid in the form of non-recourse notes issued by Mr. Pratt to Danimer. The aggregate amount of principal and accrued interest payable by Mr. Pratt pursuant to these promissory notes is $5,909,861. In connection with the exchange of these shares of Danimer Common Stock for shares of New Danimer common stock upon closing of the Business Combination, these non-recourse notes will be assigned to New Danimer and the New Danimer shares will secure repayment of such notes.

Dr. Isao Noda, a director of Danimer, holds an aggregate principal amount of $200,000 of Danimer’s 8% convertible notes.

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Wentworth 84 Irrevocable Trust, as part of 2019 and 2020 private placement transactions, acquired 3,969 and 25,395 shares of Danimer Common Stock for a purchase price of $250,047 and $1,599,885, respectively. Stuart Pratt, Danimer’s chairman of the board of directors, may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares held by the Wentworth 84 Irrevocable Trust.

Ralph Powell, Jr., a director of Danimer, as part of a 2020 private placement transaction, acquired 40,000 shares of Danimer Common Stock for a purchase price of $252,000.

Richard F. Ivey., a director of Danimer, as part of a 2020 private placement transaction, acquired 1,000 shares of Danimer Common Stock for a purchase price of $63,000.

Employment Agreements

Danimer has employment agreements with certain of its executive officers. Mr. Croskrey’s Prior Employment Agreement will terminate as of Closing and be replaced with the New Croskrey Employment Agreement between Mr. Croskrey and New Danimer. The other executive officers will have their existing employment agreements with Danimer assigned to New Danimer as of Closing. See “Danimer’s Executive Compensation — Agreements with Danimer’s Named Executive Officers and Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control.”

Related Person Transactions Policy Following the Business Combination

Upon consummation of the Business Combination, it is anticipated that the New Danimer Board will adopt a written Related Person Transactions Policy that sets forth New Danimer’s policies and procedures regarding the identification, review, consideration and oversight of “related person transactions.” For purposes of New Danimer’s policy only, a “related person transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which New Danimer or any of its subsidiaries are participants involving an amount that exceeds $120,000, in which any “related person” has a material interest.

Transactions involving compensation for services provided to New Danimer as an employee, consultant or director will not be considered related person transactions under this policy. A related person is any executive officer, director, nominee to become a director or a holder of more than 5% of any class of New Danimer’s voting securities (including New Danimer’s common stock), including any of their immediate family members and affiliates, including entities owned or controlled by such persons.

Under the policy, the related person in question or, in the case of transactions with a holder of more than 5% of any class of New Danimer’s voting securities, an officer with knowledge of a proposed transaction, must present information regarding the proposed related person transaction to New Danimer’s audit committee (or, where review by New Danimer’s audit committee would be inappropriate, to another independent body of the New Danimer Board) for review. To identify related person transactions in advance, New Danimer will rely on information supplied by New Danimer’s executive officers, directors and certain significant stockholders. In considering related person transactions, New Danimer’s audit committee will take into account the relevant available facts and circumstances, which may include, but are not limited to:

•        the risks, costs, and benefits to New Danimer;

•        the impact on a director’s independence in the event the related person is a director, immediate family member of a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated;

•        the terms of the transaction;

•        the availability of other sources for comparable services or products; and

•        the terms available to or from, as the case may be, unrelated third parties.

New Danimer’s audit committee will approve only those transactions that it determines are fair to us and in New Danimer’s best interests. All of the transactions described above were entered into prior to the adoption of such policy.

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INFORMATION ABOUT LIVE OAK

Overview

We are a Delaware corporation formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or other similar business combination with one or more businesses. Live Oak was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on May 24, 2019.

On May 8 2020, Live Oak closed its IPO of 20,000,000 Live Oak Units, with each Live Oak Unit consisting of one share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and one-half of one Live Oak Warrant, each whole Live Oak Warrant to purchase one share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock at a purchase price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as provided in Live Oak’s final prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2020 (File No. 333-236800). The Live Oak Units were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating total gross proceeds of $20,000,000.

Simultaneously with the consummation of Live Oak’s IPO, Live Oak consummated the private sale of 6,000,000 Private Warrants at $1.00 per warrant for an aggregate purchase price of $6,000,000. A total of $200,000,000, was deposited into the Trust Account and the remaining net proceeds became available to be used as working capital to provide for business, legal and accounting due diligence on prospective business combinations and continuing general and administrative expenses. As of             , the record date for the special meeting, there was approximately $             held in the trust account.

In connection with our IPO, we incurred transaction costs of $11,021,244, consisting of $3,850,000 of underwriting fees, $6,737,500 of deferred underwriting fees and $433,744 of other IPO costs. Following our IPO and the sale of the Private Warrants, a total of $200,000,000 was placed in the Trust Account, with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee.

Initial Business Combination

Our initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (net of amounts disbursed to management for working capital purposes, if permitted, and excluding the amount of any deferred underwriting commissions). If our board of directors is not able to independently determine the fair market value of our initial business combination, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria.

Submission of Our Initial Business Combination to a Stockholder Vote

We are providing the Public Stockholders with redemption rights upon consummation of the Business Combination. Public stockholder electing to exercise their redemption rights will be entitled to receive cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account, less taxes payable, provided that such stockholders follow the specific procedures for redemption set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus relating to the stockholder vote on the Business Combination. The Public Stockholders are not required to vote against the Business Combination in order to exercise their redemption rights. If the Business Combination is not completed, then Public Stockholders electing to exercise their redemption rights will not be entitled to receive such payments.

Our Sponsor, officers and directors have agreed (1) to vote any shares of common stock owned by them in favor of any proposed business combination, including the Founder Shares and Public Shares, (2) not to redeem any shares in connection with a stockholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination. As a result, we would need only 7,500,001 or approximately 37.5%, of the 20,000,000 Public Shares sold in our IPO to be voted in favor of a transaction in order to proceed with the Business Combination.

Permitted Purchases of Our Securities

The Sponsor, initial stockholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase Public Shares or Public Warrants in privately-negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of the Business Combination.

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There is no limit on the number of shares or warrants our Sponsor, initial stockholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase in such transactions, subject to compliance with applicable law and NYSE rules. However, they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. If they engage in such transactions, they will not make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material non-public information not disclosed to the seller or if such purchases are prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act. We do not currently anticipate that such purchases, if any, would constitute a tender offer subject to the tender offer rules under the Exchange Act or a going-private transaction subject to the going-private rules under the Exchange Act; however, if the purchasers determine at the time of any such purchases that the purchases are subject to such rules, the purchasers will comply with such rules. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchasers are subject to such reporting requirements. None of the funds held in the Trust Account will be used to purchase shares or public warrants in such transactions prior to completion of our initial business combination.

Subsequent to the consummation of our IPO, we adopted an insider trading policy which requires insiders to: (i) refrain from purchasing our securities during certain blackout periods when they are in possession of any material non-public information and (ii) clear all trades of Live Oak’s securities with a compliance officer prior to execution. We cannot currently determine whether our insiders will make such purchases pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan, as it will be dependent upon several factors, including but not limited to, the timing and size of such purchases. Depending on such circumstances, our insiders may either make such purchases pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan or determine that such a plan is not necessary.

The purpose of any such purchases of shares could be to vote such shares in favor of the initial business combination and thereby increase the likelihood of obtaining stockholder approval of the initial business combination or to satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of our initial business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. The purpose of any such purchases of Public Warrants could be to reduce the number of Public Warrants outstanding or to vote such warrants on any matters submitted to the warrantholders for approval in connection with our initial business combination. Any such purchases of our securities may result in the completion of our initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible. In addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of our shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock or Public Warrants may be reduced and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, which may make it difficult to maintain or obtain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange.

Any purchases by our Sponsor, officers, directors and/or their affiliates who are affiliated purchasers under Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act will be made only to the extent such purchases are able to be made in compliance with Rule 10b-18, which is a safe harbor from liability for manipulation under Section 9(a)(2) and Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act. Rule 10b-18 has certain technical requirements that must be complied with in order for the safe harbor to be available to the purchaser. Our Sponsor, officers, directors and/or their affiliates will not make purchases of Live Oak’s securities if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchases are subject to such reporting requirements.

Redemption Rights for Public Stockholders

We are providing the Public Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock upon the completion of the Business Combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes. As of June 30, 2020, we had cash and marketable securities of $200,026,459 held in the Trust Account. Our Sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any Founder Shares and any Public Shares held by them in connection with the completion of the Business Combination.

Limitation on Redemption Rights

Notwithstanding the foregoing redemption rights, our Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that a Public Stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming

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its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in our IPO, without our prior consent. We believe the restriction described above will discourage stockholders from accumulating large blocks of shares, and subsequent attempts by such holders to use their ability to redeem their shares as a means to force us or our management to purchase their shares at a significant premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. Absent this provision, a Public Stockholder holding more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in our IPO could threaten to exercise its redemption rights if such holder’s shares are not purchased by us or our management at a premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. By limiting our stockholders’ ability to redeem to no more than 15% of the shares sold in our IPO, we believe we will limit the ability of a small group of stockholders to unreasonably attempt to block our ability to complete our initial business combination, particularly in connection with an initial business combination with a target that requires as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. However, we would not be restricting our stockholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including all shares held by those stockholders that hold more than 15% of the shares sold in our IPO) for or against our initial business combination.

Redemption of Public Shares and Liquidation if No Initial Business Combination

Our Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that we will have until May 8, 2022, to complete an initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within such 24-month period, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, subject to lawfully available funds therefor, redeem 100% of the outstanding Public Shares in consideration of a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to Live Oak to pay its taxes (less up to $100,000 of such net interest to pay dissolution expenses) by (B) the total number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and Live Oak board of directors in accordance with applicable law, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and other requirements of other applicable law.

Our Sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have waived their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Founder Shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our IPO. However, if our Sponsor, officers or directors acquire Public Shares in or after our IPO, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to such Public Shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the allotted 24-month time period.

Our Sponsor, officers and directors have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our Existing Certificate of Incorporation to (A) modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide for the redemption of our Public Shares in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our Public Shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our IPO or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide our Public Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares. However, we will only redeem our Public Shares so long as (after such redemption) our net tangible assets will be at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination and after payment of deferred underwriters’ fees and commissions (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules). If this optional redemption right is exercised with respect to an excessive number of Public Shares such that we cannot satisfy the net tangible asset requirement (described above), we would not proceed with the amendment or the related redemption of our Public Shares at such time.

We expect that all costs and expenses associated with implementing our plan of dissolution, as well as payments to any creditors, will be funded from amounts remaining out of the approximately $1,250,000 of proceeds held outside the Trust Account, although we cannot assure you that there will be sufficient funds for such purpose. We will depend

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on sufficient interest being earned on the proceeds held in the Trust Account to pay any tax obligations we may owe. However, if those funds are not sufficient to cover the costs and expenses associated with implementing our plan of dissolution, to the extent that there is any interest accrued in the Trust Account not required to pay taxes on interest income earned on the Trust Account balance, we may request the trustee to release to us an additional amount of up to $100,000 of such accrued interest to pay those costs and expenses.

If we were to expend all of the net proceeds of our IPO and the sale of the Private Warrants, other than the proceeds deposited in the Trust Account, and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the Trust Account, the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders upon our dissolution would be approximately $10.00. The proceeds deposited in the Trust Account could, however, become subject to the claims of our creditors which would have higher priority than the claims of our Public Stockholders. We cannot assure you that the actual per-share redemption amount received by stockholders will not be substantially less than $10.00. Under Section 281(b) of the DGCL, our plan of dissolution must provide for all claims against us to be paid in full or make provision for payments to be made in full, as applicable, if there are sufficient assets. These claims must be paid or provided for before we make any distribution of our remaining assets to our stockholders. While we intend to pay such amounts, if any, we cannot assure you that we will have funds sufficient to pay or provide for all creditors’ claims.

Although we will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses and other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account for the benefit of our Public Stockholders, such parties may not execute such agreements or even if they execute such agreements, they may not be prevented from bringing claims against the Trust Account, including, but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the Trust Account. If any third-party refuses to enter into an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the Trust Account, our management will consider whether competitive alternatives are reasonably available to Live Oak, and will only enter into an agreement with such third-party if our management believes that such third-party’s engagement would be in the best interests of Live Oak under the circumstances. Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third-party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third-party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. WithumSmith+Brown, PC our independent registered public accounting firm, and the underwriters of the IPO have not executed agreements with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the Trust Account.

In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason. Upon redemption of our Public Shares, if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed timeframe, or upon the exercise of a redemption right in connection with our initial business combination, we will be required to provide for payment of claims of creditors that were not waived that may be brought against us within the 10 years following redemption. Accordingly, the per-share redemption amount received by Public Stockholders could be less than the $10.00 per share initially held in the Trust Account, due to claims of such creditors. Pursuant to the letter agreement, our Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a third-party for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or similar agreement or business combination agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per Public Share and (ii) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.00 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable; provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third-party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the Trust Account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of our IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. However, we have not asked our Sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor have we independently verified whether our Sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy their indemnity obligations, and believe that our Sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. Therefore, we cannot assure you that our Sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. As a result, if any such claims were successfully made against the Trust Account, the funds available for our initial business combination and redemptions could be reduced to less than $10.00 per Public Share. In such event, we may not be able to complete our initial business combination, and you would receive

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such lesser amount per share in connection with any redemption of Public Shares. None of our officers or directors will indemnify us for claims by third-parties, including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.

In the event that the proceeds in the Trust Account are reduced below (i) $10.00 per Public Share or (ii) such lesser amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, due to reductions in value of the trust assets, in each case net of the amount of interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, and our Sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its indemnification obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against our Sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against our Sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so if, for example, the cost of such legal action is deemed by the independent directors to be too high relative to the amount recoverable or if the independent directors determine that a favorable outcome is not likely. We have not asked our Sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations and we cannot assure you that our Sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations, and believe that our Sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that due to claims of creditors the actual value of the per-share redemption price will not be less than $10.00 per Public Share.

We will seek to reduce the possibility that our Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account. Our Sponsor will also not be liable as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of our IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We will have access to up to approximately $1,250,000 from the proceeds of our IPO with which to pay any such potential claims (including costs and expenses incurred in connection with our liquidation, currently estimated to be no more than approximately $100,000). In the event that we liquidate and it is subsequently determined that the reserve for claims and liabilities is insufficient, stockholders who received funds from our Trust Account could be liable for claims made by creditors.

Under the DGCL, stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against a corporation to the extent of distributions received by them in a dissolution. The pro rata portion of our Trust Account distributed to the Public Stockholders upon the redemption of our Public Shares in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our IPO may be considered a liquidating distribution under Delaware law. If the corporation complies with certain procedures set forth in Section 280 of the DGCL intended to ensure that it makes reasonable provision for all claims against it, including a 60-day notice period during which any third-party claims can be brought against the corporation, a 90-day period during which the corporation may reject any claims brought, and an additional 150-day waiting period before any liquidating distributions are made to stockholders, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution.

Furthermore, if the pro rata portion of our Trust Account distributed to our Public Stockholders upon the redemption of our Public Shares in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our IPO, is not considered a liquidating distribution under Delaware law and such redemption distribution is deemed to be unlawful (potentially due to the imposition of legal proceedings that a party may bring or due to other circumstances that are currently unknown), then pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL, the statute of limitations for claims of creditors could then be six years after the unlawful redemption distribution, instead of three years, as in the case of a liquidating distribution. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our IPO, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than 10 business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. Accordingly, it is

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our intention to redeem our Public Shares as soon as reasonably possible following our 24th month and, therefore, we do not intend to comply with those procedures. As such, our stockholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of our stockholders may extend well beyond the third anniversary of such date.

Because we will not be complying with Section 280, Section 281(b) of the DGCL requires us to adopt a plan, based on facts known to us at such time that will provide for our payment of all existing and pending claims or claims that may be potentially brought against us within the subsequent 10 years. However, because we are a blank check company, rather than an operating company, and our operations will be limited to searching for prospective target businesses to acquire, the only likely claims to arise would be from our vendors (such as lawyers, investment bankers, etc.) or prospective target businesses. As described above, pursuant to the obligation contained in our underwriting agreement, we will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account. As a result of this obligation, the claims that could be made against us are significantly limited and the likelihood that any claim that would result in any liability extending to the Trust Account is remote. Further, our Sponsor may be liable only to the extent necessary to ensure that the amounts in the Trust Account are not reduced below (i) $10.00 per Public Share or (ii) such lesser amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, due to reductions in value of the trust assets, in each case net of the amount of interest released to us to pay taxes and will not be liable as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of our IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third-party, our Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims.

If we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the Trust Account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return $10.00 per share to our Public Stockholders. Additional, if we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by stockholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our stockholders. Furthermore, our board of directors may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, thereby exposing itself and our company to claims of punitive damages, by paying Public Stockholders from the Trust Account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons.

Our Public Stockholders will be entitled to receive funds from the Trust Account only upon the earlier to occur of: (i) the completion of our initial business combination, (ii) the redemption of any Public Shares properly submitted in connection with a stockholder vote to amend any provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to (A) modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide for the redemption of our Public Shares in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our Public Shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our IPO or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, and (iii) the redemption of all of our Public Shares if we are unable to complete our business combination within 24 months from the closing of our IPO, subject to applicable law. In no other circumstances will a stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the Trust Account. In the event we seek stockholder approval in connection with our initial business combination, a stockholder’s voting in connection with the initial business combination alone will not result in a stockholder’s redeeming its shares to us for an applicable pro rata share of the Trust Account. Such stockholder must have also exercised its redemption rights as described above. These provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, like all provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, may be amended with a stockholder vote.

Facilities

We currently maintain our principal executive offices at 774 A. Walker Rd., Great Falls, VA, 22066. Our executive offices are currently provided to us by an affiliate of certain members of our management team at no charge, until such time as we may enter into lease for office space with an unaffiliated third-party, in an amount not to exceed $2,500 per month, following consummation of our IPO. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.

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Employees

We currently have four officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters but they intend to devote only as much time as they deem necessary to our affairs until we have completed our initial business combination. The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for the business combination and the stage of the business combination process we are in.

Directors and Executive Officers

Our current directors and executive officers are listed below.

Name

 

Age

 

Position

John P. Amboian

 

59

 

Chairman

Richard J. Hendrix

 

55

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Andrea K. Tarbox

 

70

 

Chief Financial Officer and Director

Gary K. Wunderlich, Jr.

 

50

 

President

Ross Berner

 

55

 

Chief Operating Officer

Tor R. Braham

 

63

 

Director

Jonathan Furer

 

63

 

Director

Harold Ford, Jr.

 

50

 

Director

John W. Sweet Jr.

 

75

 

Director

John P. Amboian serves as our Chairman since May 8, 2020. Mr. Amboian is a business leader with over 30 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions, capital management, product development, branding, and distribution for both privately held and public companies, across multiple industries. He served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nuveen Investments, Inc., or Nuveen (formerly NYSE: JNC), from 2007 to 2016. He was President of Nuveen from 1999 through 2007 after joining as its Chief Financial Officer from 1995 to 1999. During his time in leadership positions at Nuveen, Mr. Amboian participated in over 20 M&A and capital markets transactions, in addition to playing a leading role in Nuveen’s sale to an investment group led by Madison Dearborn, in 2007 and Nuveen’s sale process to TIAA (Teacher’s Insurance and Annuity Association of New York) in 2014. Mr. Amboian served on the Nuveen Mutual Funds board from 2007 through 2016 in addition to serving on Nuveen Investments’ public board from 1996 through 2007. Prior to Nuveen, Mr. Amboian was the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Strategy of the Miller Brewing Company. He began his career in Corporate and International Finance at Kraft Foods, Inc., where he ended his tenure as Treasurer. Since 2013, Mr. Amboian has served at Madison Dearborn Partners as an industry advisor and is an Independent Director of the general partnership of Adams Street Partners, a private-markets investment firm. Additionally, Mr. Amboian is Chairman of Evanston Capital, a hedge fund alternative investment manager, and since 2017 has been a senior advisor to Estancia Capital. Since 2018, he chairs the board of North Square Investments, a boutique asset management firm. He is also on the advisory board of Cresset Capital Management, a wealth management firm. He advises several small businesses on organic and inorganic growth initiatives through JA Capital Advisors, LLC. He received both his Bachelor’s degree and his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago. He is well-qualified to serve on our board due to his extensive finance, investment and operational background.

Richard J. Hendrix has been our Chief Executive Officer since 2019 and a member of our Board of Directors since 2020. He has significant experience in executive leadership, corporate strategy, M&A, capital markets, and corporate finance for public companies. Over the course of his career, Mr. Hendrix has worked extensively with issuers and investors focused on companies in the financial services, real estate, energy, industrial, and business and consumer services sectors. He has led dozens of initial equity offerings for founder-led and Sponsor-backed companies primarily within the banking, insurance, and real estate sectors. Additionally, Mr. Hendrix has considerable experience advising chief executives, boards of directors, and large shareholders regarding strategy, capital structure, and capital access. He has significant leadership experience in the financial industry, having served as Chief Executive Officer of FBR & Co., or FBR (formerly Nasdaq: FBRC), a capital markets firm, from 2009 to 2017, and Chairman from 2012 to 2017. Mr. Hendrix helped FBR grow into a leading bookrunner for initial common stock offerings for middle market U.S. companies. While at FBR Mr. Hendrix oversaw the growth of the company and oversaw numerous strategic transactions while in his role as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at FBR, ultimately executing a merger with B. Riley Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: RILY) in 2017. Following the merger, Mr. Hendrix served as director

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of B. Riley Financial until October 2017. Prior to his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of FBR, Mr. Hendrix served as Arlington Asset Investment Corp.’s (NYSE: AI) President and Chief Operating Officer from 2004 to 2007 and its Chief Investment Officer from 2003 to 2004. Previously, he was the President and Chief Operating Officer of FBR Asset Investment Corporation and concurrently headed the Real Estate and Diversified Industrials Investment Banking groups of FBR. Prior to FBR, Mr. Hendrix was a Managing Director in PNC Capital Markets’ investment banking group and headed PNC’s asset-backed securities business. Mr. Hendrix is a co-founder and Managing Partner of Live Oak Merchant Partners, a merchant bank providing capital and advisory services to middle market companies across several industries. Mr. Hendrix also currently serves as a Senior Advisor to Crestview Partners, a private equity firm, since 2017 and is currently the Chairman of Protect My Car, a portfolio company of Crestview Partners that provides extended auto warranty plans to consumers. Mr. Hendrix’s affiliation with Crestview Partners began with Crestview’s investment in FBR over a decade before. In the last five years, Mr. Hendrix has also been the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of RJH Management Co, a privately held investment management business. Mr. Hendrix received his B.S.in Finance from Miami University. He is well-qualified to serve on our board due to his extensive finance, investment and advisory background.

Andrea K. Tarbox has been our Chief Financial Officer and a member of our Board of Directors since 2020. Ms. Tarbox served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of KapStone Paper & Packaging, or Kapstone (formerly NYSE: KS), from 2007 until 2018. KapStone, a producer of unbleached kraft paper and corrugated packaging products, became public via a merger with Stone Arcade Acquisition Corporation, or Stone Arcade, in 2007. Ms. Tarbox joined KapStone during the business combination approval process in 2006. During her tenure as Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Tarbox negotiated major provisions in five key acquisitions and secured financings of nearly $3.0 billion. Ms. Tarbox played a significant role in KapStone’s sale to WestRock Company (NYSE: WRK). In 2014 and 2015, Institutional Investor named Ms. Tarbox to their All-America Executive team as one of America’s best Chief Financial Officers, and in 2012, Financial Executives International named Ms. Tarbox the Chicago Chief Financial Officer of the Year. Previously, Ms. Tarbox assumed positions of increasing responsibility at various companies, including Uniscribe Professional Services, Inc., a provider of paper- and technology-based document management solutions, Gartner Inc., a research and advisory company, British Petroleum, p.l.c., (NYSE:BP) and Fortune Brands, Inc., a holding company with diversified product lines. In these roles, Ms. Tarbox developed significant experience acquiring and integrating companies. Ms. Tarbox began her career at Ernst & Young LLP where she became a certified public accountant. Ms. Tarbox earned a B.A. degree in Psychology from Connecticut College and an M.B.A. from the University of Rhode Island. She is well-qualified to serve on our board due to her extensive operational background as well as her significant experience in acquiring and integrating companies.

Gary K. Wunderlich, Jr. has been our President since 2020 and was a Director from inception until his resignation in January 2020. Mr. Wunderlich is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Live Oak Merchant Partners, a merchant bank providing capital and advisory services to middle market companies across a wide range of industries. Prior to co-founding Live Oak in 2017, Mr. Wunderlich was the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Wunderlich Securities, Inc., or WSI, a full-service investment banking and brokerage firm, from 1996 until its successful merger in 2017 with B. Riley Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: RILY). Following the merger, Mr. Wunderlich served as a Director of B. Riley from 2017 to July 2018 and remained Chief Executive Officer of WSI (rebranded B Riley Wealth) until November 2018. As Chief Executive Officer of WSI, Mr. Wunderlich was involved in all aspects of company growth from a virtual start-up into a full-service investment bank. In 2011, Mr. Wunderlich, along with WSI and WSI’s Chief Compliance Officer, consented, without admitting or denying the findings therein, to the entry of an SEC order finding that, from 2007 to 2009, as WSI was converting hundreds of its existing fee-based brokerage accounts to investment advisory accounts, in response to regulatory changes affecting certain broker-dealers that provided investment advice, WSI willfully violated the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, or the Advisers Act, and its rules by failing to have adequate written policies and procedures and a code of ethics, and Mr. Wunderlich, who was then WSI’s Chief Executive Officer, willfully aided and abetted and caused such violations. The order also found that WSI willfully violated the Advisers Act and its rules by overcharging advisory clients for commissions and other transactional fees totaling approximately $120,835 in approximately 6,338 separate transactions, which the SEC stated appeared to have occurred primarily due to back-office errors, and by engaging in principal trading without providing certain required disclosures to its clients. Mr. Wunderlich has also been consistently involved in securities industry organizations throughout his career. From 2016 to 2018 Mr. Wunderlich was a member of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association’s (“SIFMA”) National Board of Directors. He was also a founding board member of the American Securities Association from its inception in 2016 until 2018. Mr. Wunderlich also served in various capacities with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) including serving on the National Advisory

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Board, serving on the District 5 Committee as both a Member and Chairman, and serving as a Member of the National Membership Council. Since 2005, Mr. Wunderlich has been a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and participates in the Family Business, Family Office, Financial Services and Entrepreneurship and Innovation Networks. He was inducted into the Society of Entrepreneurs in 2014 and has served as a Director since 2016. He is also the Managing Member of Eighty Park Avenue Partners LLC, a family investment vehicle. Mr. Wunderlich received a B.A.in Economics from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from the University of Memphis.

Ross Berner has been our Chief Operating Officer since 2020 and was a Director from inception until his resignation in January 2020. Mr. Berner has significant experience in growth companies, executive leadership, corporate strategy, M&A, capital markets and corporate finance. Mr. Berner was a Founding Partner at PCO Investment Management LP., an investment management company, from 2013 to 2016. He served as Partner and Portfolio Manager at Weintraub Capital Management, L.P. from 1999 to 2012 where he oversaw investments in special situations and event-driven opportunities across all industries. Mr. Berner was also a Co-Founder of United Road Services, which went public in 1997 and became one of the largest non-union car hauling companies in the United States, was acquired by Charterhouse Financial in 2000 and is currently owned by private equity firm Carlyle Group. Mr. Berner co-founded Fenix Parts, Inc. (formerly Nasdaq: FENX), a consolidator of recycled auto parts, in 2014. Fenix completed its initial public offering in 2015 and was taken private in 2018. Mr. Berner received an M.B.A. from Columbia University and a B.A. degree in Economics from Northwestern University.

Tor R. Braham serves as a member of our Board of Directors since May 8, 2020. Mr. Braham has spent 15 years working in M&A in at multiple investment banks and currently serves on multiple public company boards. He currently serves on the boards of Viavi Solutions Inc. (Nasdaq: VIAV), a company that provides network test, monitoring, and assurance services (elected 2015); Altaba Inc. (Nasdaq: AABA), an investment management company (elected 2016); A10 Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATEN), a supplier of ADC networking and security equipment (elected 2018) and Micro Lambda Wireless, Inc., a private provider of microwave components and subsystems for the wireless, instrumentation and defense industries (elected 1987). Mr. Braham is also member of the advisory board of Princeville Global,  an international venture capital fund focused on the technology and environmental science industries. Previously, he served as a Director of Yahoo! Inc., predecessor of Altaba Inc., from 2016 until 2017, as Independent Director of Sigma Designs, Inc. (OTCMKTS: SIGM), a SOC semiconductor company, from 2014 to 2016, and an Independent Director of NetApp, Inc. (Nasdaq: NATP), a data management company, from 2014 to 2016. Mr. Braham served as the Global Head of Technology M&A at Deutsche Bank Securities from 2004 to 2012. Prior to that, Mr. Braham was the Co-head of West Coast Technology M&A at Credit Suisse First Boston from 2000 to 2004 and the Global Head of Technology M&A at UBS Securities from 1997 to 2000. From 1989 to 1997, Mr. Braham was a partner at the law firm of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati where he specialized in technology mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and intellectual property law. Mr. Braham is also currently Of Counsel to the law firm of King, Holmes, Paterno and Soriano. Mr. Braham received his J.D. degree from New York University School of Law and his B.S. degree in English from Columbia University. He is well-qualified to serve on our board due to his extensive public company, technology, finance and banking background.

Jonathan Furer serves as a member of our Board of Directors since May 8, 2020. He has over 30 years of private equity, operating and capital markets experience and has served as chairman, advisor, investor and active board member to businesses across a wide range of industries, including: healthcare, financial services, manufacturing and consumer products. Mr. Furer co-founded Arcade Partners, an entrepreneurial-focused middle market private equity firm. Mr. Furer was Co-Founder and Director of Stone Arcade, a blank check company that completed its initial business combination with KapStone in 2007. Mr. Furer was a Co-Founder and Director of Stone Arcade, where he was primarily responsible for recruiting the executive team and, together with the management team, assisted in the identification and evaluation of business combination opportunities which led to the successful acquisition of the assets from International Paper (NYSE: IP) by KapStone. In 2007, Kapstone became public through the merger with Stone Arcade. This initial business combination represented one of the first corporate carve-out transactions completed by a blank check company. Mr. Furer joined the KapStone Board of Directors upon completion of the business combination and remained on the Board for 11 years until KapStone was acquired by WestRock Company (NYSE: WRK) in 2018. Mr. Furer was also the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Arcade Acquisition Corporation, a blank check company that announced a business combination in 2008 and subsequently liquidated in 2009 during the global financial crisis. Prior to KapStone, Mr. Furer was a Partner at Washington and Congress Advisors, a private equity firm. He oversaw a number of portfolio companies, including several with significant operational and financial challenges that required a “hands-on” approach to deal with lender, co-investor and employee issues. Mr. Furer was

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also a Co-Founder of Meridian Capital Partners, where he completed the “buy and build” of SWF Machinery, a West Coast based manufacturer of packaging machinery equipment that was sold to Dover Industries. He began his career as an analyst in the corporate finance department with Jesup & Lamont, a merchant bank. During his 10 years at Jesup, Mr. Furer rose from analyst to President and Chief Executive Officer, prior to his retirement from the firm. He graduated from the George Washington University with a B.B.A. in International Business. He is well-qualified to serve on our board due to his extensive investment, operational and finance background.

Harold Ford, Jr. serves as a member of our Board of Directors since May 8, 2020. Mr. Ford is currently an EVP and Vice Chairman of PNC’s Corporate & Institutional Banking group. He served in Congress for 10 years, from 1997 to 2007. Representing Tennessee’s 9th congressional district, Mr. Ford, Jr. was a member of the House Financial Services, Budget and Education Committees during his time in Washington. Known as a moderate Democrat willing to reach across the political aisle to find common ground, he was a member of both the Blue Dog coalition and Congressional Black Caucus. Mr. Ford, Jr. is also an active member of Issue One, an organization of former senators, governors, and members of Congress committed to reform our political and campaign systems. After leaving Congress, from 2007 until 2011, Mr. Ford Jr. was a Vice Chairman and senior policy adviser at Merrill Lynch and from 2011 until 2018 was a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley. Mr. Ford Jr. has taught public policy at Vanderbilt University and the University of Michigan and is frequently quoted on television as an expert on MSNBC. In the last five years, Mr. Ford, Jr. has been Managing Partner of HFJ Ventures, a business consulting firm and non-executive Chairman of Rx Saver, a portfolio company of MacAndrews and Forbes which provides a search engine platform for consumers and patients to find the lowest prices for prescription medications. He holds a B.A. in History from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School, and has also taught public policy at Vanderbilt University and the University of Michigan. He is well-qualified to serve on our board due to his extensive public service, government and finance background.

John W. Sweet, Jr. serves as a member of our Board of Directors since May 8, 2020. Mr. Sweet has extensive experience in real estate investing and over forty years of investment banking and corporate finance experience. Mr. Sweet founded and served as the Chief Investment Officer of Physicians Realty Trust (NYSE: DOC) until his retirement on December 31, 2016. Physicians Realty Trust was established as a private fund in 2005 and was taken public in 2013. At the end of Mr. Sweet’s tenure, Physicians Realty Trust’s portfolio included 246 medical office buildings, with over 10 million square feet of leasable area. In 2002, Mr. Sweet co-founded Windrose Medical Properties Trust (NYSE: WRT), a healthcare REIT purchased by Welltower REIT (NYSE: WELL) in 2005. From 1997 to 2001, Mr. Sweet served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Finance for B.C. Ziegler and Company, a boutique investment banking firm serving hospitals, charter schools and senior living operator. Since his retirement, Mr. Sweet has served as the President of JWS-MRE, Inc., a consulting firm, and advises institutions and private equity firms in the investment of healthcare real estate. Currently, he serves on the board of directors of City Office REIT, Inc. (NYSE: CIO), a REIT that invests in office buildings throughout the United States. Previously, Mr. Sweet served as Chairman of the Board of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (Nasdaq: WHLR) a REIT focused on retail properties with a primary focus on grocery-anchored centers. Mr. Sweet earned an undergraduate degree from St. John Fisher College and an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology. He is well-qualified to serve on our board due to his extensive public company, real property, management and investment background.

Number and Terms of Office of Officers and Directors

Under our Existing Certificate of Incorporation, we have seven directors, and our board of directors is divided into three classes with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual meeting of stockholders) serving a three-year term. In accordance with NYSE corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual meeting until one full year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on the NYSE. The term of office of the first class of directors, consisting of Messrs. Sweet and Ford, Jr. will expire at our first annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of the second class of directors, consisting of Messrs. Furer and Braham, will expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of the third class of directors, consisting of Ms. Tarbox and Messrs. Amboian and Hendrix, will expire at the third annual meeting of stockholders. Our officers are appointed by the board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board of directors, rather than for specific terms of office. Our board of directors is authorized to appoint persons to the offices set forth in our bylaws as it deems appropriate. Our bylaws provide that our officers may consist of a Chairman or Co-Chairmen of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretaries and such other offices as may be determined by the board of directors.

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Officer and Director Compensation

None of our officers has received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. No compensation of any kind, including any finder’s fee, reimbursement, consulting fee or monies in respect of any payment of a loan, will be paid by us to our officers and directors prior to, or in connection with any services rendered in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination. However, these individuals will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. We do not have a policy that prohibits our Sponsor, executive officers or directors, or any of their respective affiliates, from negotiating for the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses by a target business. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our Sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their affiliates. Any such payments prior to an initial business combination will be made using funds held outside the Trust Account. Other than quarterly audit committee review of such payments, we do not expect to have any additional controls in place governing our reimbursement payments to our directors and executive officers for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with identifying and consummating an initial business combination.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Our board of directors has three standing committees: an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. Subject to phase-in rules and a limited exception, NYSE rules and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act require that the audit committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors, and NYSE rules require that the compensation committee and nominating and corporate governance committee of a listed company each be comprised solely of independent directors.

Audit Committee

We have established an audit committee of the board of directors. Messrs. Sweet, Amboian and Braham serve as members of our audit committee, and Mr. Sweet chairs the audit committee. Under the NYSE listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least three members of the audit committee, all of whom must be independent. Each of Messrs. Sweet, Amboian and Braham meet the independent director standard under NYSE listing standards and under Rule 10-A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act.

Each member of the audit committee is financially literate and our board of directors has determined that Mr. Sweet qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules.

We have adopted an audit committee charter, which details the principal functions of the audit committee, including:

•        the appointment, compensation, retention, replacement, and oversight of the work of the independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us;

•        pre-approving all audit and permitted non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us, and establishing pre-approval policies and procedures;

•        setting clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent registered public accounting firm, including but not limited to, as required by applicable laws and regulations;

•        setting clear policies for audit partner rotation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

•        obtaining and reviewing a report, at least annually, from the independent registered public accounting firm describing (i) the independent registered public accounting firm’s internal quality-control procedures, (ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the audit firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm and any steps taken to deal with such issues and (iii) all relationships between the independent registered public accounting firm and us to assess the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence;

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•        reviewing and approving any related party transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC prior to us entering into such transaction; and

•        reviewing with management, the independent registered public accounting firm, and our legal advisors, as appropriate, any legal, regulatory or compliance matters, including any correspondence with regulators or government agencies and any employee complaints or published reports that raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies and any significant changes in accounting standards or rules promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC or other regulatory authorities.

Compensation Committee

We have established a compensation committee of the board of directors. Messrs. Furer and Ford serve as members of our compensation committee. Under the NYSE listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least two members of the compensation committee, all of whom must be independent. Messrs. Furer and Ford are independent and Mr. Furer chairs the compensation committee. We have adopted a compensation committee charter, which details the principal functions of the compensation committee, including:

•        reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, if any is paid by us, evaluating our Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and determining and approving the remuneration (if any) of our Chief Executive Officer based on such evaluation;

•        reviewing and approving on an annual basis the compensation, if any is paid by us, of all of our other officers;

•        reviewing on an annual basis our executive compensation policies and plans;

•        implementing and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans;

•        assisting management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements;

•        approving all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our officers and employees;

•        if required, producing a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement; and

•        reviewing, evaluating and recommending changes, if appropriate, to the remuneration for directors.

No compensation of any kind, including finders, consulting or other similar fees, will be paid to any of our existing stockholders, officers, directors or any of their respective affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate the consummation of an initial business combination. Accordingly, it is likely that prior to the consummation of an initial business combination, the compensation committee will only be responsible for the review and recommendation of any compensation arrangements to be entered into in connection with such initial business combination.

The charter also provides that the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser and will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any such adviser. However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or any other adviser, the compensation committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required by the NYSE and the SEC.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

We have established a nominating and corporate governance committee. The members of our nominating and corporate governance are Messrs. Ford, Sweet and Furer. Mr. Ford serves as chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee.

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The primary purposes of our nominating and corporate governance committee is to assist the board in:

•        identifying, screening and reviewing individuals qualified to serve as directors and recommending to the board of directors candidates for nomination for election at the annual meeting of stockholders or to fill vacancies on the board of directors;

•        developing and recommending to the board of directors and overseeing implementation of our corporate governance guidelines;

•        coordinating and overseeing the annual self-evaluation of the board of directors, its committees, individual directors and management in the governance of the company; and

•        reviewing on a regular basis our overall corporate governance and recommending improvements as and when necessary.

The nominating and corporate governance committee is governed by a charter that complies with the rules of the NYSE.

Director Nominations

We have established a nominating and corporate governance committee which will recommend to the board of directors candidates for nomination for election at the annual meeting of the stockholders. We have not formally established any specific, minimum qualifications that must be met or skills that are necessary for directors to possess. In general, in identifying and evaluating nominees for director, the board of directors considers educational background, diversity of professional experience, knowledge of our business, integrity, professional reputation, independence, wisdom, and the ability to represent the best interests of our stockholders.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of Live Oak Class A Common Stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. These reporting persons are also required to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely upon a review of such forms, we believe that during the year ended December 31, 2018 there were no delinquent filers.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees. We have filed a copy of our Code of Ethics and our audit and compensation committee charters as exhibits to our registration statement in connection with our IPO. You are able to review these documents by accessing our public filings at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the Code of Ethics will be provided without charge upon request from us.

Audit Fees

Withum acts as our independent registered public accounting firm. The following is a summary of fees paid to Withum for services rendered.

Audit Fees.    Audit fees consist of fees for professional services rendered for the audit of our year-end financial statements and services that are normally provided by Withum in connection with regulatory filings. The aggregate fees of Withum for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements, review of the financial information included in our Forms 10-Q for the respective periods and other required filings with the SEC for the period from May 24, 2019 (inception) to June 30, 2020 totaled approximately $63,220. The aggregate fees of Withum related to audit services in connection with our IPO totaled approximately $33,475. The above amounts include interim procedures and audit fees, as well as attendance at audit committee meetings.

Audit-Related Fees.    Audit-related fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.” These services include attest services that are not required by statute or regulation and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards. During the period from May 24, 2019 (inception) to June 30, 2020, we did not pay Withum any audit-related fees.

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Tax Fees.    We did not pay Withum any fees for tax return services, planning and tax advice for the period from May 24, 2019 (inception) to June 30, 2020.

All Other Fees.    We did not pay Withum for any other services.

Legal Proceedings

There is no material litigation, arbitration or governmental proceeding currently pending against us or any members of our management team in their capacity as such.

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LIVE OAK MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The statements in the discussion and analysis regarding industry outlook, our expectations regarding the performance of our business and the forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties described in “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statements. You should read the following discussion together with the sections entitled “Risk Factors,” “Information About Live Oak” and the audited consolidated financial statements, including the related notes, appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. As used in this section, unless the context suggests otherwise, “we,” “us,” “our,” or “Live Oak” refer to Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

Overview

We are a blank check company whose business purpose is to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. We have not selected any specific business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target with respect to an initial business combination with us. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of our IPO and the private placement of the Private Warrants, the proceeds of the sale of our shares in connection with our initial business combination (pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop agreements we may enter into following the consummation of our IPO or otherwise), shares issued to the owners of the target, debt issued to bank or other lenders or the owners of the target, or a combination of the foregoing.

The issuance of additional shares of our stock in the Business Combination:

•        may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in our IPO; and

•        may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our Live Oak Class A Common Stock and/or warrants.

We expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our initial Business Combination. We cannot assure you that our plans to complete our initial Business Combination will be successful.

Proposed Business Combination

Merger Agreement

On October 3, 2020, we entered into the Merger Agreement with Merger Sub, Danimer, the Live Oak Representative, LLC and the Shareholder Representative pursuant to which we will effect the Business Combination.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at Closing, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Danimer, with Danimer surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Live Oak.

At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Live Oak, Merger Sub, Danimer or the holders of any of Danimer’s securities:

•        each share of Danimer Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equal to the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration, together with amounts that may become payable in respect of the Adjustment Holdback Amount, the Shareholder Representative Amount and the Earn-Out Shares, in each case in accordance with the Merger Agreement;

•        all shares of Danimer Common Stock held in the treasury of Danimer will be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and no payment, distribution or other consideration will be delivered or deliverable in exchange for such shares;

•        each share of Merger Sub Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be converted into and exchanged for one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Surviving Corporation;

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•        each Danimer Option that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, whether vested or unvested, shall be assumed by Live Oak and will be converted automatically at the Effective Time into an option (an “Assumed Danimer Option”) to acquire shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such Danimer Option (including applicable vesting and exercise conditions) except that (a) the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock that will be subject to each such Assumed Danimer Option will be determined by multiplying the number of shares of Danimer Common Stock subject to the corresponding Danimer Option by a fraction (the “Award Exchange Ratio”), the numerator of which is Closing Per Share Merger Consideration multiplied by $10.00 and the denominator of which is the fair market value of a share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the Closing Date (rounded down to the nearest whole share) and (b) the exercise price per share of each such Assumed Danimer Option will equal (i) the per share exercise price of the corresponding Danimer Option divided by (ii) the Award Exchange Ratio (rounded up to the nearest whole cent); and

•        each share of Live Oak Class B Common Stock will automatically convert into shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis.

The Closing is subject to certain conditions, including but not limited to the approval of our stockholders of the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement may also be terminated by either party under certain circumstances. The Closing will occur on the date that is two business days after each of the closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement has been satisfied or, if permitted, waived.

On October 8, 2020, Live Oak, Merger Sub, the Company, the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative, entered the Amendment to the Merger Agreement. The Amendment (1)(x) eliminated the definition of “Cash Free Exercise Option and Warrant Shares” and (y) provides for revised definitions of “Closing Payment” and “Closing Per Share Merger Consideration,” in each case, to adjust, for purposes of calculating the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration: (i) the assumed value of the Company by adding the total amount of cash proceeds that would be received by the Company if all outstanding Company Options and Company Warrants were exercised in connection with the Closing and (ii) the assumed total number of Company Shares outstanding at the Closing to include Shares issuable under all Company Options and Company Warrants, (2) revised the definition of “Net Debt” to deduct amounts relating to issuances of Danimer Common Stock completed to fund capital expenditures in connection with the Company’s “Phase 2” expansion of the Kentucky Facility through the Closing Date and (3) clarifies the calculation of the Award Exchange Ratio in the Merger Agreement.

Support Agreements

Contemporaneously with the execution of the Merger Agreement, on October 3, 2020, the Key Danimer Shareholders entered into the Support Agreements pursuant to which such Key Danimer Shareholders agreed to vote all of their shares of Danimer Common Stock in favor of the approval and adoption of the Proposed Transactions. Additionally, such Key Danimer Shareholders have agreed not to (a) transfer any of their shares of Danimer Common Stock (or enter into any arrangement with respect thereto) or (b) enter into any voting arrangement that is inconsistent with the Support Agreements. Collectively, as of October 3, 2020, the Key Danimer Shareholders held a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Danimer.

Lock-Up Agreement

In connection with the Proposed Transactions, Live Oak and the Shareholder Parties will enter into a Lock-Up Agreement at Closing. The Lock-Up Agreement provides for the securities of Live Oak held by the Shareholder Parties to be locked-up for a period of time following the Effective Date, as described below, subject to certain exceptions. The securities held by the Shareholder Parties will be locked-up until the earlier of (i) one year after the Effective Date or (ii) subsequent to the Effective Date, (x) if the reported closing price of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any twenty (20) trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least one hundred fifty (150) days after the Effective Date, or (y) the Lock Up Period.

Subscription Agreements

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, effective as of October 3, 2020, Live Oak entered into separate subscription agreements (each, a “Subscription Agreement”) with a number of Subscribers, pursuant

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to which the Subscribers agreed to purchase, and Live Oak agreed to sell to the Subscribers, the PIPE Shares, for a purchase price of $10.00 per share and an aggregate purchase price of $210,000,000. Live Oak agreed to give certain registration rights to the Subscribers with respect to the PIPE Shares pursuant to the Subscription Agreements.

The closing of the sale of the PIPE Shares pursuant to the Subscription Agreement is contingent upon, among other customary closing conditions, the substantially concurrent consummation of the Proposed Transactions. The purpose of the PIPE is to raise additional capital for use by the combined company following the Closing.

Pursuant to the Subscription Agreements, Live Oak agreed that, within 30 calendar days after the Closing Date (the “Filing Deadline”), Live Oak will file with the SEC (at Live Oak’s sole cost and expense) a registration statement registering the resale of the PIPE Shares (the “PIPE Resale Registration Statement”), and Live Oak will use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the PIPE Resale Registration Statement declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but no later than the earlier of (i) the 60th calendar day (or 120th calendar day if the SEC notifies Live Oak that it will “review” the PIPE Resale Registration Statement) following the Filing Deadline and (ii) the 10th business day after the date Live Oak is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier)

Non-Competition Agreements

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Live Oak and certain specified shareholders of Danimer entered into non-competition agreements (the “Non-Competition Agreements”), pursuant to which such shareholders agreed, among other things, to not (i) own, manage, operate, control, have any interest in, financial or otherwise, participate in, consult or perform services for, render services in any form to any person in, or otherwise carry on, whether as principal, agent, independent contractor, consultant, partner, manager, member, executive, employee, representative or licensor or otherwise, any business that is competitive with researching, developing, manufacturing, marketing, distributing and selling biodegradable bio-plastic replacements for traditional petroleum-based plastics (the “Business”) in any geographic area throughout the world in which Danimer and any of its subsidiaries has conducted any aspects of the Business during the 12-month period prior to the date of Non-Competition Agreements (a “Competing Business”); (ii)(A) solicit, attempt to solicit, assist in soliciting, directly or indirectly, individually (other than on behalf of Live Oak and its subsidiaries) or on behalf of a Competing Business, any customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of Live Oak or its subsidiaries, or induce or encourage, or attempt to induce or encourage, any customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of Live Oak and its subsidiaries, in each such case, to cease doing business with Live Oak and its subsidiaries or (B) in any way interfere with the relationship between Live Oak and its subsidiaries and any current customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of Live Oak or its subsidiaries; or (iii)(A) solicit or recruit, or attempt to solicit or recruit, any officer, employee, representative, or agent of Live Oak or any of its subsidiaries who has been hired or engaged by Live Oak or any of its subsidiaries (including Danimer and its subsidiaries) to leave the employ of Live Oak or any of its subsidiaries or (B) hire any such individual. The agreements summarized above are subject to customary exceptions and qualifications.

Results of Operations

We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our only activities since inception have been organizational activities, those necessary to prepare for our IPO, and identifying a target company for our initial business combination. We do not expect to generate any operating revenues until after completion of our initial business combination. We generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on marketable securities held in the Trust Account. We incur expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as expenses as we conduct due diligence on prospective Business Combination candidates.

For the three months ended June 30, 2020, we had a net loss of $85,875, which consists of operating costs of $112,334, offset by interest income on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $26,459. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, we had a net loss of $85,935, which consists of operating costs of $112,394, offset by interest income on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $26,459. For the period from May 24, 2019 (inception) through June 30, 2019, we had a net loss of $2,774, which consists of formation costs.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Until the consummation of our IPO, Live Oak’s only sources of liquidity were the proceeds from the initial purchase of Live Oak Class B Common Stock by our Sponsor and loans from our Sponsor. On May 8, 2020, we consummated our IPO of 20,000,000 Live Oak Units, at $10.00 per Live Oak Unit, generating gross proceeds of $200,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of our IPO, we consummated the sale of 6,000,000 Private Warrants to the Sponsor at a price of $1.00 per Private Warrant, generating gross proceeds of $6,000,000.

Following our IPO and the sale of the Private Warrants, a total of $200,000,000 was placed in the Trust Account. We incurred $11,021,244 in transaction costs, including $3,850,000 of underwriting fees, $6,737,500 of deferred underwriting fees and $433,744 of other offering costs.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, cash used in operating activities was $63,602. Net loss of $85,935 was affected by interest earned on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $26,459 and changes in operating assets and liabilities, which provided $48,792 of cash from operating activities.

As of June 30, 2020, we had cash and marketable securities of $200,026,459 held in the Trust Account. We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account (less taxes paid and deferred underwriting commissions) to complete our initial Business Combination. We may withdraw interest to pay taxes. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, we did not withdraw any of interest earned on the Trust Account to pay for our franchise taxes. To the extent that our capital stock or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete our initial Business Combination, the remaining proceeds held in the Trust Account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategies.

As of June 30, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of $1,677,654 outside of the Trust Account. We intend to use the funds held outside the Trust Account primarily to identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and complete our initial Business Combination.

In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with our initial Business Combination, our Sponsor or an affiliate of our Sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete our initial Business Combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that our initial Business Combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our Trust Account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into units identical to the Private Warrants, at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender.

We do not currently believe we will need to raise additional funds in order to meet the expenditures required for operating our business. However, if our estimate of the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating our initial Business Combination are less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to our initial Business Combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing either to complete our initial Business Combination or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our Public Shares upon consummation of our initial Business Combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such Business Combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only complete such financing simultaneously with the completion of our initial Business Combination. If we are unable to complete our initial Business Combination because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the Trust Account. In addition, following our initial Business Combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, we may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet our obligations.

Related Party Transactions

In June 2019, the Sponsor purchased 5,031,250 Founder Shares of the Company’s Class B common stock for an aggregate price of $25,000. On January 14, 2020, the Sponsor contributed back to the Company, for no consideration, 718,750 Founder Shares. In February 2020, the Company effected a stock dividend for 0.333333333 shares for each Founder Share outstanding, resulting in the Sponsor holding an aggregate of 5,750,000 Founder Shares (up to an

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aggregate of 750,000 shares of which were subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option was not exercised in full or in part, so that the initial stockholders would own, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares after our IPO. All share and per-share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the forfeiture of the Founder Shares. The underwriters’ election to exercise their over-allotment option expired unexercised on June 22, 2020 and, as a result, 750,000 Founder Shares were forfeited, resulting in 5,000,000 Founder Shares outstanding.

The initial stockholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares (except to certain permitted transferees) until the earlier of (i) one-year after the date of the consummation of a Business Combination, or (ii) subsequent to the consummation of a Business Combination, (x) if the last reported sale price of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Business Combination, or (y) subsequent to a Business Combination, the date on which Live Oak completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock for cash, securities or other property.

On December 31, 2019, the Company issued a promissory note to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to loan the Company up to an aggregate of $300,000 to be used for the payment of costs related to our IPO (the “Promissory Note”). The Promissory Note was non-interest bearing, unsecured and due on the earlier of June 30, 2020 or the completion of our IPO. The outstanding balance of $160,000 under the Promissory Note was repaid upon the consummation of our IPO on May 8, 2020.

Simultaneously with the closing of our IPO, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 6,000,000 Private Warrants at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $6,000,000. Each Private Placement Warrant is exercisable to purchase one share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share. A portion of the proceeds from the Private Warrants were added to the proceeds from our IPO to be held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the 24-month period following our IPO, the proceeds of the sale of the Private Warrants will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law), and the Private Warrants will expire worthless.

In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor or certain of the Company’s directors and officers may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans, but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital Loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. The Working Capital Loans would either be repaid upon consummation of a Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of such Working Capital Loans may be convertible into warrants of the post-Business Combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the Private Warrants. At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, no Working Capital Loans were outstanding.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of condensed financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have identified the following critical accounting policies:

Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption

We account for our common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Common stock subject to mandatory redemption is classified as a liability instrument and is measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable

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common stock (including common stock that features redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our control) is classified as temporary equity. At all other times, common stock is classified as stockholders’ equity. Our Live Oak Class A Common Stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of our control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, the common stock subject to possible redemption is presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of our condensed balance sheets.

Net Loss Per Common Share

We apply the two-class method in calculating earnings per share. Net income (loss) per common share, basic and diluted for Live Oak Class A Common Stock is calculated by dividing the interest income earned on the Trust Account, net of applicable taxes, by the weighted average number of shares of Class A redeemable common stock outstanding for the periods. Net loss per common share, basic and diluted for Class B non-redeemable common stock is calculated by dividing net loss less income attributable to Class A redeemable common stock, by the weighted average number of shares of Class B non-redeemable common stock outstanding for the periods presented.

Emerging Growth Company

Live Oak is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. Live Oak has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, Live Oak, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of Live Oak’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

Income Taxes

Live Oak follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. As of June 30, 2020, Live Oak had a deferred tax asset of approximately $18,000, which had a full valuation allowance recorded against it of approximately $18,000. Deferred tax assets were immaterial as of December 31, 2019 due to the full valuation allowance against those assets.

ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. Live Oak recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized

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tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Live Oak is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. Live Oak is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.

Live Oak’s current taxable income primarily consists of interest income on the Trust Account. Live Oak’s general and administrative costs are generally considered start-up costs and are not currently deductible for tax purposes. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, Live Oak recorded no income tax expense. Live Oak’s effective tax rate for three and six months ended June 30, 2020 was 0%, which differs from the expected income tax rate due to the start-up costs (discussed above) which are not currently deductible.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Our management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on Live Oak’s financial statements.

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CERTAIN LIVE OAK RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Founder Shares

In June 2019, the Sponsor purchased 5,031,250 shares (the “Founder Shares”) of Live Oak’s Class B common stock for an aggregate price of $25,000. On January 14, 2020, the Sponsor contributed back to Live Oak, for no consideration, 718,750 Founder Shares. In February 2020, the Company effected a stock dividend for 0.333333333 shares for each Founder Share outstanding, resulting in the Sponsor holding an aggregate of 5,750,000 Founder Shares (up to an aggregate of 750,000 shares of which were subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option was not exercised in full or in part, so that the Live Oak Initial Stockholders would own, on an as-converted basis, 20% of Live Oak’s issued and outstanding shares after the IPO. All share and per-share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the forfeiture of the Founder Shares. The underwriters’ election to exercise their over-allotment option expired unexercised on June 22, 2020 and, as a result, 750,000 Founder Shares were forfeited, resulting in 5,000,000 Founder Shares outstanding.

The Live Oak Initial Stockholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares (except to certain permitted transferees) until the earlier of (i) one year after the date of the consummation of a Business Combination, or (ii) subsequent to the consummation of a Business Combination, (x) if the last reported sale price of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Business Combination, or (y) subsequent to a Business Combination, the date on which Live Oak completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of Live Oak’s stockholders having the right to exchange their Live Oak Class A Common Stock for cash, securities or other property.

Promissory Note

On December 31, 2019, Live Oak issued a promissory note to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to loan Live Oak up to an aggregate of $300,000 to be used for the payment of costs related to the IPO (the “Promissory Note”). The Promissory Note was non-interest bearing, unsecured and due on the earlier of June 30, 2020 or the completion of the IPO. The outstanding balance of $160,000 under the Promissory Note was repaid upon the consummation of the IPO on May 8, 2020.

Private Warrants

Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 6,000,000 Private Warrants at a price of $1.00 per Private Warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $6,000,000. Each Private Warrant is exercisable to purchase one share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share. A portion of the proceeds from the Private Warrants were added to the proceeds from the IPO to be held in the Trust Account. If Live Oak does not complete a Business Combination by May 8, 2022 or obtain the approval of Live Oak stockholders to extend the deadline for Live Oak to consummate an initial business combination, the proceeds of the sale of the Private Warrants will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law), and the Private Warrants will expire worthless.

On October 2, 2020, pursuant to the Warrant Sale and Support Agreement, the Sponsor agreed to sell (the “Transfer”) 3,000,000 Private Warrants to ValFund Plastics, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, for a purchase price of $30,000 in cash. Consummation of the Transfer is conditioned upon, among other things, the consummation of the Business Combination.

Investment Private Placement

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Live Oak entered into Subscription Agreements with a number of Subscribers, pursuant to which the Subscribers agreed to purchase, and Live Oak agreed to sell to the Subscribers, an aggregate of 21,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock (the “PIPE Shares”), for a purchase price of $10.00 per share and an aggregate purchase price of $210,000,000, in a private placement (the “PIPE”). Live Oak ValFund Plastics Fund LLC, which is affiliated with members of Live Oak’s board of directors, will be purchasing 4,905,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock in the PIPE for a total purchase price of $49,050,000.

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Other Matters

The Sponsor, executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on Live Oak’s behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations including the Business Combination. Live Oak’s audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to the Sponsor, officers, directors or their affiliates and will determine which expenses and the amount of expenses that will be reimbursed. There is no cap or ceiling on the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such persons in connection with activities on Live Oak’s behalf.

Policy for Approval of Related Party Transactions

The audit committee of our board of directors has adopted a policy setting forth the policies and procedures for its review and approval or ratification of “related party transactions.” A “related party transaction” is any consummated or proposed transaction or series of transactions: (i) in which Live Oak was or is to be a participant; (ii) the amount of which exceeds (or is reasonably expected to exceed) $120,000 in the aggregate over the duration of the transaction (without regard to profit or loss); and (iii) in which a “related party” had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. “Related parties” under this policy will include: (i) our directors, nominees for director or executive officers; (ii) any record or beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities; (iii) any immediate family member of any of the foregoing if the foregoing person is a natural person; and (iv) any other person who maybe a “related person” pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act. Pursuant to the policy, the audit committee will consider (i) the relevant facts and circumstances of each related party transaction, including if the transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in arm’s-length dealings with an unrelated third party, (ii) the extent of the related party’s interest in the transaction, (iii) whether the transaction contravenes our code of ethics or other policies, (iv) whether the audit committee believes the relationship underlying the transaction to be in the best interests of the company and its stockholders and (v) the effect that the transaction may have on a director’s status as an independent member of the board and on his or her eligibility to serve on the board’s committees. Management will present to the audit committee each proposed related party transaction, including all relevant facts and circumstances relating thereto. Under the policy, we may consummate related party transactions only if our audit committee approves or ratifies the transaction in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the policy. The policy will not permit any director or executive officer to participate in the discussion of, or decision concerning, a related party transaction in which he or she is the related party.

These procedures are intended to determine whether any such related party transaction impairs the independence of a director or presents a conflict of interest on the part of a director, employee or officer.

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MANAGEMENT AFTER THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

Executive Officers and Directors After the Business Combination

Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, the business and affairs of New Danimer will be managed by or under the direction of the New Danimer Board. Danimer is currently evaluating potential director nominees and executive officer appointments, but expects that the directors and executive officers of New Danimer upon consummation of the Business Combination will include the following:

Name

 

Age

 

Position

Executive Officers

       

Stephen E. Croskrey*

 

60

 

Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman of the Board

John A. Dowdy, III

 

48

 

Chief Financial Officer

Phillip Van Trump

 

43

 

Chief Science & Technology Officer

Michael Smith

 

52

 

Chief Operating Officer

Scott Tuten

 

45

 

Chief Marketing & Sustainability Officer

         

Non-Employee Directors

       

John P. Amboian

 

59

 

Director

Richard J. Hendrix

 

55

 

Director

Christy Basco

 

54

 

Director

Philip Gregory Calhoun

 

57

 

Director

Gregory Hunt

 

63

 

Director

Dr. Isao Noda

 

69

 

Director

Stuart Pratt*

 

74

 

Director

____________

*        Due to the nature of the relationship these directors have with New Danimer, they are deemed to not be independent directors.

Executive Officers

Stephen E. Croskrey has been Danimer’s chief executive officer and a member of Danimer’s board of directors since April 2016. Mr. Croskrey is a business leader with over 20 years of experience in overseeing the strategic direction and operations of companies that manufacture and market a variety of products such as industrial fibers, medical devices and law-enforcement gear. From 1999 to 2005, Mr. Croskrey served as the president and chief executive officer of Armor Holdings Products, LLC, a major manufacturer of military, law enforcement, and personnel safety equipment. During such tenure its annual revenue increased from $45 million to over $300 million as a result of him overseeing the acquisition and integration of 13 companies and implementing associated organic growth initiatives. Mr. Croskrey has also held senior executive positions at Allied Signal and Mobil Oil. Mr. Croskrey currently serves on the board of directors of Surgical Momentum LLC, a healthcare-data-analytics firm and Precysmedtx LLC, a medical-device company. Mr. Croskrey received an MBA degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He also received a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point where he was also commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army and served as a company commander, attaining the rank of captain during his six years of active duty. He is well-qualified to serve on the New Danimer Board due to his extensive leadership, operational and advisory background as well as his significant strategic experience in acquiring and integrating companies.

John A. Dowdy, III has been Danimer’s chief financial officer since May 2014. He has significant experience in private industry and public company finance and accounting, including assisting emergent companies in the transition from privately-held to publicly-traded businesses. Prior to joining Danimer, from 2008 to 2014, Mr. Dowdy served as Vice President of Finance for international business and chief accounting officer at Yandex, one of Europe’s largest internet companies and the leading internet search provider in Russia. During his tenure as Yandex’s chief accounting officer, Mr. Dowdy played a key role in facilitating its successful $1.4 billion initial public offering in 2011. From 1997 to 2007, Mr. Dowdy was the chief accounting officer of CTC Media, assistant corporate controller for Golden Telecom and an auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Dowdy is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the state of Georgia and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from the University of Georgia, having graduated summa cum laude.

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Phillip Van Trump has been Danimer’s chief technology officer since 2014. Mr. Van Trump manages research and development, product development, regulatory affairs and intellectual property for Danimer. Prior to this role, Mr. Van Trump worked in a variety of positions within Danimer, performing bench-scale to pilot-level research as well as playing an integral role in the procurement of equipment and laboratory personnel to advance Danimer’s objectives. He holds a Bachelor of Science in molecular biology and microbiology from the University of Central Florida and an MBA from Emory University.

Michael Smith has been Danimer’s chief operating officer since 2007. He has significant manufacturing experience, especially in implementing lean manufacturing techniques, and is integral to the continuous-process improvement of Danimer’s manufacturing operations. Prior to joining Danimer, Mr. Smith has held high-level manufacturing positions at Ingersoll Rand from 1991 to 1996, Amoco from 1996 to 1998, British Petroleum from 1998 to 2004, and Propex from 2004 to 2007. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial and systems engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and has received extensive training in the Six Sigma Tools process controls and lean manufacturing techniques.

Scott Tuten has been Danimer’s chief marketing officer since 2006. Mr. Tuten has significant experience in the fields of international logistics, supply-chain management, transportation, inventory control, operations, sales and warehousing. Mr. Tuten joined Danimer in 2006 as vice president of operations and was quickly promoted to senior vice president of operations. Following the company merger in 2014, Mr. Tuten was appointed chief marketing officer to manage overall sales and marketing. He holds a BBA degree in logistics and an MBA from Georgia Southern University.

Non-Employee Directors

John P. Amboian.    Upon consummation of the Business Combination, Mr. Amboian will serve as a member of the New Danimer Board. Mr. Amboian has been serving as Live Oak’s Chairman since May 8, 2020. Mr. Amboian is a business leader with over 30 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions, capital management, product development, branding, and distribution for both privately held and public companies, across multiple industries. He served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nuveen Investments, Inc., or Nuveen (formerly NYSE: JNC), from 2007 to 2016. He was President of Nuveen from 1999 through 2007 after joining as its Chief Financial Officer from 1995 to 1999. During his time in leadership positions at Nuveen, Mr. Amboian participated in over 20 M&A and capital markets transactions, in addition to playing a leading role in Nuveen’s sale to an investment group led by Madison Dearborn, in 2007 and Nuveen’s sale process to TIAA (Teacher’s Insurance and Annuity Association of New York) in 2014. Mr. Amboian served on the Nuveen Mutual Funds board from 2007 through 2016 in addition to serving on Nuveen Investments’ public board from 1996 through 2007. Prior to Nuveen, Mr. Amboian was the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Strategy of the Miller Brewing Company. He began his career in Corporate and International Finance at Kraft Foods, Inc., where he ended his tenure as Treasurer. Since 2013, Mr. Amboian has served at Madison Dearborn Partners as an industry advisor and is an Independent Director of the general partnership of Adams Street Partners, a private-markets investment firm. Additionally, Mr. Amboian is Chairman of Evanston Capital, a hedge fund alternative investment manager, and since 2017 has been a senior advisor to Estancia Capital. Since 2018, he chairs the board of North Square Investments, a boutique asset management firm. He is also on the advisory board of Cresset Capital Management, a wealth management firm. He advises several small businesses on organic and inorganic growth initiatives through JA Capital Advisors, LLC. He received both his Bachelor’s degree and his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago. He is well-qualified to serve on our board due to his extensive finance, investment and operational background.

Richard Hendrix.    Upon consummation of the Business Combination, Mr. Hendrix will serve as a member of the New Danimer Board. Mr. Hendrix has been serving as Live Oak Chief Executive Officer and as a director on Live Oak’s board since May 2020. He has significant experience in executive leadership, corporate strategy, M&A, capital markets, and corporate finance for public companies. Over the course of his career, Mr. Hendrix has worked extensively with issuers and investors focused on companies in the financial services, real estate, energy, industrial, and business and consumer services sectors. He has led dozens of initial equity offerings for founder-led and Sponsor-backed companies primarily within the banking, insurance, and real estate sectors. Additionally, Mr. Hendrix has considerable experience advising chief executives, boards of directors, and large shareholders regarding strategy, capital structure, and capital access. He has significant leadership experience in the financial industry, having served as Chief Executive Officer of FBR & Co., or FBR (formerly Nasdaq: FBRC), a capital markets firm, from 2009 to 2017, and Chairman from 2012 to 2017. Mr. Hendrix helped FBR grow into a leading bookrunner for initial common stock offerings for middle market U.S. companies. While at FBR Mr. Hendrix oversaw the growth of the company and

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oversaw numerous strategic transactions while in his role as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at FBR, ultimately executing a merger with B. Riley Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: RILY) in 2017. Following the merger, Mr. Hendrix served as director of B. Riley Financial until October 2017. Prior to his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of FBR, Mr. Hendrix served as Arlington Asset Investment Corp.’s (NYSE: AI) President and Chief Operating Officer from 2004 to 2007 and its Chief Investment Officer from 2003 to 2004. Previously, he was the President and Chief Operating Officer of FBR Asset Investment Corporation and concurrently headed the Real Estate and Diversified Industrials Investment Banking groups of FBR. Prior to FBR, Mr. Hendrix was a Managing Director in PNC Capital Markets’ investment banking group and headed PNC’s asset-backed securities business. Mr. Hendrix is a co-founder and Managing Partner of Live Oak Merchant Partners, a merchant bank providing capital and advisory services to middle market companies across several industries. Mr. Hendrix also currently serves as a Senior Advisor to Crestview Partners, a private equity firm, since 2017 and is currently the Chairman of Protect My Car, a portfolio company of Crestview Partners that provides extended auto warranty plans to consumers. Mr. Hendrix’s affiliation with Crestview Partners began with Crestview’s investment in FBR over a decade before. In the last five years, Mr. Hendrix has also been the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of RJH Management Co, a privately held investment management business. Mr. Hendrix received his B.S.in Finance from Miami University. He is well-qualified to serve on our board due to his extensive finance, investment and advisory background.

Christy Basco. Ms. Basco has been a member of Danimer’s board of directors since 2020. Ms. Basco has served as Senior Vice President and Controller of PepsiCo Foods North America, a company with 267,000 employees worldwide and $67 billion in revenue in 2019. She has extensive experience in financial reporting and oversight in maintaining strong internal controls. During her tenure at PepsiCo which commenced in January 1996, Ms. Basco has held progressively complex leadership roles, having started in Frito-Lay’s Control organization, working across multiple functions before moving to the Frito-Lay Finance Transformation team. Prior to joining PepsiCo, Ms. Basco was an accounting manager at American Airlines and started her career as a public accountant with accounting firm of Arthur Andersen. Ms. Basco is a Certified Public Accountant and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Accounting from Louisiana Tech University. She is well-qualified to serve on the New Danimer Board and all of its board committees due to her extensive financial, accounting and operational background.

Philip Gregory Calhoun. Mr. Calhoun has been a member of Danimer’s board of directors since 2014 and was a director of Danimer’s Meredian, Inc. and Danimer Scientific, L.L.C. subsidiaries prior to their merger in June 2014. Mr. Calhoun is president and chief executive officer of Circle C. Farms, Inc., a commercial farm and cattle ranch located in Colquitt, Georgia, where Mr. Calhoun has worked since 1981. Mr. Calhoun also is the sole proprietor of GC Sprayer Service, Inc., a crop-dusting operation in Colquitt, Georgia. Mr. Calhoun also serves as a director of First National Bank of Decatur County located in Bainbridge, Georgia, Miller County Gin in Colquitt, Georgia, and American Peanut Growers, a peanut-shelling plant in Donalsonville, Georgia. He is well-qualified to serve on the New Danimer Board and all of its board committees due to his commercial and operational background.

Gregory Hunt. Mr. Hunt has been a member of Danimer’s board of directors since June 2019. Since May 2012, Mr. Hunt has been the chief financial officer and treasurer of Apollo Management, LP, the investment adviser to Apollo Investment Corp., a management investment company. From April 2010 to May 2012, he served as the Executive Vice President and chief financial officer for Yankee Candle Company. Prior to joining Yankee Candle, from 2007 to 2010, Mr. Hunt served as the Executive Vice President of Strategic and Commercial Development for Norwegian Cruise Lines. Prior to joining Norwegian Cruise Lines, Mr. Hunt served as chief financial officer and chief restructuring officer of Tweeter Home Entertainment Group, Inc. from 2006 to 2007 and the chief financial officer and co-chief executive of Syratech Corporation from 2001 to 2006. Prior to Syratech, he held several senior financial leadership positions including chief financial officer of NRT Inc., Culligan Water Technologies, Inc. and Samsonite Corporation. Mr. Hunt currently serves as a member of the board of directors of Kymera Corporation and audit committee chairman, a member of the board of directors of GoodWest Industries and co-chairman of the board of advisors for the University of Vermont School of Business. Mr. Hunt is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting with dual concentration in finance from the University of Vermont. He is well-qualified to serve on the New Danimer Board and all of its board committees due to his financial, operational and advisory background.

Dr. Isao Noda. Dr. Noda has been a member of Danimer’s board of directors since 2016. Prior to joining Danimer, he had a distinguished career extending over three decades at Procter & Gamble and is recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities in the field of polymer science, including the field of bioplastics known as PHA. Currently, Dr. Noda is an affiliated teaching professor at the University of Delaware. Dr. Noda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, a Master of Science in Bioengineering, a Master of Philosophy and a

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Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University. He earned Doctorate in Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Tokyo. He is well-qualified to serve on the New Danimer Board due to his education and science background as well as his expertise in the fields of polymer science and bioplastics.

Stuart W. Pratt. Mr. Pratt has been a member of Danimer’s board of directors since May 2015 and its chairman of the board since January 2016. Since 2001, Mr. Pratt has been the president and chief executive officer of the Fort Point Real-Estate Company. He also has served as the chairman of the board of Hunneman, a commercial real estate firm in Boston, Massachusetts since 2016 and previously served as its chief executive officer. In the 1970s, he was the chief executive officer of Federal Street Equities based in Houston, Texas. Mr. Pratt currently serves on the board of overseers of Boston University and is also a trustee emeritus of Boston University where he was chairman of the Real Estate Committee and served on its Audit, Academic Affairs and Finance committees. Additionally, he also serves as a trustee and chairman of the board of the Peabody Essex Museum, a director of Maritime International Inc. based in Bedford, Massachusetts and Avrio AI based in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Pratt received his Bachelor of Arts from Boston University. He is well-qualified to serve on the New Danimer Board and all of its board committees due to his executive leadership, operational and advisory background.

Board Composition

New Danimer’s business and affairs will be organized under the direction of the New Danimer Board. We anticipate that the New Danimer Board will consist of eight members upon the consummation of the Business Combination. Stephen E. Croskrey will serve as Chairman of the New Danimer Board. John P. Amboian is expected to be the lead independent director. The primary responsibilities of the New Danimer Board will be to provide oversight, strategic guidance, counselling, and direction to New Danimer’s management. The New Danimer Board will meet on a regular basis and additionally as required.

In accordance with the terms of New Danimer’s amended and restated bylaws, which will be effective upon the consummation of the Business Combination, the New Danimer Board will consist of a single class of directors, with members serving one-year terms.

Director Independence

Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, the New Danimer Board is expected to determine that each of the directors on the New Danimer Board other than Stephen E. Croskrey and Stuart Pratt will qualify as independent directors, as defined under the listing rules of NYSE listing standards, and the New Danimer Board will consist of a majority of “independent directors,” as defined under the rules of the SEC and NYSE listing rules relating to director independence requirements. In addition, New Danimer will be subject to the rules of the SEC and NYSE relating to the membership, qualifications, and operations of the audit committee, as discussed below.

Role of the New Danimer Board in Risk Oversight/Risk Committee

Upon the consummation of Business Combination, one of the key functions of the New Danimer Board will be informed oversight of New Danimer’s risk management process. The New Danimer Board does not anticipate having a standing risk management committee, but rather anticipates administering this oversight function directly through the New Danimer Board as a whole, as well as through various standing committees of the New Danimer Board that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. In particular, the New Danimer Board will be responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure and New Danimer’s audit committee will have the responsibility to consider and discuss New Danimer’s major financial risk exposures and the steps its management will take to monitor and control such exposures, including guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and management is undertaken. The audit committee will also monitor compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. New Danimer’s compensation committee will also assess and monitor whether New Danimer’s compensation plans, policies and programs comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Board Committees

Effective upon the consummation of the Business Combination, the New Danimer Board will establish an audit committee, a compensation committee, and a nominating and corporate governance committee. The New Danimer Board will adopt a charter for each of these committees, which will comply with the applicable requirements of current NYSE rules. New Danimer intends to comply with future requirements to the extent they will be applicable to New Danimer. Following the consummation of the Business Combination, copies of the charters for each committee will be available on the investor relations portion of New Danimer’s website.

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Audit Committee

New Danimer’s audit committee will consist of Gregory Hunt, Christy Basco and John P. Amboian. The New Danimer Board is expected to determine that each of the members of the audit committee will satisfy the independence requirements of NYSE and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. Each member of the audit committee can read and understand fundamental financial statements in accordance with NYSE audit committee requirements. In arriving at this determination, the New Danimer Board examined each audit committee member’s scope of experience and the nature of their prior and/or current employment.

Gregory Hunt will serve as the chair of the audit committee. The New Danimer Board is expected to determine that Mr. Hunt qualifies as an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of SEC regulations and meets the financial sophistication requirements of the NYSE listing standards. In making this determination, the New Danimer Board will consider Mr. Hunt’s formal education and previous experience in financial roles. Both New Danimer’s independent registered public accounting firm and management periodically will meet privately with New Danimer’s audit committee.

The functions of this committee will include, among other things:

•        the appointment, compensation, retention, replacement, and oversight of the work of the independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us;

•        pre-approving all audit and permitted non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us, and establishing pre-approval policies and procedures;

•        setting clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent registered public accounting firm, including but not limited to, as required by applicable laws and regulations;

•        setting clear policies for audit partner rotation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

•        obtaining and reviewing a report, at least annually, from the independent registered public accounting firm describing (i) the independent registered public accounting firm’s internal quality-control procedures, (ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the audit firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm and any steps taken to deal with such issues and (iii) all relationships between the independent registered public accounting firm and us to assess the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence;

•        reviewing and approving any related party transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC prior to us entering into such transaction; and

•        reviewing with management, the independent registered public accounting firm, and our legal advisors, as appropriate, any legal, regulatory or compliance matters, including any correspondence with regulators or government agencies and any employee complaints or published reports that raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies and any significant changes in accounting standards or rules promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC or other regulatory authorities.

The composition and function of the audit committee will comply with all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and all applicable SEC rules and regulations. New Danimer will to comply with future requirements to the extent they become applicable to New Danimer.

Compensation Committee

New Danimer’s compensation committee will consist of Richard J. Hendrix, Philip Gregory Calhoun and Stuart W. Pratt; and Mr. Hendrix will serve as the chair of the compensation committee. The New Danimer Board is expected to determine that each of the members of the compensation committee will be a non-employee director, as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and that a majority of the members will satisfy the independence requirements of NYSE. The functions of the committee will include, among other things:

•        reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, if any is paid by us, evaluating our Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and determining and approving the remuneration (if any) of our Chief Executive Officer based on such evaluation;

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•        reviewing and approving on an annual basis the compensation, if any is paid by us, of all of our other officers;

•        reviewing on an annual basis our executive compensation policies and plans;

•        implementing and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans;

•        assisting management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements;

•        approving all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our officers and employees;

•        if required, producing a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement; and

•        reviewing, evaluating and recommending changes, if appropriate, to the remuneration for directors.

The compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser and will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any such adviser. However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or any other adviser, the compensation committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required by the NYSE and the SEC.

The composition and function of its compensation committee will comply with all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and all applicable SEC and NYSE rules and regulations. New Danimer will comply with future requirements to the extent they become applicable to New Danimer.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

New Danimer’s nominating and corporate governance committee will consist of John P. Amboian, Dr. Isao Noda and Stuart W. Pratt. The New Danimer Board is expected to determine that a majority of the members of New Danimer’s nominating and corporate governance committee will satisfy the independence requirements of NYSE. Mr. Amboian will serve as the chair of New Danimer’s nominating and corporate governance committee. The functions of this committee include, among other things:

•        identifying, screening and reviewing individuals qualified to serve as directors and recommending to the board of directors candidates for nomination for election at the annual meeting of stockholders or to fill vacancies on the board of directors;

•        developing and recommending to the board of directors and overseeing implementation of our corporate governance guidelines;

•        coordinating and overseeing the annual self-evaluation of the board of directors, its committees, individual directors and management in the governance of the company; and

•        reviewing on a regular basis our overall corporate governance and recommending improvements as and when necessary.

The composition and function of the nominating and corporate governance committee will comply with all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and all applicable SEC and NYSE rules and regulations. New Danimer will comply with future requirements to the extent they become applicable to us.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of the intended members of New Danimer’s compensation committee has ever been an executive officer or employee of New Danimer. None of New Danimer’s executive officers currently serve, or has served during the last completed fiscal year, on the compensation committee or board of directors of any other entity that has one or more executive officers that will serve as a member of the New Danimer Board or compensation committee.

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Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

New Danimer’s Proposed Certificate of Incorporation, which will be effective upon consummation of the Business Combination, limits New Danimer’s directors’ liability to the fullest extent permitted under the DGCL.

A New Danimer director will not be personally liable to New Danimer or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty by such director as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to New Danimer or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a New Danimer director will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.

New Danimer, to the full extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, as amended from time to time, will indemnify all persons whom it may indemnify pursuant thereto. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which such officer or director may be entitled to indemnification will be paid by New Danimer in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the New Danimer as authorized by it.

Delaware law and New Danimer’s amended and restated bylaws provide that New Danimer will, in certain situations, indemnify New Danimer’s directors and officers and may indemnify other employees and other agents, to the fullest extent permitted by law. Any indemnified person is also entitled, subject to certain limitations, to advancement, direct payment, or reimbursement of reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding.

In addition, New Danimer will enter into separate indemnification agreements with New Danimer’s directors and officers. These agreements, among other things, require New Danimer to indemnify its directors and officers for certain expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, and settlement amounts incurred by a director or officer in any action or proceeding arising out of their services as one of New Danimer’s directors or officers or any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at New Danimer’s request.

New Danimer plans to maintain a directors’ and officers’ insurance policy pursuant to which New Danimer’s directors and officers are insured against liability for actions taken in their capacities as directors and officers. We believe these provisions in New Danimer’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and these indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers, or control persons, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Code of Ethics

New Danimer will adopt a Code of Ethics applicable to its directors, officers and employees. We will file a copy of our Code of Ethics and our audit and compensation committee charters as exhibits to the registration statement of which this this proxy statement/prospectus is a part. You will be able to review this document by accessing our public filings at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. We intend to disclose any amendments to or waivers of certain provisions of our Code of Ethics in a Current Report on Form 8-K. See the section of this proxy statement/prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.

Non-Employee Director Compensation

The New Danimer Board expects to review director compensation periodically to ensure that director compensation remains competitive such that New Danimer is able to recruit and retain qualified directors. Following the consummation of the Business Combination, Danimer intends to develop a board of directors’ compensation program that is designed to align compensation with New Danimer’s business objectives and the creation of stockholder value, while enabling New Danimer to attract, retain, incentivize and reward directors who contribute to the long-term success of New Danimer.

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DESCRIPTION OF LIVE OAK’S SECURITIES

The following summary of the material terms of Live Oak’s securities following the Business Combination is not intended to be a complete summary of the rights and preferences of such securities. We urge you to read our proposed certificate in its entirety for a complete description of the rights and preferences of Live Oak’s securities following the Business Combination. The proposed certificate is described in “Proposal No. 2 — The Charter Amendment Proposal” and the full text of the proposed certificate is attached as Annex B to this proxy statement/prospectus.

Authorized and Outstanding Stock

The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of 200,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share and 10,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, $0.0001 par value. The outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock are, and the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issued in the Business Combination will be, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. As of the record date for the special meeting, there were          shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock,          shares of Live Oak Class B Common Stock and no shares of preferred stock of Live Oak outstanding.

Voting Power

Except as otherwise required by law or as otherwise provided in any certificate of designation for any series of preferred stock, the holders of Live Oak Class A Common Stock possess all voting power for the election of our directors and all other matters requiring stockholder action. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on matters to be voted on by stockholders.

Dividends

Holders of common stock will be entitled to receive such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors in its discretion out of funds legally available therefor. In no event will any stock dividends or stock splits or combinations of stock be declared or made on common stock unless the shares of common stock at the time outstanding are treated equally and identically.

We have not paid any cash dividends on any class of our common stock to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of the Business Combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial conditions subsequent to completion of the Business Combination. The payment of any cash dividends subsequent to the Business Combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time. Further, if we incur any indebted-ness, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection there-with.

Liquidation, Dissolution and Winding Up

In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding-up, the holders of the common stock will be entitled to receive an equal amount per share of all of our assets of whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders, after the rights of the holders of the preferred stock have been satisfied.

Preemptive or Other Rights

Our stockholders have no preemptive or other subscription rights and there are no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to Live Oak Class A Common Stock.

Election of Directors

Our board of directors will be composed of single class of eight directors, each of whom will generally serve for a term of one year. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voted for the election of directors can elect all of the directors.

Common Stock Prior to the Business Combination

We are providing our stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of the Business Combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then

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on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The Sponsor and the other Initial Live Oak Stockholders have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any Founder Shares and any Public Shares held by them in connection with the completion of the Business Combination.

We will consummate the Business Combination only if a majority of the outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock voted at the special meeting are voted in favor of the Business Combination Proposal. However, the participation of our Sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or any of their affiliates in privately negotiated transactions, if any, could result in the approval of the Business Combination even if a majority of the remaining stockholders vote, or indicate their intention to vote, against the Business Combination.

Pursuant to the Existing Certificate of Incorporation, if we are unable to complete our initial business combination by May 8, 2022, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than 10 business days thereafter subject to lawfully available funds therefor, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. Our Sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Founder Shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination by May 8, 2022. However, if our Initial Stockholders have acquired Public Shares, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to such Public Shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time period.

In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Live Oak after an initial business combination, our stockholders are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities and after provision is made for each class of stock, if any, having preference over the Live Oak Class A Common Stock. Our stockholders have no preemptive or other subscription rights. There are no sinking fund provisions applicable to the Live Oak Class A Common Stock, except that we will provide our stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest (which will be net of taxes paid by us) upon the completion of the Business Combination, subject to the limitations described herein.

Founder Shares

The Founder Shares are identical to the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, and holders of Founder Shares have the same stockholder rights as Public Stockholders, except that (i) the Founder Shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below, (ii) our Sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed (A) to waive their redemption rights with respect to any Founder Shares and any Public Shares held by them in connection with the completion of the Business Combination, (B) to waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder Shares and Public Shares in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to (i) modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide for the redemption of our Public shares in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our Public Shares if we do not complete our initial business combination by May 8, 2022 or (ii) with respect to any other material provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, and (C) to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Founder Shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination by May 8, 2022, although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Public Shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination within such time period, (iii) the Founder Shares will automatically convert into shares of our Live Oak Class A Common Stock at the time of our initial business combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment pursuant to certain anti-dilution rights as described herein

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and (iv) are entitled to registration rights. Our Sponsor, officers and directors have agreed (and its permitted transferees will agree) pursuant to the letter agreement to vote any Founder Shares held by them and any Public Shares in favor of our initial business combination.

The number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of all founder shares will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 5,000,000, plus the total number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issued, or deemed issued or issuable upon conversion or exercise of any equity-linked securities or rights issued or deemed issued, by Live Oak in connection with or in relation to the consummation of the Business Combination, excluding any shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock or equity-linked securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issued, or to be issued, to any seller in the initial business combination and any private placement-equivalent warrants issued to our Sponsor, officers or directors upon conversion of working capital loans; provided that such conversion of Founder Shares will never occur on a less than one for one basis. The term “equity-linked securities” refers to any debt or equity securities that are convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issued in a financing transaction in connection with our initial business combination, including but not limited to a private placement of equity or debt. Securities could be “deemed issued” for purposes of the conversion rate adjustment if such shares are issuable upon the conversion or exercise of convertible securities, warrants or similar securities. In connection with the Business Combination, the Sponsor has agreed to waive the anti-dilution provisions in respect of the Founder Shares.

With certain limited exceptions, the Founder Shares are not transferable, assignable or salable (except to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with our Sponsor, each of whom will be subject to the same transfer restrictions) until the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of the Business Combination or (B) subsequent to the Business Combination, (x) if the reported closing price of our Live Oak Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Business Combination or (y) the date, following the completion of the Business Combination, on which we complete a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property.

Preferred Stock

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Our board of directors will be authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences, the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. Our board of directors will be able to, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the common stock and could have anti-takeover effects. The ability of our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us or the removal of existing management. We have no preferred stock outstanding at the date hereof. Although we do not currently intend to issue any shares of preferred stock, we cannot assure you that we will not do so in the future.

Redeemable Warrants

Public Stockholders’ Warrants

Each whole Live Oak Warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing 30 days after the completion of the Business Combination. Pursuant to the Live Oak Warrant Agreement, a warrantholder may exercise its Live Oak Warrants only for a whole number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock. This means only a whole Live Oak Warrant may be exercised at a given time by a warrantholder. The Live Oak Warrants will expire five years after the completion of the Business Combination, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

We will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of a Live Oak Warrant and will have no obligation to settle such Live Oak Warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock underlying the Live Oak Warrants is then effective and a current prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to our satisfying our

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obligations described below with respect to registration. No Live Oak Warrant will be exercisable and we will not be obligated to issue shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock upon exercise of a Live Oak Warrant unless Live Oak Class A Common Stock issuable upon such Live Oak Warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the Live Oak Warrants. In the event that the conditions in the two immediately preceding sentences are not satisfied with respect to a Live Oak Warrant, the holder of such Live Oak Warrant will not be entitled to exercise such Live Oak Warrant and such Live Oak Warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In no event will we be required to net cash settle any Live Oak Warrant.

We are not registering the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Live Oak Warrants at this time. However, we have agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days after the closing of the Business Combination, we will use our best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Live Oak Warrants, to cause such registration statement to become effective and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock until the Live Oak Warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the Live Oak Warrant Agreement. If a registration statement covering the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Live Oak Warrants is not effective by the 60th business day after the closing of the Business Combination or within a specified period following the consummation of the Business Combination, warrantholders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise Live Oak Warrants on a “cashless basis” pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act; provided that such exemption is available. If that exemption, or another exemption, is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their Live Oak Warrants on a cashless basis.

Once the Live Oak Warrants become exercisable, we may call the Live Oak Warrants for redemption:

•        in whole and not in part;

•        at a price of $0.01 per Live Oak Warrant;

•        upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption (the “30-day redemption period”) to each warrantholder; and

•        if, and only if, the reported closing price of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending three business days before we send the notice of redemption to the warrantholders.

If and when the Live Oak Warrants become redeemable by us, we may not exercise our redemption right if the issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise of the Live Oak Warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or we are unable to effect such registration or qualification. We will use our best efforts to register or qualify such shares of common stock under the blue sky laws of the state of residence in those states in which the Live Oak Warrants were initially offered by us in our initial public offering.

We have established the last of the redemption criteria discussed above to prevent a redemption call unless there is at the time of the call a significant premium to the Live Oak Warrant exercise price. If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption of the Live Oak Warrants, each warrantholder will be entitled to exercise its Live Oak Warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date. However, the price of Live Oak Class A Common Stock may fall below the $18.00 redemption trigger price (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like), as well as the $11.50 Live Oak Warrant exercise price after the redemption notice is issued.

If we call the Live Oak Warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise its Live Oak Warrant to do so on a cashless basis. In determining whether to require all holders to exercise their Live Oak Warrants on a cashless basis, our management will consider, among other factors, our cash position, the number of Live Oak Warrants that are outstanding and the dilutive effect on our stockholders of issuing the maximum number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of our Live Oak Warrants. If our management takes advantage of this option, all holders of Live Oak Warrants would

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pay the exercise price by surrendering their Live Oak Warrants for that number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock underlying the Live Oak Warrants multiplied by and the excess of the “fair market value” (defined below) over the exercise price of the Live Oak Warrants by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average reported closing price of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of Live Oak Warrants. If our management takes advantage of this option, the notice of redemption will contain the information necessary to calculate the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock to be received upon exercise of the Live Oak Warrants, including the “fair market value” in such case. Requiring a cashless exercise in this manner will reduce the number of shares to be issued and thereby lessen the dilutive effect of a Live Oak Warrant redemption. We believe this feature is an attractive option to us if we do not need the cash from the exercise of the Live Oak Warrants after our initial business combination. If we call our Live Oak Warrants for redemption and our management does not take advantage of this option, our sponsor and its permitted transferees would still be entitled to exercise their Private Warrants for cash or on a cashless basis using the same formula described above that other warrantholders would have been required to use had all warrantholders been required to exercise their Live Oak Warrants on a cashless basis, as described in more detail below.

A holder of a Live Oak Warrant may notify us in writing in the event it elects to be subject to a requirement that such holder will not have the right to exercise such Live Oak Warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the Live Oak Warrant agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 4.9% or 9.8% (or such other amount as a holder may specify) of the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.

If the number of outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock is increased by a stock dividend payable in shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock , or by a split-up of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such stock dividend, split-up or similar event, the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issuable on exercise of each Live Oak Warrant will be increased in proportion to such increase in the outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock . A rights offering to holders of Live Oak Class A Common Stock entitling holders to purchase shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock at a price less than the fair market value will be deemed a stock dividend of a number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock actually sold in such rights offering (or issuable under any other equity securities sold in such rights offering that are convertible into or exercisable for Live Oak Class A Common Stock ) and (ii) one minus the quotient of (x) the price per share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock paid in such rights offering divided by (y) the fair market value. For these purposes (i) if the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for Live Oak Class A Common Stock , in determining the price payable for Live Oak Class A Common Stock , there will be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion and (ii) fair market value means the volume weighted average price of Live Oak Class A Common Stock as reported during the 10 trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such rights.

In addition, if we, at any time while the Live Oak Warrants are outstanding and unexpired, pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to the holders of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on account of such shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock (or other shares of our capital stock into which the Live Oak Warrants are convertible), other than (a) as described above, (b) certain ordinary cash dividends, (c) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of Live Oak Class A Common Stock in connection with a proposed initial business combination, (d) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of Live Oak Class A Common Stock in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to (i) modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide for the redemption of our public shares in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination by May 8, 2022 or (ii) with respect to any other material provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, or (e) in connection with the redemption of our public shares upon our failure to complete our initial business combination, then the Live Oak Warrant exercise price will be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such event, by the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of any securities or other assets paid on each share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock in respect of such event.

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If the number of outstanding shares of our Live Oak Class A Common Stock is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse stock split or reclassification of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse stock split, reclassification or similar event, the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issuable on exercise of each Live Oak Warrant will be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock .

Whenever the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Live Oak Warrants is adjusted, as described above, the Live Oak Warrant exercise price will be adjusted by multiplying the Live Oak Warrant exercise price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which will be the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Live Oak Warrants immediately prior to such adjustment, and (y) the denominator of which will be the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock so purchasable immediately thereafter.

In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock (other than those described above or that solely affects the par value of such shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock ), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of us with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which we are the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of our outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock ), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of us as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which we are dissolved, the holders of the Live Oak Warrants will thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the Live Oak Warrants and in lieu of the shares of our Live Oak Class A Common Stock immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the holder of the Live Oak Warrants would have received if such holder had exercised their Live Oak Warrants immediately prior to such event. If less than 70% of the consideration receivable by the holders of Live Oak Class A Common Stock in such a transaction is payable in the form of Live Oak Class A Common Stock in the successor entity that is listed for trading on a national securities exchange or is quoted in an established over-the-counter market, or is to be so listed for trading or quoted immediately following such event, and if the registered holder of the Live Oak Warrant properly exercises the Live Oak Warrant within 30 days following public disclosure of such transaction, the Live Oak Warrant exercise price will be reduced as specified in the Live Oak Warrant Agreement based on the Black-Scholes value (as defined in the Live Oak Warrant Agreement) of the Live Oak Warrant. The purpose of such exercise price reduction is to provide additional value to holders of the Live Oak Warrants when an extraordinary transaction occurs during the exercise period of the Live Oak Warrants pursuant to which the holders of the Live Oak Warrants otherwise do not receive the full potential value of the Live Oak Warrants. This formula is to compensate the Live Oak Warrant holder for the loss of the option value portion of the Live Oak Warrant due to the requirement that the Live Oak Warrant holder exercise the Live Oak Warrant within 30 days of the event. The Black-Scholes model is an accepted pricing model for estimating fair market value where no quoted market price for an instrument is available.

The Live Oak Warrants are issued in registered form under a Live Oak Warrant Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. The Live Oak Warrant Agreement provides that the terms of the Live Oak Warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision, and that all other modifications or amendments will require the vote or written consent of the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding Public Warrants and, solely with respect to any amendment to the terms of the Private Warrants, a majority of the then outstanding Private Warrants.

The Live Oak Warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price (or on a cashless basis, if applicable), by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of Live Oak Warrants being exercised. The warrantholders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of Live Oak Class A Common Stock or any voting rights until they exercise their Live Oak Warrants and receive shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock . After the issuance of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock upon exercise of the Live Oak Warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by stockholders.

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No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the Live Oak Warrants. If, upon exercise of the Live Oak Warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock to be issued to the warrantholder. As a result, warrantholders not purchasing an even number of Live Oak Warrants must sell any odd number of Live Oak Warrants in order to obtain full value from the fractional interests that will not be issued.

Private Warrants

The Private Warrants (including the Live Oak Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Private Warrants) are not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of the Business Combination (except, among other limited exceptions set forth in the Warrant Agreement, to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with our Sponsor) and they will not be redeemable by us so long as they are held by our Sponsor or its permitted transferees. Except as described below, the Private Warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the Public Warrants, including as to exercise price, exercisability and exercise period. If the Private Warrants are held by holders other than the sponsor or its permitted transferees, the Private Warrants will be redeemable by us and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.

If holders of the Private Warrants elect to exercise them on a cashless basis, they would pay the exercise price by surrendering their Private Warrants for that number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock underlying the Private Warrants multiplied by the excess of the “fair market value” (defined below) over the exercise price of the Private Warrants by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” means the average reported closing price of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of Private Warrants exercise is sent to the warrant agent.

Our Sponsor has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Private Warrants (including the Live Oak Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of any of these Private Warrants) until the date that is 30 days after the date we complete the Business Combination, except that, among other limited exceptions, for transfers made to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with our Sponsor.

Our Transfer Agent and Warrant Agent

The transfer agent for our common stock and warrant agent for our Live Oak Warrants is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. We have agreed to indemnify Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company in its roles as transfer agent and warrant agent, its agents and each of its stockholders, directors, officers and employees against all claims and losses that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of the indemnified person or entity.

Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law and our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL regulating corporate takeovers. This statute prevents certain Delaware corporations, under certain circumstances, from engaging in a “business combination” with:

•        a stockholder who owns 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock (otherwise known as an “interested stockholder”);

•        an affiliate of an interested stockholder; or

•        an associate of an interested stockholder, for three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder.

A “business combination” includes a merger or sale of more than 10% of our assets. However, the above provisions of Section 203 do not apply if:

•        our board of directors approves the transaction that made the stockholder an “interested stockholder,” prior to the date of the transaction;

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•        after the completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, that stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, other than statutorily excluded shares of common stock; or

•        on or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the initial business combination is approved by our board of directors and authorized at a meeting of our stockholders, and not by written consent, by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder.

Our authorized but unissued Live Oak Class A Common Stock and preferred stock are available for future issuances without stockholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

Exclusive forum for certain lawsuits

The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation will require that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, unless Live Oak consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for: (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of New Danimer; (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director or officer or other employee of New Danimer to New Danimer or New Danimer’s stockholders; (iii) any action asserting a claim against New Danimer or any director or officer or other employee of New Danimer arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws (as either may be amended, restated, modified, supplemented or waived from time to time); (iv) any action asserting a claim against New Danimer or any director or officer or other employee of New Danimer governed by the internal affairs doctrine; or (v) any action asserting an “internal corporate claim” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the DGCL, shall be a state court located within the State of Delaware (or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware). If an action is brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel. Although we believe this provision benefits us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, a court may determine that this provision is unenforceable, and to the extent it is enforceable, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers, although our stockholders cannot waive our compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation will provide that the exclusive forum provision will be applicable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

Special meeting of stockholders

Our bylaws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by a majority vote of our board of directors, by our Chief Executive Officer or by the Chairman of the Live Oak board of directors.

Advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and director nominations

Our bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before our annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at our annual meeting of stockholders, must provide timely notice of their intent in writing. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice will need to be received by our secretary at our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders. Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, proposals seeking inclusion in our annual proxy statement must comply with the notice periods contained therein. Our bylaws also specify certain requirements as to the form and content of a stockholders’ meeting. These provisions may preclude our stockholders from bringing matters before our annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of stockholders.

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Registration Rights

The holders of (i) the Founder Shares and (ii) Private Warrants and the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock underlying such Private Warrants have registration rights to require us to register a sale of any of our securities held by them pursuant to a registration rights agreement. These holders of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form registration demands, that we register such securities for sale under the Securities Act. In addition, these holders have “piggy-back” registration rights to include their securities in other registration statements filed by us, subject to certain limitations. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Upon completion of the Business Combination, Live Oak will have 200,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock authorized and, based on the assumptions set out elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, up to          shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding, assuming no shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock are redeemed in connection with the Business Combination. All of the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issued in connection with the Business Combination will be freely transferable by persons other than by Live Oak’s “affiliates” without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. Sales of substantial amounts of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock in the public market could adversely affect prevailing market prices of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock.

Lock-up Agreements

Shareholder Parties will enter into the Lock-Up Agreement at Closing. Pursuant to the terms of the Lock-Up Agreement, Live Oak will be obligated to file a registration statement to register the resale of certain securities of Live Oak held by the Shareholder Parties.

The securities held by the Shareholder Parties will be locked-up for a period of time following the Effective Date, as described below, subject to certain exceptions. The securities held by the Shareholder Parties will be locked-up until the earlier of (i) one year after the Effective Date or (ii) subsequent to the Effective Date, (x) if the reported closing price of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any twenty (20) trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least one hundred fifty (150) days after the Effective Date, or (y) the Lock Up Period.

For more information about the Registration Rights and Lock-Up Agreement, see the section entitled “Certain Agreements Related to the Business Combination — Lock-Up Agreement.”

Rule 144

A person who has beneficially owned restricted shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock or restricted warrants for at least six months would be entitled to sell their securities provided that (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale and (ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least three months before the sale. Persons who have beneficially owned restricted shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock or restricted Public Warrants for at least six months but who are our affiliates at the time of, or any time during the three months preceding, a sale, would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of securities that does not exceed the greater of either of the following:

•        1% of the then outstanding equity shares of the same class which, immediately after the Business Combination, will equal approximately          shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and          Live Oak Warrants; or

•        the average weekly trading volume of Live Oak Class A Common Stock of the same class or warrants, as applicable, during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with the SEC.

Sales by affiliates of Live Oak under Rule 144 are also subject to certain requirements relating to manner of sale, notice and the availability of current public information about Live Oak.

Restrictions on the Use of Rule 144 by Shell Companies or Former Shell Companies

Rule 144 is not available for the resale of securities initially issued by shell companies (other than business combination related shell companies) or issuers that have been at any time previously a shell company. However, Rule 144 also includes an important exception to this prohibition if the following conditions are met:

•        the issuer of the securities that was formerly a shell company has ceased to be a shell company;

•        the issuer of the securities is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;

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•        the issuer of the securities has filed all Exchange Act reports and material required to be filed, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Form 8-K reports; and

•        at least one year has elapsed from the time that the issuer filed current Form 10 type information with the SEC, which is expected to be filed promptly after completion of the Business Combination, reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company.

As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, there are 20,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock outstanding. Of these shares, the 20,000,000 shares sold in our IPO are freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by one of our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All of the 5,000,000 Founder Shares owned collectively by the Live Oak Initial Stockholders are restricted securities under Rule 144, in that they were issued in private transactions not involving a public offering.

As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, there are a total of 16,000,000 warrants outstanding. Each warrant is exercisable for one share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, in accordance with the terms of the warrant agreement governing the Public Warrants. 10,000,000 of these warrants are public warrants and are freely tradable, except for any warrants purchased by one of our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. In addition, we will be obligated to maintain an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the 10,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock that may be issued upon the exercise of the Public Warrants.

Rule 701

In general, under Rule 701 of the Securities Act as currently in effect, each of Danimer’s employees, consultants or advisors who purchases equity shares from New Danimer in connection with a compensatory stock plan or other written agreement executed prior to the completion of the Business Combination is eligible to resell those equity shares in reliance on Rule 144, but without compliance with some of the restrictions, including the holding period, contained in Rule 144. However, the Rule 701 shares would remain subject to lock-up arrangements and would only become eligible for sale when the lock-up period expires.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information regarding (i) the actual beneficial ownership of Live Oak Common Stock as of October 23, 2020 and (ii) expected beneficial ownership of New Danimer common stock immediately following the Closing, assuming that no Public Shares are redeemed, and alternatively that 20,000,000 Public Shares are redeemed, by:

•        each person who is, or is expected to be, the beneficial owner of more than 5% of issued and outstanding shares of Live Oak Common Stock or of New Danimer common stock;

•        each of our current executive officers and directors;

•        each person who will become an executive officer or director of New Danimer post-Business Combination; and

•        all executive officers and directors of Live Oak as a group pre-Business Combination and all executive officers and directors of New Danimer post-Business Combination.

Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including options and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.

The beneficial ownership of shares of Live Oak Common Stock pre-Business Combination is based on 25,000,000 shares of common stock of Live Oak (including 20,000,000 Public Shares and 5,000,000 Founder Shares) issued and outstanding as of October 23, 2020.

The expected beneficial ownership of shares of New Danimer common stock post-Business Combination assuming none of the Public Shares are redeemed has been determined based upon the following: (i) that no Public Stockholders exercise their redemption rights (no redemptions scenario), (ii) that none of the investors set forth in the table below has purchased or purchases shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock (pre-Business Combination) or New Danimer common stock (post-Business Combination), (iii) that 21,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock are issued to the PIPE Investors, (iv) that an aggregate of 38,748,646 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock are issued to the Danimer shareholders (giving effect to conversion in full of all Danimer Convertible Notes immediately prior to the Closing), (v) that for purposes of determining the number of EIP Options issued in exchange for outstanding Danimer Options, the fair market value of Live Oak Class A Common Stock as of Closing will equal $10 per share and (vi) there will be an aggregate of approximately 84,748,646 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding at Closing.

The expected beneficial ownership of shares of New Danimer common stock post-Business Combination assuming the maximum number of Public Shares have been redeemed has been determined based on the following: (i) that holders of 20,000,000 Public Shares exercise their redemption rights (maximum redemption scenario), (ii) that none of the investors set forth in the table below has purchased or purchases shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, (iii) that 21,000,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock are issued to the PIPE investors, (iv) that an aggregate of 38,748,646 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock are issued to the Danimer shareholders at Closing (giving effect to the conversion in full of all Danimer Convertible Notes immediately prior to the Closing); (v) that for purposes of determining the number of EIP Options issued in exchange for outstanding Danimer Options, the fair market value of Live Oak Class A Common Stock as of Closing will equal $10 per share, and (vi) there will be an aggregate of 64,748,646 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding at Closing.

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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

 


Before the Business Combination

 

After the Business Combination

Assuming No
Redemption

 

Assuming Maximum
Redemption

Number of
shares of
Live Oak
Common
Stock

 

%

 

Number of
shares of
New Danimer
Common
Stock

 

%

 

Number of
shares of
New Danimer Common Stock

 

%

Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC(1)

 

5,000,000

 

20.0

 

8,000,000

 

9.1

 

8,000,000

 

12.4

Jefferies LLC(2)

 

2,499,999

 

10.0

 

3,749,998

 

4.4

 

1,249,999

 

1.9

Corsair Capital Management, L.P.(3)

 

2,183,589

 

8.7

 

2,259,309

 

2.7

 

75,450

 

*

Atalaya Capital Management LP(4)

 

1,700,000

 

6.8

 

3,550,000

 

4.1

 

1,850,000

 

2.8

Millennium Management LLC(5)

 

1,560,000

 

6.2

 

2,340,000

 

2.7

 

780,000

 

1.2

Richard J. Hendrix(6)

 

5,000,000

 

20.0

 

12,905,000

 

14.7

 

12,905,000

 

19.0

Gary K. Wunderlich, Jr.(7)

 

5,000,000

 

20.0

 

12,945,000

 

14.7

 

12,945,000

 

19.1

Ross Berner(8)

 

5,000,000

 

20.0

 

8,000,000

 

9.1

 

8,000,000

 

11.8

John P. Amboian

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andrea K. Tarbox

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tor R. Braham

 

 

 

 

 

 

John W. Sweet, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harold Ford, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jonathan Furer

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Directors and Executive Officers of Live Oak as a Group (nine individuals)

 

5,000,000

 

20.0

 

12,945,000

 

14.7

 

12,945,000

 

19.1

                         

Directors and Executive Officers of New Danimer After Consummation of the Business Combination

                       

Stephen E. Croskrey

 

 

 

4,500,986

 

5.3

 

4,500,986

 

7.0

Stuart W. Pratt(9)

 

 

 

3,150,161

 

3.7

 

3,150,161

 

4.9

Philip Gregory Calhoun(10)

 

 

 

3,580,407

 

4.2

 

3,580,407

 

5.5

John A. Dowdy, III(11)

 

 

 

1,239,597

 

1.4

 

1,239,597

 

1.9

Michael Smith(12)

 

 

 

919,612

 

1.1

 

919,612

 

1.4

Phillip Van Trump(13)

 

 

 

904,704

 

1.1

 

904,704

 

1.4

Scott Tuten(14)

 

 

 

877,985

 

1.0

 

877,985

 

1.3

Isao Noda(15)

 

 

 

658,226

 

*

 

658,226

 

1.0

Gregory Hunt(16)

 

 

 

4,650

 

*

 

4,650

 

*

Christy Basco

 

 

 

 

 

 

John P. Amboian

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard J. Hendrix(17)

 

5,000,000

 

20.0

 

12,905,000

 

14.7

 

12,945,000

 

19.0

All Directors and Executive Officers of New Danimer as a Group (12 Individuals)(18)

 

5,000,000

 

20.0

 

28,741,328

 

31.3

 

28,741,328

 

40.1

                         

Five Percent Holders:

                       

Live Oak ValFund Plastics Fund LLC(19)

 

 

 

4,905,000

 

5.8

 

4,905,000

 

7.6

____________

*        Less than 1%.

(1)      Number of shares held after the Business Combination includes 3,000,000 shares underlying Live Oak Warrants that will become exercisable 30 days after the Closing. The Sponsor is the record holder of such shares. Each of Messrs. Hendrix, Wunderlich and Berner are the managing members of the Sponsor, and as such, each have voting and investment discretion with respect to the common stock held of record by the Sponsor and may be deemed to have shared beneficial ownership of the common stock held directly by the Sponsor. Each of our officers and directors hold a direct or indirect interest in

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the Sponsor. Each such person disclaims any beneficial ownership of the reported shares other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest they may have therein, directly or indirectly. The business address of the Sponsor is 774 A. Walker Rd., Great Falls, VA 22066. Certain investment funds and accounts managed by Atalaya Capital Management LP are passive limited members of the Sponsor.

(2)      Based on a Form 3 filed on May 19, 2020 by Jefferies LLC. Number of shares held after the Business Combination includes 1,249,999 shares underlying Live Oak Warrants that will become exercisable 30 days after the Closing.

(3)     Based on a Schedule 13G filed on October 22, 2020 by Corsair Capital Management, L.P. (“Corsair Management”). Corsair Management is deemed to own 2,183,589 shares through the following affiliates: Corsair Capital Partners, L.P. (“Corsair Capital”) owns 837,394 shares; Corsair Capital Partners 100, L.P. (“Corsair 100”) owns 111,847 shares; Corsair Select L.P. (“Corsair Select”) owns 902,561 shares; Corsair Select 100 L.P. (“Select 100”) owns 118,956 shares; Corsair Capital Investors, Ltd (“Corsair Investors”) owns 90,488 shares; and Corsair Select Master Fund, Ltd. (“Select Master”) owns 122,613 shares. Number of shares held after the Business Combination includes 75,450 shares underlying Live Oak Warrants that will become exercisable 30 days after the Closing. According to information provided by the Schedule 13G filed by Corsair Management, Corsair Management is the investment manager of the above mentioned entities and as such may be deemed to have shared voting control and investment discretion over securities held by those entities. In addition each of Jay R. Petschek and Steven Major are controlling persons of Corsair Management. The principal business for Corsair Capital, Corsair 100, Corsair Select, Select 100, Corsair Management, Mr. Petschek and Mr. Major is 366 Madison Ave, 12th floor, New York, NY 10017. The principal business address for each of Corsair Investors and Select Master is M&C Corporate Services Ltd, Box 309, George Town, Cayman Islands KY1-1104. Each of Mr. Petschek and Mr. Major is a citizen of the United States.

(4)     Based on a Schedule 13G filed on May 14, 2020 by Atalaya Capital Management LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Atalaya”). Includes (i) 400,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock held by Atalaya; and (ii) 1,300,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock held by Corbin ERISA Opportunity Fund, Ltd., a Delaware limited partnership (“Corbin”). Number of shares held after the Business Combination includes (i) 400,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issuable to Atalaya in the PIPE and 200,000 shares underlying Live Oak Warrants that will become exercisable 30 days after the Closing held by Atalaya; (ii) 300,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issuable to Corbin in the PIPE and 650,000 shares underlying Live Oak Warrants that will become exercisable 30 days after the Closing held by Corbin; and (iii) 300,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issuable upon to Corbin Opportunity Fund, L.P. (“Corbin Opportunity”) in the PIPE. According to information provided by the Schedule 13G filed by Atalaya, Atalaya is the sub-advisor to Corbin and Corbin Opportunity and as such may be deemed to have shared voting control and investment discretion over securities held by those entities. The principal business for Atalaya is 780 Third Avenue, 27th Floor, New York, New York 10017. The principal business address for Corbin and Corbin Opportunity is 590 Madison Avenue, 31st Floor, New York, New York 10022.

(5)     Based on a Schedule 13G filed on May 14, 2020 by Millennium Management LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“Millennium Management”). Includes (i) 160,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock held by Integrated Core Strategies (US) LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ICS (US)”); (ii) 800,000 shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock held by Riverview Group LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Riverview”); and (iii) 600,000 shares of Live Oak Common Stock held ICS Opportunities, Ltd, an exempted company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, an exempted company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“ICS Ltd.”). Number of shares held after the Business Combination includes (i) 80,000 shares underlying Live Oak Warrants that will become exercisable 30 days after the Closing held by ICS (US); (ii) 400,000 shares underlying Live Oak Warrants that will become exercisable 30 days after the Closing held by Riverview; and (iii) 300,000 shares underlying Live Oak Warrants that will become exercisable 30 days after the Closing held by ICS Ltd. According to the Schedule 13G filed by Millennium Management, Millennium Management is the general partner of the managing member of ICS (US) and Riverview, and the general partner of the sole equityholder of ICS Ltd., and as such may be deemed to have shared voting control and investment discretion over securities held by those entities. In addition, Millennium International Management LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Millennium International”), is the investment manager to ICS Ltd. and may be deemed to have shared voting control and investment discretion over securities held by those entities. Millennium Group Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Millennium Group Management”), is the managing member of Millennium Management, and the general partner of Millennium International, and therefore may also be deemed to have shared voting control and investment discretion over securities owned by ICS (US), Riverview and ICS Ltd. The managing member of Millennium Group Management is a trust of which Israel A. Englander, a United States citizen, currently serves as the sole voting trustee. Therefore, Israel A. Englander may also be deemed to have shared voting control and investment discretion over securities owned by ICS (US), Riverview and ICS Ltd. The principal business for Millennium Management, Millennium International, and Millennium Group Management is 666 Fifth Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10103. The principal business address for each of Mr. Englander, ICS (US), and Riverview is c/o Millennium Management LLC, 666 Fifth Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10103. The principal business address for each of ICS Ltd. is c/o Millennium International Management LP, 666 Fifth Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10103.

(6)      Number of shares held after the Business Combination includes (i) 3,000,000 shares underlying Live Oak Warrants that will become exercisable 30 days after the Closing and (ii) shares held by Live Oak ValFund Plastics Fund LLC. See note (19).

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(7)      Number of shares held after the Business Combination includes (i) 3,000,000 shares underlying Live Oak Warrants held by the Sponsor, (ii) 40,000 shares underlying Live Oak Warrants held by Mr. Wunderlich or trusts or individual retirement accounts that Mr. Wunderlich is a trustee or beneficiary of that will become exercisable 30 days after the Closing and (iii) shares held by Live Oak ValFund Plastics Fund LLC. See note (19).

(8)      Number of shares held after the Business Combination includes 3,000,000 shares underlying Live Oak Warrants that will become exercisable 30 days after the Closing.

(9)      Number of shares held after the Business Combination includes 1,265,470 shares held by Wentworth 84 Irrevocable Trust, which shares may be deemed to be owned by Mr. Pratt. Number of shares held after the Business Combination excludes 6,045 shares underlying EIP Options that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days after the Closing. Mr. Pratt disclaims any beneficial ownership of the reported shares other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest he may have therein, directly or indirectly.

(10)    Number of shares held after the Business Combination includes 203,996 shares underlying EIP Options that are or will become exercisable within 60 days after the Closing. Number of shares held after the Business Combination excludes 6,045 shares underlying EIP Options that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days after the Closing.

(11)    Number of shares held after the Business Combination includes 931,841 shares underlying EIP Options that are or will become exercisable within 60 days after the Closing. Number of shares held after the Business Combination excludes 93,000 shares underlying EIP Options that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days after the Closing.

(12)    Number of shares held after the Business Combination includes 919,612 shares underlying EIP Options that are or will become exercisable within 60 days after the Closing. Number of shares held after the Business Combination excludes 93,000 shares underlying EIP Options that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days after the Closing.

(13)    Number of shares held after the Business Combination includes 881,454 shares underlying EIP Options that are or will become exercisable within 60 days after the Closing. Number of shares held after the Business Combination excludes 93,000 shares underlying EIP Options that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days after the Closing.

(14)    Number of shares held after the Business Combination includes 676,854 shares underlying EIP Options that are or will become exercisable within 60 days after the Closing. Number of shares held after the Business Combination excludes 93,000 shares underlying EIP Options that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days after the Closing.

(15)    Number of shares held after the Business Combination includes 351,354 shares underlying EIP Options that are or will become exercisable within 60 days after the Closing as well as 30,997 shares issuable upon conversion of a promissory note. Number of shares held after the Business Combination excludes 6,045 shares underlying EIP Options that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days after the Closing.

(16)    Number of shares held after the Business Combination includes 4,650 shares underlying EIP Options that are or will become exercisable within 60 days after the Closing. Number of shares held after the Business Combination excludes 6,045 shares underlying EIP Options that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days after the Closing.

(17)    Number of shares held after the Business Combination includes 3,000,000 shares underlying Live Oak Warrants that will become exercisable 30 days after the Closing.

(18)    Number of shares held after the Business Combination includes 3,000,000 shares underlying Live Oak Warrants that will become exercisable 30 days after the Closing. Number of shares held after the Business Combination includes 3,969,761 shares underlying EIP Options that are or will become exercisable within 60 days after the Closing. Number of shares held after the Business Combination includes 30,997 shares issuable upon conversion of a promissory note. Number of shares held after the Business Combination excludes 396,180 shares underlying EIP Options that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days after the Closing.

(19)    According to information provided by Live Oak ValFund Plastics Fund LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ValFund”). Live Oak Merchant Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Live Oak Merchant Partners”) and Value Acquisition Fund, LLC, Delaware limited liability company (“Value Acquisition”), are the managers of ValFund and may be deemed to have shared voting control and investment discretion over securities held by ValFund. Each of Messrs. Hendrix and Wunderlich are controlling persons of Live Oak Merchant Partners. Therefore, each of Messrs. Hendrix and Wunderlich may also be deemed to have shared voting control and investment discretion over securities owned by ValFund and Live Oak Merchant Partners. Each of Mr. Andrew F. Cates and Mr. Michael Ashton Hudson are controlling persons of Value Acquisition. Therefore, each of Messrs. Cates and Hudson may also be deemed to have shared voting control and investment discretion over securities owned by ValFund and Value Acquisition. The principal business address for ValFund is 429 North Main Street, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38103. The principal business address for Live Oak Merchant Partners is 774 A. Walker Rd. Great Falls, VA 22066. The principal business address for Value Acquisition and Messrs. Cates and Hudson is 4921 William Arnold Road, Memphis, TN 38117.

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PRICE RANGE OF SECURITIES AND DIVIDENDS

Price Range of Live Oak Securities

The following table shows, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices per share of the Live Oak Units, Live Oak Class A Common Stock and Live Oak Warrants as reported by NYSE. Prior to May 8, 2020, there was no established public trading market for Live Oak’s securities.

 

Units

 

Common Stock

 

Warrants

Quarter Ended

 

High

 

Low

 

High

 

Low

 

High

 

Low

2020

                       

June 30(1)

 

10.10

 

9.61

 

9.90

 

9.60

 

1.25

 

0.37

September 30

 

10.75

 

10.05

 

10.28

 

9.75

 

1.15

 

0.55

____________

(1)      Reflects the high and low trade prices of Live Oak Units beginning as of May 8, 2020, and of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and Public Warrants on May 28, 2020, the first day that the units, Live Oak Class A Common Stock and Public Warrants, respectively, began trading on NYSE.

Danimer Securities

Historical market price information regarding Danimer is not provided because there is no public market for Danimer Common Stock. See “Danimer Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Dividends

Live Oak has not paid any cash dividends on the Live Oak Class A Common Stock to date and does not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of the Business Combination.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Submission of Future Stockholder Proposals

Live Oak board of directors is aware of no other matter that may be brought before the special meeting. Under Delaware law, only business that is specified in the notice of special meeting to stockholders may be transacted at the special meeting.

Live Oak does not expect to hold a 2021 annual meeting of stockholders because it will not be a separate public company if the Business Combination is completed.

Legal Matters

The validity of the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Business Combination will be passed upon by Mayer Brown LLP.

Experts

The consolidated financial statements of Danimer at December 31, 2019 and 2018, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, included in this proxy statement/prospectus of Live Oak., have been audited by Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A., independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The financial statements as of December 31, 2019 and for the period from May 24, 2019 (inception) through December 31, 2019 of Live Oak appearing in this proxy statement/prospectus have been audited by WithumSmith+Brown, PC, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report thereon and included in this proxy statement/prospectus, in reliance upon such report and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

Delivery of Documents to Stockholders

Pursuant to the rules of the SEC, Live Oak and servicers that it employs to deliver communications to its stockholders are permitted to deliver to two or more stockholders sharing the same address a single copy of the proxy statement. Upon written or oral request, Live Oak will deliver a separate copy of the proxy statement to any stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the proxy statement was delivered and who wishes to receive separate copies in the future. Stockholders receiving multiple copies of the proxy statement may likewise request delivery of single copies of the proxy statement in the future. Stockholders may notify Live Oak of their requests by calling or writing Live Oak at its principal executive offices at (901) 685-2865 and 774 A. Walker Rd. Great Falls, VA 22066.

Transfer Agent; Warrant Agent and Registrar

The registrar and transfer agent for the shares of common stock of Live Oak the warrant agent for the Public Warrants is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. Live Oak has agreed to indemnify Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company in its roles as transfer agent and warrant agent against all liabilities, including judgments, costs and reasonable counsel fees that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of the indemnified person or entity.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Live Oak files reports, proxy statements/prospectuses and other information with the SEC as required by the Exchange Act. You can read Live Oak’s SEC filings, including this proxy statement/prospectus, over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

If you would like additional copies of this proxy statement/prospectus or if you have questions about the Business Combination or the proposals to be presented at the special meeting, you should contact us by telephone or in writing:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774 A. Walker Rd.
Great Falls, VA 22066
Telephone: (901) 685-2865
Attention: President

You may also obtain these documents by requesting them in writing or by telephone from our proxy solicitor at:

Morrow Sodali LLC
470 West Avenue
Stamford CT 06902
Telephone: (800) 662-5200
Banks and brokers can call collect at: (203) 658-9400
Email: LOAK.info@investor.morrowsodali.com

If you are a stockholder of Live Oak and would like to request documents, please do so one week prior to the meeting date to receive them before the Live Oak special meeting of stockholders. If you request any documents from us, we will mail them to you by first class mail, or another equally prompt means.

All information contained or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus relating to Live Oak has been supplied by Live Oak, and all such information relating to Danimer has been supplied by Danimer. Information provided by either Live Oak or Danimer does not constitute any representation, estimate or projection of any other party.

Neither Live Oak or Danimer has authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about the Business Combination or their companies that is different from, or in addition to, that contained in this proxy statement/prospectus or in any of the materials that have been incorporated in this proxy statement/prospectus. Therefore, if anyone does give you information of this sort, you should not rely on it. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to exchange or sell, or solicitations of offers to exchange or purchase, the securities offered by this proxy statement/prospectus or the solicitation of proxies is unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this proxy statement/prospectus does not extend to you. The information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus speaks only as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Page

Financial Statements of Danimer

   
     

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 (unaudited)

 

F-2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited)

 

F-3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited)

 

F-4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and
2019 (unaudited)

 

F-5

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

F-7

     

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

F-23

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

F-24

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

F-25

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

F-26

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

F-27

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-28

     

Financial Statements of Live Oak

   
     

Condensed Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2020 (unaudited) and December 31, 2019

 

F-55

Condensed Statements of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 (unaudited) and for the period from May 24, 2019 (inception) Through June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

F-56

Condensed Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 (unaudited) and for the period from May 24, 2019 (inception) Through June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

F-57

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 (unaudited) and for the period from May 24, 2019 (inception) Through June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

F-58

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

 

F-59

     

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

F-70

Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2019 (audited)

 

F-71

Statement of Operations for the period from May 24, 2019 (inception) Through December 31, 2019 (audited)

 

F-72

Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the period from May 24, 2019 (inception) Through December 31, 2019 (audited)

 

F-73

Statement of Cash Flows for the period from May 24, 2019 (inception) Through December 31, 2019 (audited)

 

F-74

Notes to Financial Statements

 

F-75

F-1

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and par value amounts)

 

June 30,
2020

 

December 31, 2019

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

6,705

 

 

$

6,261

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

5,917

 

 

 

4,765

 

Inventory

 

 

12,818

 

 

 

7,038

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

1,508

 

 

 

417

 

Contract assets

 

 

1,240

 

 

 

758

 

Total current assets

 

 

28,188

 

 

 

19,239

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

85,578

 

 

 

73,202

 

Intellectual property, net

 

 

1,903

 

 

 

2,052

 

Right-of-use asset

 

 

27,020

 

 

 

20,055

 

Leverage loans receivable

 

 

27,742

 

 

 

27,742

 

Restricted cash

 

 

1,270

 

 

 

3,017

 

Other assets

 

 

116

 

 

 

116

 

Total assets

 

$

171,817

 

 

$

145,423

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

4,326

 

 

$

8,120

 

Accrued liabilities

 

 

8,063

 

 

 

9,724

 

Unearned revenue and contract liabilities

 

 

3,674

 

 

 

4,580

 

Lease liability, current portion

 

 

3,159

 

 

 

2,583

 

Long-term debt, current portion

 

 

12,129

 

 

 

9,277

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

31,351

 

 

 

34,284

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term lease liability, net

 

 

24,017

 

 

 

17,434

 

Long-term debt, net

 

 

75,226

 

 

 

73,779

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

1,875

 

 

 

2,500

 

Total liabilities

 

 

132,469

 

 

 

127,997

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized: 3,167,210 and 2,770,385 shares issued and outstanding(1) at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively

 

 

4

 

 

 

3

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

91,905

 

 

 

66,503

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(52,561

)

 

 

(49,080

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

39,348

 

 

 

17,426

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

171,817

 

 

$

145,423

 

____________

(1)      Excludes 671,124 shares at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Please refer to Note 1.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-2

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

2020

 

2019

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Products

 

$

19,755

 

 

$

12,228

 

Services

 

 

2,716

 

 

 

2,790

 

Total revenue

 

 

22,471

 

 

 

15,018

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

15,870

 

 

 

9,841

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

5,808

 

 

 

9,258

 

Research and development

 

 

3,375

 

 

 

2,469

 

Gain on disposal of assets

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(281

)

Legal settlement

 

 

 

 

 

8,000

 

Total costs and expenses

 

 

25,044

 

 

 

29,287

 

Loss from operations

 

 

(2,573

)

 

 

(14,269

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonoperating income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(1,097

)

 

 

(2,121

)

Interest income

 

 

174

 

 

 

126

 

Other income (expense), net

 

 

15

 

 

 

279

 

Loss before income taxes

 

 

(3,481

)

 

 

(15,985

)

Income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

4,137

 

Net loss

 

$

(3,481

)

 

$

(20,122

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net loss per common share

 

$

(1.11

)

 

$

(7.29

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per common share

 

 

3,133,727

 

 

 

2,760,736

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-3

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share amounts)

 

Common Stock

 

Additional Paid-in Capital

 

Accumulated Deficit

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

Shares(1)

 

Amount

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2019

 

2,770,385

 

 

$

3

 

$

66,503

 

 

$

(49,080

)

 

$

17,426

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

303

 

 

 

 

 

 

303

 

Issuances of common stock, net of issuance costs

 

396,825

 

 

 

1

 

 

25,006

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,007

 

Recording of beneficial conversion feature on convertible debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

93

 

 

 

 

 

 

93

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,481

)

 

 

(3,481

)

Balances at June 30, 2020

 

3,167,210

 

 

 

4

 

$

91,905

 

 

$

(52,561

)

 

$

39,348

 

     

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2018

 

2,670,481

 

 

$

3

 

$

56,751

 

 

$

(29,566

)

 

$

27,188

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,968

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,968

 

Issuances of common stock, net of issuance costs

 

141,669

 

 

 

 

 

7,730

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,730

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

(55,965

)

 

 

 

 

(4,702

)

 

 

 

 

 

(4,702

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20,122

)

 

 

(20,122

)

Balances at June 30, 2019

 

2,756,185

 

 

 

3

 

$

64,747

 

 

$

(49,688

)

 

$

15,062

 

____________

(1)      Excludes 671,124 and 421,738 shares at June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Please refer to Note 1.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-4

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

(in thousands)

 

2020

 

2019

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(3,481

)

 

$

(20,122

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

1,809

 

 

 

1,733

 

Amortization of right-of-use asset and lease liability

 

 

194

 

 

 

281

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

 

 

852

 

 

 

830

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

303

 

 

 

4,968

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

4,137

 

Gain on disposal of fixed assets

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(281

)

Interest incurred but not paid

 

 

353

 

 

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(1,153

)

 

 

3,317

 

Inventory

 

 

(5,780

)

 

 

(1,303

)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

 

(1,091

)

 

 

(289

)

Contract assets

 

 

(483

)

 

 

(211

)

Other assets

 

 

1

 

 

 

(35

)

Accounts payable

 

 

(592

)

 

 

1,409

 

Accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities

 

 

347

 

 

 

6,828

 

Unearned revenue and contract liabilities

 

 

(907

)

 

 

(2,000

)

Net cash used in operating activities

 

 

(9,637

)

 

 

(738

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

 

(27,179

)

 

 

(11,539

)

Investment in leverage loans receivable related to NMTC financing

 

 

 

 

 

(6,262

)

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

 

 

7,320

 

 

 

875

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(19,859

)

 

 

(16,926

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from long-term debt

 

 

4,016

 

 

 

40,180

 

Proceeds from NMTC financing

 

 

 

 

 

9,000

 

Principal payments on long-term debt

 

 

(811

)

 

 

(14,414

)

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs

 

 

25,006

 

 

 

7,730

 

Repurchase and retirement of common stock

 

 

 

 

 

(4,702

)

Cash paid for debt financing costs

 

 

(18

)

 

 

(3,929

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

28,193

 

 

 

33,865

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

(1,303

)

 

 

16,201

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

 

9,278

 

 

 

6,546

 

End of period

 

$

7,975

 

 

$

22,747

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest, net of interest capitalized

 

$

676

 

 

$

1,231

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

 

24

 

 

 

2

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses for capital additions to property, plant and equipment

 

$

5,831

 

 

$

2,098

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-5

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

June 30, 2020

1.     Nature of Activities, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Activities

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (“MHG”) and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”) is a performance polymer company specializing in bioplastic replacements for traditional petroleum-based plastics. The Company brings together innovative technologies to deliver renewable, environmentally friendly bioplastic materials to global consumer product companies.

Wholly owned entities included in the consolidation are Meredian, Inc. and its subsidiary, Meredian Bioplastics, Inc. (collectively referred to as “Meredian”); Danimer Scientific, LLC and its subsidiary, Danimer Bioplastics, Inc. (collectively referred to as “Danimer”); Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC (“DSH”); Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc. (“DSKY”); and Danimer Scientific Manufacturing, Inc. (“DSM”). MHG was incorporated in Georgia during 2014 and, effective June 2, 2014, is the parent company of predecessor entities Meredian and Danimer. DSH, DSKY, and DSM were formed in the fourth quarter of 2018, had no financial transactions in the year ended December 31, 2018, and began operations during 2019. MHG contributed its ownership interest in Meredian, Danimer, and DSKY to DSH in March 2019.

Meredian devotes its efforts toward developing biodegradable resins based on polyhydroxyalkanoates (“PHA”), while Danimer devotes its efforts toward developing and producing compostable resins based on polyactic acid (“PLA”) and other renewable materials. DSKY operates a manufacturing facility that is being retrofitted to manufacture PHA-based resins on a commercial scale. DSM operates a PHA pilot plant and provides intercompany manufacturing and research services for the Company. MHG and DSH are holding companies that provide corporate and management services for the Company.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The information as of December 31, 2019 included in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets was derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this proxy statement/prospectus were prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments (all of which are considered of a normal recurring nature) considered necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods and dates presented. The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2020. The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. Management has reviewed these significant accounting policies and related disclosures and determined that there were no significant changes in the Company’s critical accounting policies in the six months ended June 30, 2020.

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

A separate Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) is required under Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-05. The Company does not have any items of other comprehensive income, accordingly, there is no difference between net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.

F-6

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

June 30, 2020

1.     Nature of Activities, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)

In accordance with ASC 718-10-25-3, the total common shares outstanding in the consolidated financial statements do not include 671,124 shares at both June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and 421,738 shares at June 30, 2019 that were issued pursuant to the exercises of employee option grants for which the exercise price was remitted by the grantee through the issuance of nonrecourse notes to the Company. The inclusion of these shares would increase the total shares outstanding to 3,838,334, 3,441,509 and 3,177,923 as of June 30, 2020, December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019, respectively.

COVID-19

In late 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus was reported in Wuhan, Hubei, China. In March 2020, the World Health Organization determined the resulting outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by this novel coronavirus, to be a pandemic. The pandemic is disrupting supply chains worldwide as national and local governments implement measures intended to slow the spread of COVID-19, with production and sales across a range of industries impacted in different ways. The extent of the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s operations and its financial performance will depend on certain developments outside of the Company’s control, including the duration and spread of the outbreak; its impact on customers, employees, and vendors; and broader economic conditions, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time.

On March 27, 2020, the United States enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act. The CARES Act is an emergency economic stimulus package that includes spending and tax breaks to strengthen the United States economy and fund a nationwide effort to curtail the effect of COVID-19. The CARES Act provides sweeping tax changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the more significant provisions include removal of certain limitations on utilization of net operating losses, increasing the loss carryback period for certain losses to five years, increasing the ability to deduct interest expense, and deferring social security payments, as well as amending certain provisions of the previously enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

In April 2020, the Company received a loan in the amount of $1.8 million pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) established by the CARES Act. Under terms of the PPP, certain amounts of the loan may be forgiven if they are used for qualifying expenses as described in the CARES Act. (See Note 5).

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Segments

The chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) for the Company is the Chief Executive Officer. The CODM reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. The Company has one primary business activity and there are no segment managers who are held accountable for operating results at a level below the consolidated unit level. Accordingly, the Company has determined that it has one operating and reportable segment.

F-7

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

June 30, 2020

1.     Nature of Activities, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)

Revenue by geographic areas is based on the location of the customer. Long-lived assets held outside the United States are immaterial. The following is a summary of revenue information by major geographic area for the periods indicated:

(in thousands)

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

2020

 

2019

Domestic

 

$

12,889

 

$

8,244

Germany

 

 

5,721

 

 

2,767

Belgium

 

 

2,022

 

 

1,889

Switzerland

 

 

1,257

 

 

2,017

All other countries

 

 

582

 

 

101

Total Revenue

 

$

22,471

 

$

15,018

2.     Supplemental Financial Information

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash consists of the following:

(in thousands)

 

June 30,
2020

 

December 31, 2019

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

6,705

 

$

6,261

Restricted cash

 

 

1,270

 

 

3,017

   

$

7,975

 

$

9,278

Inventory

Inventory consists of the following:

(in thousands)

 

June 30,
2020

 

December 31, 2019

Raw materials

 

$

7,746

 

$

5,921

Finished goods and related items

 

 

5,072

 

 

1,117

   

$

12,818

 

$

7,038

Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, plant, and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization and consists of the following:

(in thousands)

 

Estimated Useful Life (Years)

 

June 30,
2020

 

December 31, 2019

Land and improvements

 

20

 

$

77

 

 

$

77

 

Buildings

 

15 – 40

 

 

1,812

 

 

 

1,812

 

Machinery and equipment

 

5 – 20

 

 

35,036

 

 

 

31,959

 

Motor vehicles

 

7 – 10

 

 

692

 

 

 

675

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

7 – 10

 

 

217

 

 

 

196

 

Office equipment

 

3 – 10

 

 

853

 

 

 

773

 

Construction-in-process

 

N/A

 

 

63,971

 

 

 

53,253

 

       

 

102,658

 

 

 

88,745

 

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     

 

(17,080

)

 

 

(15,543

)

Property, plant and equipment, net

     

$

85,578

 

 

$

73,202

 

F-8

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

June 30, 2020

2.     Supplemental Financial Information (cont.)

For the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, depreciation and amortization expense is included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

(in thousands)

 

2020

 

2019

Cost of revenue

 

$

1,436

 

$

1,224

Research and development

 

 

64

 

 

50

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

60

 

 

213

Total depreciation and amortization expense

 

$

1,560

 

$

1,487

Construction in progress consists primarily of Meredian’s production line build-out in Bainbridge, Georgia and the conversion and build-out of DSKY’s new facility in Winchester, Kentucky. Substantially all such items are expected to be placed in service during the third and fourth quarters of 2020. Property, plant, and equipment includes capitalized interest of $3.2 and $1.4 million as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, interest costs of $1.8 and $0.4 million, respectively, were capitalized to property, plant, and equipment.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property represents patents initially measured at cost. The majority of the patents were purchased from another commercial corporation. Patent costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining useful lives at acquisition of the applicable patents which range from 13 to 16 years. At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the gross carrying value of intellectual property was approximately $8.4 and $8.0 million, respectively. Accumulated amortization was approximately $6.5 and $6.0 million at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Amortization expense was approximately $0.3 and $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and is included in Research and development costs in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Accrued Liabilities

The components of accrued liabilities are as follows:

(in thousands)

 

June 30,
2020

 

December 31, 2019

Accrued legal settlement and professional fees

 

$

6,148

 

$

5,681

Accrued construction-in-progress expenditures

 

 

 

 

2,774

Accrued compensation and related expenses

 

 

1,248

 

 

1,023

Accrued property tax

 

 

432

 

 

Other

 

 

235

 

 

246

   

$

8,063

 

$

9,724

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense associated with service condition awards with graded vesting features is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period and is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows;

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

(in thousands)

 

2020

 

2019

Cost of revenue

 

$

56

 

$

30

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

159

 

 

4,866

Research and development

 

 

88

 

 

72

Total stock-based compensation

 

$

303

 

$

4,968

F-9

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

June 30, 2020

2.     Supplemental Financial Information (cont.)

Concentration of Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and bank deposits. By their nature, all such instruments involve risks including credit risks of non-performance by counterparties. A substantial portion of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are invested with banks with high investment grade credit ratings.

The Company’s accounts receivable at June 30, 2020 are concentrated with respect to two customers. Combined, these customers represent approximately 71% of total accounts receivable reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2020. The Company’s accounts receivable at December 31, 2019 are concentrated with respect to three customers. These customers represent approximately 57% of total accounts receivable reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company had two customers that individually accounted for more than 10% of revenue representing 52% of total revenue. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, five customers individually accounted for more than 10% of revenue and 73% of total revenue.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue from product sales and services in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). This standard applies to all contracts with customers, except for contracts that are within the scope of other standards, such as leases, insurance, collaboration arrangements and financial instruments. Under ASC 606, the Company recognizes revenue when its customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that are determined to be within the scope of ASC 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services it transfers to the customer. At contract inception, once the contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC 606, the Company assesses the goods or services promised within each contract and determines those that are performance obligations and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied.

The Company derives its revenues primarily from: 1) research and development (R&D) services related to developing customized formulations of biodegradable resins based on polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA); and 2) product sales of the Company’s developed compostable resins based on polyactic acid (PLA), PHA and other renewable materials. R&D service revenues generally involve milestone based contracts under which the Company works with a customer to develop a PHA-based specific solution designed to the customer’s specifications, which may involve a single or multiple performance obligations. When an R&D contract has multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the transaction price to the performance obligations utilizing a cost-plus approach to estimate the stand-alone selling price, which contemplates the level of effort to satisfy the performance obligations, and then allocates the transaction price to each of the performance obligations based on the relative percentage of the stand-alone selling price. The Company recognizes revenue for these R&D services over time with progress measured utilizing an input method based on personnel costs incurred to date as a percentage of total estimated personnel costs for each performance obligation identified within the contract. Upon completion of the R&D services, the customers have an option to enter into long-term supply agreements with the Company for the product(s) that were developed within the

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Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

June 30, 2020

2.     Supplemental Financial Information (cont.)

respective contracts. The Company concluded these customer options were not separate performance obligations, but instead were marketing offers as the options did not provide a material right to any of its customers. For the Company’s product sales, the Company generally produces and sells finished products to customers for which the Company recognizes revenue upon shipment, which is typically when control of the underlying product is transferred to the customer and all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.

For its product sales, due to the highly specialized nature of its products, the Company does not offer its customers any significant right of return, and therefore does not estimate amounts for sales returns and allowances. The Company offers a standard quality assurance warranty related to the fitness of its finished goods. There are no other forms of variable consideration such as discounts, rebates or volume discounts that the Company estimated to reduce its transaction price.

The Company does incur certain fulfillment costs which meet the criteria for capitalization in accordance with ASC 340-40. At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had $1.2 and $0.8 million, respectively, of contract assets recorded related to these fulfillment costs.

The Company recognizes a contract liability if it receives consideration (or has the conditional right to receive consideration) in advance of performance, which is applicable for the Company’s R&D services contracts and does not occur for its product sales contracts. At the inception of its R&D services contracts as customers generally pay consideration at the commencement of the agreement and at the commencement of each milestone as outlined in the contract. As these customer payments precede the Company’s performance, in accordance with the revenue standard, a contract liability is recorded. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the contract liability balance for these R&D services is $3.7 and $4.2 million, respectively, and is included in Unearned revenue and contract liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, $1.7 million of the contract liabilities balance was recognized as revenue.

The Company’s accounts receivable generally have net 30 to net 60-day payment terms and consideration is usually received in accordance with the payment terms of the contract. Accordingly, the Company does not provide significant financing to its customers as defined in ASC 606. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, accounts receivable related to sales were $5.7 and $4.5 million, respectively.

Although the Company evaluates financial performance and makes resource allocation decisions based upon the results of its single operating and reportable segment, management believes revenues by primary revenue stream best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and certainty of the Company’s net sales and cash flows are affected by economic factors.

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

(in thousands)

 

2020

 

2019

Products

 

$

19,755

 

$

12,228

Services

 

 

2,716

 

 

2,790

Total Revenue

 

$

22,471

 

$

15,018

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Stock-Based Compensation — In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-08, Stock Compensation (Topic 718) and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2019-08 requires that an entity measure and classify share-based payment awards granted to a customer by applying the guidance in Topic 718. The amount recorded as a reduction of the transaction price is required to be measured on the basis of the grant-date fair value of the share-based payment award in accordance with Topic 718. The amendments in this update are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. There was no material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as a result of adopting this guidance.

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Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

June 30, 2020

2.     Supplemental Financial Information (cont.)

Stock-Based Compensation — In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Improvements to Non-employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. ASU 2018-07 expands the scope of Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, to include share-based payments issued to nonemployees for goods or services. Consequently, the accounting for share-based payments to nonemployees and employees will be substantially aligned. ASU 2018-07 supersedes Subtopic 505-50, Equity-Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees. The amendments in this update are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. There was no material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as a result of adopting this guidance.

Fair Value Measurement — In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), that modifies certain disclosure requirements related to fair value measurement and adds disclosures relating to changes in unrealized gains and losses in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The amendments in this update are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Implementation on a prospective or retrospective basis varies by specific disclosure requirement. Early adoption is permitted. The standard also allows for early adoption of any removed or modified disclosures upon issuance of this update while delaying adoption of the additional disclosures until the effective date. There was no material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as a result of adopting this guidance.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Convertible Debt and Equity Contracts — In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06 Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity, which simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2023, with early adoption permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the guidance on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Reference Rate Reform In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The amendments provide optional guidance for a limited time to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments apply only to contracts and hedging relationships that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. These amendments are effective immediately and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating its contracts and the optional expedients provided by the new standard.

Accounting for Income Taxes — In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740), to simplify the accounting for income taxes. The new guidance changes various subtopics of accounting for income taxes including, but not limited to, accounting for “hybrid” tax regimes, tax basis step-up in goodwill obtained in a transaction that is not a business combination, intraperiod tax allocation exception to incremental approach, ownership changes in investments, interim-period accounting for enacted changes in tax law, and year-to-date loss limitation in interim-period tax accounting. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2021, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating this new guidance to determine the impact it may have on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

June 30, 2020

3.     New Market Tax Credit Transactions

The Company has entered into several financing arrangements under the New Market Tax Credit (“NMTC”) program with various unrelated third-party financial institutions (individually and collectively referred to as “Investors”) during 2012, 2013 and 2019. The NMTC program was provided for in the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 (the “Act”) to induce capital investment in qualified lower income communities. The Act permits taxpayers to claim credits against their federal income taxes for up to 39% of qualified investment in the equity of the community development entities (“CDEs”). CDEs are privately managed investment institutions that are certified to make qualified low-income community investments.

These financing arrangements were structured with the Investors, their wholly-owned investment funds (“Investment Funds”) and their wholly owned CDEs in connection with the Company’s participation in qualified transactions under the NMTC program. In each of the financing arrangements, the Company loaned money to the Investment Funds and the Investors invested money in the Investment Funds. The Investment Funds would then contribute the funds from the Company’s loan and the Investors investments to a CDE. The CDEs then loaned the contributed funds to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

The Investors are entitled to substantially all of the benefits derived from the tax credits. The NMTC tax credits are subject to recapture for a compliance period of seven years. During the compliance period, the Company is required to comply with various regulations and contractual provisions that apply to the NMTC arrangements. The Company has agreed to indemnify the Investors for any loss or recapture of the NMTCs until such time as its obligation to deliver tax benefits is relieved. The maximum potential amount of future payments under this indemnification is not expected to exceed the face amount of the related debt, net of leverage loans receivable (see Note 4), totaling approximately $13.2 million at June 30, 2020. The Company currently believes that the likelihood of a required payment under this indemnification is remote. The Company does not anticipate any credit recaptures will be required in connection with the financing arrangements. There have been no credit recaptures as of June 30, 2020. The arrangements also include a put/call feature which becomes enforceable at the end of the compliance periods whereby the Company may be obligated or entitled to repurchase the Investor’s interests in each of the Investment Funds for a nominal amount or fair value. The Company believes the Investors will exercise their put options at the end of the compliance periods for each of the transactions. The value attributed to the put/calls is nominal.

The Company has determined the financing arrangements with the Investment Funds and CDEs contain a variable interest entity (“VIE”). The ongoing activities of the Investment Funds consist of collecting and remitting interest and fees as well as maintaining continued compliance with the NMTC program.  The responsibility for performing these ongoing activities resides with the Investors.  The Investors were also integral during the initial design of the Investment Funds and created the structure which allows the Investors to monetize the tax credits which are available through the NMTC program.

Based on these circumstances, the Company concluded that it was not the primary beneficiary of each VIE and therefore does not consolidate the VIEs in accordance with the accounting standard for consolidation.

The Company records the loans it provided to the Investment Funds within leveraged loan receivables on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 4. The Company records the loans it received from the CDEs within long-term debt in the Consolidated balance Sheets. See Note 5.

The Company entered into a NMTC agreement on July 23, 2012. The CDE related to this transaction loaned an aggregate amount of $27,050,000 to the Company. For the first seven years after execution, the Company made interest-only payments on a quarterly basis with interest calculated annually at a weighted average interest rate of approximately 1.33%. A portion of the loans totaling $981,192 was paid in full on December 14, 2018. On July 31, 2019, after the seven year recapture period had passed, the Company entered into a simultaneous transaction whereby the loans from the CDE were purchased for a nominal amount and the leverage loan receivable was extinguished.

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Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

June 30, 2020

3.     New Market Tax Credit Transactions (cont.)

The Company entered into a NMTC agreement on September 30, 2013. The CDE related to this transaction loaned an aggregate amount of $20,000,000 to the Company with a maturity date of September 30, 2037. The Company makes interest only payments on a quarterly basis with interest calculated annually at approximately 1.31%. In order to obtain the CDE’s consent for the 2019 Term Loan, the Company placed $400,000 into an escrow account in March 2019 to fund principal payments coming due to the CDE in September 2020 (See Note 12).

The Company entered into a NMTC agreement on April 25, 2019. The CDE related to this transaction loaned an aggregate amount of $9,000,000 to the Company with a maturity date of September 30, 2048. The Company makes interest only payments on a quarterly basis with interest calculated annually at approximately 1.96%.

The Company entered into a NMTC agreement on November 7, 2019. The CDE related to this transaction loaned an aggregate amount of $12,000,000 to the Company with a maturity date of November 7, 2039. The Company makes interest only payments on a quarterly basis with interest calculated annually at approximately 1.06%.

Certain funds related to these NMTC transactions are restricted for specific use during the compliance periods and these funds are reflected as restricted cash in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

4.     Leverage Loans Receivable

As part of the Company’s New Market Tax Credit transactions (see Note 3), leverage loans receivable have been recorded as follows:

Leverage loan receivable from Meredian Bioplastics Investment Fund, LLC in the original principal amount of $20.5 million; the loan was scheduled to mature July 22, 2042. Payments of interest only were due quarterly, with interest calculated at 1%, from inception through July 23, 2019. Principal and interest payments were to begin after July 23, 2019, if certain NMTC compliance requirements were not met and the loan remained outstanding.

Leverage loan receivable from Danimer Bioplastics Investment Fund, LLC in the original principal amount of $14.3 million; the loan matures September 30, 2037. Payments of interest only are due quarterly, with interest calculated at 1%, from December 31, 2013, through September 30, 2020. Principal and interest payments begin after October 1, 2020, if certain NMTC compliance requirements are not met and the loan remains outstanding.

Leverage loan receivable from Danimer Bainbridge Investment Fund, LLC in the original principal amount of $6.3 million; the loan matures September 30, 2048. Payments of interest only are due quarterly, with interest calculated at 2%, from inception through April 25, 2026. Principal and interest payments begin after April 25, 2026, if certain NMTC compliance requirements are not met and the loan remains outstanding.

Leverage loan receivable from Twain Investment Fund 427, LLC in the original principal amount of $5.6 million; the loan matures on November 7, 2039. Payment of interest only are due quarterly, with interest calculated at 1.08% from inception through November 7, 2026. Principal and interest payments begin after November 7, 2026, if certain NMTC compliance requirements are not met and the loan remains outstanding.

Leverage loan receivable from Twain Investment Fund 428, LLC in the original principal amount of $1.6 million; the loan matures on November 7, 2039. Payment of interest only are due quarterly, with interest calculated at 1.08% from inception through November 7, 2026. Principal and interest payments begin after November 7, 2026, if certain NMTC compliance requirements are not met and the loan remains outstanding.

If NMTC compliance requirements are met, the balance of each leverage loan will be forgiven upon extinguishment of the debt instruments related to the respective NMTC agreements.

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Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

June 30, 2020

5.     Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

(in thousands)

 

June 30,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

2019 Term Loan

 

$

27,750

 

 

$

28,500

 

2019 Subordinated Term Loan

 

 

10,068

 

 

 

10,000

 

NMTC Notes

 

 

41,000

 

 

 

41,000

 

Convertible Debt

 

 

10,885

 

 

 

8,267

 

Paycheck Protection Program loan

 

 

1,776

 

 

 

 

Vehicle and equipment notes

 

 

346

 

 

 

395

 

Mortgage notes

 

 

277

 

 

 

289

 

Total

 

$

92,102

 

 

$

88,451

 

Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs

 

 

(4,360

)

 

 

(4,779

)

Less: Unamortized debt discount

 

 

(387

)

 

 

(616

)

Less: Unamortized debt discount Current maturities

 

 

(12,129

)

 

 

(9,277

)

Total long-term debt

 

$

75,226

 

 

$

73,779

 

2019 Term Loan

In March 2019 the Company entered into a credit agreement (“2019 Term Loan”) for a $30 million term loan maturing on October 13, 2023. Principal payments are due in quarterly payments of $375,000 beginning April 1, 2019 with the outstanding principal balance due at maturity. Annual payments of principal are also due if the Company generates “excess cash flow”, as defined in the agreement. Interest is payable monthly at the greater of (a) 2.25% or (b) 3 Month LIBOR Rate (adjusted each calendar quarter; 1.9% at December 31, 2019), plus 4.5%. The 2019 Term Loan is secured by all real and personal property of DSH and its subsidiaries.

The 2019 Term Loan provides for financial covenants including a maximum capital expenditures limit, leverage ratio and fixed charge coverage ratio, each of which becomes more restrictive over time. At December 31, 2019 the Company was not in compliance with certain financial covenants; however, the Company received a waiver for all covenant defaults for the year ended December 31, 2019.

2019 Subordinated Term Loan

In March 2019 the Company entered into a subordinated second credit agreement (“Subordinated Term Loan”) for $10 million in term loans consisting of two loans in the amounts of $5.5 million and $4.5 million. The terms of the two loans are essentially the same. The term loans mature on February 13, 2024 and require monthly interest only payments with the outstanding principal balance due at maturity. The base interest rate is the “Prime Rate” as quoted by the Wall Street Journal (adjusted each calendar quarter; 4.75% at December 31, 2019) plus 2.75%. The Company has the option to elect to pay up to two percent (2%) of any interest payable in any fiscal quarter by adding such interest payment to the principal balance of the related note (“PIK Interest”). The Subordinated Term Loan is secured by all real and personal property of DSH and its subsidiaries but is subordinated to all other existing lenders.

The Subordinated Term Loan provides for financial covenants including a maximum capital expenditures limit, leverage ratio, fixed charge coverage ratio and adjusted EBITDA, certain of which become more restrictive over time. At December 31, 2019 the Company was not in compliance with certain financial covenants; however, the Company received a waiver for all covenant defaults for the year ended December 31, 2019.

In connection with the terms of the Subordinated Term Loan Agreement, the lender purchased 16,667 shares of the Company common stock for approximately $1.0 million. The lender has the option to require the Company to repurchase the shares at the original issue price at the earlier of 1) repayment in full of the outstanding balance of the loan, 2) March 14, 2025 or 3) a change in control of the Company, as defined.

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Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

June 30, 2020

5.     Long-Term Debt (cont.)

NMTC Notes

New Market Tax Credit Notes are comprised of the following as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and are discussed further in Note 3:

(in thousands)

 

June 30,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

QLICI Note A note

 

$

14,734

 

$

14,734

QLICI Note B note

 

 

5,266

 

 

5,266

AmCREF Fund 51 Notes

 

 

12,000

 

 

12,000

Carver Development CDE VI Notes

 

 

7,000

 

 

7,000

ST CDE LXII Notes

 

 

2,000

 

 

2,000

Total NMTC notes

 

$

41,000

 

$

41,000

Convertible Debt

In January 2020, the Company issued convertible notes payable with an aggregate principal amount of $2.3 million and in November and December 2019, the Company issued convertible notes payable with an aggregate principal amount of $8.3 million. The Company used the net proceeds from the issuances primarily for general corporate purposes. These convertible notes were issued at a 4% discount and bear an annual interest rate of 8% payable monthly. The notes contain an option for the Company to capitalize and add any interest payments to the principal amount of the note (“PIK Interest”). Such PIK Interest bears the same interest rate as the original principal of the notes. Each convertible note matures on the later of the one-year anniversary of the issuance date and the date on which the Company receives an equity investment in an amount sufficient to effectuate the payment in full of all unpaid principal and unpaid accrued interest on all of the convertible notes. The convertible notes may be converted into shares of common stock of the Company at the option of the holder by dividing the amount of principal and accrued interest due under the note by the lesser of (i) $60 and (ii) the price per share at which shares of equity securities were offered in the then most recent stock offering. The convertible notes are subordinated to the 2019 Term Loan and 2019 Subordinated Term Loans and any other bank financing. The value of the debt discount associated with the conversion features was calculated to be $0.4 million and is being amortized to interest expense over the life of the notes. Approximately $0.2 million of interest expense relating to the discount was recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2020.

The Company’s convertible debt includes accounting conversion prices that create an embedded beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”) pursuant to the guidelines established by ASC Topic 470-20Debt with Conversion and Other Options. The BCF of a convertible security is normally characterized as the convertible portion or feature of the security that provide a rate of conversion that is in-the-money at the commitment date. The Company records a BCF related to the issuance of a convertible security at issuance.

The BCF of a convertible note is measured based on the intrinsic value of the stated conversion price compared to the accounting conversion price. That amount is allocated to the BCF as a reduction to the carrying amount of the convertible note, and is credited to additional paid-in-capital. The debt discount created is amortized to interest expense over the life of the note using the straight-line method which approximates the effective interest method. The intrinsic value of the beneficial conversion feature resulting from the market price of the Company’s common stock in excess of the conversion price was approximately $0.4 million on the date of issuance for all convertible debt issuances. Approximately $0.2 million of interest expense relating to the BCF was recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2020.

Paycheck Protection Program Loan

In April 2020 the Company received $1.8 million in funds under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP Loan”). The PPP Loan has a two-year term and bears interest at a rate of 1.0% per annum. Monthly principal and interest payments are deferred for six months after the date of disbursement. The PPP Loan may be prepaid at any time prior to maturity with no prepayment penalties. The promissory note issued in connection with the PPP Loan

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Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

June 30, 2020

5.     Long-Term Debt (cont.)

contains events of default and other provisions customary for a loan of this type. The PPP Loan is being used to retain employees, as well as for other permitted uses under the terms and conditions of the PPP Loan. Under the CARES Act, we will be eligible to apply for forgiveness of certain amounts of the loan proceeds under the conditions of the PPP loan program. However, we cannot provide assurance that we will be eligible for loan forgiveness or that any amount of the PPP loan will ultimately be forgiven.

Vehicle and Equipment Notes

The Company has twelve vehicle and equipment notes outstanding at June 30, 2020 primarily relating to motor vehicles and warehouse equipment. The notes bear interest at rates ranging from 5.11% to 7.44% and monthly payments ranging from $361 to $1,251.

Mortgage Notes

Mortgage notes represent two notes secured by residential property with monthly payments ranging from $1,474 to $1,841. The notes bear interest at 6.5% and 5.99% with maturity dates of March 2022 and October 2023, respectively, when any outstanding principal balance is due.

As of June 30, 2020, the future maturities of long-term debt are as follows:

(in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,

 

Amount

2020

 

$

11,849

2021

 

 

2,522

2022

 

 

2,571

2023

 

 

24,067

2024

 

 

10,093

Thereafter

 

 

41,000

   

$

92,102

Since continued compliance through the seven-year compliance period is necessary, until such time as the QLICI notes (see Note 4) are redeemed against the leverage loans such amounts are included in the “thereafter” category of the debt maturity schedule shown above. Similarly, the leverage loans receivable are classified as noncurrent assets.

6.     Stock-Based Compensation

2016 Director and Executive Officer Stock Incentive Plan

The Company’s 2016 Director and Executive Officer Stock Incentive Plan (the Executive Plan) permits the grant of share options and other share-based awards to its employees for up to 890,000 shares of common stock, with increases in subsequent years based on the total number of shares outstanding. The Company believes that such awards encourage and enable directors and executive officers of the Company and its affiliates to acquire or increase their holdings of the Company’s common stock and other equity-based interest in the Company and/or provide other incentive awards in order to align their interests with those of the Company and its shareholders, and to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of participants upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of its operation largely depends. Option awards are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant; those option awards generally vest based on a specified number of years of continuous service and have ten year contractual terms.

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Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

June 30, 2020

6.     Stock-Based Compensation (cont.)

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, there were 1,066,877 total options outstanding at the beginning of the period, no options were granted and no options were forfeited during the period. These awards all have a weighted average exercise price of $37.03. Of the total options outstanding as of June 30, 2020, 1,036,877 are exercisable and 1,066,877 are vested and expected to vest.

The Company recorded stock-based compensation $0.2 million and $4.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of June 30, 2020, there was approximately $0.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to Executive Plan options outstanding. The weighted average period over which the remaining compensation cost will be recognized as of June 30, 2020 is 0.33 years.

2016 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan

The Company’s 2016 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Plan”) permits the grant of share options and other share-based awards to its employees for up to 110,000 shares of common stock, with increases to the number of shares available to increase in subsequent years based on the total number of shares outstanding. The Company believes that such awards encourage and enable selected employees, directors, and independent contractors of the Company and its affiliates to acquire or increase their holdings of the Company’s common stock and other equity-based interest in the Company and/or provide other incentive awards in order to promote a closer identification of their interests with those of the Company and its shareholders, and to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of participants upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of its operation largely depends. Option awards are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant; those option awards generally vest upon issuance and have ten-year contractual terms.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, there were 149,709 total options outstanding at the beginning of the period, 4,750 total options were granted and 1,400 options were forfeited during the period. These awards all have a weighted average exercise price of $34.27. Of the total options outstanding as of June 30, 2020, 125,909 are exercisable and 153,059 are vested and expected to vest.

The Company recorded stock-based compensation of $0.1 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of June 30, 2020, there was approximately $0.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to Omnibus Plan options outstanding. The weighted average period over which the remaining compensation cost will be recognized as of June 30, 2020 is 1.84 years.

Other Stock Options/Warrants

Prior to 2017 the Company issued 208,183 stock options that were not a part of either the Executive Plan or Omnibus Plan described above. As of June 30, 2020, all 208,183 of these options were vested, exercisable and remained outstanding. These options have a Weighted Average Exercise Price of $30 per share and a Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term of 4.72 years.

As of June 30, 2020, the Company has 55,139 warrants outstanding with an exercise price of $30 per share.

7.     Operating Leases

In August 2018, the Company signed a definitive agreement for the purchase of a fermentation facility in Winchester, Kentucky (the Kentucky Facility), including the equipment, machinery, and other personal property located at such facility for a purchase price of $23.0 million. In December 2018, the Company consummated the acquisition of the Kentucky Facility and simultaneously entered into a sale and leaseback transaction with a large, diversified commercial property REIT pursuant to which the Company sold the Kentucky Facility and certain of its facilities located in Bainbridge, Georgia to the REIT for $30.0 million and leased back the same properties from the REIT under a net lease for an initial term of 20 years with renewal terms up to an additional 20 years at the Company’s option.

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Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

June 30, 2020

7.     Operating Leases (cont.)

During the first year of the lease, the base annual rent was $2.4 million with $0.2 million being payable monthly. The rent is subject to an adjustment of the lesser of (i) 2.0% or (ii) 1.25 times the change in the Consumer Price Index on January 1, 2020, and annually on every January 1st thereafter during the lease term, including any extension terms. The Company has determined that the 2.0% increase represents an in-substance fixed lease payment and has included such amount in the measurement of lease payments. The renewal terms have not been recognized as part of the right of use asset and lease liability since the Company has determined that their exercise is not reasonably certain. The Company used its estimated 2018 incremental borrowing rate of 12.89% when determining the discount rate for the lease.

In May 2020, the Company entered into a sale-leaseback transaction with the same commercial property REIT referenced above. This transaction relates to improvements to the Company’s Winchester, Kentucky facility. This additional sale leaseback transaction was executed as an amendment to the existing master lease with the lease term and all other provisions of the original lease, other than the monthly rent, remaining unchanged.  This sale-leaseback transaction increased the annual base rent for the master lease agreement to $3.1 million in the initial year of the amendment and continued the annual adjustment as discussed above. The Company evaluated the present value of the revised payments using its estimated incremental borrowing rate of 11.5% as of the date of the amendment which increased the right-of-use asset and lease liability by approximately $7.1 million. As of June 30, 2020, the lease, as amended, had a remaining term of 18.5 years.

The following table sets forth the Company’s operating lease cost for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019:

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

(in thousands)

 

2020

 

2019

Cost of revenue

 

$

460

 

$

178

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

951

 

 

1,162

Research and development

 

 

245

 

 

222

Total operating lease cost

 

$

1,656

 

$

1,562

Supplemental cash flow information related to operating leases for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

(in thousands)

 

2020

 

2019

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

 

 

   

 

 

Operating cash outflows due to operating leases

 

$

1,386

 

$

1,638

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:

 

 

   

 

 

Operating leases

 

 

7,136

 

 

The following table reconciles the undiscounted future lease payments for operating leases to the operating lease liabilities recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at June 30, 2020:

(in thousands)
Undiscounted Future Operating Lease Cash Flows

   

2020

 

$

1,564

 

2021

 

 

3,190

 

2022

 

 

3,254

 

2023

 

 

3,319

 

2024

 

 

3,386

 

Thereafter

 

 

55,162

 

   

 

69,875

 

Less: Interest

 

 

(42,699

)

Present value of lease liability

 

$

27,176

 

F-19

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

June 30, 2020

8.     Income Taxes

In determining quarterly provisions for income taxes, the Company uses the annual estimated effective tax rate applied to the actual year-to-date profit or loss, adjusted for discrete items arising in that quarter. The Company updates its estimate of its annual effective tax rate at the end of each quarterly period. The estimate takes into account annual forecasted income (loss) before income taxes, the geographic mix of income (loss) before income taxes and any significant permanent tax items. The Company did not have a provision for income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2020.

The Company continues to maintain a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty surrounding realization of such assets.

During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company incurred a deferred tax expense of $4.1 million as a result of an increase to a full deferred tax asset valuation allowance. No further income tax expense was incurred during the six months ended June 30, 2019 as this period reflected a pre-tax year to date loss.

The Company accounts for the uncertainty in income taxes by utilizing a comprehensive model for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure in financial statements of any uncertain tax positions that have been taken or are expected to be taken on an income tax return. There had been no changes in the estimated uncertain tax benefits recorded as of December 31, 2019.

On March 27, 2020, the U.S. federal government enacted the CARES Act which, among other things, includes provisions relating to refundable payroll tax credits, deferment of employer side social security payments, net operating loss carryback periods, alternative minimum tax credit refunds, modifications to the net interest deduction limitations and technical corrections to tax depreciation methods for qualified improvement property. The Company evaluated its impact of the CARES Act as part of ASC 740 consideration and does not expect the provisions of the CARES Act would result in a material impact to the consolidated financial statements. The Company continues to monitor the impact this CARES Act may have on its business.

9.     Related Party Transactions

In the ordinary course of business, the Company engages in transactions with persons and entities who are considered related parties. In addition to equity and debt financing with related parties, such transactions generally include nonattest accounting services and miscellaneous other items. For the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, these other services totaled $0 and $43 thousand, respectively, and are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Notes payable totaling approximately $10.2 and $2.6 million were owed by the Company to various stockholders at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. These amounts are included in Convertible Debt within Long-Term Debt in Note 5.

The Company recorded various notes receivable totaling $27.7 million as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. These notes related to the exercise of stock options by two officers of the Company. These notes are recorded as an offset to equity and bear interest at between 1.22% and 2.72%.

As discussed in Note 5, in connection with the terms of the 2019 Subordinated Term Loan Agreement, the lender purchased 16,667 shares of the Company common stock for approximately $1.0 million.

F-20

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

June 30, 2020

10.     Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. In accordance with ASC 718 Compensation — Stock Compensation and ASC 260 Earnings Per Share, the weighted-average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share calculations exclude 671,124 and 421,738 shares as of June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, that were issued pursuant to the exercises of employee option grants for which the exercise price was remitted by the grantee through the issuance of nonrecourse notes to the Company. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, after taking into consideration all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the periods. However, these shares have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share for the periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, as their effect was antidilutive as a result of the net loss incurred for the periods. Therefore, dilutive weighted average number of shares outstanding and diluted net loss per share were the same as basic weighted average number of shares outstanding and basic net loss per share for both years.

Basic and diluted net loss per share was calculated as follows:

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

2020

 

2019

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(3,481

)

 

$

(20,122

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share

 

 

3,133,727

 

 

 

2,760,736

 

Net loss per share, basic and diluted

 

$

(1.11

)

 

$

(7.29

)

The Company excluded approximately 824,000 and 606,000 of potentially dilutive shares from the computation of earnings per share for the 2020 and 2019 periods, respectively, as their effect would be anti-dilutive.

11.     Commitments and Contingencies

In connection with the Company’s 2007 acquisition of certain intellectual property, the Company agreed to pay royalties upon production and sale of PHAs. The royalty is $0.05 per pound for the first 500 million pounds of PHA sold and decreases to $0.025 per pound for cumulative sales in excess of that amount until the underlying patents expire. There was no royalty owed for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.

In November 2015, the Company terminated a former executive and terminated the Company’s contract with an advisory firm (the Advisory Contract), pursuant to which the Company, through the advisory firm, engaged the individual as an executive of the Company. In December 2015, the Company deemed the Advisory Contract, together with all related arrangements in connection therewith, void, including any share issuances in connection with such arrangements.  The Company filed suit against the former executive and the advisory firm during 2016, and various counterclaims were filed by the former executive and the advisory firm. Subsequent to June 30, 2020, this matter was settled with the Company agreeing to pay $8 million to resolve all outstanding claims, the executive agreeing to the cancellation of any shares issued to such executive pursuant to the Advisory Contract and related arrangements, and the  exchange of mutual releases among the parties. The liability is included in Accrued expenses ($6.1 and $5.5 million) and Other long-term liabilities ($1.9 and $2.5 million) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The expense has been recorded in Operating expenses in the Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

F-21

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

June 30, 2020

12.     Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through October 27, 2020 the date the financial statements were available to be issued.

•        In July 2020, the Company modified its 2019 Term Loan such that the applicable margin in the interest rate formula (formerly calculated as the greater of (a) 2.25% or (b) 3 Month LIBOR Rate, plus 4.5%) changed from 4.5% to a five-level tiered amount ranging from 4.5% if the consolidated senior leverage ratio, as defined in the Term Loan, is less than 1.5, to as high as 6.35% if the consolidated senior leverage ratio is greater than 2.25.  When the amendment was executed, the applicable margin was 6.35% and will remain at 6.35% until the first day of the first full fiscal quarter after the delivery of the annual audited financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2020.  Thereafter, the applicable margin will be adjusted on a quarterly basis.

•        As discussed in Note 11, in the third quarter of 2020, the Company reached a settlement on outstanding litigation and has accrued the $8 million amount in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

•        In October 2020, when the seven-year recapture period passed for the NMTC agreement dated September 30, 2013, the Company entered into a simultaneous transaction whereby the loans from the CDE were purchased for a nominal amount and the leverage loan receivable was extinguished, resulting in a net gain of approximately $5.3 million before transaction expenses.

•        Through October 27, 2020, the Company sold 95,772 shares of common stock at a price of $63 per share resulting in aggregate proceeds of $6.0 million prior to the recognition of related issuance costs.

•        Through October 27, 2020, the Company granted 59,140 stock options under the Executive Plan and the Omnibus Plan with an exercise price of $63 per share.

•        Through October 27, 2020, the Company issued 41,495 shares of common stock in connection with the exercise of non-employee stock options with a strike price of $30 per share resulting in aggregate proceeds of $1.3 million.

•        In September 2020, the Company issued 10,912 shares of common stock as a result of converting a note with an outstanding balance of $0.7 million into equity at $60 per share.

F-22

Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of
Meredian Holdings Group, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries d/b/a Danimer Scientific (the Company) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Adoption of New Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for revenue and certain costs in 2019 using the full retrospective adoption method due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), as amended.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A.

We have served as the Company’s auditor since its incorporation in 2014 and previously served as the auditor of the predecessors of the Company since 2013.

Tallahassee, Florida

October 15, 2020

F-23

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

December 31,

(in thousands, except share and par value amounts)

 

2019

 

2018

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

6,261

 

 

$

6,317

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

4,765

 

 

 

6,962

 

Inventory

 

 

7,038

 

 

 

4,045

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

417

 

 

 

713

 

Contract assets

 

 

758

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

 

19,239

 

 

 

18,037

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

73,202

 

 

 

34,141

 

Intellectual property, net

 

 

2,052

 

 

 

2,333

 

Deferred tax asset

 

 

 

 

 

4,137

 

Right-of-use asset

 

 

20,055

 

 

 

20,519

 

Leverage loans receivable

 

 

27,742

 

 

 

34,812

 

Restricted cash

 

 

3,017

 

 

 

229

 

Other assets

 

 

116

 

 

 

42

 

Total assets

 

$

145,423

 

 

$

114,250

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

8,120

 

 

$

1,137

 

Accrued liabilities

 

 

9,724

 

 

 

1,892

 

Unearned revenue and contract liabilities

 

 

4,580

 

 

 

5,000

 

Lease liability, current portion

 

 

2,583

 

 

 

2,572

 

Long-term debt, current portion

 

 

9,277

 

 

 

2,037

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

34,284

 

 

 

12,638

 

Long-term lease liability, net

 

 

17,434

 

 

 

17,346

 

Long-term debt, net

 

 

73,779

 

 

 

57,078

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

2,500

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

127,997

 

 

 

87,062

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized: 2,770,385 and 2,670,481 shares issued and outstanding(1) at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively

 

 

3

 

 

 

3

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

66,503

 

 

 

56,751

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(49,080

)

 

 

(29,566

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

17,426

 

 

 

27,188

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

145,423

 

 

$

114,250

 

____________

(1)      — Excludes 671,124 and 421,738 shares at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Please refer to Note 1.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-24

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

Year Ended December 31,

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

2019

 

2018

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Products

 

$

26,862

 

 

$

28,741

 

Services

 

 

5,482

 

 

 

1,713

 

Total revenue

 

 

32,344

 

 

 

30,454

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

21,237

 

 

 

19,209

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

16,027

 

 

 

7,301

 

Research and development

 

 

5,482

 

 

 

5,136

 

Gain on disposal of assets

 

 

(281

)

 

 

(4,364

)

Legal settlement

 

 

8,000

 

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 

 

50,465

 

 

 

27,282

 

(Loss) income from operations

 

 

(18,121

)

 

 

3,172

 

Nonoperating income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(3,475

)

 

 

(3,232

)

Gain on loan extinguishment

 

 

5,550

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

340

 

 

 

352

 

Other income (expense), net

 

 

277

 

 

 

(33

)

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

 

(15,429

)

 

 

259

 

Income tax expense

 

 

4,085

 

 

 

51

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(19,514

)

 

$

208

 

(Loss) income per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(7.05

)

 

$

0.09

 

Diluted

 

$

(7.05

)

 

$

0.07

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

2,766,466

 

 

 

2,352,865

 

Diluted

 

 

2,766,466

 

 

 

2,958,991

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-25

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

December 31, 2019 and 2018

     

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

Total
Stockholders’
Equity

   

Common Stock

 

(in thousands, except share amounts)

 

Shares(1)

 

Amount

 

Balances at December 31, 2017

 

2,313,364

 

 

$

3

 

$

48,825

 

 

$

(29,774

)

 

$

19,054

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

869

 

 

 

 

 

 

869

 

Exercise of warrants

 

271,814

 

 

 

 

 

5,980

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,980

 

Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs

 

61,752

 

 

 

 

 

3,477

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,477

 

Deposit toward share repurchase

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,400

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,400

)

Issuance of common stock in connection with anti-dilution rights

 

23,551

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income, as recast for adoption of ASU 2014-09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

208

 

 

 

208

 

Balances at December 31, 2018, as recast

 

2,670,481

 

 

 

3

 

 

56,751

 

 

 

(29,566

)

 

 

27,188

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,271

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,271

 

Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs

 

155,869

 

 

 

 

 

8,752

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,752

 

Recording of beneficial conversion feature on convertible debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

331

 

 

 

 

 

 

331

 

Repurchase and retirement of common stock

 

(55,965

)

 

 

 

 

(4,602

)

 

 

 

 

 

(4,602

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(19,514

)

 

 

(19,514

)

Balances at December 31, 2019

 

2,770,385

 

 

$

3

 

$

66,503

 

 

$

(49,080

)

 

$

17,426

 

____________

(1)      — Excludes 671,124 and 421,738 shares at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Please refer to Note 1.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-26

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

Year Ended December 31,

(in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(19,514

)

 

$

208

 

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

3,507

 

 

 

3,538

 

Amortization of right-of-use asset and lease liability

 

 

562

 

 

 

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

 

 

1,511

 

 

 

927

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

5,271

 

 

 

869

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

4,137

 

 

 

 

Gain on loan extinguishment

 

 

(5,550

)

 

 

 

Gain on disposal of fixed assets

 

 

(281

)

 

 

(4,364

)

Impairment loss

 

 

 

 

 

460

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

2,195

 

 

 

(2,649

)

Inventory

 

 

(2,993

)

 

 

(858

)

Prepaid and other assets

 

 

(263

)

 

 

(653

)

Contract assets

 

 

(757

)

 

 

 

Other assets

 

 

(73

)

 

 

46

 

Accounts payable

 

 

3,635

 

 

 

(1,656

)

Accrued and other long-term liabilities

 

 

7,360

 

 

 

(145

)

Unearned revenue and contract liabilities

 

 

(420

)

 

 

4,600

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

 

(1,673

)

 

 

323

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

 

(36,560

)

 

 

(5,610

)

Investment in leverage loans receivable related to NMTC financing

 

 

(13,408

)

 

 

 

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

 

 

875

 

 

 

8,421

 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 

 

(49,093

)

 

 

2,811

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from long-term debt

 

 

48,251

 

 

 

1,518

 

Proceeds from NMTC financing

 

 

21,000

 

 

 

 

Principal payments on long-term debt

 

 

(15,222

)

 

 

(9,000

)

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs

 

 

8,753

 

 

 

3,477

 

Repurchase and retirement of common stock

 

 

(4,602

)

 

 

(2,400

)

Proceeds from exercise of warrants

 

 

 

 

 

5,980

 

Cash paid for debt financing costs

 

 

(4,682

)

 

 

(28

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

53,498

 

 

 

(453

)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

2,732

 

 

 

2,681

 

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of year

 

 

6,546

 

 

 

3,865

 

End of year

 

$

9,278

 

 

$

6,546

 

Supplemental cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest, net of interest capitalized

 

$

1,964

 

 

$

2,276

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

102

 

Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses for capital additions to property, plant and equipment

 

$

6,318

 

 

$

 

Extinguishment of NMTC leverage loan receivable

 

 

20,478

 

 

 

 

Extinguishment of NMTC debt

 

 

(26,069

)

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-27

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

1.     Nature of Activities and Basis of Presentation

Nature of Activities

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (“MHG”) and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”) is a performance polymer company specializing in bioplastic replacements for traditional petroleum-based plastics. The Company brings together innovative technologies to deliver renewable, environmentally friendly bioplastic materials to global consumer product companies.

Wholly owned entities included in the consolidation are Meredian, Inc. and its subsidiary, Meredian Bioplastics, Inc. (collectively referred to as “Meredian”); Danimer Scientific, LLC and its subsidiary, Danimer Bioplastics, Inc. (collectively referred to as “Danimer”); AgroCrush, LLC (“AgroCrush”); AgroReco Meredian, LLC (“AgroReco”); Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC (“DSH”); Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc. (“DSKY”); and Danimer Scientific Manufacturing, Inc. (“DSM”). MHG was incorporated in Georgia during 2014 and, effective June 2, 2014, is the parent company of predecessor entities Meredian and Danimer. AgroCrush and AgroReco began operations under MHG during 2014 and had both ceased operations as of December 31, 2018. DSH, DSKY, and DSM were formed in the fourth quarter of 2018, had no financial transactions in the year ended December 31, 2018, and began operations during 2019. MHG contributed its ownership interest in Meredian, Danimer, and DSKY to DSH in March 2019.

Meredian devotes its efforts toward developing biodegradable resins based on polyhydroxyalkanoates (“PHA”), while Danimer devotes its efforts toward developing and producing compostable resins based on polyactic acid (“PLA”) and other renewable materials. DSKY operates a manufacturing facility that is being retrofitted to manufacture PHA-based resins on a commercial scale. DSM operates a PHA pilot plant and provides intercompany manufacturing and research services for the Company. MHG and DSH are holding companies that provide corporate and management services for the Company.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and consolidate all assets and liabilities of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

A separate Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) is required under Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-05. The Company does not have any items of other comprehensive income, accordingly, there is no difference between net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

In accordance with ASC 718-10-25-3, the total common shares outstanding in the consolidated financial statements do not include 671,124 and 421,738 shares as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, that were issued pursuant to the exercises of employee option grants for which the exercise price was remitted by the grantee through the issuance of nonrecourse notes to the Company. The inclusion of these shares would increase the total shares outstanding to 3,441,509 and 3,092,219 as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

2.     Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

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Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

2.     Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)

Segments

The chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) for the Company is the Chief Executive Officer. The CODM reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. The Company has one primary business activity and there are no segment managers who are held accountable for operating results at a level below the consolidated unit level. Accordingly, the Company has determined that it has one operating and reportable segment.

Revenue by geographic areas is based on the location of the customer. Long-lived assets held outside the United States are immaterial. The following is a summary of revenue information by major geographic area for the periods indicated:

 

Year Ended
December 31,

(in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

Domestic

 

$

16,987

 

$

20,657

Germany

 

 

6,696

 

 

9,328

Belgium

 

 

4,152

 

 

294

Switzerland

 

 

4,000

 

 

All other countries

 

 

509

 

 

175

Total Revenue

 

$

32,344

 

$

30,454

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include cash or deposits with financial institutions and deposits in highly liquid money market securities. Deposits with financial institutions are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. Bank deposits at times may exceed federally insured limits.

Amounts included in restricted cash represent those required to be set aside by long-term debt agreements with various lenders. These amounts are classified as long-term. The restriction will lapse when the related debt is extinguished.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

December 31,

(in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

6,261

 

$

6,317

Restricted cash

 

 

3,017

 

 

229

   

$

9,278

 

$

6,546

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded at the stated amount of the transactions with the Company’s customers and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the Company’s existing accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based on historical write-off experience. Past due balances are reviewed individually for collectability. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

At December 31, 2019 the allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.1 million and at December 31, 2018 no allowance for doubtful accounts was considered necessary.

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Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

2.     Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)

Concentration of Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and bank deposits. By their nature, all such instruments involve risks including credit risks of non-performance by counterparties. A substantial portion of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are invested with banks with high investment grade credit ratings.

The Company’s accounts receivable at December 31, 2019 are concentrated with respect to three customers. Combined, these customers represent approximately 57% of total accounts receivable reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019. The Company’s accounts receivable at December 31, 2018 are concentrated with respect to one customer. This customer represents approximately 72% of total accounts receivable reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018.

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had four customers that individually accounted for more than 10% of revenue representing 65% and 59% of total revenue, respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is defined as the price the Company would receive to sell an investment in a timely transaction or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. A framework is used for measuring fair value utilizing a three-tier hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 

Level 1

 

Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical assets and liabilities;

Level 2

 

Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data;

Level 3

 

Unobservable inputs reflecting management’s assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.

The carrying amounts of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash were measured using quoted market prices in active markets and represent Level 1 investments. The Company’s other financial instruments such as accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, approximate their fair values due to their short maturities. The carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt instruments also approximates fair value due to their floating interest rates and/or short-term maturities. See Note 9, Long-Term Debt, for further discussion.

Inventories

Inventories consist of raw materials and finished products and are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the average cost method.

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Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

2.     Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)

Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, plant, and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Major property additions, replacements, and improvements that extend useful life are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs which do not extend the useful lives of the assets are expensed. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method using the applicable useful lives for each asset. Net gains or losses on equipment sales and other property dispositions are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as operating income or expense.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property represents patents initially measured at cost. The majority of the patents were purchased from another commercial corporation. Patent costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining useful lives at acquisition of the applicable patents which range from 13 to 16 years. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the gross carrying value of intellectual property was approximately $8.0 and $7.8 million, respectively. Accumulated amortization was approximately $6.0 and $5.5 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Amortization expense was approximately $0.5 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 is included in Research and development costs in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Amortization expense is expected to be approximately $0.5 million for each of the years ending December 31, 2020 through 2024.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company makes periodic evaluations of the impact of the impairment of long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and intangibles, when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. When the Company determines that the carrying value of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable, the Company first determines recoverability by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to the net future undiscounted cash flows that the asset is expected to generate. If the asset’s carrying value exceeds undiscounted cash flows, the Company recognizes an impairment charge equal to the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair market value of the asset. During 2018, the Company incurred damage from Hurricane Michael at two of the Company’s Bainbridge, GA facilities. As a result of this damage, an impairment charge of approximately $0.5 million was recorded in 2018. There were no impairments recognized during the year ended December 31, 2019.

Debt Financing Costs

Debt financing costs related to long-term debt are reported as a direct deduction from that debt. Debt financing costs are amortized using the straight-line method which approximates the effective interest rate method over the term of the related debt. Amortization of debt financing costs is included in Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and was $1.3 and $0.8 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue from product sales and services in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). This standard applies to all contracts with customers, except for contracts that are within the scope of other standards, such as leases, insurance, collaboration arrangements and financial instruments. Under ASC 606, the Company recognizes revenue when its customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that are determined to be within the scope of ASC 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the

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Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

2.     Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)

transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services it transfers to the customer. At contract inception, once the contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC 606, the Company assesses the goods or services promised within each contract and determines those that are performance obligations and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied.

The Company derives its revenues primarily from: 1) research and development (R&D) services related to developing customized formulations of biodegradable and compostable resins based on polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA); and 2) product sales of the Company’s developed compostable resins based on polyactic acid (PLA) and other renewable materials. R&D service revenues generally involve milestone-based contracts under which the Company works with a customer to develop a PHA-based solution designed to the customer’s specifications, which may involve a single or multiple performance obligations. When an R&D contract has multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the transaction price to the performance obligations utilizing a cost-plus approach to estimate the stand-alone selling price, which contemplates the level of effort to satisfy the performance obligations, and then allocates the transaction price to each of the performance obligations based on the relative percentage of the stand-alone selling price. The Company recognizes revenue for these R&D services over time with progress measured utilizing an input method based on personnel costs incurred to date as a percentage of total estimated personnel costs for each performance obligation identified within the contract. Upon completion of the R&D services, the customers have an option to enter into long-term supply agreements with the Company for the product(s) that were developed within the respective contracts. The Company concluded these customer options were not separate performance obligations, but instead were marketing offers as the options did not provide a material right to any of its customers. For the Company’s product sales, the Company generally produces and sells finished products to customers for which the Company recognizes revenue upon shipment, which is typically when control of the underlying product is transferred to the customer and all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.

For its product sales, due to the highly specialized nature of its products, the Company does not offer its customers any significant right of return, and therefore does not estimate amounts for sales returns and allowances. The Company offers a standard quality assurance warranty related to the fitness of its finished goods. There are no other forms of variable consideration such as discounts, rebates or volume discounts that the Company estimated to reduce its transaction price.

Cost of Revenue

Direct costs of production and delivery (including raw materials, inbound and outbound freight, production and warehouse salaries, plant utilities, depreciation, and other production-related expenditures) are charged to cost of revenue in the same period as the related revenue is recognized. Other direct incremental third-party costs related to the Company’s R&D contracts are charged to cost of revenue.

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Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

2.     Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)

Stock-Based Compensation

Awards to employees have been granted with service conditions that affect vesting. Service-based only awards have graded vesting features, usually over three-year periods. Expense associated with service condition awards with graded vesting features is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period and is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:

 

Year Ended
December 31,

(in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

Cost of revenue

 

$

76

 

$

44

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

5,036

 

 

687

Research and development

 

 

159

 

 

138

Total stock-based compensation

 

$

5,271

 

$

869

Stock-based compensation awards have a contractual life that ranges from less than one year to ten years and are recognized in the consolidated financial statements based on their grant date fair value. The fair value of each stock option award is estimated using an appropriate valuation method. The Company uses a Black-Scholes option pricing model to value its option awards. The resulting value for the employee options is used for financial reporting purposes.

Upon adoption of ASU 2016-09Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Accounting, the Company has continued to estimate forfeitures. If the estimate of forfeitures exceeds the rate of pre-vesting cancellations, the Company records a true-up to ensure that expense is fully recognized for awards that have vested.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are charged to general and administrative expense as incurred. Advertising costs were approximately $0.1 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and are included as a component of Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. Research and development costs include salaries, depreciation, stock-based compensation, consulting and other external fees, and facility costs directly attributable to research and development activities and were $5.5 and $5.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Income Taxes

MHG is taxed as a corporation and as such uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. The Company files consolidated income tax returns that include its subsidiary legal entities.

Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. This method also requires the recognition of future tax benefits such as net operating loss carryforwards to the extent that realization of such benefits is more likely than not.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date.

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Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

2.     Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)

In the ordinary course of business, there may be transactions for which the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. The Company assesses uncertain tax positions in each of the tax jurisdictions in which it has operations and accounts for the related financial statement implications. Unrecognized tax benefits are reported using the two-step approach under which tax effects of a position are recognized only if it is more likely than not to be sustained and the amount of the tax benefit recognized is equal to the largest tax benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement of the tax position.

Determining the appropriate level of unrecognized tax benefits requires the Company to exercise judgment regarding the uncertain application of tax law. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted when information becomes available or when an event occurs indicating a change is appropriate. The Company includes interest and penalties related to its uncertain tax positions as part of income tax expense, if any. The Company did not have any material interest or penalties related to its uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Leases

The Company accounts for leases in accordance with ASC 842, Leases, and determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in right of use assets and lease liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The right of use assets and lease liabilities are recognized as the present value of the future lease payments over the lease term at commencement date, adjusted for lease incentives, prepaid or accrued rent and unamortized initial direct costs, as applicable. As most of the leases do not provide a readily determinable rate implicit in the lease, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate for a lease is the rate of interest it would have to pay on a collateralized basis to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments under similar terms. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease, typically at its own discretion. The Company evaluates the renewal options at commencement and when they are reasonably certain of exercise, the Company includes the renewal period in its lease term.

Lease costs associated with operating leases consists of both fixed and variable components. Expense related to fixed lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Additional payments, such as insurance and property taxes, are recorded as incurred and are not included in the initial lease liability.

Net (Loss) Earnings per Share

Basic net (loss) earnings per share is computed by dividing net (loss) earnings by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net (loss) earnings by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, assuming potentially dilutive ordinary shares from option exercises, employee share awards, and other dilutive instruments that have been issued. For periods where the Company has presented a net loss, potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share as they would be anti-dilutive.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue from Contracts with Customers — Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the accounting guidance in FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) using the full retrospective adoption method. This ASU superseded nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principle of ASU No. 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflect the consideration to which an entity is expected to be entitled for those goods or services. The Company utilized a comprehensive approach to assess the impact of the new guidance on its revenue streams, including assessment of performance obligations and variable consideration for both its existing contracts and its post-adoption contracts.

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Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

2.     Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)

The Company has several research and development agreements which were, under prior guidance, accounted for using the milestone method of revenue recognition. Certain nonrefundable initial payments that were recognized as revenue under such prior guidance are, under the new guidance, now recognized as revenue over a different period.

Based on the foregoing, the Company believes the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 had a material impact on its financial statements as the Company’s existing revenue recognition policies did not fully align with principles of the new guidance. The full retrospective transition method was used upon adoption of ASU No. 2014-09. Under this method, all annual periods presented in these consolidated financial statements and related disclosures have been retrospectively recast to reflect the provisions of ASC 606. The transition adjustment includes a $5.0 million cumulative impact to accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2018 as a result of the difference in income recognition discussed above.

The following table summarizes the effects of the Company’s full retrospective adoption of ASC 606 on line items in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018:

(in thousands)

 

As Reported

 

Effects of Adoption of ASC 606

 

As Recast

Balance Sheet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unearned revenue and contract liabilities

 

$

 

 

$

5,000

 

 

$

5,000

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(24,566

)

 

 

(5,000

)

 

 

(29,566

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

 

35,454

 

 

 

(5,000

)

 

 

30,454

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

8,172

 

 

 

(5,000

)

 

 

3,172

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

5,259

 

 

 

(5,000

)

 

 

259

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

5,208

 

 

 

(5,000

)

 

 

208

 

Collaborative Arrangements — In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808). This ASU provides additional guidance regarding the interaction between Topic 808 on Collaborative Arrangements and Topic 606 on Revenue Recognition. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company early adopted the guidance in ASU 2018-18 using the full retrospective transition method upon the adoption of ASU 2014-09 as discussed above.

Statement of Cash Flows — Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the accounting guidance in FASB ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) which requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statements of cash flows. The Company adopted this guidance using the full retrospective transition method to each period presented. The impact of implementation of this ASU resulted in a decrease to the Company’s operating cash flows of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Statement of Cash Flows — Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2016-15 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. ASU 2016-15 provides guidance on the following eight specific cash flow classification issues: (1) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; (2) settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing; (3) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; (4) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; (5) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies; (6) distributions received from equity method investees; (7) beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and (8) separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. Current GAAP did not include specific guidance on these eight

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Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

2.     Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)

cash flow classification issues prior to this ASU. The Company adopted this guidance using the retrospective transition method to each period presented. There was no material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as a result of adopting this guidance.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Convertible Debt and Equity Contracts — In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity”, which simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2023, with early adoption permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the guidance on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Reference Rate Reform In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” The amendments provide optional guidance for a limited time to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments apply only to contracts and hedging relationships that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. These amendments are effective immediately and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating its contracts and the optional expedients provided by the new standard.

Accounting for Income Taxes — In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740), to simplify the accounting for income taxes. The new guidance changes various subtopics of accounting for income taxes including, but not limited to, accounting for “hybrid” tax regimes, tax basis step-up in goodwill obtained in a transaction that is not a business combination, intraperiod tax allocation exception to incremental approach, ownership changes in investments, interim-period accounting for enacted changes in tax law, and year-to-date loss limitation in interim-period tax accounting. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2021, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating this new guidance to determine the impact it may have on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Fair Value Measurement — In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), that modifies certain disclosure requirements related to fair value measurement and adds disclosures relating to changes in unrealized gains and losses in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The amendments in this update are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Implementation on a prospective or retrospective basis varies by specific disclosure requirement. Early adoption is permitted. The standard also allows for early adoption of any removed or modified disclosures upon issuance of this update while delaying adoption of the additional disclosures until the effective date. The Company is currently evaluating this new guidance to determine the impact it may have on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Stock-Based Compensation — In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-08, Stock Compensation (Topic 718) and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2019-08 requires that an entity measure and classify share-based payment awards granted to a customer by applying the guidance in Topic 718. The amount recorded as a reduction of the transaction price is required to be measured on the basis of the grant-date fair value of the share-based payment award in accordance with Topic 718. The amendments in this update are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The impact of this guidance will be dependent on the level of stock awards granted to a customer, if any.

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Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

2.     Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)

Stock-Based Compensation — In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Improvements to Non-employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. ASU 2018-07 expands the scope of Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, to include share-based payments issued to nonemployees for goods or services. Consequently, the accounting for share-based payments to nonemployees and employees will be substantially aligned. ASU 2018-07 supersedes Subtopic 505-50, Equity-Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees. The amendments in this update are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating this new guidance to determine the impact it may have on the Consolidated Financial Statements, which will be dependent on the level of future equity compensation granted to non-employees, if any.

3.     Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the accounting guidance in FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) using the full retrospective adoption method. The Company performed its assessment of the impact of this new standard on its financial statements. In assessing the impact, the Company outlined all revenue streams, and considered the five steps outlined in the standard for its R&D services and product sales, from which substantially all the Company’s revenue is generated. The Company analyzed the impact of this new standard on all revenue streams and on all open contracts with customers, including by reviewing contracts and current accounting policies and practices to identify differences that would result from applying the requirements under the new standard. Based on the Company’s analysis of open contracts as of December 31, 2017, the adoption of this guidance did have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements, including its opening balance sheet at the date of initial application, as the timing of revenue recognition under the new standard is materially different from the Company’s previous revenue recognition policy.

For R&D services, the Company recognizes revenue over time as the Company’s performance creates or enhances an asset that the customer controls as the asset is created or enhanced. The Company measures progress utilizing an input method based on personnel costs incurred to date as a percentage of total estimated personnel costs for each performance obligation identified within the contract. The revenues related to the Company’s product sales are recognized upon shipment which is typically when control of the underlying finished product is transferred to the customer and all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.

The Company made an accounting policy election to account for shipping and handling activities (which is only applicable to its product sales as shipping and handling is not applicable for its R&D services) as fulfillment activities. As such, the Company does not evaluate shipping and handling as promised services to its customers and these shipping and handling costs do not meet the criteria for capitalization in accordance with ASC 340-40. The Company does incur other fulfillment costs which meet the criteria for capitalization in accordance with ASC 340-40. For the year-ended December 31, 2019, the Company had $0.8 million of contract assets recorded related to these fulfillment costs. Shipping and handling and other fulfillment costs are recorded in cost of revenue. The Company did not incur any incremental costs to obtain a contract that meet the criteria for capitalization in accordance with ASC 340-40 as the Company’s costs incurred in pursuit of a contract were not incremental. As a result, the Company expensed these costs as incurred.

The Company made an accounting policy election to present amounts collected from customers on behalf of third parties (including sales tax) on a net basis and therefore these amounts are excluded from revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Company recognizes a contract liability if it receives consideration (or has the conditional right to receive consideration) in advance of performance, which is applicable for the Company’s R&D services contracts and does not occur for its product sales contracts. At the inception of its R&D services contracts as customers generally pay consideration at the commencement of the agreement and at the commencement of each milestone as outlined in the contract. As these customer payments precede the Company’s performance, in accordance with the revenue standard,

F-37

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

3.     Revenue from Contracts with Customers (cont.)

a contract liability is recorded. For the year-ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded contract liabilities for these R&D services of $5.0 million. During 2019, $4.0 million of the contract liabilities was recognized as revenue. As of December 31, 2019, the contract liabilities balance for these R&D services was $4.2 million and is included in Unearned revenue and contract liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company’s accounts receivable generally have net 30 to net 60-day payment terms and consideration is usually received in accordance with the payment terms of the contract. Accordingly, the Company does not provide significant financing to its customers as defined in ASC 606. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, accounts receivable related to sales were $4.5 and $6.7 million, respectively.

Although the Company evaluates financial performance and makes resource allocation decisions based upon the results of its single operating and reportable segment, management believes revenues by primary revenue stream best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and certainty of the Company’s net sales and cash flows are affected by economic factors.

 

Year Ended
December 31,

(in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

Products

 

$

26,862

 

$

28,741

Services

 

 

5,482

 

 

1,713

Total Revenue

 

$

32,344

 

$

30,454

4.     Inventory

Inventory consists of the following:

 

December 31,

(in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

Raw materials

 

$

5,921

 

$

3,098

Finished goods and related items

 

 

1,117

 

 

947

   

$

7,038

 

$

4,045

5.     Property, Plant and Equipment, net

Property, plant, and equipment, net, consists of the following at December 31:

(in thousands)

 

Estimated Useful Life (Years)

 

2019

 

2018

Land and improvements

 

20

 

$

77

 

 

$

77

 

Buildings

 

15 – 40

 

 

1,812

 

 

 

1,812

 

Machinery and equipment

 

5 – 20

 

 

31,959

 

 

 

30,743

 

Motor vehicles

 

7 – 10

 

 

675

 

 

 

463

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

7 – 10

 

 

196

 

 

 

185

 

Office equipment

 

3 – 10

 

 

773

 

 

 

615

 

Construction-in-process

 

N/A

 

 

53,253

 

 

 

12,781

 

       

 

88,745

 

 

 

46,676

 

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     

 

(15,543

)

 

 

(12,535

)

Property, plant and equipment, net

     

$

73,202

 

 

$

34,141

 

F-38

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

5.     Property, Plant and Equipment, net (cont.)

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, depreciation and amortization expense is included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:

 

Year Ended
December 31,

(in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

Cost of revenue

 

$

2,433

 

$

2,125

Research & development

 

 

117

 

 

102

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

459

 

 

813

Total depreciation expense

 

$

3,009

 

$

3,040

Construction in progress consists primarily of Meredian’s production line build-out in Bainbridge, Georgia and the conversion and build-out of DSKY’s new facility in Winchester, Kentucky. Substantially all such items are expected to be placed in service during 2020. Property, plant, and equipment includes capitalized interest of $1.4 million as of December 31, 2019 (none at December 31, 2018).

6.     New Market Tax Credit Transactions

The Company has entered into several financing arrangements under the New Market Tax Credit (“NMTC”) program with various unrelated third-party financial institutions (individually and collectively referred to as “Investors”) during 2012, 2013 and 2019. The NMTC program was provided for in the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 (the “Act”) to induce capital investment in qualified lower income communities. The Act permits taxpayers to claim credits against their federal income taxes for up to 39% of qualified investment in the equity of the community development entities (“CDEs”). CDEs are privately managed investment institutions that are certified to make qualified low-income community investments.

These financing arrangements were structured with the Investors, their wholly-owned investment funds (“Investment Funds”) and their wholly owned CDEs in connection with the Company’s participation in qualified transactions under the NMTC program. In each of the financing arrangements, the Company loaned money to the Investment Funds and the Investors invested money in the Investment Funds. The Investment Funds would then contribute the funds from the Company’s loan and the Investors investments to a CDE. The CDEs then loaned the contributed funds to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

The Investors are entitled to substantially all of the benefits derived from the tax credits. The NMTC tax credits are subject to recapture for a compliance period of seven years. During the compliance period, the Company is required to comply with various regulations and contractual provisions that apply to the NMTC arrangements. The Company has agreed to indemnify the Investors for any loss or recapture of the NMTCs until such time as its obligation to deliver tax benefits is relieved. The maximum potential amount of future payments under this indemnification is not expected to exceed the face amount of the related debt, net of leverage loans receivable (see Note 7), totaling approximately $13.2 million at December 31, 2019. The Company currently believes that the likelihood of a required payment under this indemnification is remote. The Company does not anticipate any credit recaptures will be required in connections with the financing arrangements. There have been no credit recaptures as of December 31, 2019. The arrangements also include a put/call feature which becomes enforceable at the end of the compliance periods whereby the Company may be obligated or entitled to repurchase the Investor’s interests in each of the Investment Funds for fair value. The Company believes the Investors will exercise their put options at the end of the compliance periods for each of the transactions. The value attributed to the put/calls is nominal.

The Company has determined the financing arrangements with the Investment Funds and CDEs contain a variable interest entity (“VIE”). The ongoing activities of the Investment Funds consist of collecting and remitting interest and fees as well as maintaining continued compliance with the NMTC program. The responsibility for

F-39

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

6.     New Market Tax Credit Transactions (cont.)

performing these ongoing activities resides with the Investors. The Investors were also integral during the initial design of the Investment Funds and created the structure which allows the Investors to monetize the tax credits which are available through the NMTC program.

Based on these circumstances, the Company concluded that it was not the primary beneficiary of each VIE and therefore does not consolidate the VIEs in accordance with the accounting standard for consolidation.

The Company records the loans it provided to the Investment Funds within leveraged loan receivables on the consolidated balance sheets. See Note 7. The Company records the loans it received from the CDEs within long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheets. See Note 9.

The Company entered into a NMTC agreement on July 23, 2012. The CDE related to this transaction loaned an aggregate amount of $27,050,000 to the Company. For the first seven years after execution, the Company made interest-only payments on a quarterly basis with interest calculated annually at a weighted average interest rate of approximately 1.33%. A portion of the loans totaling $981,192 was paid in full on December 14, 2018. On July 31, 2019, after the seven year recapture period had passed, the Company entered into a simultaneous transaction whereby the loans from the CDE were purchased for a nominal amount and the leverage loan receivable was extinguished, resulting in a net gain of $5,550,177. The gain was recorded as nonoperating income in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The Company entered into a NMTC agreement on September 30, 2013. The CDE related to this transaction loaned an aggregate amount of $20,000,000 to the Company with a maturity date of September 30, 2037. The Company makes interest only payments on a quarterly basis with interest calculated annually at approximately 1.31%. In order to obtain the CDE’s consent for the 2019 Term Loan, the Company placed $400,000 into an escrow account in March 2019 to fund principal payments coming due to the CDE in September 2020 (See Note 17).

The Company entered into a NMTC agreement on April 25, 2019. The CDE related to this transaction loaned an aggregate amount of $9,000,000 to the Company with a maturity date of September 30, 2048. The Company makes interest only payments on a quarterly basis with interest calculated annually at approximately 1.96%.

The Company entered into a NMTC agreement on November 7, 2019. The CDE related to this transaction loaned an aggregate amount of $12,000,000 to the Company with a maturity date of November 7, 2039. The Company makes interest only payments on a quarterly basis with interest calculated annually at approximately 1.06%.

Certain funds related to these NMTC transactions are restricted for specific use during the compliance periods and these funds are reflected as restricted cash in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

7.     Leverage Loans Receivable

As part of the Company’s New Market Tax Credit transactions (see Note 6), leverage loans receivable have been recorded as follows:

Leverage loan receivable from Meredian Bioplastics Investment Fund, LLC in the original principal amount of $20.5 million; the loan was scheduled to mature July 22, 2042. Payments of interest only were due quarterly, with interest calculated at 1%, from inception through July 23, 2019. Principal and interest payments were to begin after July 23, 2019, if certain NMTC compliance requirements were not met and the loan remained outstanding. This leverage loan was extinguished on July 31, 2019 (see Note 6).

Leverage loan receivable from Danimer Bioplastics Investment Fund, LLC in the original principal amount of $14.3 million; the loan matures September 30, 2037. Payments of interest only are due quarterly, with interest calculated at 1%, from December 31, 2013, through September 30, 2020. Principal and interest payments begin after October 1, 2020, if certain NMTC compliance requirements are not met and the loan remains outstanding.

F-40

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

7.     Leverage Loans Receivable (cont.)

Leverage loan receivable from Danimer Bainbridge Investment Fund, LLC in the original principal amount of $6.3 million; the loan matures September 30, 2048. Payments of interest only are due quarterly, with interest calculated at 2%, from inception through April 25, 2026. Principal and interest payments begin after April 25, 2026, if certain NMTC compliance requirements are not met and the loan remains outstanding.

Leverage loan receivable from Twain Investment Fund 427, LLC in the original principal amount of $5.6 million; the loan matures on November 7, 2039. Payment of interest only are due quarterly, with interest calculated at 1.08% from inception through November 7, 2026. Principal and interest payments begin after November 7, 2026, if certain NMTC compliance requirements are not met and the loan remains outstanding.

Leverage loan receivable from Twain Investment Fund 428, LLC in the original principal amount of $1.6 million; the loan matures on November 7, 2039. Payment of interest only are due quarterly, with interest calculated at 1.08% from inception through November 7, 2026. Principal and interest payments begin after November 7, 2026, if certain NMTC compliance requirements are not met and the loan remains outstanding.

If NMTC compliance requirements are met, the balance of each leverage loan will be forgiven upon extinguishment of the debt instruments related to the respective NMTC agreements.

8.     Accrued Liabilities

The components of accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:

(in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

Accrued legal settlement and professional fees

 

$

5,681

 

$

912

Accrued construction-in-progress expenditures

 

 

2,774

 

 

6

Accrued compensation and related expenses

 

 

1,023

 

 

782

Accrued interest

 

 

 

 

111

Other

 

 

246

 

 

81

   

$

9,724

 

$

1,892

9.     Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31:

(in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

2019 Term Loan

 

$

28,500

 

 

$

 

2019 Subordinated Term Loan

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

 

NMTC Notes

 

 

41,000

 

 

 

46,069

 

Convertible Debt

 

 

8,267

 

 

 

 

Vehicle and Equipment Notes

 

 

395

 

 

 

163

 

Mortgage Notes

 

 

289

 

 

 

312

 

Original Term Loan

 

 

 

 

 

6,103

 

Notes payable – other

 

 

 

 

 

4,500

 

Notes payable – stockholders

 

 

 

 

 

2,971

 

Total

 

$

88,451

 

 

$

60,118

 

Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs

 

 

(4,779

)

 

 

(803

)

Less: Unamortized debt discount

 

 

(616

)

 

 

(200

)

Less: Current maturities

 

 

(9,277

)

 

 

(2,037

)

Total long-term debt

 

$

73,779

 

 

$

57,078

 

F-41

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

9.     Long-Term Debt (cont.)

2019 Term Loan

In March 2019 the Company entered into a credit agreement (“2019 Term Loan”) for a $30 million term loan maturing on October 13, 2023. Principal payments are due in quarterly payments of $375,000 beginning April 1, 2019 with the outstanding principal balance due at maturity. Annual payments of principal are also due if the Company generates “excess cash flow”, as defined in the agreement. Interest is payable monthly at the greater of (a) 2.25% or (b) 3 Month LIBOR Rate (adjusted each calendar quarter; 1.9% at December 31, 2019), plus 4.5%. The 2019 Term Loan is secured by all real and personal property of DSH and its subsidiaries.

The 2019 Term Loan provides for financial covenants including a maximum capital expenditures limit, leverage ratio and fixed charge coverage ratio, each of which becomes more restrictive over time. At December 31, 2019 the Company was not in compliance with certain financial covenants; however, the Company received a waiver for all covenant defaults for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Proceeds of the 2019 Term Loan were used to repay the Company’s Original Term Loan, Notes Payable — Stockholders and Notes Payable — Other with principal balances totaling approximately $13.6 million.

2019 Subordinated Term Loan

In March 2019 the Company entered into a subordinated second credit agreement (“Subordinated Term Loan”) for $10 million in term loans consisting of two loans in the amounts of $5.5 million and $4.5 million. The terms of the two loans are essentially the same. The term loans mature on February 13, 2024 and require monthly interest only payments with the outstanding principal balance due at maturity. The base interest rate is the “Prime Rate” as quoted by the Wall Street Journal (adjusted each calendar quarter; 4.75% at December 31, 2019) plus 2.75%. The Company has the option to elect to pay up to two percent (2%) of any interest payable in any fiscal quarter by adding such interest payment to the principal balance of the related note (“PIK Interest”). The Subordinated Term Loan is secured by all real and personal property of DSH and its subsidiaries but is subordinated to all other existing lenders.

The Subordinated Term Loan provides for financial covenants including a maximum capital expenditures limit, leverage ratio, fixed charge coverage ratio and adjusted EBITDA, certain of which become more restrictive over time. At December 31, 2019 the Company was not in compliance with certain financial covenants; however, the Company received a waiver for all covenant defaults for the year ended December 31, 2019.

In connection with the terms of the Subordinated Term Loan Agreement, the lender purchased 16,667 shares of the Company common stock for approximately $1.0 million. The lender has the option to require the Company to repurchase the shares at the original issue price at the earlier of 1) repayment in full of the outstanding balance of the loan, 2) March 14, 2025 or 3) a change in control of the Company, as defined.

NMTC Notes

New Market Tax Credit Notes are comprised of the following as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and are discussed further in Note 6:

(in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

QLICI Note A note

 

$

14,734

 

$

14,734

QLICI Note B note

 

 

5,266

 

 

5,266

AmCREF Fund 51 Notes

 

 

12,000

 

 

Carver Development CDE VI Notes

 

 

7,000

 

 

ST CDE LXII Notes

 

 

2,000

 

 

AmCREF QLICI notes

 

 

 

 

11,019

NCF QLICI notes

 

 

 

 

8,330

ERF QLICI notes

 

 

 

 

6,720

Total NMTC notes

 

$

41,000

 

$

46,069

F-42

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

9.     Long-Term Debt (cont.)

Convertible Debt

In November and December 2019, the Company issued convertible notes payable with an aggregate principal amount of $8.3 million. The Company used the net proceeds from the issuance primarily for general corporate purposes. These convertible notes were issued at a 4% discount and bear an annual interest rate of 8% payable monthly. The notes contain an option for the Company to capitalize and add any interest payments to the principal amount of the note (“PIK Interest”). Such PIK Interest bears the same interest rate as the original principal of the notes. Each convertible note matures on the later of the one-year anniversary of the issuance date and the date on which the Company receives an equity investment in an amount sufficient to effectuate the payment in full of all unpaid principal and unpaid accrued interest on all of the convertible notes. The convertible notes may be converted into shares of common stock of the Company at the option of the holder by dividing the amount of principal and accrued interest due under the note by the lesser of (i) $60 and (ii) the price per share at which shares of equity securities were offered in the then most recent stock offering. The convertible notes are subordinated to the 2019 Term Loan and 2019 Subordinated Term Loans and any other bank financing. The value of the debt discount associated with the conversion features was calculated to be $0.3 million and is being amortized to interest expense over the life of the notes. Approximately $23 thousand of interest expense relating to the discount was recognized for the year ended December 31, 2019.

The Company’s convertible debt includes accounting conversion prices that create an embedded beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”) pursuant to the guidelines established by ASC Topic 470-20, Debt with Conversion and Other Options. The BCF of a convertible security is normally characterized as the convertible portion or feature of the security that provide a rate of conversion that is in-the-money at the commitment date. The Company records a BCF related to the issuance of a convertible security at issuance.

The BCF of a convertible note is measured based on the intrinsic value of the stated conversion price compared to the accounting conversion price. That amount is allocated to the BCF as a reduction to the carrying amount of the convertible note, and is credited to additional paid-in-capital. The debt discount created is amortized to interest expense over the life of the note using the straight-line method which approximates the effective interest method. The intrinsic value of the beneficial conversion feature resulting from the market price of the Company’s common stock in excess of the conversion price was approximately $0.3 million on the date of issuance. Approximately $23 thousand of interest expense relating to the BCF was recognized for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Vehicle and Equipment Notes

The Company has twelve vehicle and equipment notes outstanding at December 31, 2019 primarily relating to motor vehicles and warehouse equipment. Six such notes were outstanding at December 31, 2018. The notes bear interest at rates ranging from 5.11% to 7.44% and monthly payments ranging from $361 to $1,251.

Mortgage Notes

Mortgage notes represent two notes secured by residential property with monthly payments ranging from $1,474 to $1,841. The notes bear interest at 6.5% and 5.99% with maturity dates of March 2022 and October 2023, respectively, when any outstanding principal balance is due.

Original Term Loan

The Company had previously entered into a credit agreement for a term loan with an original principal balance of approximately $9.0 million that matured October 2027. The agreement required monthly principal and interest payments with interest calculated based on the Wall Street Journal prime rate (adjusted each calendar quarter; 5.5% at December 31, 2018) plus 1.75%. The note was secured by substantially all business assets of Danimer as well as the partial guaranty of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This term loan was paid off in March 2019 with proceeds from the 2019 Term Loan in the amount of $6.1 million. In connection with the extinguishment of the Original Term Loan, the Company wrote off approximately $0.3 million of debt issuance costs which are included in interest expense in the Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2019.

F-43

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

9.     Long-Term Debt (cont.)

Note Payable — Other

At December 31, 2018 the Company had a note payable outstanding in the amount of $4.5 million to an entity that was due in April 2020. The note bore interest at 12% and was secured by certain cash and equipment. This note was paid off in March 2019 with proceeds from the 2019 Term Loan in the amount of approximately $4.4 million.

The Note Payable — Other was originally issued in April 2017 to a third party and included issuance of warrants to purchase up to 55,319 shares of the Company’s stock at an exercise price of $30 per share. All such warrants were unexercised and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Notes Payable — Stockholders

Notes payable — stockholders represents seven notes to various stockholders of the Company with interest rates on the notes ranging from 5% to 10%. Interest on the notes was payable monthly with the principal balance due in various months in 2019 and 2020. These notes were paid off in March 2019 with proceeds from the 2019 Term Loan in the amount of approximately $3.1 million.

The effective interest rate on all Company long-term debt was 4.6% and 4.9% for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company’s total interest cost for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, before adjustment for capitalized interest, was $4.8 and $3.2 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2019, the future maturities of long-term debt are as follows:

(in thousands)

 

Amount

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

$

9,893

2021

 

 

1,634

2022

 

 

1,831

2023

 

 

24,067

2024

 

 

10,026

Thereafter

 

 

41,000

   

$

88,451

Since continued compliance through the seven-year compliance period is necessary, until such time as the QLICI notes (see Note 7) are redeemed against the leverage loans such amounts are included in the “thereafter” category of the debt maturity schedule shown above. Similarly, the leverage loans receivable are classified as noncurrent assets.

10.     Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has a director and executive officer stock incentive plan, which is described below. The compensation cost that has been charged against income for this plan was $5.1 and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized in the consolidated statement of operations for share-based compensation arrangements under this plan was $0.7 and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. These amounts were offset by the creation of a valuation allowance related to the Company’s deferred tax assets.

The Company has an omnibus stock incentive plan, which is described below. The compensation cost that has been charged against income for this plan was approximately $0.2 and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized in the consolidated statement of operations for share-based compensation arrangements under this plan was $27 and $11 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. These amounts were offset by the creation of a valuation allowance related to the Company’s deferred tax assets.

F-44

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

10.     Stock-Based Compensation (cont.)

2016 Director and Executive Officer Stock Incentive Plan

The Company’s 2016 Director and Executive Officer Stock Incentive Plan (the Executive Plan) permits the grant of share options and other share-based awards to its employees for up to 890,000 shares of common stock, with increases in subsequent years based on the total number of shares outstanding. The Company believes that such awards encourage and enable directors and executive officers of the Company and its affiliates to acquire or increase their holdings of the Company’s common stock and other equity-based interest in the Company and/or provide other incentive awards in order to align their interests with those of the Company and its shareholders, and to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of participants upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of its operation largely depends. Option awards are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant; those option awards generally vest based on a specified number of years of continuous service and have ten year contractual terms.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table.

 

2019

 

2018

Expected annual dividend yield(1)

 

0.0%

 

0.0%

Expected volatility(2)

 

37.3% – 38.1%

 

38.5%

Risk-free rate of return(3)

 

1.53% – 2.37%

 

2.57%

Expected option term (years)(4)

 

4.5 – 6.0

 

4.5

____________

(1)      The Company has not paid and does not currently anticipate paying a cash dividend on its common stock.

(2)      Based on the mean stock price volatility for peer public companies over a historic timeframe similar to the expected term, with adjustments for differences in size and capital structure.

(3)      Based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect as of the valuation date.

(4)      The expected term represents the midpoint between the vesting date and the contractual term of the option under the “simplified” method described in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 14.

A summary of option activity under the Executive Plan as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and changes during the years then ended, is presented below:

 

Number of
Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(Years)

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

Balance, December 31, 2017

 

781,317

 

$

30.00

 

8.87

 

$

Granted

 

35,674

 

 

30.00

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited or expired

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2018

 

816,991

 

 

30.00

 

7.87

 

 

24,509,730

Granted

 

249,886

 

 

60.00

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2019

 

1,066,877

 

 

37.03

 

6.87

 

 

24,506,394

       

 

       

 

 

December 31, 2019:

     

 

       

 

 

Exercisable

 

1,036,877

 

 

37.23

 

6.78

 

 

23,609,917

Vested and expected to vest

 

1,066,877

 

 

37.03

 

6.87

 

 

24,506,394

F-45

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

10.     Stock-Based Compensation (cont.)

The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during 2019 and 2018 was $18.94 and $9.46, respectively.

In the table above, the options expected to vest are the result of applying the pre-vesting forfeiture rate assumption to total outstanding options. The Company has estimated the pre-vesting forfeiture rate to be zero.

As of December 31, 2019, and 2018, the table above includes options outstanding for 671,124 and 421,738 shares of common stock, respectively, that were exercised using nonrecourse notes issued in favor of the Company to fund the exercise price. In accordance with ASC 718, a stock option is not considered exercised for accounting purposes until the employee repays the loan. Although shares were issued upon the exercise of these stock options, they are not presented as outstanding in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity.

A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested shares under the Executive Plan as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and changes during the years then ended, is presented below:

 

Number of
shares

 

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Nonvested at December 31, 2017

 

99,372

 

 

$

10.47

Granted

 

35,674

 

 

 

9.46

Vested

 

(75,046

)

 

 

9.66

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2018

 

60,000

 

 

 

10.88

Granted

 

249,886

 

 

 

18.94

Vested

 

(279,886

)

 

 

18.07

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2019

 

30,000

 

 

$

10.88

As of December 31, 2019, there was approximately $0.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options granted under the Executive Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.83 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, was $5.1 and $0.8 million, respectively.

2016 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan

The Company’s 2016 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the Omnibus Plan) permits the grant of share options and other share-based awards to its employees for up to 110,000 shares of common stock, with increases to the number of shares available to increase in subsequent years based on the total number of shares outstanding. The Company believes that such awards encourage and enable selected employees, directors, and independent contractors of the Company and its affiliates to acquire or increase their holdings of the Company’s common stock and other equity-based interest in the Company and/or provide other incentive awards in order to align their interests with those of the Company and its shareholders, and to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of participants upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of its operation largely depends. Option awards are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant; those option awards generally vest upon issuance and have ten-year contractual terms.

F-46

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

10.     Stock-Based Compensation (cont.)

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table.

 

2019

 

2018

Expected annual dividend yield(1)

 

0.0%

 

0.0%

Expected volatility(2)

 

37.2%

 

33.3%

Risk-free rate of return(3)

 

2.37%

 

2.18%

Expected option term (years)(4)

 

6.0

 

6.0

____________

(1)      The Company has not paid and does not currently anticipate paying a cash dividend on its common stock.

(2)      Based on the mean stock price volatility for peer public companies over a historic timeframe similar to the expected term, with adjustments for differences in size and capital structure.

(3)      Based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect as of the valuation date.

(4)      The expected term represents the midpoint between the vesting date and the contractual term of the option under the “simplified” method described in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 14.

A summary of option activity under the Omnibus Plan as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and changes during the years then ended, is presented below:

 

Number of
Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

Balance, December 31, 2017

 

99,309

 

 

$

30.00

 

8.5

 

$

Granted

 

35,000

 

 

 

30.00

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited or expired

 

(650

)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2018

 

133,659

 

 

 

30.00

 

7.9

 

 

4,009,770

Granted

 

16,550

 

 

 

60.00

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(500

)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2019

 

149,709

 

 

 

33.32

 

7.2

 

 

3,994,236

     

 

 

 

       

 

 

December 31, 2019:

   

 

 

 

       

 

 

Exercisable

 

110,426

 

 

 

30.00

 

6.7

 

 

3,312,780

Vested and expected to vest

 

149,709

 

 

 

33.32

 

7.2

 

 

3,994,236

The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during 2019 and 2018 was $23.90 and $10.86, respectively.

In the table above, the options expected to vest are the result of applying the pre-vesting forfeiture rate assumption to total outstanding options. The Company has estimated the pre-vesting forfeiture rate to be zero.

F-47

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

10.     Stock-Based Compensation (cont.)

A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested shares under the Omnibus Plan as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and changes during the years then ended, is presented below:

 

Number of shares

 

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Nonvested at December 31, 2017

 

 

 

$

Granted

 

35,000

 

 

 

10.86

Vested

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(400

)

 

 

10.86

Nonvested at December 31, 2018

 

34,600

 

 

 

10.86

Granted

 

16,550

 

 

 

23.90

Vested

 

(11,367

)

 

 

10.86

Forfeited

 

(500

)

 

 

10.86

Nonvested at December 31, 2019

 

39,283

 

 

$

16.35

As of December 31, 2019, there was approximately $0.4 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options granted under the Omnibus Plan. The total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31, 2019, was approximately $0.1 million.

Other Stock Options/Warrants

Prior to 2017 the Company issued 208,183 stock options that were not a part of either the Executive Plan or Omnibus Plan described above. As of December 31, 2019, all 208,183 of these options were vested, exercisable and remained outstanding. These options have a Weighted Average Exercise Price of $30 per share and a Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term of 5.32 years. The shares have an Aggregate Intrinsic Value of $6.2 million as of December 31, 2019.

During 2018, 274,814 warrants with an exercise price of $22 per share were exercised for total proceeds of $6.0 million. These warrants were granted pursuant to a 2016 development agreement with a vendor.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company has 55,139 warrants outstanding with an exercise price of $30 per share.

11.     Operating Leases

In August 2018, the Company signed a definitive agreement for the purchase of a fermentation facility in Winchester, Kentucky (the Kentucky Facility), including the equipment, machinery, and other personal property located at such facility for a purchase price of $23.0 million. In December 2018, the Company consummated the acquisition of the Kentucky Facility and simultaneously entered into a sale and leaseback transaction with a large, diversified commercial property REIT pursuant to which the Company sold the Kentucky Facility and certain of its facilities located in Bainbridge, Georgia to the REIT for $30.0 million and leased back the same properties from the REIT under a net lease for an initial term of 20 years with renewal terms up to an additional 20 years at the Company’s option. The Company recognized a net gain of $4.2 million from this sale and leaseback transaction in 2018 and is included in Gain on disposal of assets in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

During the first year of the lease, the base annual rent was $2.4 million with $0.2 million being payable monthly. The rent is subject to an adjustment of the lesser of (i) 2.0% or (ii) 1.25 times the change in the Consumer Price Index on January 1, 2020, and annually on every January 1st thereafter during the lease term, including any extension terms. The Company has determined that the 2.0% increase represents an in-substance fixed lease payment and has included such amount in the measurement of lease payments. The renewal terms have not been recognized as part of the right of use asset and lease liability since the Company has determined that their exercise is not reasonably certain. The Company used its estimated 2018 incremental borrowing rate of 12.89% when determining the discount rate for the lease. As of December 31, 2019, the lease had a remaining initial term of 19 years.

F-48

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

11.     Operating Leases (cont.)

The following table sets forth the Company’s operating lease cost for years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

Year Ended
December 31,

(in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

Cost of revenue

 

$

358

 

$

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

2,334

 

 

120

Research and development

 

 

443

 

 

57

Total operating lease cost

 

$

3,135

 

$

177

Supplemental cash flow information related to operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:

 

Year Ended
December 31,

(in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

 

 

   

 

 

Operating cash outflows due to operating leases

 

$

2,875

 

$

320

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:

 

 

   

 

 

Operating leases

 

 

 

 

19,919

The following table reconciles the undiscounted future lease payments for operating leases to the operating lease liabilities recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2019:

(in thousands)

   

Undiscounted Future Operating Lease Cash Flows

   

2020

 

$

2,525

 

2021

 

 

2,575

 

2022

 

 

2,626

 

2023

 

 

2,679

 

2024

 

 

2,733

 

Thereafter

 

 

44,523

 

   

 

57,661

 

Less: Interest

 

 

(37,644

)

Present value of lease liability

 

$

20,017

 

12.     Income Taxes

The significant components of the Company’s income tax (benefit) expense for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

(in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

Current tax expense (benefit)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

(51

)

 

$

51

State

 

 

 

 

 

Total current expense (benefit)

 

 

(51

)

 

 

51

Deferred tax expense (benefit)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

 

3,218

 

 

 

State

 

 

918

 

 

 

Total deferred expense

 

 

4,136

 

 

 

Total income tax expense

 

$

4,085

 

 

$

51

F-49

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

12.     Income Taxes (cont.)

A reconciliation of the income tax provision to that computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to the income before the provision for income taxes is as follows for the years ended December 31:

(in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

Federal income tax benefit at statutory federal rate

 

$

(3,211

)

 

$

1,014

 

State income tax benefit, net of federal taxes

 

 

(725

)

 

 

229

 

Permanent differences

 

 

18

 

 

 

11

 

Revisions to prior years’ estimates

 

 

(1,003

)

 

 

 

Other

 

 

3

 

 

 

(19

)

Valuation allowance

 

 

9,003

 

 

 

(1,184

)

Total income tax expense

 

$

4,085

 

 

$

51

 

Deferred income tax amounts result from temporary differences between financial statements and income tax reporting.

Components of the Company’s net deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31 are as follows:

(in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

Deferred income tax assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

$

11,357

 

 

$

10,348

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

1,493

 

 

 

770

 

Deferred loan costs

 

 

760

 

 

 

727

 

Contribution carryforwards

 

 

77

 

 

 

65

 

Legal settlement accrual

 

 

2,038

 

 

 

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

825

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

31

 

 

 

 

Accrued bonus

 

 

85

 

 

 

 

Interest expense limitation

 

 

38

 

 

 

 

Total deferred income tax assets

 

 

16,704

 

 

 

11,910

 

Valuation allowance

 

 

(16,237

)

 

 

(7,234

)

Total deferred income tax assets, net of valuation allowance

 

 

467

 

 

 

4,676

 

Deferred income tax liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(467

)

 

 

(539

)

Total deferred income tax liabilities

 

 

(467

)

 

 

(539

)

Deferred tax asset

 

$

 

 

$

4,137

 

In assessing the realizability of deferred income tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods at which time those temporary differences become deductible. In making valuation allowance determinations, management considers all available evidence, positive and negative, affecting specific deferred tax assets, including the scheduled reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, the length of carry-back and carry-forward periods, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. The following details the activity in the valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

(in thousands)

 

Beginning
Balance

 

Additions

 

Amounts
Utilized

 

Ending
Balance

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

$

8,418

 

$

 

$

1,184

 

$

7,234

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

$

7,234

 

$

9,003

 

$

 

$

16,237

F-50

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

12.     Income Taxes (cont.)

Certain of the Company’s deferred tax assets relate to federal and state net operating losses and credits. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $48.0 and $42.0 million, respectively, available and no capital loss carryforwards available to offset future taxable income. A substantial portion of the net operating loss carryforwards were generated by Meredian prior to June 2, 2014. The net operating loss carryforwards generated before 2018 expire at various times during the tax years from 2027 through 2037, while net operating loss carryforwards generated 2018 and after will have an indefinite life carryforward.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax liabilities as a component of income tax expense, if any. The Company recognized no material interest and penalties during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, and had no accrued interest or penalties as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction as well as the state of Georgia and state of Kentucky jurisdictions. The Company and its subsidiaries are no longer subject to examinations by major tax jurisdictions for years ended December 31, 2015 and prior.

13.     Related Party Transactions

In the ordinary course of business, the Company engages in transactions with persons and entities who are considered related parties. In addition to equity and debt financing with related parties, such transactions generally include nonattest accounting services and miscellaneous other items. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, these other services totaled approximately $53.0 and $49.0 thousand, respectively, and are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Notes payable totaling approximately $2.6 and $3.0 million were owed by the Company to various stockholders at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. At December 31, 2019 these amounts were included in Convertible Debt within Long-Term Debt in Note 9 and in Notes Payable — Stockholders at December 31, 2018.

The Company recorded various notes receivable totaling $27.7 and $12.7 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. These notes related to the exercise of stock options by two officers of the Company. These notes are recorded as an offset to equity and bear interest at between 1.22% and 2.72%.

As discussed in Note 9, in connection with the terms of the 2019 Subordinated Term Loan Agreement, the lender purchased 16,667 shares of the Company common stock for approximately $1.0 million.

In December 2018, a customer exercised warrants to purchase 271,814 shares of common stock and became a stockholder in the Company. The Company recognized revenue from sales to that customer of approximately $0.4 and $0.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

14.     Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. In accordance with ASC 718 Compensation — Stock Compensation and ASC 260 Earnings Per Share, the weighted-average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share calculations exclude 671,124 and 421,738 shares as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, that were issued pursuant to the exercises of employee option grants for which the exercise price was remitted by the grantee through the issuance of nonrecourse notes to the Company. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, after taking into consideration all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. However, these shares have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2019, as their effect was antidilutive as a result of the net loss incurred for the periods. Therefore, dilutive weighted average number of shares outstanding and diluted net loss per share were the same as basic weighted average number of shares outstanding and basic net loss per share for both years.

F-51

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

14.     Earnings Per Share (cont.)

Basic and diluted net income per share was calculated as follows:

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

2019

 

2018

Net (loss) income

 

$

(19,514

)

 

$

208

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic

 

 

2,766,466

 

 

 

2,352,865

Dilutive common stock equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

606,126

Weighted average shares outstanding – dilutive

 

 

2,766,466

 

 

 

2,958,991

Basis net (loss) income per share

 

$

(7.05

)

 

$

0.09

Diluted net (loss) income per share

 

$

(7.05

)

 

$

0.07

The Company excluded approximately 744,000 of potentially dilutive shares from the computation of earnings per share for 2019 as their effect would be anti-dilutive.

15.     Retirement Plan

The Company maintains a defined contribution retirement plan (the “Plan”) for the benefit of employees who meet certain age and employment criteria. Contributions to the Plan include both a match of 100% of employee contributions up to 4% of each eligible employee’s compensation and, from time to time, a discretionary amount. Total retirement expense was approximately $0.2 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively; there were no discretionary contributions during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

16.     Commitments and Contingencies

In connection with the Company’s 2007 acquisition of certain intellectual property, the Company agreed to pay royalties upon production and sale of PHAs. The royalty is $0.05 per pound for the first 500 million pounds of PHA sold and decreases to $0.025 per pound for cumulative sales in excess of that amount until the underlying patents expire. There was no royalty owed for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

In November 2015, the Company terminated a former executive and terminated the Company’s contract with an advisory firm (the Advisory Contract), pursuant to which the Company, through the advisory firm, engaged the individual as an executive of the Company. In December 2015, the Company deemed the Advisory Contract, together with all related arrangements in connection therewith, void, including any share issuances in connection with such arrangements. The Company filed suit against the former executive and the advisory firm during 2016, and various counterclaims were filed by the former executive and the advisory firm. Subsequent to year-end, this matter was settled with the Company agreeing to pay $8 million to resolve all outstanding claims, the executive agreeing to the cancellation of any shares issued to such executive pursuant to the Advisory Contract and related arrangements, and the exchange of mutual releases among the parties. The liability is included in Accrued expenses ($5.5 million) and Other long-term liabilities ($2.5 million) in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2019 and the expense in Operating expenses in the Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2019.

17.     Subsequent Events and Other Matters

Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through October 15, 2020, the date the financial statements were available to be issued.

•        In January 2020, the Company issued convertible notes payable with an aggregate principal amount of $2.3 million on substantially the same terms as those described in Note 9.

F-52

Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

17.     Subsequent Events and Other Matters (cont.)

•        In August 2020, the Company issued convertible notes payable with an aggregate principal amount of $0.4 million on substantially the same terms as those described in Note 9 except that they were not issued at a discount and had a conversion price of the lesser of (i) $63 and (ii) the price per share at which shares of equity securities were offered in the then most recent stock offering.

•        Through October 15, 2020, the Company sold 492,594 shares of common stock at a price of $63 per share resulting in aggregate proceeds of $31.0 million prior to the recognition of related issuance costs.

•        Through October 15, 2020, the Company granted 63,890 stock options under the Executive Plan and the Omnibus Plan with an exercise price of $63 per share.

•        In May 2020, the Company entered into a sale-leaseback transaction with the same commercial property REIT referenced in Note 11. This transaction relates to improvements to the Company’s Winchester, Kentucky facility. The aggregate amount of the transaction was approximately $7.3 million. This additional sale leaseback transaction was executed as an amendment to the existing master lease with the lease term remaining unchanged. This sale-leaseback transaction increased the annual base rent for the master lease agreement to $3.1 million

•        In July 2020, the Company modified its 2019 Term Loan such that the applicable margin in the interest rate formula (formerly calculated as the greater of (a) 2.25% or (b) 3 Month LIBOR Rate, plus 4.5%) changed from 4.5% to a five-level tiered amount ranging from 4.5% if the consolidated senior leverage ratio, as defined in the Term Loan, is less than 1.5, to as high as 6.35% if the consolidated senior leverage ratio is greater than 2.25. When the amendment was executed, the applicable margin was 6.35% and will remain at 6.35% until the first day of the first full fiscal quarter after the delivery of the annual audited financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2020. Thereafter, the applicable margin will be adjusted on a quarterly basis.

•        As discussed in Note 16, in the third quarter of 2020, the Company reached a settlement on outstanding litigation and has accrued the $8 million amount in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2019.

•        In October 2020, when the seven-year recapture period passed for the NMTC agreement dated September 30, 2013, the Company entered into a simultaneous transaction whereby the loans from the CDE were purchased for a nominal amount and the leverage loan receivable was extinguished, resulting in a net gain of approximately $5.3 million before transaction expenses.

Merger with Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

On October 3, 2020, the Company and Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”), Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation (“Merger Sub”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for Live Oak, for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement and a representative of the shareholders of the Company for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which Live Oak and the Company will enter into a business combination. The terms of the Merger Agreement contain customary representations and warranties, covenants, closing conditions other terms relating to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby. The transaction is structured as a reverse triangular merger, and pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub, a newly formed, wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Live Oak, will be merged with and into the Company (the “Merger,” together with the other transactions related thereto), with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Surviving Corporation”).

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Table of Contents

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

17.     Subsequent Events and Other Matters (cont.)

Conversion of Company Common Stock and Options

At the time of the merger, the following will take effect with regard to Company Common Stock and company stock options:

•        Each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be cancelled and extinguished, will cease to exist and will be converted into the right to receive shares of Live Oak Common Stock as stipulated in the Merger Agreement;

•        All shares of Company Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company will be cancelled and retired and will cease to exist, and no payment, distribution or other consideration will be delivered or deliverable in exchange for such shares;

•        Each share of common stock, $0.0001 par value, of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be converted into and exchanged for one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Surviving Corporation; and

•        Each company option that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, whether vested or unvested, will be assumed by Live Oak and will be converted automatically at the Effective Time into an option to acquire shares of Live Oak Common Stock, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such company option (including applicable vesting and exercise conditions) subject to certain adjustments.

COVID-19

In late 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus was reported in Wuhan, Hubei, China. In March 2020, the World Health Organization determined the resulting outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by this novel coronavirus, to be a pandemic. The pandemic is disrupting supply chains worldwide as national and local governments implement measures intended to slow the spread of COVID-19, with production and sales across a range of industries impacted in different ways. The extent of the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s operations and its financial performance will depend on certain developments outside of the Company’s control, including the duration and spread of the outbreak; its impact on customers, employees, and vendors; and broader economic conditions, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time.

On March 27, 2020, the United States enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act. The CARES Act is an emergency economic stimulus package that includes spending and tax breaks to strengthen the United States economy and fund a nationwide effort to curtail the effect of COVID-19. The CARES Act provides sweeping tax changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the more significant provisions include removal of certain limitations on utilization of net operating losses, increasing the loss carryback period for certain losses to five years, increasing the ability to deduct interest expense, and deferring social security payments, as well as amending certain provisions of the previously enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

In April 2020, the Company received a loan in the amount of $1.8 million pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) established by the CARES Act. Under terms of the PPP, certain amounts of the loan may be forgiven if they are used for qualifying expenses as described in the CARES Act.

F-54

Table of Contents

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

June 30,
2020

 

December 31, 2019

   

(unaudited)

   

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,677,654

 

 

$

20,000

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

29,268

 

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

 

 

1,706,922

 

 

 

20,000

 

Deferred offering costs

 

 

 

 

 

57,950

 

Cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account

 

 

200,026,459

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

201,733,381

 

 

$

77,950

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued expenses

 

$

82,040

 

 

$

3,980

 

Accrued offering costs

 

 

 

 

 

52,950

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

82,040

 

 

 

56,930

 

Deferred underwriting fee payable

 

 

6,737,500

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

6,819,540

 

 

 

56,930

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A Common stock subject to possible redemption, 18,991,384, shares at $10.00 per share

 

 

189,913,840

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 1,008,616 issued and outstanding (excluding 18,991,384 shares subject to possible redemption) at June 30, 2020

 

 

101

 

 

 

 

Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 5,000,000 shares and 5,750,000 shares issued and outstanding June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively (1)

 

 

500

 

 

 

575

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

5,089,315

 

 

 

24,425

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(89,915

)

 

 

(3,980

)

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

5,000,001

 

 

 

21,020

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

201,733,381

 

 

$

77,950

 

____________

(1)      At December 31, 2019, included 750,000 shares of Class B common stock subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option was not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters (see Note 4).

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.

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Table of Contents

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

 

Three
Months
Ended
June 30,
2020

 

Six
Months
Ended
June 30,
2020

 

For the
Period from
May 24,
2019
(Inception)
Through
June 30,
2019

Formation and general and administrative expenses

 

$

112,334

 

 

$

112,394

 

 

$

2,774

 

Loss from operations

 

 

(112,334

)

 

 

(112,394

)

 

 

(2,774

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account

 

 

26,459

 

 

 

26,459

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(85,875

)

 

$

(85,935

)

 

$

(2,774

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A redeemable common stock

 

 

20,000,000

 

 

 

20,000,000

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted income per share, Class A

 

$

0.00

 

 

$

0.00

 

 

$

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding of Class B non-redeemable common stock

 

 

5,000,000

 

 

 

5,000,000

 

 

 

5,000,000

 

Basic and diluted net loss per share, Class B

 

$

(0.02

)

 

$

(0.02

)

 

$

(0.00

)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.

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LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)

THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2020

 

Class A
Common Stock

 


Class B
Common Stock

 

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

(Accumulated Deficit)/
Retained
Earnings

 

Total
Stockholders’
Equity

   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Balance – January 1, 2020

 

 

 

$

 

 

5,750,000

 

 

$

575

 

 

$

24,425

 

 

$

(3,980

)

 

$

21,020

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(60

)

 

 

(60

)

Balance – March 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,750,000

 

 

 

575

 

 

 

24,425

 

 

 

(4,040

)

 

 

20,960

 

Sale of 20,000,000 Units, net of underwriting discounts and offering costs

 

20,000,000

 

 

 

2,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

188,976,756

 

 

 

 

 

 

188,978,756

 

Sale of 6,000,000 Private Placement Warrants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,000,000

 

Forfeiture of Founder Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

(750,000

)

 

 

(75

)

 

 

75

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock subject to possible redemption

 

(18,991,384

)

 

 

(1,899

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(189,911,941

)

 

 

 

 

 

(189,913,840

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(85,875

)

 

 

(85,875

)

Balance – June 30, 2020

 

1,008,616

 

 

$

101

 

 

5,000,000

 

 

$

500

 

 

$

5,089,315

 

 

$

(89,915

)

 

$

5,000,001

 

FOR THE PERIOD FROM MAY 24, 2019 (INCEPTION) THROUGH JUNE 30, 2019

 

Class B
Common Stock

 

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

Total
Stockholders’
Equity

Shares

 

Amount

 

Balance – May 24, 2019 (inception)

 

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

$

 

Issuance of Class B common stock to Sponsor(1)

 

5,750,000

 

 

575

 

 

24,425

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,774

)

 

 

(2,774

)

Balance – June 30, 2019

 

5,750,000

 

$

575

 

$

24,425

 

$

(2,774

)

 

$

22,226

 

____________

(1)      Included 750,000 shares of Class B common stock subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option was not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters (see Note 4).

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.

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Table of Contents

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

 

Six Months
Ended

June 30,
2020

 

For the
Period from
May 24,
2019
(Inception) Through
June 30,
2019

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(85,935

)

 

$

(2,774

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash and cash equivalents used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account

 

 

(26,459

)

 

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

(29,268

)

 

 

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

78,060

 

 

 

2,774

 

Net cash and cash equivalents used in operating activities

 

 

(63,602

)

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment of cash into Trust Account

 

 

(200,000,000

)

 

 

 

Net cash and cash equivalents used in investing activities

 

 

(200,000,000

)

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of Class B common stock to Sponsor

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

Proceeds from sale of Units, net of underwriting discounts paid

 

 

196,150,000

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of Private Placement Warrants

 

 

6,000,000

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from promissory note - related party

 

 

160,000

 

 

 

 

Repayment of promissory note - related party

 

 

(160,000

)

 

 

 

Payment of offering costs

 

 

(428,744

)

 

 

 

Net cash and cash equivalents provided by financing activities

 

 

201,721,256

 

 

 

25,000

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

 

1,657,654

 

 

 

25,000

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents – Beginning of period

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents – End of period

 

$

1,677,654

 

 

 

25,000

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Offering costs included in accrued offering costs

 

$

 

 

$

118,646

 

Initial classification of common stock subject to possible redemption

 

$

189,999,400

 

 

$

 

Change in value of common stock subject to possible redemption

 

$

(85,560

)

 

$

 

Deferred underwriting fee payable

 

$

6,737,500

 

 

$

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.

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Table of Contents

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2020
(Unaudited)

NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Live Oak Acquisition Corp. (formerly known as Foxhound Merger Partners, Inc.) (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on May 24, 2019. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”).

The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.

The Company is not limited to a particular or geographic region for purposes of consummating a Business Combination. The Company is an emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with emerging growth companies.

As of June 30, 2020, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from May 24, 2019 (inception) through June 30, 2020 relates to the Company’s formation, the initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering”), which is described below, and identifying a target company for a Business Combination. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company generates non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering.

The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on May 5, 2020. On May 8, 2020, the Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of 20,000,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the shares of Class A common stock included in the Units sold, the “Public Shares”) at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $200,000,000, which is described in Note 3.

Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the sale of 6,000,000 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant in a private placement to Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), generating gross proceeds of $6,000,000, which is described in Note 4.

Transaction costs amounted to $11,021,244, consisting of $3,850,000 of underwriting fees, $6,737,500 of deferred underwriting fees and $433,744 of other offering costs. In addition, at June 30, 2020, cash of $1,677,654 was held outside of the Trust Account (as defined below) and is available for working capital purposes.

Following the closing of the Initial Public Offering on May 8, 2020, an amount of $200,000,000 ($10.00 per Unit) from the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants was placed in a trust account (the “Trust Account”) which will be invested in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), with a maturity of 185 days or less or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund selected by the Company meeting the conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the consummation of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the funds in the Trust Account, as described below, except that interest earned on the Trust Account can be released to the Company to pay its tax obligations (less $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses).

The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully. The Company’s initial Business Combination must be with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (excluding the deferred underwriting fees and taxes payable on the income earned on the Trust

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Table of Contents

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2020
(Unaudited)

NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS (cont.)

Account) at the time of the agreement to enter into a Business Combination. The Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction Company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

The Company will provide its holders of the outstanding Public Shares (the “public stockholders”) with the opportunity to convert all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the consummation of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion. The public stockholders will be entitled to convert their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account ($10.00 per Public Share, plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its tax obligations). There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of a Business Combination with respect to the Company’s warrants.

The Company will proceed with a Business Combination if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of a Business Combination and, if the Company seeks stockholder approval, a majority of the shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. If a stockholder vote is not required by law and the Company does not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other legal reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If, however, stockholder approval of the transactions is required by law, or the Company decides to obtain stockholder approval for business or legal reasons, the Company will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If the Company seeks stockholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the Company’s Sponsor, officers and directors (the “initial stockholders”) have agreed (i) to vote their Founder Shares (as defined in Note 4) and any Public Shares acquired in or after the Initial Public Offering in favor of a Business Combination, and (ii) not to convert any shares owned by them in connection therewith. Additionally, each public stockholder may elect to convert their Public Shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction.

Notwithstanding the above, if the Company seeks stockholder approval of a Business Combination and it does not conduct conversion pursuant to the tender offer rules, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that a public stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), will be restricted from converting its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% or more of the Public Shares, without the prior consent of the Company.

The initial stockholders have agreed (a) to waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder Shares and Public Shares held by them in connection with the completion of a Business Combination and (b) not to propose an amendment to (A) modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to provide for the redemption of its Public Shares in connection with a Business Combination or to redeem 100% of the Company’s Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination by the Combination Period (as defined below) or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial Business Combination activity, unless the Company provides the public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares in conjunction with any such amendment.

The Company will have until May 8, 2022 to complete a Business Combination (the “Combination Period”). If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the

F-60

Table of Contents

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2020
(Unaudited)

NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS (cont.)

Company to pay its taxes (less $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining stockholders and the Company’s board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the Company’s warrants, which will expire worthless if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period.

The initial stockholders have agreed to waive their liquidation rights with respect to the Founder Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the Sponsor, officers and directors acquire Public Shares in or after the Initial Public Offering, such Public Shares will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to their deferred underwriting commissions (see Note 5) held in the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the funds held in the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of the Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the assets remaining available for distribution will be less than the Initial Public Offering price per Unit ($10.00).

In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Sponsor has agreed to be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the Trust Account to below (1) $10.00 per Public Share or (ii) such lesser amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes. This liability will not apply with respect to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account and except as to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Initial Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (except the Company’s independent registered accounting firm), prospective target businesses or other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X of the SEC. Certain information or footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of a normal recurring nature, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, operating results and cash flows for the periods presented.

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Table of Contents

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2020
(Unaudited)

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s prospectus for its Initial Public Offering as filed with the SEC on May 6, 2020, as well as the Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on May 11, 2020 and May 14, 2020. The interim results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2020 or for any future interim periods.

Emerging Growth Company

The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of condensed financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.

Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Risks and Uncertainties

Management continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of the financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

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Table of Contents

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2020
(Unaudited)

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. At June 30, 2020, cash equivalents, consisting of money market funds, amounted to $1,501,184.

Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption

The Company accounts for its Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Common stock subject to mandatory redemption is classified as a liability instrument and is measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that features redemption rights that is either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) is classified as temporary equity. At all other times, common stock is classified as stockholders’ equity. The Company’s Class A common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, at June 30, 2020, the 18,991,384 shares of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption are presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s condensed balance sheet.

Offering Costs

Offering costs consist of legal, accounting, underwriting fees and other costs incurred through the Initial Public Offering that are directly related to the Initial Public Offering. Offering costs amounting to $11,021,244 were charged to stockholders’ equity upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering.

Income Taxes

The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. As of June 30, 2020, the Company had a deferred tax asset of approximately $18,000, which had a full valuation allowance recorded against it of approximately $18,000. Deferred tax assets were immaterial as of December 31, 2019 due to the full valuation allowance against those assets.

The Company’s current taxable income primarily consists of interest income on the Trust Account. The Company’s general and administrative costs are generally considered start-up costs and are not currently deductible for tax purposes. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company recorded no income tax expense. The Company’s effective tax rate for three and six months ended June 30, 2020 was 0%, which differs from the expected income tax rate due to the start-up costs (discussed above) which are not currently deductible.

ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.

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LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2020
(Unaudited)

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

Net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the periods. The Company has not considered the effect of warrants sold in the Initial Public Offering and private placement to purchase 16,000,000 shares of Class A common stock in the calculation of diluted income (loss) per share, since the exercise of the warrants are contingent upon the occurrence of future events and the inclusion of such warrants would be anti-dilutive.

The Company’s condensed statements of operations includes a presentation of income (loss) per share for common shares subject to redemption in a manner similar to the two-class method of income per share. Net income per common share, basic and diluted, for Class A redeemable common stock is calculated by dividing the interest income earned on the Trust Account of $26,459 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 (net of applicable franchise and income taxes of approximately $26,000, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020), by the weighted average number of Class A redeemable common stock of 20,000,000 shares outstanding since issuance. Net loss per common share, basic and diluted, for Class B non-redeemable common stock for the three months ended June 30, 2020 is calculated by dividing the net loss of $85,875, less income attributable to Class A redeemable common stock of $0, by the weighted average number of Class B non-redeemable common stock outstanding for the period. Net loss per common share, basic and diluted, for Class B non-redeemable common stock for the six months ended June 30, 2020 is calculated by dividing the net loss of $85,935, less income attributable to Class A redeemable common stock of $0, by the weighted average number of Class B non-redeemable common stock outstanding for the periods. Class B non-redeemable common stock includes the Founder Shares as these shares do not have any redemption features and do not participate in the income earned on the Trust Account.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of a cash account in a financial institution, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Coverage of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on this account and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such account.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the accompanying condensed balance sheets, primarily due to their short-term nature.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s condensed financial statements.

NOTE 3. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING

Pursuant to the Initial Public Offering, the Company sold 20,000,000 Units at a price of $10.00 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one share of Class A common stock and one-half of one redeemable warrant (“Public Warrant”). Each whole Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 6).

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LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2020
(Unaudited)

NOTE 4. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Founder Shares

In June 2019, the Sponsor purchased 5,031,250 shares (the “Founder Shares”) of the Company’s Class B common stock for an aggregate price of $25,000. On January 14, 2020, the Sponsor contributed back to the Company, for no consideration, 718,750 Founder Shares. In February 2020, the Company effected a stock dividend for 0.333333333 shares for each Founder Share outstanding, resulting in the Sponsor holding an aggregate of 5,750,000 Founder Shares (up to an aggregate of 750,000 shares of which were subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option was not exercised in full or in part, so that the initial stockholders would own, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares after the Initial Public Offering (see Note 6). All share and per-share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the forfeiture of the Founder Shares. The underwriters’ election to exercise their over-allotment option expired unexercised on June 22, 2020 and, as a result, 750,000 Founder Shares were forfeited, resulting in 5,000,000 Founder Shares outstanding.

The initial stockholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares (except to certain permitted transferees) until the earlier of (i) one year after the date of the consummation of a Business Combination, or (ii) subsequent to the consummation of a Business Combination, (x) if the last reported sale price of the Company’s Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Business Combination, or (y) subsequent to a Business Combination, the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A common stock for cash, securities or other property.

Promissory Note — Related Party

On December 31, 2019, the Company issued a promissory note to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to loan the Company up to an aggregate of $300,000 to be used for the payment of costs related to the Initial Public Offering (the “Promissory Note”). The Promissory Note was non-interest bearing, unsecured and due on the earlier of June 30, 2020 or the completion of the Initial Public Offering. The outstanding balance of $160,000 under the Promissory Note was repaid upon the consummation of the Initial Public Offering on May 8, 2020.

Private Placement

Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 6,000,000 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $6,000,000. Each Private Placement Warrant is exercisable to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. A portion of the proceeds from the Private Placement Warrants were added to the proceeds from the Initial Public Offering to be held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the proceeds of the sale of the Private Placement Warrants will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law), and the Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless.

Related Party Loans

In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor or certain of the Company’s directors and officers may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account.

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LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2020
(Unaudited)

NOTE 4. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (cont.)

In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans, but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital Loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. The Working Capital Loans would either be repaid upon consummation of a Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of such Working Capital Loans may be convertible into warrants of the post-Business Combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants. At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, no Working Capital Loans were outstanding.

NOTE 5. COMMITMENTS

Registration Rights

Pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into on May 5, 2020, the holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants (and the shares of Class A common stock underlying such Private Placement Warrants) and Private Placement Warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans will have registration rights to require the Company to register a sale of any of its securities held by them. The holders of these securities will be entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form registration demands, that the Company register such securities for sale under the Securities Act. In addition, these holders will have “piggy-back” registration rights to include their securities in other registration statements filed by the Company, subject to certain limitations. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

Underwriting Agreement

The underwriters were paid a cash underwriting discount of $3,850,000 in the aggregate. In addition, the underwriters are entitled to a deferred fee of $6,737,500 in the aggregate. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement. The underwriters did not receive any underwriting discounts or commission on the Units purchased by investors that were identified by the Sponsor.

NOTE 6. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Preferred Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share with such designation, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s Board of Directors. At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.

Class A Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of Class A common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. At June 30, 2020, there were 1,008,616 shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding, excluding 18,991,384 shares of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption. At December 31, 2019, there were no shares of Class A common stock issued or outstanding.

Class B Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of Class B common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of the Company’s Class B common stock are entitled to one vote for each common share. At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were 5,000,000 and 5,750,000 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding, respectively.

Holders of Class B common stock will vote on the election of directors prior to the consummation of a Business Combination. Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all other matters submitted to a vote of stockholders except as required by law.

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LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2020
(Unaudited)

NOTE 6. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (cont.)

The shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock at the time of a Business Combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment. In the case that additional shares of Class A common stock or equity-linked securities are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts offered in the Initial Public Offering and related to the closing of a Business Combination, the ratio at which shares of Class B common stock shall convert into shares of Class A common stock will be adjusted (unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock agree to waive such adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of all shares of Class B common stock will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of the total number of all shares of common stock outstanding upon completion of the Initial Public offering plus all shares of Class A common stock and equity-linked securities issued or deemed issued in connection with a Business Combination (excluding any shares or equity-linked securities issued, or to be issued, to any seller in a Business Combination and any private placement-equivalent warrants issued to the Sponsor or its affiliates upon conversion of loans made to the Company).

Warrants — Public Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the Public Warrants. The Public Warrants will become exercisable on the later of (a) 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination or (b) 12 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering. The Public Warrants will expire five years after the completion of a Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the exercise of a warrant and will have no obligation to settle such warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Class A common stock underlying the warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to the Company satisfying its obligations with respect to registration. No warrant will be exercisable and the Company will not be obligated to issue shares of Class A common stock upon exercise of a warrant unless the Class A common stock issuable upon such warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the warrants.

The Company has agreed that, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than fifteen (15) business days, after the closing of a Business Combination, the Company will use its best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants. The Company will use its best efforts to cause the same to become effective within 60 days after such closing, and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration of the warrants in accordance with the provisions of the warrant agreement. Notwithstanding the above, if the Class A common stock is at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that it satisfies the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, the Company may, at its option, require holders of Public Warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event the Company so elects, the Company will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, but will be required to use its best efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available.

Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the Public Warrants:

•        in whole and not in part;

•        at a price of $0.01 per warrant;

•        upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption; and

•        if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the Company’s Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending three business days prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders.

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LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2020
(Unaudited)

NOTE 6. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (cont.)

In addition, if (x) the Company issues additional shares of Class A common stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of a Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share of Class A common stock (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Company’s board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to the Sponsor or its affiliates, without taking into account any Founder Shares held by the Sponsor or its affiliates, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of a Business Combination on the date of the consummation of a Business Combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of the Company’s common stock during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which the Company consummates a Business Combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described above will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.

The Private Placement Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering, except that the Private Placement Warrants and the Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Private Placement Warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis and be non-redeemable so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.

If the Company calls the Public Warrants for redemption, management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise the Public Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis,” as described in the warrant agreement. The exercise price and number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, or recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the warrants will not be adjusted for issuance of Class A common stock at a price below its exercise price. Additionally, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the warrants. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and the Company liquidates the funds held in the Trust Account, holders of warrants will not receive any of such funds with respect to their warrants, nor will they receive any distribution from the Company’s assets held outside of the Trust Account with the respect to such warrants. Accordingly, the warrants may expire worthless.

NOTE 7. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company classifies its U. S. Treasury and equivalent securities as held-to-maturity in accordance with ASC 320 “Investments — Debt and Equity Securities.” Held-to-maturity securities are those securities which the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity. Held-to-maturity treasury securities are recorded at amortized cost on the accompanying balance sheets and adjusted for the amortization or accretion of premiums or discounts.

At June 30, 2020, assets held in the Trust Account were comprised of $9,388 in cash and $200,017,071 in U.S. Treasury Bills, which are held at amortized cost. Through June 30, 2020, the Company has not withdrawn any interest earned on the Trust Account.

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LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2020
(Unaudited)

NOTE 7. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (cont.)

The gross holding losses and fair value of held-to-maturity securities at June 30, 2020 are as follows:

 

Held-To-Maturity

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
Holding
Loss

 

Fair Value

June 30, 2020

 

U.S. Treasury Securities (Matures on 8/04/2020)

 

$

200,017,071

 

$

(3,076

)

 

$

200,013,995

NOTE 8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the condensed financial statements were issued. Based upon this review, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the condensed financial statements.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Stockholder and the Board of Directors of

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Live Oak Acquisition Corp. (formerly known as Foxhound Merger Partners, Inc.) (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019, the related statements of operations, changes in stockholder’s equity and cash flows, for the period from May 24, 2019 (inception) through December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from May 24, 2019 (inception) through December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2019.

New York, New York

February 28, 2020

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LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 2019

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

Current asset – cash

 

$

20,000

 

Deferred offering costs

 

 

57,950

 

Total Assets

 

$

77,950

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Accrued expenses

 

$

3,980

 

Accrued offering costs

 

 

52,950

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

56,930

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments

 

 

 

 

Stockholder’s Equity

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding

 

 

 

Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding

 

 

 

Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 5,750,000 shares issued and outstanding(1)

 

 

575

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

24,425

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(3,980

)

Total Stockholder’s Equity

 

 

21,020

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity

 

$

77,950

 

____________

(1)      Includes up to 750,000 shares of Class B common stock subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters (see Note 4). On January 14, 2020, the Sponsor contributed back to the Company for no consideration 718,750 Founder Shares. In February 2020, the Company effected a stock dividend for .333333333 shares for each share of Class B common stock outstanding. All share amounts have been retroactively stated to reflect the contributed Class B common stock and the stock dividend.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MAY 24, 2019 (INCEPTION) THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2019

Formation costs

 

$

3,980

 

Net Loss

 

$

(3,980

)

Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted(1)

 

 

5,000,000

 

Basic and diluted net loss per share

 

$

(0.00

)

____________

(1)      Excludes an aggregate of up to 750,000 shares of Class B common stock subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters (see Note 4). On January 14, 2020, the Sponsor contributed back to the Company for no consideration 718,750 Founder Shares. In February 2020, the Company effected a stock dividend for .333333333 shares for each share of Class B common stock outstanding. All share amounts have been retroactively stated to reflect the contributed Class B common stock and the stock dividend.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MAY 24, 2019 (INCEPTION) THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2019

 

Class B
Common Stock(1)

 

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

Total
Stockholder’s
Equity

   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Balance – May 24, 2019 (inception)

 

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

$

 

Issuance of Class B common stock to Sponsor(1)

 

5,750,000

 

 

575

 

 

24,425

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,980

)

 

 

(3,980

)

Balance – December 31, 2019

 

5,750,000

 

$

575

 

$

24,425

 

$

(3,980

)

 

$

21,020

 

____________

(1)      Includes 750,000 shares of Class B common stock subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters (see Note 4). On January 14, 2020, the Sponsor contributed back to the Company for no consideration 718,750 Founder Shares. In February 2020, the Company effected a stock dividend for .333333333 shares for each share of Class B common stock outstanding. All share amounts have been retroactively stated to reflect the contributed Class B common stock and the stock dividend.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MAY 24, 2019 (INCEPTION) THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2019

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(3,980

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

3,980

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of Class B common stock to Sponsor

 

 

25,000

 

Payment of offering costs

 

 

(5,000

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

20,000

 

   

 

 

 

Net Change in Cash

 

 

20,000

 

Cash – beginning of the period

 

 

 

Cash – end of the period

 

$

20,000

 

   

 

 

 

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

Deferred offering costs included in accrued offering costs

 

$

52,950

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Description of Organization and Business Operations

Live Oak Acquisition Corp. (formerly known as Foxhound Merger Partners, Inc.) (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on May 24, 2019. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”).

The Company is not limited to a particular or geographic region for purposes of consummating a Business Combination. The Company is an emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with emerging growth companies.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from May 24, 2019 (inception) through December 31, 2019 relates to the Company’s formation and the proposed initial public offering (“Proposed Public Offering”), which is described below. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company anticipates it will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from the Proposed Public Offering. The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.

The Company’s ability to commence operations is contingent upon obtaining adequate financial resources through a Proposed Public Offering of 20,000,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the shares Class A common stock included in the Units being offered, the “Public Shares”) at $10.00 per Unit (or 23,000,000 Units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), which is discussed in Note 3, and the sale of 6,000,000 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) (or 6,600,000 Private Placement Warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant in a private placement to Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), that will close simultaneously with the Proposed Public Offering, which is discussed in Note 4.

The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Proposed Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. The Company’s initial Business Combination must be with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (as defined below) (excluding the deferred underwriting fees and taxes payable on the income earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the agreement to enter into a Business Combination. The Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction Company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully. Upon the closing of the Proposed Public Offering, management has agreed that an amount equal to at least $10.00 per Unit sold in the Proposed Public Offering, including a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, will be held in a trust account (“Trust Account”), located in the United States and invested in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund selected by the Company meeting the conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the consummation of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account, as described below.

The Company will provide its holders of the outstanding Public Shares (the “public stockholders”) with the opportunity to convert all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the consummation of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion. The public stockholders will be entitled to convert their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account (initially $10.00 per Public Share, plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its tax obligations). There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of a Business Combination with

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LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Description of Organization and Business Operations (cont.)

respect to the Company’s warrants. The Public Shares subject to redemption will be recorded at a redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Proposed Public Offering in accordance with the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity”.

The Company will proceed with a Business Combination if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of a Business Combination and, if the Company seeks stockholder approval, a majority of the shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. If a stockholder vote is not required by law and the Company does not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other legal reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If, however, stockholder approval of the transactions is required by law, or the Company decides to obtain stockholder approval for business or legal reasons, the Company will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If the Company seeks stockholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the Company’s Sponsor, officers and directors (the “initial stockholders”) have agreed (i) to vote their Founder Shares (as defined in Note 4) and any Public Shares acquired in or after the Proposed Public Offering in favor of a Business Combination, and (ii) not to convert any shares owned by them in connection therewith. Additionally, each public stockholder may elect to convert their Public Shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company seeks stockholder approval of a Business Combination and it does not conduct conversion pursuant to the tender offer rules, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that a public stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), will be restricted from converting its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% or more of the Public Shares, without the prior consent of the Company.

The initial stockholders have agreed (a) to waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder Shares and Public Shares held by them in connection with the completion of a Business Combination and (b) not to propose an amendment to (A) modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to provide for the redemption of its Public Shares in connection with a Business Combination or to redeem 100% of the Company’s Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination by the Combination Period (as defined below) or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial Business Combination activity, unless the Company provides the public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares in conjunction with any such amendment.

The Company will have until 24 months from the closing of the Proposed Public Offering to complete a Business Combination (the “Combination Period”). If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its taxes (less $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining stockholders and the Company’s board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the Company’s warrants, which will expire worthless if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period.

The initial stockholders have agreed to waive their liquidation rights with respect to the Founder Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the Sponsor, officers and directors acquire Public Shares in or after the Proposed Public Offering, such Public Shares will be entitled to

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LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Description of Organization and Business Operations (cont.)

liquidating distributions from the Trust Account if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to their deferred underwriting commissions (see Note 5) held in the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the funds held in the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of the Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the assets remaining available for distribution will be less than the Proposed Public Offering price per Unit ($10.00).

In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Sponsor has agreed to be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the Trust Account to below (1) $10.00 per Public Share or (ii) such lesser amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes. This liability will not apply with respect to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account and except as to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Proposed Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third party claims. The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (except the Company’s independent registered accounting firm), prospective target businesses or other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.

Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying financial statements are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.

The Company does not have sufficient liquidity to meet its anticipated obligations over the next year from the date of issuance of these financial statements. In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” management has determined that the Company has access to funds from the Sponsor that are sufficient to fund the working capital needs of the Company until the earlier of the consummation of the Proposed Public Offering or one year from the date of issuance of these financial statements.

Emerging Growth Company

The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are

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LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)

required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Deferred Offering Costs

Deferred offering costs consist of legal, accounting, underwriting fees and other costs incurred through the balance sheet date that are directly related to the Proposed Public Offering and that will be charged to stockholders’ equity upon the completion of the Proposed Public Offering. Should the Proposed Public Offering prove to be unsuccessful, these deferred costs, as well as additional expenses to be incurred, will be charged to operations.

Income Taxes

The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Deferred tax assets were immaterial as of December 31, 2019 due to the full valuation allowance against those assets.

ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of December 31, 2019. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.

The provision for income taxes was deemed to be de minimis for the period from May 24, 2019 (inception) through December 31, 2019.

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LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)

Net Loss per Share

Net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, excluding shares of common stock subject to forfeiture. Weighted average shares were reduced for the effect of an aggregate of 750,000 shares of Class B common stock that are subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised, in full or in part, by the underwriters (see Notes 5 and 6). At December 31, 2019, the Company did not have any dilutive securities and other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into shares of common stock and then share in the earnings of the Company. As a result, diluted loss per share is the same as basic loss per share for the period presented.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of a cash account in a financial institution, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Coverage of $250,000. At December 31, 2019, the Company has not experienced losses on this account and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such account.

Financial Instruments

The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet, primarily due to their short-term nature.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Note 3 — Public Offering

Pursuant to the Proposed Public Offering, the Company intends to offer for sale 20,000,000 Units (or 23,000,000 Units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a purchase price of $10.00 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one share of common stock and one-half of one redeemable warrant (“Public Warrant”). Each whole Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 6).

Note 4 — Related Party Transactions

Founder Shares

In June 2019, the Sponsor purchased 5,031,250 shares (the “Founder Shares”) of the Company’s Class B common stock for an aggregate price of $25,000. On January 14, 2020, the Sponsor contributed back to the Company, for no consideration, 718,750 Founder Shares (see Note 7). In February 2020, the Company effected a stock dividend for .333333333 shares for each Founder Share outstanding, resulting in the Sponsor holding an aggregate of 5,750,000 Founder Shares (up to an aggregate of 750,000 shares of which are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part, so that the initial stockholders will own, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares after the Proposed Public Offering (assuming the initial stockholders do not purchase any Public Shares in the Proposed Public Offering) (see Notes 6 and 7). All share and per-share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the forfeiture of the Founder Shares.

The Founder Shares will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock upon consummation of a Business Combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain adjustments, as described in Note 6.

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LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 4 — Related Party Transactions (cont.)

The initial stockholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares (except to certain permitted transferees) until the earlier of (i) one year after the date of the consummation of a Business Combination, or (ii) subsequent to the consummation of a Business Combination, (x) if the last reported sale price of the Company’s Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Business Combination, or (y) subsequent to a Business Combination, the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property.

Promissory Note — Related Party

On December 31, 2019, the Company issued a promissory note to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to loan the Company up to an aggregate of $300,000 to be used for the payment of costs related to the Proposed Public Offering (the “Promissory Note”). The Promissory Note is non-interest bearing, unsecured and due on the earlier of June 30, 2020 or the completion of the Proposed Public Offering. No amounts are currently outstanding under the Promissory Note (see Note 7).

Private Placement

The Sponsor has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 6,000,000 Private Placement Warrants (or 6,600,000 Private Placement Warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $6,000,000 (or $6,600,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. Each Private Placement Warrant is exercisable to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. A portion of the proceeds from the Private Placement Warrants will be added to the proceeds from the Proposed Public Offering to be held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the proceeds of the sale of the Private Placement Warrants will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law), and the Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless.

Related Party Loans

In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor or certain of the Company’s directors and officers may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans, but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital Loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. The Working Capital Loans would either be repaid upon consummation of a Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of such Working Capital Loans may be convertible into warrants of the post-Business Combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants. At December 31, 2019, no Working Capital Loans were outstanding.

Note 5 — Commitments

Registration Rights

The holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants (and the shares of Class A common stock underlying such Private Placement Warrants) and Private Placement Warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans will have registration rights to require the Company to register a sale of any of its securities

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LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 5 — Commitments (cont.)

held by them pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of Proposed Public Offering. The holders of these securities will be entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form registration demands, that the Company register such securities for sale under the Securities Act. In addition, these holders will have “piggy-back” registration rights to include their securities in other registration statements filed by the Company, subject to certain limitations. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

Underwriting Agreement

The Company will grant the underwriters a 45-day option from the date of Proposed Public Offering to purchase up to 3,000,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments, if any, at the Proposed Public Offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions.

The underwriters will be entitled to a cash underwriting discount of $0.20 per Unit, or $4,000,000 in the aggregate (or $4,600,000 in the aggregate if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Units is exercised in full), payable upon the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. In addition, the underwriters will be entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per Unit, or $7,000,000 in the aggregate (or $8,050,000 in the aggregate if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Units is exercised in full). The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

Note 6 — Stockholder’s Equity

Preferred Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share with such designation, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s Board of Directors. At December 31, 2019, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.

Class A Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of Class A common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. At December 31, 2019, there were no shares of Class A common stock issued or outstanding.

Class B Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of Class B common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of the Company’s Class B common stock are entitled to one vote for each common share. At December 31, 2019, there were 5,750,000 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding, of which 750,000 shares are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriter’s over-allotment option is not exercised in full so that the Founder Shares will represent, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares after the Proposed Public Offering (assuming the initial stockholders do not purchase any Public Shares in the Proposed Public Offering).

Holders of Class B common stock will vote on the election of directors prior to the consummation of a Business Combination. Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all other matters submitted to a vote of stockholders except as required by law.

The shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock at the time of a Business Combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment. In the case that additional shares of Class A common stock or equity-linked securities are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts offered in the Proposed Public Offering and related to the closing of a Business Combination, the ratio at which shares of Class B common stock shall convert into shares of Class A common stock will be adjusted (unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock agree to waive such adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of all shares of Class B common stock will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of the total number of all shares of common stock outstanding upon completion of the Proposed Public offering plus all shares of Class A common stock and equity-linked securities issued or deemed issued in connection with a Business Combination

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LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 6 — Stockholder’s Equity (cont.)

(excluding any shares or equity-linked securities issued, or to be issued, to any seller in a Business Combination and any private placement-equivalent warrants issued to the Sponsor or its affiliates upon conversion of loans made to the Company).

Warrants — Public Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the Public Warrants. The Public Warrants will become exercisable on the later of (a) 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination or (b) 12 months from the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. The Public Warrants will expire five years after the completion of a Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the exercise of a warrant and will have no obligation to settle such warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Class A common stock underlying the warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to the Company satisfying its obligations with respect to registration. No warrant will be exercisable and the Company will not be obligated to issue shares of Class A common stock upon exercise of a warrant unless the Class A common stock issuable upon such warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the warrants.

The Company has agreed that, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than fifteen (15) business days, after the closing of a Business Combination, the Company will use its best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants. The Company will use its best efforts to cause the same to become effective within 60 days after such closing, and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration of the warrants in accordance with the provisions of the warrant agreement. Notwithstanding the above, if the Class A common stock is at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that it satisfies the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, the Company may, at its option, require holders of Public Warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event the Company so elects, the Company will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, but will be required to use its best efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available.

Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the Public Warrants:

•        in whole and not in part;

•        at a price of $0.01 per warrant;

•        upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption; and

•        if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the Company’s Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending three business days prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders.

In addition, if (x) the Company issues additional shares of Class A common stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of a Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share of Class A common stock (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Company’s board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to the Sponsor or its affiliates, without taking into account any Founder Shares held by the Sponsor or its affiliates, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of a Business Combination on the date of the consummation of a Business Combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of the Company’s common stock during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which the Company consummates a Business Combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 6 — Stockholder’s Equity (cont.)

exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described above will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.

The Private Placement Warrants will be identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units being sold in the Proposed Public Offering, except that the Private Placement Warrants and the Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Private Placement Warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis and be non-redeemable so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.

If the Company calls the Public Warrants for redemption, management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise the Public Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis,” as described in the warrant agreement. The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, or recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the warrants will not be adjusted for issuance of common stock at a price below its exercise price. Additionally, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the warrants. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and the Company liquidates the funds held in the Trust Account, holders of warrants will not receive any of such funds with respect to their warrants, nor will they receive any distribution from the Company’s assets held outside of the Trust Account with the respect to such warrants. Accordingly, the warrants may expire worthless.

Note 7 — Subsequent Events

The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to February 28, 2020, the date that the financial statements were available to be issued. Other than as described below, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.

On January 14, 2020, the Sponsor contributed back to the Company for no consideration 718,750 Founder Shares. As a result, the Sponsor now holds 4,312,500 Founder Shares, of which 562,500 shares are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part.

In February 2020, the Company effected a stock dividend for .333333333 shares for each share of Class B common stock outstanding, resulting in the Sponsor holding an aggregate of 5,750,000 Founder Shares (up to an aggregate of 750,000 shares of which are subject to forfeiture depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised).

All share and per-share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the forfeiture of the Founder Shares and the stock dividend.

In February 2020, the Company borrowed $155,000 under the Promissory Note.

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Annex A-1

Execution Version

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

BY AND AMONG

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.,

GREEN MERGER CORP.,

MEREDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.,

LIVE OAK SPONSOR PARTNERS, LLC, AS THE LIVE OAK REPRESENTATIVE

AND

JOHN A. DOWDY, JR., AS THE SHAREHOLDER REPRESENTATIVE

Dated as of October 3, 2020

 

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Annex A-1
Page

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

 

A-1-2

Section 1.1

 

Definitions

 

A-1-2

Section 1.2

 

Other Definitional Provisions and Interpretation; Schedules

 

A-1-12

     

ARTICLE II THE MERGER; CLOSING

 

A-1-12

Section 2.1

 

The Merger

 

A-1-12

Section 2.2

 

Closing; Effective Time

 

A-1-13

Section 2.3

 

Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

 

A-1-13

Section 2.4

 

Directors and Officers

 

A-1-13

Section 2.5

 

Conversion of Shares

 

A-1-13

Section 2.6

 

Exchange of Certificates; Closing of Stock Transfer Books; Unexchanged Shares

 

A-1-14

Section 2.7

 

Payments by Live Oak

 

A-1-15

Section 2.8

 

Deliveries by Live Oak and Merger Sub

 

A-1-16

Section 2.9

 

Deliveries by the Company

 

A-1-16

Section 2.10

 

Dissenting Shares

 

A-1-17

Section 2.11

 

New Equity Incentive Plan

 

A-1-17

Section 2.12

 

Rollover of Company Options

 

A-1-18

Section 2.13

 

Conversion of Convertible Notes and Exercise of Warrants

 

A-1-18

     

ARTICLE III MERGER CONSIDERATION; ADJUSTMENT

 

A-1-18

Section 3.1

 

Merger Consideration

 

A-1-18

Section 3.2

 

Estimated Merger Consideration

 

A-1-19

Section 3.3

 

Determination of Final Merger Consideration

 

A-1-19

Section 3.4

 

Earn-Out Shares

 

A-1-21

Section 3.5

 

Withholding

 

A-1-22

     

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

 

A-1-22

Section 4.1

 

Organization and Authorization of the Company and its Subsidiaries

 

A-1-22

Section 4.2

 

Capitalization of the Company

 

A-1-23

Section 4.3

 

Governmental Consents; No Conflicts

 

A-1-23

Section 4.4

 

Financial Statements; No Undisclosed Liabilities; Indebtedness

 

A-1-23

Section 4.5

 

Absence of Certain Changes

 

A-1-25

Section 4.6

 

Assets

 

A-1-25

Section 4.7

 

Real Property

 

A-1-25

Section 4.8

 

Intellectual Property

 

A-1-26

Section 4.9

 

Information Technology; Data Privacy and Security

 

A-1-27

Section 4.10

 

Material Contracts

 

A-1-28

Section 4.11

 

Permits

 

A-1-29

Section 4.12

 

Benefit Plans

 

A-1-30

Section 4.13

 

Employee and Labor Matters

 

A-1-31

Section 4.14

 

Environmental Matters

 

A-1-32

Section 4.15

 

Taxes

 

A-1-33

Section 4.16

 

Proceedings and Orders

 

A-1-35

Section 4.17

 

Compliance with Laws

 

A-1-35

Section 4.18

 

Compliance With Regulatory Requirements and Product Certifications

 

A-1-35

Section 4.19

 

Accounts Receivable

 

A-1-36

Section 4.20

 

Inventory

 

A-1-36

Section 4.21

 

Material Customers and Material Suppliers

 

A-1-36

Section 4.22

 

Related Party Transactions

 

A-1-36

Annex A-1-i

Table of Contents

 

Annex A-1
Page

Section 4.23

 

Bank Accounts

 

A-1-37

Section 4.24

 

Insurance Policies

 

A-1-37

Section 4.25

 

Required Shareholder Approval

 

A-1-37

Section 4.26

 

Takeover Laws

 

A-1-37

Section 4.27

 

Exchange Act

 

A-1-37

Section 4.28

 

Brokers

 

A-1-37

     

ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF LIVE OAK AND MERGER SUB

 

A-1-38

Section 5.1

 

Organization and Authorization

 

A-1-38

Section 5.2

 

Governmental Consents; No Conflicts

 

A-1-38

Section 5.3

 

Proceedings

 

A-1-38

Section 5.4

 

Compliance with Laws

 

A-1-39

Section 5.5

 

Issuance of Shares

 

A-1-39

Section 5.6

 

Live Oak Trust Fund

 

A-1-39

Section 5.7

 

Capitalization of Live Oak

 

A-1-39

Section 5.8

 

Merger Sub

 

A-1-39

Section 5.9

 

SEC Filings

 

A-1-39

Section 5.10

 

Internal Controls

 

A-1-40

Section 5.11

 

Listing

 

A-1-40

Section 5.12

 

Absence of Certain Changes or Events

 

A-1-40

Section 5.13

 

No Undisclosed Liabilities

 

A-1-40

Section 5.14

 

Employees

 

A-1-40

Section 5.15

 

Tax Matters

 

A-1-40

Section 5.16

 

Brokers

 

A-1-42

     

ARTICLE VI PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

 

A-1-42

Section 6.1

 

Access to Information

 

A-1-42

Section 6.2

 

Conduct of Business Pending the Closing

 

A-1-42

Section 6.3

 

Consents and Approvals

 

A-1-44

Section 6.4

 

Notification of Certain Matters

 

A-1-46

Section 6.5

 

Termination of Certain Related Party and other Contracts

 

A-1-46

Section 6.6

 

D&O Insurance

 

A-1-46

Section 6.7

 

Resignations

 

A-1-46

Section 6.8

 

Confidentiality

 

A-1-46

Section 6.9

 

Transfer of Assets

 

A-1-46

Section 6.10

 

Parachute Payment Waivers

 

A-1-46

Section 6.11

 

Section 280G Stockholder Approval

 

A-1-46

Section 6.12

 

PCAOB Audited Financials

 

A-1-47

Section 6.13

 

Directors and Officers

 

A-1-47

Section 6.14

 

Claims Against Trust Account

 

A-1-47

Section 6.15

 

Proxy Statement; Registration Statement

 

A-1-47

Section 6.16

 

Live Oak Stockholders’ Meeting and Merger Sub Stockholders’ Approval

 

A-1-49

Section 6.17

 

Required Shareholder Approval

 

A-1-49

Section 6.18

 

Company Solicitation; Change in Recommendation

 

A-1-49

Section 6.19

 

Live Oak Solicitation; Change in Recommendation

 

A-1-50

Section 6.20

 

Takeover Laws

 

A-1-50

Section 6.21

 

Stock Exchange Listing

 

A-1-50

Section 6.22

 

Other Disclosure

 

A-1-50

Section 6.23

 

Road Shows

 

A-1-51

Section 6.24

 

Publicity

 

A-1-51

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Annex A-1
Page

Section 6.25

 

Conduct of the Live Oak Business Pending the Closing

 

A-1-51

Section 6.26

 

Section 16 Matters

 

A-1-52

     

ARTICLE VII ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

 

A-1-52

Section 7.1

 

Taxes

 

A-1-52

Section 7.2

 

Books and Records

 

A-1-52

Section 7.3

 

Trust Account

 

A-1-53

     

ARTICLE VIII CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

 

A-1-53

Section 8.1

 

Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations

 

A-1-53

Section 8.2

 

Additional Conditions to Obligations of Live Oak and Merger Sub

 

A-1-54

Section 8.3

 

Additional Conditions to Obligations of the Company

 

A-1-54

Section 8.4

 

Frustration of Closing Conditions

 

A-1-55

     

ARTICLE IX TERMINATION

 

A-1-55

Section 9.1

 

Termination

 

A-1-55

Section 9.2

 

Effect of Termination

 

A-1-56

     

ARTICLE X SHAREHOLDER REPRESENTATIVE

 

A-1-56

Section 10.1

 

Designation

 

A-1-56

Section 10.2

 

Authority

 

A-1-56

Section 10.3

 

Reliance by Live Oak

 

A-1-56

Section 10.4

 

Shareholder Representative Amount

 

A-1-56

Section 10.5

 

Exculpation

 

A-1-57

     

ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS

 

A-1-57

Section 11.1

 

Expenses

 

A-1-57

Section 11.2

 

Amendments

 

A-1-57

Section 11.3

 

Notices

 

A-1-57

Section 11.4

 

United States Dollars

 

A-1-58

Section 11.5

 

Waivers

 

A-1-58

Section 11.6

 

Assignment

 

A-1-58

Section 11.7

 

No Third-Party Beneficiaries

 

A-1-58

Section 11.8

 

Publicity

 

A-1-58

Section 11.9

 

Further Assurances

 

A-1-59

Section 11.10

 

Severability

 

A-1-59

Section 11.11

 

Entire Agreement

 

A-1-59

Section 11.12

 

No Strict Construction

 

A-1-59

Section 11.13

 

Governing Law

 

A-1-59

Section 11.14

 

Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue

 

A-1-59

Section 11.15

 

WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY

 

A-1-59

Section 11.16

 

Equitable Relief

 

A-1-59

Section 11.17

 

Privileged Communications

 

A-1-59

Section 11.18

 

No Waiver of Privilege; Protection from Disclosure or Use

 

A-1-60

Section 11.19

 

Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants

 

A-1-60

Section 11.20

 

Counterparts

 

A-1-60

Annex A-1-iii

Table of Contents

EXHIBITS

Exhibit A

 

Support Agreement

Exhibit B

 

Lock Up Agreement

Exhibit C

 

Non-Competition Agreement

Exhibit D

 

Certificate of Merger

Exhibit E

 

Written Consent

Annex A-1-iv

Table of Contents

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER is made as of October 3, 2020, by and among Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”), Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., dba Danimer Scientific, a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for Live Oak, for certain purposes described in this Agreement (the “Live Oak Representative”), and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company for certain purposes described in this Agreement (the “Shareholder Representative”). Live Oak, Merger Sub, the Company, the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the meanings set forth in ARTICLE I.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company is engaged, directly and indirectly through its Subsidiaries, in the business of researching, developing, manufacturing, marketing, distributing and selling biodegradable bio-plastic replacements for traditional petroleum-based plastics (the “Business”).

WHEREAS, Live Oak desires to acquire the Company through a merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company, with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Live Oak.

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Company Board”) has unanimously (a) determined that the Merger Consideration is fair from a financial point of view to the Shareholders and has approved and adopted this Agreement and declared its advisability and approved the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (b) has recommended the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Merger by the Shareholders (as defined herein);

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Live Oak (the “Live Oak Board”) has unanimously (a) approved and adopted this Agreement and declared its advisability and approved the payment of the Per Share Merger Consideration to stockholders of the Company pursuant to this Agreement and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (b) has recommended the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by the Live Oak Stockholders;

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Merger Sub (the “Merger Sub Board”) has unanimously (a) determined that the Merger is fair to, and in the best interests of, Merger Sub and its sole stockholder and has approved and adopted this Agreement and declared its advisability and approved the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (b) has recommended the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Merger by the sole stockholder of Merger Sub;

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, in order to induce the Parties to enter into this Agreement: (a) certain Shareholders are entering into Support Agreements with Live Oak, in the form attached as Exhibit A, pursuant to which each such Shareholder has irrevocably agreed to, among other things, execute a written Consent in favor of adopting this Agreement, (b) certain Key Executives have entered into Key Employment Agreements with the Company or are entering into Key Employment Agreements with Live Oak, to become effective at the time of Closing, and (c) certain Specified Shareholders are entering into Non-Competition Agreements with Live Oak to become effective at the time of Closing;

WHEREAS, in connection with the Closing, Live Oak and certain Shareholders shall enter into Lock-Up Agreements; and

WHEREAS, it is intended that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Merger shall qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) and that this Agreement constitutes and is adopted as a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a).

Annex A-1-1

Table of Contents

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual representations, warranties, covenants, and agreements contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1     Definitions. The following terms shall have the following meanings for purposes of this Agreement:

280G Report” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.10.

Accounting Firm” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(c).

Adjustment Holdback Amount” means Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,500,000).

Adjustment Holdback Shares” means the number of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the Adjustment Holdback Amount by (b) the Live Oak Share Price.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is under common control with, or is controlled by such specified Person. The term “control” (including its correlative meanings “under common control with” and “controlled by”) as used in the preceding sentence means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through ownership of securities or partnership or other interests, by contract, or otherwise.

Agreement” means this Agreement and Plan of Merger, including all Exhibits and Schedules.

Assessed Products” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.8(f).

Assumed Company Option” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12.

Authorized Action” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.

Award Exchange Ratio” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12.

Benefit Plan” means (a) an “employee benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, (b) a stock bonus, stock purchase, stock option, restricted stock, stock appreciation right or similar equity or equity-based plan, or (c) any other retirement or deferred compensation plan, incentive compensation plan, commission plan or arrangement, retention plan or agreement, unemployment compensation plan, vacation pay, change in control, severance pay, bonus or benefit arrangement, insurance or hospitalization program, flexible benefit plan, cafeteria plan, dependent care plan, or fringe benefit plan for any current or former employee, director, consultant or agent, whether pursuant to a written plan, agreement, arrangement, or Contract or pursuant to custom or understanding.

Business” has the meaning set forth in the preliminary statements to this Agreement.

Business Day” means any day of the year other than (a) any Saturday or Sunday or (b) any other day on which banks or government offices located in New York, New York are authorized or required to be closed for business.

Cancellation” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(b).

Cancelled Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(b).

Cash” means cash and cash equivalents (including bank deposits, checks and drafts received but not yet cleared and convertible to cash within five (5) Business Days), excluding Restricted Cash.

Cash Free Exercise Option and Warrant Shares” means, in respect of each Company Option and Company Warrant, the number of Shares that would be issuable on a “cash free” or “net exercise” basis in respect of such Company Option or Company Warrant, as applicable, in accordance with the following formula: X = Y(A-B)/A; where

X” = the number of Cash Free Exercise Option or Warrant Shares in respect of such Company Option or Company Warrant, as applicable;

Annex A-1-2

Table of Contents

Y” = the total number of Shares into which such Company Option or such Company Warrant is exercisable, as applicable, assuming exercise in full thereof;

A” = $63.00; and

B” = the exercise price of such Company Option or Company Warrant, as applicable.

For illustration purposes only, the number of Cash Free Exercise Option and Warrant Shares, in respect of a Company Option or Company Warrant exercisable for 1,000 Shares at an exercise price of $30.00 per Share would be 523.81 Shares = (1,000 * (($63.00-$30.00)/$63.00)).

CERCLA” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980.

Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(b).

Certificate of Merger” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b).

Claims” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.14.

Closing” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).

Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).

Closing Date Net Debt” means an amount equal to the Net Debt, on the calendar day immediately preceding the Closing Date.

Closing Payment” means an amount equal to the Estimated Merger Consideration, minus (i) the Adjustment Holdback Amount, and minus (ii) the Shareholder Representative Amount.

Closing Per Share Merger Consideration” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a).

Code” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Company Benefit Plan” means each Benefit Plan that is sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates or with respect to which the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates has any Liability.

Company Board” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Company Board Recommendation” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c).

Company Copyrights” means the copyrights and works of authorship (and any applications for registration of the same) owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries.

Company Domain Names” means the Internet domain names owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries.

Company Insiders” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.26.

Company Intellectual Property” means the Intellectual Property owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries.

Company IT Systems” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.9(a).

Company Option Plans” means the Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. 2016 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan and the Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. 2016 Director and Executive Officer Stock Incentive Plan.

Company Options” means all options to purchase Shares, whether or not exercisable and whether or not vested, outstanding immediately prior to the Closing, under the Company Option Plans or otherwise.

Company Patents” means the issued patents and pending patent applications owned by the Company.

Company Real Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(b).

Annex A-1-3

Table of Contents

Company Records” means all customer lists, supplier lists, product price lists, sales records, product specifications, advertising materials, engineering data, maintenance schedules, and operating and production records relating to the Company or used in connection with the Business.

Company Trademarks” means the trade names, registered trademarks, service names, and registered service marks (and applications for registration of the same) owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries.

Company Warrants” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).

Company’s Knowledge” or any similar expression with regard to the knowledge or awareness of, or receipt of notice by, the Company means the actual knowledge of Stephen E. Croskrey, John A. Dowdy, III, Michael Smith, Scott Tuten and Philip Van Trump, in each case after due inquiry of the respective employees directly reporting to such Persons.

Competing Live Oak Transaction” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.19.

Competing Transaction” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.18(a).

Confidentiality Agreement” means that certain Non-Disclosure Agreement, dated as of June 17, 2020, between Live Oak and the Company.

Consent” means a consent, authorization, or approval of a Person.

Contract” means any contract, agreement, letter of intent, lease, license, indenture, mortgage, note, bond, guaranty, or other arrangement or understanding, whether written or oral.

Counsel” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.17.

Data Room” means the ShareVault virtual data room, having the name “Project Green,” established by the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Dissenting Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.

Dollars” or numbers preceded by the symbol “$” mean amounts in United States Dollars.

Effective Time” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b).

Earn-Out Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4.

Employees” means those individuals employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Enforceability Limitations” means limitations on enforcement and other remedies imposed by or arising under or in connection with applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium, and other similar Laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect or general principles of equity (including concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith, and fair dealing with respect to those jurisdictions that recognize such concepts).

Environmental Law” means any applicable Laws (including common law) concerning the protection of human health or the environment (including indoor or outdoor air, surface water, groundwater, sediment, land, surface or subsurface strata, and natural resources), including Laws (a) imposing Liability in connection with cleanup, investigation, removal, remediation or response relative to any release or threatened release of a pollutant or contaminant, (b) relating to exposure to health or physical hazards within the environment or protection of worker health and safety, and (c) otherwise relating to the environmental aspects of the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, emission, transport, or handling of materials posing a physical or health hazard.

Environmental Permit” means any Permit pursuant to any Environmental Law.

Equity Interests” means (a) shares of capital stock, limited liability company membership interests, partnership interests, or other equity interests of an entity, as applicable, and (b) any options, warrants, or other securities exercisable for or convertible into any of the securities described in clause (a).

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

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ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, trade, or business which, together with such Person, is a member of a controlled group of corporations or a group of trades or businesses under common control within the meaning of Sections 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code.

Estimated Closing Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.

Estimated Merger Consideration” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.

Exchange Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.27.

Exchange Agent” means Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

Exchange Agent Agreement” means the Exchange Agent Agreement to be entered into between the parties thereto.

FCN Letters” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.18.

FDA” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.18.

Final Merger Consideration” means the Merger Consideration, as the same becomes final and binding pursuant to Section 3.3.

Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(a).

Flow of Funds Memorandum” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.

FTO” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.8(f).

Fundamental Representations” means the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.1 (Organization and Authorization of the Company and its Subsidiaries), Section 4.2 (Capitalization of the Company; Subsidiaries), Section 4.3(b) (No Conflicts), Section 4.25 (Required Shareholder Approval), Section 4.28 (Brokers), Section 5.1 (Organization and Authorization), and Section 5.16 (Brokers).

GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time.

GBCC” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, provincial, local, foreign, or supra-national government or other political subdivision thereof or any entity, body, authority, agency, commission, court, tribunal, or judicial body exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, arbitral, or administrative Law functions, including quasi-governmental entities established to perform such functions.

Hazardous Substance” means any material, chemical, substance, pollutant, contaminant or waste that is regulated or subject to standards of conduct, or that may give rise to Liability, under any Environmental Law or which is otherwise hazardous, toxic or harmful to human health or the environment, including (i) petroleum or any fraction thereof, (ii) radiation and radioactive materials, (iii) asbestos in any form, (iv) polychlorinated biphenyls and (v) perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Health Plan” means each Company Benefit Plan that is a “group health plan” as defined in Section 733(a)(1) of ERISA.

Healthcare Reform Laws” means the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Pub. L. No. 111-148 and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Pub. L. No. 111-152, and the regulations and guidance issued thereunder.

HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

Inbound IP License” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.9(c).

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, loans, or advances, (b) all indebtedness for the deferred purchase price of properties, assets, or services (including all earn-out obligations), (c) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures, or other similar instruments, (d) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement,

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(e) all obligations under leases that have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capital leases, (f) all reimbursement, payment, or similar obligations, contingent or otherwise, under any banker’s acceptance, letter of credit, or similar facility, (g) all obligations under surety bonds and performance bonds, (h) all obligations under any interest rate, currency, or other derivative, hedging, swap, or similar instrument, (i) other than as set forth on Schedule 1.1(a), all Liabilities of any Person pursuant to any settlement agreements and (j) all Liabilities of any other Person described in clauses (a) through (i) above that such Person has, directly or indirectly, guaranteed or assumed, or that is otherwise its legal obligation. The amount of such Person’s Indebtedness shall include the aggregate principal amount thereof, all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and any premiums or penalties, including any prepayment penalties, payable with respect thereto. For the avoidance of doubt, any amount included as a Transaction Expense shall not constitute Indebtedness.

Initial Closing Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(a).

Initial Option Grant” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11.

Initial Restricted Stock Grant” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11.

Insurance Policies” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.24.

Intellectual Property” means all (a) patents and pending patent applications, including provisionals, continuations, divisionals, continuations-in-part, reissues, or reexaminations thereof, (b) trademarks, service marks, trade names, service names, trade dress, and Internet domain names, together with the goodwill exclusively associated with any of the foregoing, and all applications, registrations and renewals thereof, (c) copyrights and works of authorship, (d) Know-How, and (e) Software.

Inventory” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.20.

Key Employment Agreements” means (a) the employment agreement or consulting agreement, as the case may be, between Live Oak and certain Key Executives, each dated the date hereof and to become effective at the time of Closing, and (b) the employment agreements between the Company certain Key Executives, each dated on or about August 31, 2020.

Key Executives” means the list of Company executives set forth on Schedule 1.1(b).

Know-How” means trade secrets, inventions, discoveries, formulae, practices, processes, procedures, ideas, specifications, engineering data, databases, and data collections.

Law” means any law, statute, regulation, ordinance, rule, code, requirement, or rule of law (including common law) enacted, promulgated, issued, released, or imposed by any Governmental Authority.

Leased Real Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(b).

Letter of Transmittal” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(b).

Liability” means any debt, liability, commitment, or obligation of any nature, whether pecuniary or not, asserted or unasserted, accrued or unaccrued, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, determined or determinable, incurred or consequential, known or unknown, and whether due or to become due, including those arising under any Contract, Law, or Order.

Lien” means any lien, mortgage, pledge, security interest, imperfection of title, encroachment, lease, license, easement, right-of-way, covenant, condition, restriction, adverse claim, or other encumbrance, other than any license of, option to license, or covenant not to assert claims of infringement, misappropriation, or other violation with respect to Intellectual Property.

Live Oak” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Live Oak Board” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Live Oak Class A Common Stock” means the Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Live Oak.

Live Oak Class B Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.7(a).

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Live Oak Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.9.

Live Oak Public Offering Warrant” means that certain Live Oak initial public offering consummated on May 8, 2020.

Live Oak Preferred Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.7(a).

Live Oak Proposals” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.15(a).

Live Oak SEC Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.9.

Live Oak Share Price” means Ten Dollars ($10.00) per share.

Live Oak Shares” means the fully diluted number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and Live Oak Class B Common Stock as measured immediately following the Effective Time, excluding the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Live Oak Warrants.

Live Oak Stockholders” means the stockholders of Live Oak.

Live Oak Stockholders’ Meeting” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.15(a).

Live Oak Transaction Expenses” means (a) all fees and expenses incurred or payable by Live Oak or Merger Sub in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including all fees and expenses of any investment bankers, attorneys, accountants, consultants, experts, or other professionals engaged by or on behalf of Live Oak or Merger Sub in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (b) fifty percent (50%) of the fees and expenses of the Exchange Agent pursuant to the Exchange Agent Agreement and (c) fifty percent (50%) of the filing fees associated with the HSR Act filing payable pursuant to Section 6.3(b); provided, that if more than one HSR Act filing is required, then Live Oak shall bear the entire cost of each such filing beyond the first filing; and provided, further, that in the case of each of clauses (a)(c), to the extent not paid prior to the Closing. For the avoidance of doubt, the Live Oak Transaction Expenses shall not include any fees and expenses of the Live Oak Representative.

Live Oak Warrant Agreement” means that certain warrant agreement dated May 5, 2020, by and between Live Oak and Continental Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation.

Live Oak Warrants” means, collectively, warrants to purchase shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, with each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of Eleven Dollars and Fifty Cents ($11.50) per share, as contemplated under (i) the Live Oak Warrant Agreement, and (ii) the Live Oak Public Offering Warrant.

Live Oak’s Knowledge” or any similar expression with regard to the knowledge or awareness of, or receipt of notice by, Live Oak means the actual knowledge of Richard Hendrix, Gary Wunderlich and Andrea Tarbox after due inquiry of the respective employees directly reporting to such Persons.

Lock-Up Agreements” means the lock-up agreements, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, to be entered into by and between Live Oak and the Shareholders named on Schedule 1.1(c) in connection with the Closing.

Material Adverse Effect” means any event, change, or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate with any other events, changes, or occurrences, (i) has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the business, assets, Liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise), or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries (on a long-term basis), taken as a whole, or (ii) that materially impairs, or would reasonably be expected to materially impair, individually or in the aggregate, the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that, solely with respect to clause (i) above, excluding any event, change, or occurrence resulting from: (a) effects generally affecting the industries or segments thereof in which the Company or its Subsidiaries operates; (b) general business, economic, or political conditions (or changes therein); (c) any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or declared or undeclared acts of war, sabotage, terrorist attack, or any other act of terrorism; (d) any natural or man-made disaster or acts of God; (e) any epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak (including the Covid-19 virus); (f) any failure by the Company or its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole to meet budgets, plans, projections, or forecasts (whether internal or otherwise) for any period (it being understood that the underlying cause of the failure to meet such budgets, plans, projections, or forecasts shall be taken into account in determining

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whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or could occur); (g) changes in Law or interpretation thereof or GAAP or interpretation thereof; or (h) events attributable to the announcement of the execution of this Agreement or any Related Agreement, the announcement of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; provided, however, that any event, change, or occurrence resulting from the matters referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above shall be excluded only to the extent such matters do not disproportionately impact the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as compared to other Persons operating in the same or similar industry.

Material Contracts” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.10.

Material Customer” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.21(a).

Material Supplier” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.21(a).

Merger” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

Merger Consideration” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

Merger Sub” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Merger Sub Board” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Merger Sub Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.7(b).

Multiemployer Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(37) of ERISA.

Negative Adjustment Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(e).

Net Debt” means (i) the aggregate consolidated Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (including prepayment penalties that would be due if paid off at the Closing), minus (ii) the aggregate consolidated Indebtedness incurred by the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to their participation in the NMTC Program and the Paycheck Protection Program, minus (iii) Cash of the Company, minus (iv) the amount of all Cash capital expenditures up to a maximum of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000) made by the Company and its Subsidiaries from September 18, 2020 through the Closing Date solely in connection with the Company’s “Phase 2” (“Phase II”) expansion of the Winchester, Kentucky facility (collectively, the “Phase II Capital Expenditures”), minus (v) the principal amount of and accrued but unpaid interest on all promissory notes issued in favor of the Company.

New Equity Incentive Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11.

NMTC Loans” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(e).

NMTC Program” means the New Market Tax Program, a federal program enacted by the United States Congress as a part of the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000, as amended, administered by from the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund of the United States Department of Treasury.

Non-Competition Agreements” means the non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, entered into by and between Live Oak and the Specified Shareholders, respectively, effective as of the Closing.

Non-Dissenting Shareholder” means a Shareholder that does not properly demand or perfect such Shareholder’s right to appraisal under Article 13 or Section 14-1322 of the GBCC and is otherwise entitled to receive its portion of the Merger Consideration pursuant to this Agreement.

Notice of Acceptance” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(b)(i).

Notice of Disagreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(b)(ii).

NYSE” means The New York Stock Exchange.

Order” means any order, judgment, decree, injunction, stipulation, settlement, or Consent order of or with any Governmental Authority.

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Organizational Documents” means the certificate or articles of incorporation, certificate of formation, bylaws, limited liability company agreement, or other governing documents of an entity, as applicable, in each case as amended.

Outbound IP License” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.9(b).

Outside Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(b).

Owned Real Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(a).

Party” and “Parties” have the meanings set forth in the preamble to this Agreement. Following the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall be considered a Party.

PCAOB” means the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and any division or subdivision thereof.

PCAOB Audited Financials” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the consolidated Subsidiaries of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, and the related audited consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Company and the consolidated Subsidiaries of the Company for such years, each audited in accordance with the auditing standards of the PCAOB.

Percentage Interest” means, with respect to any Shareholder, the percentage set forth opposite such Shareholder’s name in the Estimated Closing Statement.

Permit” means any permit, license, approval, governmental qualification, registration, or other authorization required to be obtained.

Permitted Liens” means: (a) Liens for or in respect of Taxes or other governmental charges that are not yet due and payable or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate Proceedings and, in each case, for which an appropriate reserve has been established in accordance with GAAP; (b) workers’, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, suppliers’, carriers’, tenants’, or similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business or by operation of law with respect to obligations that are not yet due and payable; (c) all covenants, conditions, restrictions (including any zoning, entitlement, conservation, restriction, and other land use and environmental regulations by Governmental Authorities), easements, charges, rights-of-way, and other Liens that, individually or in the aggregate, do not materially impair the use of the real property affected thereby; (d) all other Liens on tangible personal property that, individually or in the aggregate, do not materially impair the value of the property subject to such Liens or the use of such property in the Business; (e) with respect to the Shares, restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws; and (f) Liens in favor of certain lenders that are currently in effect as set forth on Schedule 1.1(d).

Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, Governmental Authority, or other legal entity.

Personal Data” means a natural Person’s name, street address, telephone number, e-mail address, photograph, Social Security number, driver’s license number, passport number, policyholder or account number, “nonpublic personal information” as defined by the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 and any other piece of information that alone or together with other information could reasonably allow for the identification of a natural Person or otherwise relates to an identifiable natural Person.

PHA Products” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.18.

PIPE” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(d).

Positive Adjustment Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(d).

PPP Loan” shall mean that certain Promissory Note, dated as of April 18, 2020, issued by the Company to Truist Bank, a North Carolina banking corporation, in a principal amount of One Million Seven Hundred Seventy Six Thousand Dollars ($1,776,000.00), and all agreements or documents entered into in connection therewith or related thereto.

Privileged Communications” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.17.

Proceeding” means an action, suit, arbitration, proceeding, audit, hearing, examination, investigation, or litigation (whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, or informal) by or before any Governmental Authority.

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Proposed Adjustments” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(b)(ii).

Real Property Lease” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(b).

Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.15(a).

Related Agreement” means any Contract that is to be entered into at the Closing or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date, including the Key Employment Agreements, the Non-Competition Agreements, the Lock-Up Agreements and the Exchange Agent Agreement. The Related Agreements executed by a specified Person shall be referred to as “such Person’s Related Agreements,” “its Related Agreements,” or other similar expression.

Related Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.22(a).

Release” means any spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, emptying, leaching, escaping, dumping, disposing, injection, deposit, dispersing, migration or discharge of any Hazardous Substance in, onto or through the environment.

Remedial Action” means any action to (a) investigate, clean up, remediate, remove, respond or treat, or in any other way to address, a Release or a threat of Release, including the performance of required studies, investigations, restoration or monitoring or (b) assess or restore the environment or natural resources.

Representatives” means with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and its and their respective directors, officers, managers, employees, agents, representatives and advisors.

Required Live Oak Stockholder Approval” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(c).

Required Shareholder Approval” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.25.

Restricted Cash” means cash needed to satisfy any outstanding check payable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, ACH transaction and other wire transfers, cash required to collateralize any letters of credit, surety bonds, performance bonds, or other similar instruments and any other cash that is otherwise not freely usable by the Company as of the Closing because it is subject to express contractual restrictions or limitations on use or distribution by Law, Contract or otherwise.

Retention Recipient” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11.

Reviewable Document” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.22(a).

SBA” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(d).

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SEC Guidance” means (a) any publicly available written or oral interpretations, questions and answers, guidance and forms of the SEC, (b) any oral or written comments, requirements or requests of the SEC or its staff, (c) the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and (d) any other rules, bulletins, releases, manuals and regulations of the SEC.

Section 16 Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.26.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

SEMS” means the Superfund Enterprise Management System maintained by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Shareholder” means a holder of Shares.

Shareholder Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.17(b).

Shareholder Representative” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Shareholder Representative Amount” means Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000).

Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a).

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Software” means: (i) computer programs, including software implementation of algorithms, models and methodologies, whether in source-code, object-code, or human readable or other form, including firmware, operating systems, and specifications; (ii) database software that is accessed using computer programs; (iii) descriptions, flow charts and other work products used to design, plan, organize and develop any of the foregoing, screens, user interfaces, report formats, firmware, development tools, templates, menus, buttons, and icons; and (iv) documentation, including programmer notes, user manuals, and training materials, relating to such computer programs; but shall not include standard, commercial, off-the-shelf software.

Specified Shareholders” means the list of Shareholders set forth on Schedule 1.1(e).

Store Capital” means STORE Capital Acquisitions, LLC.

Subsidiary” of any Person means (i) any corporation, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, or other legal entity, an amount of the voting Equity Interests of which sufficient to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, board of managers, or other governing body of such corporation, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, or other legal entity is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof or (ii) any partnership of which such Person or another Subsidiary of such Person is the general partner.

Super 8-K” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.22(b).

Support Agreements” means collectively, the support agreements entered into as of the date of this Agreement by certain Shareholders and Live Oak, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, pursuant to which each such Shareholder has irrevocably agreed to, among other things, execute a written Consent in favor of adopting this Agreement.

Surviving Corporation” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

Takeover Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.26.

Tax” or “Taxes” means (a) all taxes and similar charges, fees, duties, levies, imposts, tariffs, licenses, escheat or other assessments (including income, gross receipts, net proceeds, ad valorem, withholding, turnover, real or personal property (tangible and intangible), occupation, customs, import and export, sales, use, franchise, excise, goods and services, value added, stamp, user, transfer, registration, recording, fuel, profit, excess profits, capital stock, unclaimed property, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, premium, environmental, occupational, interest equalization, windfall profits, severance, payroll, employment, unemployment, disability, and social security or other taxes or fees) that are imposed by any Governmental Authority, in each case including any interest, penalties, or additions to tax attributable thereto (or attributable to the nonpayment thereof), (b) any Liability for payment of amounts described in clause (a) whether as a result of transferee Liability, of being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any period (including under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 or any predecessor thereof or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law), transferor Liability, successor Liability, by contract or otherwise through operation of Law and (c) any Liability for the payment of amounts described in clauses (a) or (b) as a result of any tax sharing, tax indemnity or tax allocation agreement or any other express or implied agreement to indemnify any other Person.

Tax Return” means any report, return, declaration, election, estimate, information statement, claim for refund or other information or filing (including any related or supporting information and any amendment to any of the foregoing) required to be supplied to a Governmental Authority or any Person in connection with any Taxes.

Transaction Engagement” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.17.

Transaction Expenses” means (a) all fees and expenses incurred or payable by the Company or its Subsidiaries in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including all fees and expenses of any investment bankers, attorneys, accountants, consultants, experts, or other professionals engaged by or on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (b) other than as set forth on Schedule 1.1(f), all transaction bonuses, retention payments, change-of-control payments, severance payments and other amounts payable to any employee of the Company in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (c) the cost of the directors’ and officers’ “tail” insurance policy obtained by the Company or its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 6.6, (d) fifty percent (50%) of the fees and expenses of the Exchange Agent pursuant to the Exchange Agent Agreement and (e) fifty

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percent (50%) of the filing fees associated with only one HSR Act filing payable pursuant to Section 6.3(b); provided, that in the case of each of clauses (a)(e), to the extent not paid prior to the Closing. For the avoidance of doubt, the Transaction Expenses shall not include any fees and expenses that are payable by any Shareholders in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Transaction Expenses Adjustment Amount” means (a) an amount equal to the greater of (i) the amount of all Transaction Expenses up to a maximum of One Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,600,000) and (ii) the amount of all Transaction Expenses incurred that are legal fees and expenses, minus (b) the amount of all Transaction Expenses paid by the Company and its Subsidiaries prior to Closing.

Treasury Regulations” means the regulations promulgated under the Code.

Trust Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6.

Trust Fund” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6.

Trustee” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6.

Unresolved Adjustments” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(c).

Unresolved Balance” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(c).

VWAP” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(a)(i).

Written Consent” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.17(a).

Section 1.2     Other Definitional Provisions and Interpretation; Schedules. The headings preceding the text of Articles and Sections included in this Agreement and the headings to Exhibits and Schedules attached to this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed part of this Agreement or be given any effect in interpreting this Agreement. The use of the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender or the singular or plural form of words in this Agreement shall not limit any provision of this Agreement. The meaning assigned to each term defined in this Agreement shall be equally applicable to both the singular and the plural forms of such term. The use of “including” or “include” will in all cases mean “including, without limitation” or “include, without limitation,” respectively. The use of “or” is not intended to be exclusive unless expressly indicated otherwise. Reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns to the extent such successors and assigns are permitted by the terms of any applicable Contract, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any other capacity or individually. Reference to any Contract (including this Agreement), document, or instrument shall mean such Contract, document, or instrument as amended or modified and in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and, if applicable, the terms of this Agreement. Reference to any statute, code or act means such statute, code or act as amended from time to time and includes any successor legislation thereto and any regulations promulgated thereunder. Underlined references to Articles, Sections, clauses, Exhibits or Schedules shall refer to those portions of this Agreement. The use of the terms “hereunder,” “hereof,” “hereto,” and words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section, paragraph, or clause of, or Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement. All terms defined in this Agreement have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant to this Agreement, unless otherwise defined in such certificate or other document. Any document, list, or other item shall be deemed to have been “provided” to Live Oak for all purposes of this Agreement if a correct copy of such document, list, or other item was posted in the Data Room at least two (2) Business Days prior to the date of this Agreement. Any information disclosed in any Schedule shall be deemed to be disclosed for purposes of any other Schedule to which such disclosure is relevant, but only to the extent that it is readily apparent from the face of such disclosure that such disclosure is relevant to such other Schedule.

ARTICLE II
THE MERGER; CLOSING

Section 2.1     The Merger. On the terms and subject to the conditions contained in this Agreement and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Georgia Business Corporation Code (the “GBCC”), at the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”), the separate existence of Merger Sub shall cease, and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation (the “Surviving Corporation”) and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak. The Merger will have the effects set forth in this Agreement and in the applicable provisions of the GBCC.

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Section 2.2     Closing; Effective Time.

(a)     The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall take place, remotely by the electronic exchange of documents and signatures, or if such exchange is not practicable, at the offices of Mayer Brown LLP, 71 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, at 9:00 a.m. (Central Time) on the date that is two (2) Business Days after the date on which each of the conditions set forth in ARTICLE VIII has been satisfied or, if permitted, waived by the Party entitled to the benefits of such condition (other than any conditions that by their nature can only be satisfied on the Closing Date, but subject to the satisfaction of such conditions on the Closing Date or waiver by the Party entitled to the benefits of such conditions), or at such other place and at such other time as Live Oak and the Company may agree. The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the “Closing Date.”

(b)     Concurrently with the Closing, the Parties shall cause a certificate of merger, in the form attached as Exhibit D (the “Certificate of Merger”), to be executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia in accordance with the GBCC. The Merger shall become effective at the time the Certificate of Merger is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia or at such later time as Live Oak and the Company may agree and specify in the Certificate of Merger. The time when the Merger becomes effective is referred to in this Agreement as the “Effective Time.”

Section 2.3     Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. From and after the Effective Time,

(a)     the articles of incorporation of Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the articles of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until amended in accordance with the provisions thereof and applicable Law; and

(b)     the bylaws of Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until amended in accordance with the provisions thereof and applicable Law, except that in the case of each of clause (a) and clause (b) of this Section 2.3, the name of the Surviving Corporation set forth therein shall be changed to the name of the Company.

Section 2.4     Directors and Officers. From and after the Effective Time, (a) the directors set forth on Schedule 2.4(a) shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation until their respective successors have been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier resignation, removal, or death and (b) the officers set forth on Schedule 2.4(b) shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation until their respective successors have been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier resignation, removal, or death.

Section 2.5     Conversion of Shares. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any Party:

(a)     each share of common stock, $0.001 par value, of the Company (collectively, the “Shares”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Cancelled Shares and any Dissenting Shares) shall be cancelled and extinguished, shall cease to exist and shall be converted into the right to receive, without interest, the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (a) (i) the Closing Payment divided by (ii) the sum of (x) the total number of Shares (other than Cancelled Shares) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time plus (y) the total number of Cash Free Exercise Option and Warrant Shares issuable in respect of all Company Options and Company Warrants that remain outstanding as of immediately prior to the Closing, by (b) the Live Oak Share Price (the “Closing Per Share Merger Consideration”), together with any amounts that may become payable in respect of such Shares from the Adjustment Holdback Amount, the Shareholder Representative Amount, and the Earn-Out Shares, when and as provided in this Agreement;

(b)     each Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time that is held in the treasury of the Company or owned by the Company, Live Oak, or Merger Sub shall automatically be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and no payment, distribution or other consideration shall be delivered or deliverable in exchange for such Share (the Shares described in this Section 2.5(b), “Cancelled Shares”); and

(c)     each share of common stock, $0.0001 par value, of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted, without receiving any payment with respect thereto, into and become one (1) validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of common stock, $0.001 par value, of the Surviving Corporation.

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Section 2.6     Exchange of Certificates; Closing of Stock Transfer Books; Unexchanged Shares.

(a)     Exchange Agent. On the Closing Date, Live Oak shall deposit, or shall cause to be deposited, with the Exchange Agent, for the benefit of the Shareholders, for exchange in accordance with this ARTICLE II, the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration payable pursuant to this Agreement for all of the Shares other than Cancelled Shares (such certificates for Live Oak Class A Common Stock, together with any dividends or distributions with respect thereto and cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock payable pursuant to Section 2.6(j) (pursuant to Section 2.6, being hereinafter referred to as the “Exchange Fund”)). Live Oak shall cause the Exchange Agent pursuant to irrevocable instructions, to pay the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration out of the Exchange Fund in accordance with this Agreement. Except as contemplated by hereof, the Exchange Fund shall not be used for any other purpose.

(b)     Exchange Procedures. As promptly as practicable after the Effective Time, Live Oak shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Exchange Agent to mail to each Shareholder entitled to receive the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration pursuant to Section 2.5, a letter of transmittal in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Live Oak and the Company (the “Letter of Transmittal”) with instructions (i) specifying that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the certificates evidencing such Shares (the “Certificates”) shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent or confirmation of cancellation of such Certificates from the Company (each, a “Cancellation”); and (ii) for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates pursuant to the Letter of Transmittal. Within two (2) Business Days (but in no event prior to the Effective Time) after the surrender to the Exchange Agent of all Certificates held by such holder for cancellation (or a Cancellation), together with a Letter of Transmittal, duly completed and validly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto and such other documents as may be required pursuant to such instructions, the holder of such Certificates shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor, and Live Oak shall cause the Exchange Agent to deliver, the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration and any cash in lieu of any fractional share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.5(a), and the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.6, each Certificate entitled to receive the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration in accordance with Section 2.5(a) shall be deemed at all times after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration that such holder is entitled to receive in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.5(a).

(c)     Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares. No dividends or other distributions declared or made after the Effective Time with respect to the Live Oak Class A Common Stock with a record date after the Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with respect to the Live Oak Class A Common Stock represented thereby until the holder of such Certificate shall surrender such Certificate in accordance with Section 2.6. Subject to the effect of escheat, Tax or other applicable Laws, following surrender of any such Certificate, Live Oak shall pay or cause to be paid to the holder of the certificates representing shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without interest, (i) promptly, but in any event within five (5) Business Days of such surrender, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time and theretofore paid with respect to such shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, and (ii) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other distributions, with a record date after the Effective Time but prior to surrender and a payment date occurring after surrender, payable with respect to such Live Oak Class A Common Stock.

(d)     No Further Rights in Shares. The Live Oak Class A Common Stock and any cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock payable upon conversion of the Shares in accordance with the terms hereof shall be deemed to have been paid and issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such Shares.

(e)     Lost Certificates. If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by, and delivery of a customary indemnity from, the Person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen, or destroyed, the Exchange Agent will deliver in exchange for such lost, stolen, or destroyed Certificate the applicable number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and any cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock pursuant to Section 2.6(j) to which such Person is entitled to pursuant to this Agreement.

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(f)     Adjustments to Closing Per Share Merger Consideration. The Closing Per Share Merger Consideration shall be adjusted to reflect appropriately the effect of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or other like change with respect to Live Oak Class A Common Stock occurring on or after the date hereof and prior to the Effective Time.

(g)     Termination of Exchange Fund. Twelve (12) months following each of (i) the Effective Time and (ii) the final determination of the Final Merger Consideration pursuant to Section 3.3, Live Oak will be entitled to require the Exchange Agent to deliver to Live Oak any funds delivered to the Exchange Agent pursuant to Section 2.6(a), and any portion of the Adjustment Holdback Amount and Positive Adjustment Shares (if applicable), respectively, in each case that have not been disbursed to holders of Certificates, and thereafter such holders shall be entitled only to look to Live Oak and the Surviving Corporation (subject to abandoned property, escheat, or other similar Laws) for the consideration payable upon surrender of their Certificates.

(h)     No Liability. None of the Exchange Agent, Live Oak or the Surviving Corporation shall be liable to any holder of Shares for any such Shares (or dividends or distributions with respect thereto) or cash delivered to a public official pursuant to any abandoned property, escheat or similar Law in accordance with Section 2.6.

(i)     Stock Transfer Books. From and after the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed and there shall be no further registration of transfers of any Shares on the books of the Company. If, after the Effective Time, Certificates formerly representing Shares are presented to Live Oak or the Surviving Corporation, they shall be surrendered and canceled as provided in this Section 2.6.

(j)     Fractional Shares. No certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock shall be issued upon the conversion of the Shares into the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration pursuant to Section 2.5(a), and such fractional share interests shall not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a holder of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock. For purposes of this Section 2.6(j), all fractional shares to which a single record holder would be entitled shall be aggregated and calculations shall be rounded to two (2) decimal places. In lieu of any such fractional share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, each holder of Shares who would otherwise be entitled to such fractional share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to receive an amount in cash, without interest, rounded to the nearest cent, equal to the product of (i) the amount of such fractional share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock and (ii) the Live Oak Share Price.

Section 2.7     Payments by Live Oak.

(a)     At least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall prepare and deliver to Live Oak a flow of funds memorandum (the “Flow of Funds Memorandum”) that sets forth the applicable payees, amounts payable and wire instructions for all amounts payable under this Section 2.7. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in consideration of the Merger and for the other covenants and agreements of the Company contained herein, Live Oak at Closing shall pay by wire transfer of immediately available funds the following amounts, or deliver the following, as applicable, as set forth in the Flow of Funds Memorandum:

(i)     evidence in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the issuance in book entry form (and, only with respect to those Shareholders that will be subject to Lock-Up Agreements or otherwise subject to “control securities” restrictions under the Securities Act, bearing customary restrictive legends relating to such restrictions) in the name of each Shareholder the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equal to such Shareholder’s pro rata portion of the aggregate Closing Per Share Merger Consideration as represented by the number of Shares represented by such Certificate or Cancellation in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.5(a);

(ii)     any cash in lieu of any fractional share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock each Shareholder has the right to receive pursuant to Section 2.6(j);

(iii)     the Adjustment Holdback Shares to be held back by Live Oak and further distributed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

(iv)     the Shareholder Representative Amount to the Shareholder Representative; and

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(v)     payments in the aggregate amount of the unpaid Transaction Expenses in each case to the respective counterparties in full satisfaction thereof, as identified in the invoices delivered by the Company pursuant to Section 2.9(f).

(b)     At least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, Live Oak shall prepare and deliver to the Company a written report setting forth the applicable payees, amounts payable and wire instructions for all unpaid Live Oak Transaction Expenses (along with invoices indicating the aggregate amount of Live Oak Transaction Expenses owed to such Person). On the Closing Date following the Closing, Live Oak shall pay or cause to be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds all such outstanding Live Oak Transaction Expenses.

Section 2.8     Deliveries by Live Oak and Merger Sub. At or prior to the Closing, Live Oak and Merger Sub shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Company each of the following:

(a)     each Related Agreement to which Live Oak is a party, executed by Live Oak;

(b)     a copy of the articles of incorporation of Merger Sub, certified as of a date not more than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date by the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia;

(c)     a certificate of good standing of Merger Sub, issued as of a date not more than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date by the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia;

(d)     a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date and executed by an officer of Live Oak, certifying as to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.3(a) and Section 8.3(b);

(e)     a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date and executed by the secretary or an assistant secretary (or similar officer) of Live Oak, certifying as to (i) the resolutions approved by the Live Oak Board authorizing the execution, delivery, and performance by Live Oak of this Agreement and its Related Agreements and the consummation by Live Oak of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and its Related Agreements and (ii) the names and signatures of the officers of Live Oak authorized to execute this Agreement, its Related Agreements, and the other documents to be delivered by Live Oak under this Agreement and its Related Agreements;

(f)     a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date and executed by the secretary or an assistant secretary (or similar officer) of Merger Sub, certifying as to (i) no amendments to the article of incorporation of Merger Sub since the date of certification referenced in paragraph (c) above, (ii) the bylaws of Merger Sub, (iii) the resolutions approved by the Merger Sub Board authorizing the execution, delivery, and performance by Merger Sub of this Agreement and the consummation by Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iv) the resolutions approved by Live Oak, as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, adopting this Agreement, and (v) the names and signatures of the officers of Merger Sub authorized to execute this Agreement and the other documents to be delivered by Merger Sub under this Agreement; and

(g)     such other documents, certificates, or instruments as the Company may reasonably request in order to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Related Agreements.

Section 2.9     Deliveries by the Company. At or prior to the Closing, the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Live Oak and Merger Sub each of the following:

(a)     the Exchange Agent Agreement, executed by the Shareholder Representative;

(b)     a copy of the articles of incorporation of the Company, certified as of a date not more than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date by the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia;

(c)     a certificate of good standing of the Company, issued as of a date not more than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date by the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia;

(d)     a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date and executed by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company, certifying as to (i) no amendments to the articles of incorporation of the Company since the date of certification referenced in paragraph (b) above, (ii) the bylaws of the Company, (iii) the resolutions approved by the Company Board authorizing the execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iv) the Written Consent, and (v) the names and signatures of the officers of the Company authorized to execute this Agreement and the other documents to be delivered by the Company under this Agreement;

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(e)     a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date and executed by an officer of the Company, on behalf of the Company, prepared in a manner consistent and in accordance with the requirements of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.897-2(g), (h) and 1.1445-2(c)(3), certifying that no interest in the Company is, or has been during the relevant period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code, a “U.S. real property interest” within the meaning of Section 897(c) of the Code, and a form of notice to the Internal Revenue Service substantially in the form provided for in Treasury Regulations Section 1.897-2(h)(2);

(f)     an invoice from each Person (other than any employee) to whom any amount of the Transaction Expenses is owed, indicating the aggregate amount of Transaction Expenses owed to such Person;

(g)     documentation, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Live Oak, evidencing the termination, in accordance with Section 6.5, of the related party Contracts and Contracts set forth on Schedule 6.5 and the release of the Company from all Liability thereunder;

(h)     a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date and executed by an officer of the Company, certifying as to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.2(a), Section 8.2(b), Section 8.2(c), and Section 8.2(e);

(i)     promissory notes and pledge agreements in favor of Live Oak, effective as of the Closing, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Live Oak to replace the promissory notes and pledge agreements issued in favor of the Company set forth on Schedule 2.9(i), executed by the Persons set forth on Schedule 2.9(i); and

(j)     such other documents, certificates, or instruments as Live Oak may reasonably request in order to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Related Agreements.

Section 2.10     Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Shares (other than Cancelled Shares) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and held by a Shareholder who is entitled to demand and properly demands appraisal of such Shares pursuant to, and who otherwise complies in all respects with, Article 13 of the GBCC (“Dissenting Shares”), shall not be converted into or be exchangeable for the right to receive the consideration specified in Section 2.5(a) but instead shall be converted into the right to receive such consideration as may be determined to be due with respect to such Dissenting Shares pursuant to Article 13 of the GBCC. If, after the Effective Time, any such Shareholder withdraws, fails to perfect, or otherwise loses such right to appraisal, the Dissenting Shares held by such Shareholder shall thereupon be treated as if they had been converted as of the Effective Time into the right to receive the consideration specified in Section 2.5(a). The Company shall give Live Oak (a) prompt notice of, together with copies of, any demands received by the Company for appraisal of Shares pursuant to the GBCC and (b) the right to participate in all negotiations and Proceedings with respect to such demands. The Company shall not, except with the prior written Consent of Live Oak, (i) make any payment with respect to, or settle or offer to settle, any such demand, (ii) waive any failure to properly make or effect any such demand or to take any action required to perfect such appraisal rights, or (iii) agree to do any of the foregoing.

Section 2.11     New Equity Incentive Plan. Live Oak has agreed to establish a new equity incentive plan (the “New Equity Incentive Plan”), to be effective as of the Closing, with an award pool that provides for the grant of equity awards with respect to up to ten percent (10%) of the Live Oak Shares. The employees of Live Oak or one of its Subsidiaries who shall be entitled to receive an initial grant of stock options (“Initial Option Grant”) under the New Equity Incentive Plan on the Closing (each, a “Retention Recipient”) and the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock that will be subject to such Initial Option Grants are set forth on Schedule 2.11. Initial Option Grants will be granted with an exercise price equal to the greater of (a) Ten Dollars ($10.00) and (b) the fair market value of a share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock determined as of the Closing and shall vest in accordance with the vesting terms set forth on Schedule 2.11. In the event that the fair market value of a share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock determined as of the Closing is greater than Ten Dollars ($10.00), then each Retention Recipient shall be entitled to receive a grant of restricted stock under the New Equity Incentive Plan (each an “Initial Restricted Stock Grant”) on the Closing. The number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common stock, if any, that will be subject to each Initial Restricted Stock Grant and the vesting schedule applicable to each Initial Restricted Stock Grant are set forth on Schedule 2.11. The Initial Option Grants and the Initial Restricted Stock Grants shall be subject to such other terms and conditions as set forth in the agreement evidencing such awards.

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Section 2.12     Rollover of Company Options. At the Effective Time, each Company Option that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, whether vested or unvested, shall be assumed by Live Oak and shall be converted automatically at the Effective Time into an option (an “Assumed Company Option”) to acquire shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such Company Option (including applicable vesting and exercise conditions) except that (a) the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock that will be subject to each such Assumed Company Option shall be determined by multiplying the number of Shares subject to the corresponding Company Option by a fraction (the “Award Exchange Ratio”), the numerator of which is the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration (rounded down to the nearest whole share) multiplied by the Live Oak Share Price and the denominator of which is the fair market value of a share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the Closing Date and (b) the exercise price per share of each such Assumed Company Option shall equal (i) the per share exercise price of the corresponding Company Option divided by (ii) the Award Exchange Ratio (rounded up to the nearest whole cent). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the assumption of and corresponding adjustments to a Company Option shall be performed in a manner that is intended to comply with the requirements of Sections 409A or 424(a) of the Code and, in the case of any Company Option that is an incentive stock option (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, in accordance with Section 422 of the Code). Within thirty (30) Business Days following the Closing Date, Live Oak shall file a registration statement on Form S-8 (or other applicable form) with respect to the Live Oak Class A Common Stock issuable pursuant to Assumed Company Options and shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain and maintain the effectiveness of such registration statements for so long as any Assumed Company Options remain outstanding. Live Oak shall take all corporate action necessary to reserve for issuance a sufficient number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock for delivery with respect to the Assumed Company Options in accordance with this Section 2.12.

Section 2.13     Conversion of Convertible Notes and Exercise of Warrants.

(a)     As promptly as practicable after the date hereof, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to mail to each Convertible Note holder a notice, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Live Oak, informing such holder of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and enclosing a conversion notice to be returned to the Company by such holder no later than five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date whether such holder elects to convert such Convertible Note, and notifying such holder that if such election is not made, the principal and accrued and unpaid interest on such Convertible Note shall be repaid by Live Oak or the Company immediately following the Closing by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account to be designated by such holder in its response to the Company.

(b)     As promptly as practicable after the date hereof, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to mail to each Company Warrant holder a notice, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Live Oak, informing such holder of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and enclosing an exercise notice to be returned to the Company by such holder no later than five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date whether such holder elects to exercise such Company Warrant, and notifying such holder that if such election is not made, following the Closing, the Company Warrant shall be exercisable in exchange for shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock instead of Shares.

(c)     Prior to the Closing, the Company Board shall have adopted resolutions (in a form reasonably satisfactory to Live Oak), and the Company hereby agrees to take all other actions reasonably necessary, to cause each Company Warrant that remains outstanding as of immediately prior to the Closing to be exercisable in exchange for shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock immediately after the Effective Time.

(d)     After the conversion or repayment of the Convertibles Notes, exercise of the Company Warrants, and adoption of the resolutions by the Company Board pursuant to this Section 2.13, the Convertible Notes and the Company Warrants shall no longer represent the right to purchase Shares or any other Equity Interests of the Company, Merger Sub, the Surviving Corporation or any other Person or the right to receive any other consideration other than as provided herein.

ARTICLE III
MERGER CONSIDERATION; ADJUSTMENT

Section 3.1     Merger Consideration. The aggregate merger consideration (the “Merger Consideration”) shall be an amount equal to:

(a)     Four Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($450,000,000);

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(b)     minus the Closing Date Net Debt;

(c)     minus the Transaction Expenses Adjustment Amount; and

(d)     plus any Earn-Out Shares issued pursuant to Section 3.4.

Section 3.2     Estimated Merger Consideration. At least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to Live Oak a statement (the “Estimated Closing Statement”) setting forth the Company’s good faith estimate of the Merger Consideration (such estimated amount, the “Estimated Merger Consideration”), including each of its components. The Estimated Closing Statement shall also set forth (a) the name and address of each Shareholder, wire transfer instructions for each Shareholder (if available), the number of Shares held by each Shareholder, the Certificate numbers representing the Shares held by each Shareholder, the Percentage Interest for each Shareholder, and the portion of the Closing Payment that each Shareholder is entitled to receive, (b) the applicable employees to whom any portion of the Transaction Expenses is payable, the respective amounts payable to each such employee, and the account or accounts to which such amounts shall be paid, and (c) the amount of Phase II Capital Expenditures, accompanied by copies of the corresponding invoices. Prior to the Closing, Live Oak will be entitled to review, comment on, and propose changes to the Estimated Closing Statement, including the calculation of the Estimated Merger Consideration set forth therein, and the Company shall permit Live Oak and its Representatives to have full access to the books and records of the Company and to such historical financial information relating to the preparation of the Estimated Closing Statement and the calculation of the Estimated Merger Consideration as Live Oak may reasonably request. The Company shall promptly consider in good faith any changes Live Oak proposes to the Estimated Closing Statement and revise the Estimated Closing Statement if, based on its good faith assessment, such changes are warranted.

Section 3.3     Determination of Final Merger Consideration.

(a)     Within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, the Live Oak Representative shall prepare and deliver to the Shareholder Representative a statement (the “Initial Closing Statement”) setting forth the Live Oak Representative’s good faith calculation of the Merger Consideration, including each of its components with reasonable detail to identify and support variances from the Estimated Closing Statement. The Live Oak Representative shall prepare the Initial Closing Statement in accordance with this Agreement.

(b)     The Shareholder Representative will be entitled to review the Initial Closing Statement during the thirty (30) day period beginning on the date the Shareholder Representative receives the Initial Closing Statement. During such thirty (30) day period, the Shareholder Representative and its Representatives will have reasonable access to the books and records of the Company, to work papers prepared by the Live Oak Representative or Representatives of the Live Oak Representative to the extent they relate to the Initial Closing Statement, and to such historical financial information relating to the Initial Closing Statement as the Shareholder Representative may reasonably request, and will be entitled to meet with Representatives of the Live Oak Representative on a mutually convenient basis in order to obtain and discuss such information; provided, that such access does not interrupt the normal course of the Business. At or prior to the end of such thirty (30) day period, the Shareholder Representative shall either:

(i)     deliver a notice to the Live Oak Representative confirming that no adjustments are proposed by the Shareholder Representative to the Live Oak Representative’s calculation of the Merger Consideration or any of its components, as set forth on the Initial Closing Statement (a “Notice of Acceptance”); or

(ii)     deliver a notice to the Live Oak Representative to the effect that the Shareholder Representative disagrees with the Live Oak Representative’s calculation of the Merger Consideration or any of its components, as set forth on the Initial Closing Statement (a “Notice of Disagreement”), and specifying in reasonable detail the nature of such disagreement (which shall only include disagreements based on mathematical errors or based on the Merger Consideration not being calculated in accordance with this Agreement) and the adjustments that, in the Shareholder Representative’s view, should be made to the calculation of the Merger Consideration or any of its components, as applicable, in order to comply with this Agreement (collectively, the “Proposed Adjustments”);

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provided, however, that if the Shareholder Representative fails to deliver a Notice of Acceptance or a Notice of Disagreement within such thirty (30) day period, then the calculation of the Merger Consideration as set forth in the Initial Closing Statement shall be final and binding on the Parties as the “Final Merger Consideration.”

(c)     If there are any Proposed Adjustments, the Live Oak Representative shall, no later than thirty (30) days after the Live Oak Representative’s receipt of the Notice of Disagreement, notify the Shareholder Representative whether the Live Oak Representative accepts or rejects each such Proposed Adjustment. Thereafter, the Shareholder Representative and the Live Oak Representative shall work in good faith to resolve any differences that remain with respect to the Proposed Adjustments. If any of the Proposed Adjustments are not so resolved (the “Unresolved Adjustments,” and the aggregate difference between the Parties’ respective calculations of the Merger Consideration resulting from the Unresolved Adjustments, the “Unresolved Balance”) within thirty (30) days after the Live Oak Representative’s notice to the Shareholder Representative of its rejection of any Proposed Adjustments (or such longer period as the Parties may mutually agree in writing), then, at the request of either the Shareholder Representative or the Live Oak Representative, the Unresolved Adjustments will be submitted to Ernst & Young or, if such firm is unable or unwilling to act, to a mutually agreed nationally recognized firm with no material relationships with any Shareholder, the Shareholder Representative, the Live Oak Representative, or any of their respective Affiliates and with accounting expertise and relevant experiences in resolving similar purchase price adjustment disputes (the “Accounting Firm”). Each Party shall submit to the Accounting Firm its position with respect to the Unresolved Adjustments as set forth in the Initial Closing Statement, in the case of the Live Oak Representative, and the Notice of Disagreement, in the case of the Shareholder Representative, and shall make available to the Accounting Firm the books and records of the Company, work papers prepared by the Live Oak Representative, the Shareholder Representative, or their respective Representatives to the extent they relate to the Initial Closing Statement or the Notice of Disagreement, as the case may be, and other historical financial information relating to the Initial Closing Statement, in each case as the Accounting Firm may request. The scope of the review by the Accounting Firm will be limited to: (i) a disposition of the Unresolved Adjustments through a strict application of the terms of this Agreement relating to the calculation of the Merger Consideration; (ii) based on its determination of the matters described in clause (i) and all items and amounts that were previously accepted or agreed upon or deemed agreed upon by the Parties in accordance with this Section 3.3, as applicable, a calculation of the Merger Consideration, including each of its components; and (iii) an allocation of the fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm determined in accordance with the formula specified below in this Section 3.3. The Accounting Firm may, at its discretion, conduct a conference concerning the Unresolved Adjustments, at which conference the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative shall have the right to present additional books and records, work papers, documents, materials, and other information and to have their respective Representatives present, but in no event shall either Party or its Representatives have any ex parte communications or meetings with the Accounting Firm without the prior written Consent of the other Party. The Accounting Firm is not entitled to, and the Parties shall not individually request the Accounting Firm to, (A) make any determination other than as set forth above, (B) determine any Unresolved Adjustment to be a value higher than the highest value or lower than the lowest value proposed by the Parties in their submissions to the Accounting Firm, or (C) undertake any independent investigation of the facts relating to the Unresolved Adjustments. The Accounting Firm will be instructed to render its written decision resolving the matters submitted to it as promptly as practicable and, if at all possible, within thirty (30) days after such submission of the Unresolved Adjustments. The determination of the Merger Consideration by the Accounting Firm will, absent manifest error, be final and binding on the Parties as the “Final Merger Consideration,” and judgment may be entered upon such determination in any court of competent jurisdiction. The fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm incurred pursuant to this shall be borne by Live Oak, on the one hand, and the Shareholder Representative, on the other hand, as determined by the Accounting Firm based on the inverse of the percentage that the Accounting Firm’s determination (before such allocation) bears to the total value of each Party’s respective position in relation to the total amount of the Unresolved Balance. For purposes of illustration only, if the Unresolved Balance is One Hundred Dollars ($100), and the written determination of the Accounting Firm states that Eighty Dollars ($80) of the Unresolved Balance is resolved in the Live Oak Representative’s favor and Twenty Dollars ($20) of the Unresolved Balance is resolved in the Shareholder Representative’s favor, Live Oak would bear twenty percent (20%) of the Accounting Firm’s costs and expenses, on the one hand, and the Shareholder Representative would bear eighty percent (80%) of such costs and expenses, on the other hand. All other fees, expenses, and costs incurred by a Party or its Representatives in connection with this shall be borne by such Party.

(d)     If the Final Merger Consideration is greater than the Estimated Merger Consideration, then, within five (5) Business Days after the date on which the Final Merger Consideration becomes final and binding pursuant to this Section 3.3, (i) Live Oak shall deposit with the Exchange Agent the amount of Live Oak Class A

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Common Stock required to account for such difference as calculated in accordance with Section 2.5(a) (the “Positive Adjustment Shares”) and (ii) the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative shall jointly instruct Live Oak to transfer to the Exchange Agent the Adjustment Holdback Shares. Thereafter, the Exchange Agent shall disburse the Positive Adjustment Shares and the Adjustment Holdback Shares to the holders of Shares (other than Cancelled Shares and any Dissenting Shares) in accordance with this Agreement and the Exchange Agent Agreement.

(e)     If the Final Merger Consideration is less than the Estimated Merger Consideration, then, within five (5) Business Days after the date on which the Final Merger Consideration becomes final and binding pursuant to this Section 3.3, the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative shall jointly instruct Live Oak to deduct out of the Adjustment Holdback Shares, the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock (the “Negative Adjustment Shares”) equal to such difference as calculated in accordance with Section 2.5(a). If the Negative Adjustment Shares is less than the Adjustment Holdback Shares, then the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative shall jointly instruct Live Oak to transfer to the Exchange Agent the remaining portion of the Adjustment Holdback Shares. Thereafter, the Exchange Agent shall disburse such remaining portion of the Adjustment Holdback Amount to the holders of Shares (other than Cancelled Shares and any Dissenting Shares) in accordance with this Agreement and the Exchange Agent Agreement. If the Negative Adjustment Shares is greater than the Adjustment Holdback Shares, and on the one (1) year anniversary of the Closing Date there remains any funds in the Shareholder Representative Amount after taking into account and accruing for all expenses and other amounts for which the Shareholder Representative Amount is permitted to be used under this Agreement, the Shareholder Representative shall pay any such excess amount in the Shareholder Representative Amount to Live Oak within thirty (30) days following the one (1) year anniversary of the Closing Date. For the avoidance of doubt, the maximum exposure to the Shareholders based on any adjustments with respect to the Final Merger Consideration and the Estimated Merger Consideration shall be limited to the Adjustment Holdback Shares and the remaining funds in the Shareholder Representative Amount.

(f)     The Parties shall treat any consideration received pursuant to this Section 3.3 as an adjustment to the Merger Consideration for Tax purposes, unless otherwise required by Law.

Section 3.4     Earn-Out Shares.

(a)     In addition to the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration, Live Oak shall, upon receipt of written instructions from the Live Oak Representative, which written instructions the Live Oak Representative agrees to provide upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth below, issue or cause to be issued (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be issued and outstanding unless or until the following conditions are met) to each Shareholder its “pro rata portion” of the following contingent merger consideration amounts (collectively, the “Earn-Out Shares”) subject to the terms and conditions set forth below:

(i)     two million five hundred thousand (2,500,000) shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock if the volume weighted average price of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the NYSE or such other exchange as such shares may then be listed as reported on Bloomberg L.P. under the function “VWAP” (or, if not reported therein, in another authoritative source mutually selected by the Parties) (“VWAP”) equals or exceeds Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the six (6) month anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the third anniversary of the Closing Date;

(ii)     two million five hundred thousand (2,500,000) shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock if the VWAP of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the NYSE or such other exchange as such shares may then be listed equals or exceeds Twenty Dollars ($20.00) per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the six (6) month anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date; and

(iii)     one million (1,000,000) shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock if the VWAP of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the NYSE or such other exchange as such shares may then be listed equals or exceeds Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the six (6) month anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date.

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(b)     The right of a Shareholder to receive any portion of the Earn-Out Shares hereunder shall be non-transferable, and no Shareholder may transfer, assign, pledge or convey any interest in the Earn-Out Shares, except by operation of law.

Section 3.5     Withholding. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each of Live Oak, the Surviving Corporation, Merger Sub, and the Exchange Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any consideration payable under this Agreement such amounts as may be required to be deducted and withheld from or with respect to such payment under the Code or other applicable Law relating to Taxes. To the extent that amounts are so deducted and withheld, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of the Shares in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.

ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

The Company represents and warrants to Live Oak and Merger Sub as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date (as though made on the Closing Date) as follows:

Section 4.1     Organization and Authorization of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

(a)     Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries are validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation and has all requisite corporate or limited liability power and authority, as the case may be, to own, lease, and operate its properties and assets and to conduct the Business as currently conducted and proposed to be conducted. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are validly licensed or qualified to do business and (where such concept is applicable) are in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction in which the properties and assets leased or owned by it or the conduct of the Business as currently conducted or proposed to be conducted makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except, in each such case, where the failure to be so qualified would not be material to the Business. A correct list of all of the jurisdictions in which the Company and each of its Subsidiaries are so licensed or qualified to do business is set forth on Schedule 4.1(a).

(b)     The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and, subject to obtaining the Required Shareholder Approval, to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by the Company Board, and, other than obtaining the Required Shareholder Approval, no other corporate action by the Company or the Shareholders is necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Company has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

(c)     The Company Board, at a meeting duly called and held, unanimously adopted resolutions (i) approving and declaring advisable this Agreement, the Merger, and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) determining that the Merger Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Shareholders, (iii) directing that the adoption of this Agreement be submitted to a vote of or written approval by the Shareholders, and (iv) recommending adoption of this Agreement by the Shareholders (the “Company Board Recommendation”) which resolutions have not been rescinded, modified or withdrawn in any way.

(d)     Correct copies of the Company’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ Organizational Documents, minute books, and stock transfer ledger have been provided to Live Oak. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under or in violation of their respective Organizational Documents. The minute books contain correct records in all material respects of all meetings of, and corporate or limited liability company actions, as the case may be, taken by, the board of directors (or equivalent body), committees of the board of directors (or equivalent bodies), and shareholders or members of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries during the last three (3) years. At the Closing, the Company’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ Organizational Documents, minute books, and stock transfer ledgers will be in the possession of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

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Section 4.2     Capitalization of the Company.

(a)     The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of sixty million (60,000,000) shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, of which, as of the date hereof, (i) three million nine hundred fifty one thousand nine hundred fifty two (3,951,952) Shares are issued and outstanding, (ii) seven hundred eighty five thousand five hundred twenty five (785,525) are subject to outstanding Company Options to acquire Shares, (iii) fifty five thousand three hundred nineteen (55,319) are subject to outstanding warrants to acquire Shares (such warrants, the “Company Warrants”), and (iv) one hundred eighty thousand five hundred fifty three (180,553) are subject to convertible notes to acquire Shares (such notes, the “Convertible Notes”) based on the conversion price currently in effect and accrued and unpaid interest on the Convertible Notes through the date hereof. All issued and outstanding Shares (i) have been duly authorized, (ii) are validly issued, fully-paid, and non-assessable, and (iii) were not issued in violation of any preemptive right, subscription right, right of first refusal, or applicable Law. Other than the Company Options, the Company Warrants, the Convertible Notes or as otherwise listed on Schedule 4.2(a), and except for this Agreement, (i) there are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating the Company to issue, transfer, sell, repurchase, or redeem any of its Equity Interests, (ii) there are no outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, restricted stock, phantom equity, or similar rights with respect to the Company, and (iii) there are no voting trusts, stockholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which the Company is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Company’s Equity Interests.

(b)     Schedule 4.2(b) sets forth a complete and accurate list of all the Company’s Subsidiaries and ownership thereof. All of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each Company Subsidiary are duly authorized, validly issued and are directly owned of record by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, free and clear of any Liens (other than Permitted Liens). None of the Equity Interests of the Company’s Subsidiaries were issued in violation of any option, call option, right of first refusal, right of first offer, preemptive rights, subscription rights, or any similar right of any equityholder. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries owns, directly or indirectly, any Equity Interest in any Person other than the Company’s Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly control (as such term is defined in the definition of “Affiliate”) any other Person.

Section 4.3     Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

(a)     The execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement, and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of, filing, notification, or registration with any Governmental Authority, other than (i) any Consent of, filing, notification, or registration with any Governmental Authority, the failure of which to be obtained would not, be expected to materially prevent or delay the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) any Consent of, filing, notification, or registration with any Governmental Authority that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates, (iii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia, and (iv) the Consents, filings, notifications, or registrations with any Governmental Authority set forth on Schedule 4.3(a).

(b)     Except as set forth on Schedule 4.3(b), the execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement, and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the properties or assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (i) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets, (ii) any Contract to which the Company or its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets is bound, including any Material Contract, Real Property Lease, Outbound IP License, or Inbound IP License, (iii) any Permit, including any Environmental Permit, held by the Company or its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any of the Organizational Documents of the Company or its Subsidiaries, except, in the case of each of clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or prevent the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4.4     Financial Statements; No Undisclosed Liabilities; Indebtedness.

(a)     Set forth in Schedule 4.4(a) are: (i) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its

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Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2018; (ii) the related unaudited statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows, for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the related audited statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows, for the year ended December 31, 2018, respectively; (iii) an unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of June 30, 2020 (the “Interim Balance Sheet”); and (iv) the related unaudited statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the six (6) months ended June 30, 2020 (the foregoing financial statements, collectively, the “Financial Statements”). The Financial Statements (i) have been prepared from the books and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied, (ii) are correct in all material respects, and (iii) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof and for the respective periods covered thereby, subject, in the case of the unaudited Financial Statements, to normal recurring year-end adjustments (the effect of which will not, individually or in the aggregate, be material) and the absence of footnotes. The books and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries are correct in all material respects, have been maintained in accordance with sound business practices, and accurately reflect in all material respects all the transactions and actions therein described. At the Closing, all such books and records will be in the possession of the Company or its applicable Subsidiary. No financial statements of any Person other than the Company and its Subsidiaries are required by GAAP to be included in the Company’s Financial Statements.

(b)     The Company and its Subsidiaries do not have any material Liabilities that would be required to be reflected on, or reserved against in, a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP, except: (i) Liabilities reflected on, or reserved against in, the Financial Statements; (ii) Liabilities that have arisen since the date of the Interim Balance Sheet in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, none of which is a Liability resulting from or arising out of any breach of contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement, misappropriation, or violation of Law and; (iii) Liabilities set forth on Schedule 4.4(b).

(c)     The Company and its Subsidiaries maintain internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. During the last three (3) years, to the Company’s Knowledge, there has never been any fraud or other wrongdoing that involves any of the management or other employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries who have a role in the preparation of financial statements or the internal accounting controls used by the Company or its Subsidiaries, or any claim or allegation regarding any of the foregoing.

(d)     The Company applied for and received the PPP Loan under the Paycheck Protection Program sponsored by the United States Small Business Administration (“SBA”) under 15 U.S.C. §636(a)(36) on or about April 18, 2020. With respect to the PPP Loan, the Company: (i) was eligible for and met all eligibility requirements for the PPP Loan at the time of its application; (ii) has spent the proceeds of the PPP Loan only on eligible expenses (as described in the applicable SBA regulations); and (iii) is eligible to apply for forgiveness of the PPP Loan in full. The Company is not, and will not, be subject to any reductions to loan forgiveness based on a reduction in the number of employees or a reduction relating to salary and wages as provided in section 1106(d) of the CARES Act, as amended. The Company will promptly submit, but in no case later than ten (10) Business Days following the opening of its lender’s portal for such loan forgiveness purpose, an application for loan forgiveness of the full principal amount of the PPP Loan with all required documentation.

(e)     The Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries set forth on Schedule 4.4(e) was obtained through the NMTC Program (collectively, the “NMTC Loans”). All of the representations made by the Company and any of its Subsidiaries on its application for any NMTC Loans were accurate, complete and correct in all material respects at the time such representations were made by the Company or its Subsidiary, as applicable. The Company and its Subsidiaries were eligible for the NMTC Loans at the time of its applications and have complied with all applicable legal requirements associated with the NMTC Loans, except where the failure to so comply would not be reasonably likely to cause any NMTC Loans to lose their status as NMTC Loans.

(f)     Schedule 4.4(f) sets forth a correct list of all Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries and identifies for each item of Indebtedness the outstanding principal amount thereof as of the date of this Agreement.

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Section 4.5     Absence of Certain Changes. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.5, since the date of the Interim Balance Sheet, (a) the Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted the Business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice other than due to any actions taken due to a “shelter in place,” “non-essential employee” or similar direction of any Governmental Authority, and (b) there has been no Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, since the date of the Interim Balance Sheet, except as set forth on Schedule 4.5, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have taken any action which, if taken after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing, would require the Consent of Live Oak pursuant to Section 6.2.

Section 4.6     Assets.

(a)     Except for assets disposed of in the ordinary course of business since the date of the Interim Balance Sheet or as set forth on Schedule 4.6(a), the Company and its Subsidiaries have good and valid title to, a valid leasehold interest in, or a valid license to use all of the properties and assets (tangible or intangible, real or personal) reflected on the Interim Balance Sheet or acquired, leased, or licensed by the Company or its Subsidiaries since the date of the Interim Balance Sheet, free and clear of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens).

(b)     The tangible properties and assets owned, leased, or licensed by the Company and its Subsidiaries, including all buildings, plants, structures, improvements, fixtures, machinery, equipment, vehicles, and other tangible assets, are free from material defects, are in good operating condition (reasonable wear and tear excepted), and are suitable for the uses for which intended.

(c)     Except as set forth on Schedule 4.6(c), after giving effect to the termination of related party Contracts, services, support, and other arrangements pursuant to Section 6.5, the properties and assets owned, leased, or licensed by the Company constitute all of the properties and assets used in or necessary to conduct the Business as currently conducted and proposed to be conducted.

Section 4.7     Real Property.

(a)     Schedule 4.7(a) sets forth a correct list of all real property owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (the “Owned Real Property”). Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7(a), the Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable fee title to all of the Owned Real Property, free and clear of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens). Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7(a), there are no (i) leases, subleases, licenses, concessions or other agreements granting to any party or parties the right of use or occupancy of any portion of the Owned Real Property; and (ii) no outstanding options, rights of first refusal, rights of first offer, rights of first negotiation or similar rights for the purchase, sale or other disposition of all or any of the Owned Real Property or any portion thereof or interest therein.

(b)     Schedule 4.7(b) sets forth a correct list of all Contracts pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries leases, subleases, licenses, or otherwise occupies any real property as tenant, subtenant, or licensee (each, a “Real Property Lease”), together with the address of the related property (collectively, the “Leased Real Property”, and together with the Owned Real Property the “Company Real Property”). The Company has provided to Live Oak a correct copy of each Real Property Lease, including all amendments, modifications, exhibits, and schedules. The Company and its Subsidiaries have a valid leasehold interest under each Real Property Lease, free and clear of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens). Each such Real Property Lease is in full force and effect and constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Company or its Subsidiaries and the other party or parties thereto, enforceable against the Company or its Subsidiaries and such other party or parties in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations. The Company and its Subsidiaries have performed and complied with all of their respective covenants and obligations under each Real Property Lease, and neither the Company, its Subsidiaries nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any other party to a Real Property Lease is in, or is alleged to be in, breach of or default under such Real Property Lease beyond any applicable notice and cure periods. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries subleases, as sublessor, any portion of the Leased Real Property to any other Person.

(c)     The Company Real Property constitutes all of the real property used in or necessary to conduct the Business as currently conducted and proposed to be conducted. There is no condemnation, expropriation, or other Proceeding in eminent domain pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened affecting any portion of the Company Real Property. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have entered into any brokerage arrangement with respect to the Company Real Property. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7(c), neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has collaterally assigned or granted any security interest in any Company Real Property or any interest therein.

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(d)     The buildings and improvements on the Company Real Property are in good condition and repair, normal wear and tear excepted. To the Company’s Knowledge, (i) the improvements on the Company Real Property have received all approvals of Governmental Authorities (including Permits) required in connection with the ownership or operation thereof and have been operated and maintained in accordance with applicable Law and (ii) the current use and occupancy of the Company Real Property and the operation of the business as currently conducted thereon do not violate any applicable zoning, land use or local equivalent Law, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice of, and no claims have been filed against any of the foregoing alleging a violation of, any such Law.

Section 4.8     Intellectual Property.

(a)     Schedule 4.8(a)(i) (with respect to the Company Trademarks), Schedule 4.8(a)(ii) (with respect to the Company Patents), Schedule 4.8(a)(iii) (with respect to the Company Copyrights), Schedule 4.8(a)(iv) (with respect to the Company Domain Names), and Schedule 4.8(a)(v) (with respect to the Company Know-How and Trade Secrets) set forth correct lists of all of the registered Company Trademarks, Company Patents, and material Company Copyrights, including the application and registration or grant number (if applicable) and relevant jurisdiction, and a summary of Company Know-How and Trade Secrets. All of the registered Company Trademarks, Company Patents, and registered Company Copyrights are valid, subsisting, and enforceable, and the Company and its Subsidiaries have good and valid title to all of the Company Intellectual Property, free and clear of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens). All registration, maintenance, and renewal fees required to be paid in connection with the Company Intellectual Property have been paid and all necessary documents and certificates in connection with the foregoing have been filed with the relevant Governmental Authorities for the purposes of registering, perfecting, prosecuting, and maintaining the foregoing.

(b)     Schedule 4.8(b) sets forth a correct list of all material Contracts pursuant to which the Company and its Subsidiaries license, as licensor, any Company Intellectual Property to any other Person (each, an “Outbound IP License”). The Company has provided to Live Oak a correct copy of each Outbound IP License, including all amendments, modifications, exhibits, and schedules. Each Outbound IP License is in full force and effect and constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Company, its Subsidiaries and the other party or parties thereto, enforceable against the Company or its Subsidiaries and such other party or parties in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations. The Company and its Subsidiaries have performed and complied with all of its covenants and obligations under each Outbound IP License, and neither the Company, its Subsidiaries, nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any other party to any Outbound IP License is in, or is alleged to be in, breach of or default under such Outbound IP License.

(c)     Schedule 4.8(c) sets forth a correct list of all material Contracts pursuant to which the Company and its Subsidiaries license, as licensee, Intellectual Property from any other Person (other than off-the-shelf software) (each, an “Inbound IP License”). The Company has provided to Live Oak a correct copy of each Inbound IP License, including all amendments, modifications, exhibits, and schedules. Each Inbound IP License is in full force and effect and constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Company, its Subsidiaries and the other party or parties thereto, enforceable against the Company or its Subsidiaries and such other party or parties in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations. The Company and its Subsidiaries have performed and complied with all of its covenants and obligations under each Inbound IP License, and neither the Company, its Subsidiaries, nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any other party to any Inbound IP License is in, or is alleged to be in, breach of or default under such Inbound IP License.

(d)     The Company Intellectual Property and the rights of the Company and its Subsidiaries under the Inbound IP Licenses constitute all of the rights to Intellectual Property used in or necessary to conduct the Business as currently conducted and proposed to be conducted.

(e)     Except as set forth on Schedule 4.8(e), since January 1, 2017, no Proceeding has been filed against the Company or its Subsidiaries, and neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries have received any written or, to the Company’s Knowledge, oral communication from any other Person, (i) challenging the validity or enforceability of any Company Intellectual Property or (ii) alleging that the conduct of the Business by the Company or its Subsidiaries violates, infringes, or misappropriates the Intellectual Property rights of such Person. The conduct of the Business does not violate, infringe, or misappropriate, and the conduct of the Business since January 1, 2017 has not violated, infringed, or misappropriated, the Intellectual Property of any other Person.

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(f)     The Company has not performed, nor had performed on its behalf, any freedom to operate (“FTO”) analyses and would not disclose confidential product information (including composition information) under an “Attorneys Eyes Only” designation so that Live Oak could conduct its own FTO analysis. Instead, the Company performed limited internal assessments of third-party patents to the extent that such patents may relate to the following five products: DaniMer 02198 (Film Resin), DaniMer 02251 (PHA Resin), DaniMer 02251B (PHA Resin), DaniMer 02328 (Polyester Resin), and DaniMer 02513 (PHA Resin) (collectively, the “Assessed Products”). Such assessments were based solely on the Company conducting its own patent searches utilizing search terms reasonably determined by the Company to be relevant to the technology underlying the Assessed Products. The outcome of such assessments was presented in summary form to Live Oak in which the Company asserted it did not uncover any third-party patents or pending patent applications that could reasonably be expected to give rise to any Proceedings against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(g)     Except as set forth on Schedule 4.8(g), to the Company’s Knowledge, no Person has violated, infringed, or misappropriated any of the Company Intellectual Property. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.8(g), since January 1, 2017, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has filed any Proceeding or sent any written notice of a violation, infringement, or misappropriation by another Person of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ rights to the Company Intellectual Property.

(h)     Each Person who has participated in the authorship, conception, creation, reduction to practice, or development of any Intellectual Property rights for or under the direction or supervision of the Company or its Subsidiaries (including any Company Intellectual Property) has executed and delivered to the Company or its Subsidiaries a valid and enforceable Contract providing for (i) the non-disclosure by such Person of all confidential information of the Company or its Subsidiaries and (ii) the assignment by such Person (by way of a present grant of assignment) to the Company or its Subsidiaries of all of such Person’s right, title, and interest in and to such Intellectual Property rights. To the Company’s Knowledge, no Person is in breach of or default under any such Contract.

(i)     Schedule 4.8(i) contains a correct list of the most current embodiment of each material item of Software included in the Company Intellectual Property other than commercially available or “shrink wrap” software (including open source software). The Company and its Subsidiaries have a valid license or right to use all third-party Software that is required to operate or modify such Software. To the Company’s Knowledge, such Software performs in all material respects in accordance with the technical documentation relating thereto. No part of such Software was conceived, developed, authored, or reduced to practice outside of the United States. There are no licenses, shop rights, or rights of any other kind held by any other Person with respect to such Software and no rights in such Software have otherwise been transferred to any third party. In no instance has the eligibility of such Software for protection under applicable patent or copyright Law been forfeited or otherwise reverted to the public domain by omission of any required notice or any other action. No such Software, or any no portion thereof, is licensed pursuant to an “open source,” “shareware,” or “freeware” license, incorporates or is based on any computer Software that is licensed pursuant to an “open source,” “shareware,” or “freeware” license, or is otherwise distributed for use with any “open source,” “shareware,” or “freeware” licensed Software.

(j)     With respect to Company Patents that went abandoned but were then revived, such abandonment was unintentional and all statements made to the USPTO and/or other patent offices relating to such abandonment were true and correct.

Section 4.9     Information Technology; Data Privacy and Security.

(a)     All information technology and computer systems, including Software, hardware, networks, interfaces, and related systems, relating to the transmission, storage, maintenance, organization, presentation, generation, processing, or analysis of data and information, whether or not in electronic format, used by the Company or its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company IT Systems”) have been maintained, in all material respects, by technically competent personnel, in accordance with standards set by the manufacturers or otherwise in accordance with prudent industry standards, to ensure proper operation, monitoring, and use. The Company IT Systems are in good working condition to effectively perform all information technology operations necessary to conduct the Business as currently conducted and proposed to be conducted.

(b)     To the Company’s Knowledge, the Company IT Systems are sufficient for the immediate and anticipated future needs of the Business, including as to capacity and ability to process current and anticipated peak volumes in a timely manner. To the Company’s Knowledge, since January 1, 2017, there has been no (i) material

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disruption, interruption, outage, or continued substandard performance affecting any Company IT System, (ii) data security breach or other unauthorized use, access, interruption, modification, or corruption of any Company IT System, or (iii) complaints from, notices from, or Proceedings conducted or claims asserted by any Person, including any Governmental Authority, against the Company or its Subsidiaries regarding any actual or alleged security breach or other unauthorized use, access, interruption, modification, or corruption of any Company IT System.

(c)     To the Company’s Knowledge, since January 1, 2017, there have been no data breaches involving any Personal Data in the possession of any of the Company or its Subsidiaries, and none of the Company, its Subsidiaries or any other Person has made any illegal or unauthorized use or disclosure of Personal Data that was collected by or on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any contractual requirements, privacy policies or other legal obligations that, as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, would prohibit the Surviving Corporation or its Subsidiaries after the Closing Date from receiving or using Personal Data in substantially the same manner in which the Company and its Subsidiaries receive and use such Personal Data immediately prior to the Closing.

Section 4.10     Material Contracts. Schedule 4.10 sets forth a correct list of all of the Contracts of the following types to which the Company is a party or by which the Company or any of its properties or assets is bound:

(a)     any Contract with any supplier of goods or services that (i) has resulted in or that is reasonably expected to result in expenditures by the Company of more than Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000) in 2019 or 2020, (ii) extends for a term of more than one-hundred eighty (180) days following the date of this Agreement, (iii) requires the Company to purchase all of its requirements for any good or service from such supplier, or (iv) contains any minimum or “take or pay” purchase or volume requirements;

(b)     any Contract with any customer that (i) has resulted in or that is reasonably expected to result in sales to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of more than Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000) in 2019 or 2020, (ii) extends for a term of more than one-hundred eighty (180) days following the date of this Agreement, (iii) requires the Company to sell any product or service exclusively to such customer, or (iv) obligates the Company to provide such customer with equal or preferred pricing terms as compared to the pricing terms offered by the Company to any other customer, including any Contract with any “most favored nation” provision;

(c)     any Contract under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a lessee of or holds or operates any equipment, vehicle, or other tangible personal property that is owned by another Person and that (i) has resulted in or that is reasonably expected to result in expenditures by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of more than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) in 2019 or 2020 or (ii) extends for a term of more than one-hundred eighty (180) days following the date of this Agreement;

(d)     any Contract with a sales representative, manufacturer’s representative, distributor, dealer, broker, sales agency, advertising agency, or other Person engaged in sales, distribution, or promotional activities for or on behalf of the Business (other than a Company Benefit Plan), in each case that (i) has resulted in or that is reasonably expected to result in expenditures by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of more than Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000) in 2019 or 2020, (ii) extends for a term of more than one-hundred eighty (180) days following the date of this Agreement, or (iii) grants such Person exclusive rights to sell, distribute, or promote in any geographical area or any particular product;

(e)     any Contract that includes any right of first offer or refusal or other similar term favoring any other Person;

(f)     any Contract under which any other Person has agreed to perform any services for the Company, or any of its Subsidiaries, that are required to be performed by the Company under any other Contract;

(g)     any Contract relating to the acquisition by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any business, Equity Interests, or assets of any other Person (whether by merger, sale of Equity Interests, sale of assets, or otherwise);

(h)     any Contract relating to the sale or other disposition by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any business, Equity Interests, or assets (whether by merger, sale of Equity Interests, sale of assets, or otherwise), other than the sale of finished goods inventory or tangible property that is obsolete or no longer used or useful in the Business, in each such case, in the ordinary course of business;

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(i)     any Contract relating to the incurrence of Indebtedness by, or the placing of a Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) on any of the assets of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(j)     any Contract relating to any joint venture, partnership, strategic alliance, or similar relationship;

(k)     any Contract under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has, directly or indirectly, made any advance, loan, or extension of credit to, or capital contribution or other investment in, any other Person, or has guaranteed the obligations of another Person (other than those described in Section 4.10(l));

(l)     any Contract under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has made a loan to any employee or other service provider in connection with the purchase of any Equity Interests of the Company, including pursuant to the exercise of a Company Option;

(m)     any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with any labor organization, union, or association;

(n)     any Contract, other than any Company Benefit Plan, with (i) any current or former officer or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) any other current or former employee of, independent contractor of, or consultant to the Company providing for, in the case of this clause (ii), aggregate future payments by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of more than Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000);

(o)     any Contract that limits the freedom of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to compete with any Person or in any geographical area or that otherwise restricts the development, manufacture, marketing, distribution, or sale of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries products or services;

(p)     any Contract under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is lessee of, or holds or operates any personal property material to the Business that is owned by any other Person; and

(q)     any Contract with any Governmental Authority.

The Company has provided to Live Oak a correct copy (or, with respect to any oral Contract, a correct written summary of the terms and conditions of such oral Contract) of each Contract set forth or required to be set forth on Schedule 4.10 (including all amendments, modifications, exhibits, and schedules) (collectively, the “Material Contracts”). Except as set forth on Schedule 4.10, each Material Contract is in full force and effect and constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and, to the Company’s Knowledge, the other party or parties thereto, on the other hand, enforceable against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and, to the Company’s Knowledge, such other party or parties in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations. The Company and its Subsidiaries have performed or complied in all material respects with all of their respective covenants and obligations under each Material Contract, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any other party to a Material Contract is in, or is alleged to be in, breach of or default under such Material Contract. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written or, to the Company’s Knowledge, oral notice from any counterparty to a Material Contract that such counterparty intends to terminate, not renew, or materially amend the terms of such Material Contract, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has given any such written or oral notice to any counterparty to a Material Contract. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has waived any of its material rights under any Material Contract.

Section 4.11     Permits. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries owns, holds, or possesses all material Permits required by applicable Law that are necessary for it to own, lease, operate and otherwise use its properties and assets and to conduct the Business as such assets and properties and the Business are currently owned, leased, operated, used and conducted and proposed to be conducted. Schedule 4.11 sets forth a correct list of all such Permits. All such Permits are valid and in full force and effect, and (i) each of the Company and its Subsidiaries, at all times since January 1, 2017, have performed all of their respective material obligations under such Permits, (ii) each of the Company and its Subsidiaries at all times since January 1, 2017 has been, and is currently in compliance with all requirements to maintain such Permits and is not in default or violation in any material respect of such Permits, (iii) no event has occurred that would be expected to result in the withdrawal, revocation, suspension, limitation, termination, modification, impairment, or non-renewal of, or any other adverse modification to, any Permit, and (iv) all applications required to have been filed for the renewal of each Permit have been duly filed on a timely basis with the appropriate Governmental Authority and all other filings required to have been made with respect to each Permit have been duly made on a timely basis with the appropriate Governmental Authority. In addition, none of the Company and its Subsidiaries have received any notice or

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communication from any Governmental Authority (a) indicating or alleging that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries do not possess any Permit required to own, lease, operate and otherwise use its properties and assets or to conduct the Business as currently conducted or (b) threatening or seeking to withdraw, revoke, suspend, limit, terminate, impair, not renew, or otherwise adversely modify any of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ Permits. None of the Company’s Permits will be subject to withdrawal, revocation, suspension, limitation, termination, modification, impairment, non-renewal or any other adverse modification as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4.12     Benefit Plans.

(a)     Schedule 4.12(a) sets forth a correct list of all material Company Benefit Plans. A correct copy of each of the Company Benefit Plans set forth on Schedule 4.12(a), and all material Contracts relating thereto, or to the funding thereof, including all trust agreements, insurance contracts, administration contracts, investment management agreements, subscription and participation agreements, and recordkeeping agreements, have been provided to Live Oak. In the case of any material Company Benefit Plan which is not in written form, the Company has provided Live Oak with a correct written description of the material terms of such Company Benefit Plan. A correct copy of the most recent annual report, actuarial report, accountant’s opinion of the plan’s financial statements, summary plan description, and IRS determination or opinion letter with respect to each Company Benefit Plan, to the extent applicable and available, has been provided to Live Oak. To the Company’s Knowledge, no event has occurred which would reasonably be expected to result in a material change in the financial condition in the respective Company Benefit Plans from that stated in the annual reports and actuarial reports supplied.

(b)     Each Company Benefit Plan has been maintained and administered in compliance in all material respects with the applicable requirements of ERISA, the Code, the Healthcare Reform Laws and any other applicable Laws, and (ii) each Company Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service or is the subject of a favorable opinion letter from the Internal Revenue Service on the form of such Company Benefit Plan.

(c)     Neither the Company nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has, or has had within the past five (5) years, any Liability with respect to a Multiemployer Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA.

(d)     No Company Benefit Plan provides for post-employment or retiree welfare benefits, except as required by federal “COBRA” or other equivalent state Law.

(e)     To the Company’s Knowledge, neither the Company nor any other “disqualified person” or “party in interest” (as defined in Section 4975(e)(2) of the Code and Section 3(14) of ERISA, respectively) has engaged in any non-exempt “prohibited transactions” (as defined in section 406 of ERISA or section 4975 of the Code) in connection with any Company Benefit Plan.

(f)     To the Company’s Knowledge, there have been no acts or omissions by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates which have given rise to or would reasonably be expected to give rise to material interest, fines, penalties, Taxes or related material charges under section 502 of ERISA or Chapters 43, 47, 68 or 100 of the Code for which the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates may be liable or under Section 409A of the Code for which the Company, any of its ERISA Affiliates or any participant in any Company Benefit Plan that is a nonqualified deferred compensation plan (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) may be liable. To the Company’s Knowledge, no event has occurred, and no conditions or circumstance exists, that would reasonably be expected to subject the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any Health Plan, to material penalties or excise Taxes under Sections 4980D, 4980H, or 4980I of the Code or any other provision of the Healthcare Reform Laws.

(g)     There are no Proceedings (other than routine claims for benefits and/or appeals, none of which, individually or in the aggregate, are material to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened involving any Company Benefit Plan.

(h)     Except as set forth on Schedule 4.12(h), neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will accelerate the time of vesting or the time of payment, or increase the amount, of any compensation or benefits due to any current or former director, officer, or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under a Company Benefit Plan or Contracts. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.12(h), none of the payments contemplated by the Company Benefit Plans or Contracts in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement would, in the aggregate,

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constitute excess parachute payments (as defined in Section 280G of the Code (without regard to subsection (b)(4) thereof)). The Company is not a nonqualified entity within the meaning of Section 457A of the Code. No Company Benefit Plan or any Contract, agreement, plan, policy, or arrangement with any employee, officer, director, consultant or independent contractor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries provides for a “gross-up” or similar payment in respect of any Taxes that may become payable under Sections 409A or 4999 of the Code.

Section 4.13     Employee and Labor Matters.

(a)     The Company has provided a list of each Employee and independent contractor providing services to the Company or its Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement, and in the case of each such Employee and independent contractor, the following information, as applicable, as of the date hereof: (i) title or position; (ii) date of hire or commencement of services; (iii) work location; (iv) whether full-time or part-time and whether exempt or non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act; (v) whether covered by the terms of a collective bargaining or similar agreement or an employment or independent contractor agreement; (vi) whether absent from active employment and if so, the date such absence commenced and the anticipated date of return to active employment; and (vii) annual salary, hourly rate or fee arrangement, and if applicable, bonus target or other incentive compensation.

(b)     None of the Employees are represented by a union or other labor organization or group that was either voluntarily recognized or certified by any labor relations board or other Governmental Authority, and no union organizational campaign is pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened with respect to any of the Employees. There is no pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened labor strike, slowdown, work stoppage, or labor arbitration Proceeding against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any Employee and there have been no such actions since January 1, 2017.

(c)     The Company and its Subsidiaries are, and since January 1, 2017 have been, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to employment and employment practices or terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, worker classification, wages, hours of work, discrimination, collective bargaining, immigration, workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, withholding, and occupational safety and health. All independent contractors and consultants providing personal services to the Company or its Subsidiaries have been properly classified as independent contractors for purposes of all Laws, including Laws with respect to employee benefits, and all Employees have been properly classified under the Fair Labor Standards Act and similar state Laws. The Company and its Subsidiaries (i) have withheld and reported all amounts required by Law or by Contract to be withheld and reported with respect to wages, salaries, and other payments to current and former employees, consultants, and independent contractors, (ii) is not presently liable for any arrearage of wages or Taxes or any interest, fine, or penalty for failure to comply with any of the foregoing, and (iii) is not presently liable for any payment to any trust or other fund governed by or maintained by or on behalf of any Governmental Authority with respect to unemployment compensation benefits, social security, or other benefits or obligations for current or former employees.

(d)     There is no pending employment-related Proceeding against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Company’s Knowledge, any threatened charge or claim by or before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any state or local Governmental Authority.

(e)     The Company and its Subsidiaries have not taken and currently have no plans to take any action with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that could constitute a “mass layoff” or “plant closing” within the meaning of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act or could otherwise trigger any notice requirement or Liability under any state or local plant closing notice Law.

(f)     No executive officer or other key Employee is subject to any non-compete, non-solicitation, non-disclosure, confidentiality, employment, consulting or similar agreement relating to, affecting or in conflict with the present or proposed business activities of the Company or its Subsidiaries and, to the Company’s Knowledge, no executive officer or other key Employee has taken steps or is otherwise planning to terminate his or her employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any reason (or no reason), including the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(g)     The Company has investigated or reviewed and has taken appropriate corrective action where necessary regarding all sexual harassment or other unlawful harassment, employment discrimination or retaliation allegations (that were reported in writing or in accordance with the Company’s anti-harassment and anti-retaliation procedures, copies of which have been provided to Live Oak) of which it had Knowledge since January 1, 2017.

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(h)     A Form I-9 has been completed and retained with respect to each current Employee and, where required by law, former Employees.

Section 4.14     Environmental Matters.

(a)     The Company and its Subsidiaries are, and since January 1, 2017 have been, in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental Laws applicable to the Company, its Subsidiaries or the Business.

(b)     The Company and its Subsidiaries possess all material Environmental Permits necessary to own, lease, and operate its properties and assets and to conduct the Business as currently conducted and proposed to be conducted. Schedule 4.14(b) sets forth a correct list of all such Environmental Permits. All such Environmental Permits are in full force and effect, and the Company and its Subsidiaries have performed all of their respective material obligations under and are, and since January 1, 2017 have been, in compliance in all material respects with all such Environmental Permits. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written or, to the Company’s Knowledge, oral notice from any Governmental Authority (a) indicating or alleging that the Company or any its Subsidiaries does not possess any Environmental Permit required to own, lease, and operate its properties and assets or to conduct the Business as currently conducted or (b) threatening or seeking to withdraw, revoke, terminate, suspend or adversely renew, amend or modify any of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ Environmental Permits. None of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Environmental Permits will be subject to withdrawal, revocation, termination, or suspension as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(c)     To the Company’s Knowledge, there are no existing facts, events or conditions that could reasonably be expected to result in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries making any environmental capital expenditure after the Closing Date to comply with Environmental Law or otherwise to prevent, hinder or limit the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ ability to maintain compliance with Environmental Law after the Closing Date.

(d)     No written or, to the Company’s Knowledge, oral notice that remains unresolved has been received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries claiming that (i) the operation of the Business is in material violation of any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit, (ii) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has Liability arising under Environmental Law or with respect to any Hazardous Substance or (iii) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is responsible (or potentially responsible) for Remedial Action with respect to the operation of the Business.

(e)     There are no claims or Proceedings pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any Remedial Action, Hazardous Substance, Environmental Law or Environmental Permit. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any outstanding obligation with respect to any Order pursuant to Environmental Law.

(f)     Neither the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any other Person has caused, contributed to or allowed any Release that could reasonably be expected to result in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries taking any Remedial Action or incurring any material Liability pursuant to Environmental Law.

(g)     Neither the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any other Person has exposed any Person to Hazardous Substances in connection with the operation of the Business in a manner that could reasonably be expected to form the basis of a claim against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under Environmental Laws. At no time has the Company or any its Subsidiaries designed, manufactured, sold, marketed, installed or distributed products or other items containing asbestos or perfluorinated or polyfluorinated alkyl substances.

(h)     No Company Real Property or, to the Company’s Knowledge, real property formerly owned, operated, or occupied by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) has been, pursuant to CERCLA or any similar Law, placed or, to the Company’s Knowledge, proposed to be placed on the National Priorities List, the SEMS, or any state or regional equivalent list of known or suspected contaminated sites or (ii) to the Company’s Knowledge, is subject to a written claim, Order, or other written request or written demand to take Remedial Action.

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(i)     The Company has not sent, transported, accepted for transport, or arranged for transport any Hazardous Substances to any facility, site, or location which (i) has been, pursuant to CERCLA or any similar Law, placed or, to the Company’s Knowledge, proposed to be placed on the National Priorities List, the SEMS, or any state or regional equivalent list of known or suspected contaminated sites or (ii) to the Company’s Knowledge, is subject to a written claim, Order, or other request to take Remedial Action.

(j)     Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has assumed by Contract or by operation of law, or provided an indemnity with respect to Liabilities of any other Person under Environmental Laws.

(k)     The Company has provided Live Oak with correct copies of all environmental audits, assessments, reports, and other material environmental documents relating to the current and former operations and facilities of the Company which are in any the Company’s or any of its Representatives’ possession, custody, or control.

Section 4.15     Taxes. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.15:

(a)     All material Tax Returns of the Company and its Subsidiaries have been timely filed, and all other filings in respect of Taxes have been made for the Company and its Subsidiaries, as required by applicable Law and each such Tax Return and filing is accurate and complete in all material respects. All material Taxes and estimated material Taxes owed by the Company and its Subsidiaries whether or not shown on such Tax Returns have been fully and timely paid as required by applicable Law, except for Taxes being contested in good faith by appropriate Proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been provided on the books and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case in accordance with GAAP.

(b)     None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any Liability for a material amount of Taxes which has not been accrued for or reserved on Company’s Financial Statements, other than any Liability for unpaid Taxes that has been incurred since the end of the last period for which Company and its Subsidiaries ordinarily record items on their Financial Statements.

(c)     No Tax audit or other examination of any of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is presently in progress, nor has the Company or any of its Subsidiaries been notified of any request or threat for such an audit or other examination. No material issues have been raised in any examination by any Governmental Authority of the Company or its Subsidiaries which, by application of similar principles, reasonably could be expected to result in a proposed adjustment to the liability for Taxes for any other period not so examined. No claim, assessment, deficiency or proposed adjustment for any material amount of Tax has been asserted or assessed by any Governmental Authority against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that has not been paid or resolved.

(d)     The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to the reporting, payment, and withholding of Taxes and all Taxes which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is required by Law to withhold or collect, including sales and use Taxes, goods and services Taxes, and all amounts required to be withheld for Taxes of any employee, independent contractor, creditor, customer, stockholder, or other Person have been duly withheld or collected and, to the extent required, have been paid over to the proper Governmental Authorities. All information returns required to be filed by the Company or its Subsidiaries have been filed, and all statements required to be furnished to payees by the Company or its Subsidiaries have been furnished to such payees, and the information set forth on such information returns and statements is accurate and complete.

(e)     There are no Liens for Taxes (other than Permitted Liens for current Taxes not yet due and payable) on any of the properties or assets of the Company, its Subsidiaries or the Shares.

(f)     None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has granted or been requested to grant any waiver of any statutes of limitations applicable to any claim for Taxes, and none of the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has requested or been granted an extension of the time for filing any Tax Return.

(g)     Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is or has been a United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code at any time during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.

(h)     None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will be required to include any item of income in, or exclude any item of deduction from, taxable income for any period ending after the Closing Date as a result

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of any: (i) change in method of accounting for a taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date; (ii) closing agreement as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of U.S. state, local or non-U.S. income Tax Law) executed on or prior to the Closing Date; (iii) intercompany transactions or any excess loss account described in Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of U.S. state, local or foreign Tax Law); (iv) installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Closing Date; (v) election under Section 108(i) of the Code (or similar provision of U.S. state, local or foreign Tax Law); or (vi) prepaid amount received or deferred revenue accrued on or prior to the Closing Date; or (vii) otherwise as a result of a transaction or accounting method that accelerated an item of deduction into periods ending on or before the Closing Date or a transaction or accounting method that deferred an item of income into periods beginning after the Closing Date.

(i)     There is no power of attorney given by or binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to Taxes for any period for which the statute of limitations (including any waivers or extensions) has not yet expired.

(j)     None of the Company or any its Subsidiaries is subject to or owns any joint venture, partnership, or other Contract which is treated as a partnership for Federal income Tax purposes.

(k)     None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has ever been (i) a member of any affiliated group filing or required to file a consolidated, combined, unitary, or other similar Tax Return (other than any such group of which the Company is the common parent) or (ii) a party to or bound by, nor does it have or has it ever had any obligation under, any Tax sharing or Tax allocation agreement or similar contract or arrangement (other than pursuant to customary commercial contracts not primarily related to Taxes and, in the case of any such contracts that are reasonably expected to give rise to a material amount of shared or allocated Taxes). Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any Liability for Taxes of any other Person under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local, or non-United States Law), as a transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise (other than pursuant to customary commercial contracts not primarily related to Taxes).

(l)     None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has, in any year for which the applicable statute of limitations remains open, distributed stock of another Person, or had its stock distributed by another Person, in a transaction that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by Sections 355 or 361 of the Code.

(m)     A schedule has been provided to Live Oak setting forth the following information with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries: (i) the amount of any net operating loss, net capital loss, any unused investment or other Tax credit, (ii) the amount of any excess loss accounts, or deferred gain or loss arising out of any intercompany transaction as described in the Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code, and (iii) Tax elections affecting the Company or its Subsidiaries.

(n)     None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in or entered into a “listed transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4.

(o)     No written claim has been made within the past five (5) years by a Tax authority in a jurisdiction where Tax Returns with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is not filed asserting that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may be subject to Tax in that jurisdiction.

(p)     The Company has never directly or indirectly owned any Subsidiary organized outside the United States. None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) has a permanent establishment or fixed place of business in any other country other than the United States; (ii) is subject to taxation or have any Tax filing obligations in any jurisdiction outside of the United States; or (iii) directly owns stock in any other corporation which is a passive foreign investment company within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code or a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.

(q)     None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has requested or received a ruling from any taxing authority or signed a closing or other agreement with any taxing authority which would affect any taxable period after the Closing Date.

(r)     The Company has not been, is not, and immediately prior to the Effective Time will not be, treated as an “investment company” within the meaning of Section 368(a)(2)(F) of the Code.

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(s)     None of the Indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries constitutes (i) “corporate acquisition indebtedness” (as defined in Section 279(b) of the Code) with respect to which any interest deductions may be disallowed under Section 279 of the Code, (ii) an “applicable high yield discount obligation” under Section 163(i) of the Code or (iii) a disqualified debt instrument described in Section 163(l) of the Code.

(t)     The Company Board has no plan or intention at the Effective Time to acquire or redeem, either directly or through any transaction, agreement, or arrangement with any other person, any Live Oak Class A Common Stock issued to Shareholders of the Company in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(u)     The Company Board has no plan or intention to cause the Surviving Corporation after the Merger to issue additional share of stock of the Surviving Corporation that would result in Live Oak losing control of the Surviving Corporation within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

(v)     The Company Board has no plan or intention at the Effective Time to cause the Surviving Corporation to cease its separate legal existence after the Merger for federal income tax purposes.

(w)     The Company’s principal reason for participating in the Merger is a bona fide business purpose not related to Taxes.

(x)     None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has taken or agreed to take any action, has omitted to take any action, has any plan or intention to take any action or to omit to take any action, or has any knowledge of any fact or circumstance, the taking, omission, or existence of which, as the case may be, that would reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from constituting a transaction qualifying as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code.

Section 4.16     Proceedings and Orders.

(a)     Except as set forth on Schedule 4.16(a), there are, and since January 1, 2017 have been, no Proceedings pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of its or their respective directors, officers, employees, Representatives, or agents in their capacities as such, nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, are there any facts or circumstances which may give rise to any such Proceeding. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.16(a), there are, and since January 1, 2017 have been, no Proceedings by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pending against any other Person, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is considering any such Proceeding. None of the Proceedings set forth or required to be set forth on Schedule 4.16(a) would, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, materially and adversely affect the Company or the Business. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.16(a), the operation of the Business is not, and since January 1, 2017 has not been, subject to any Order. The Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been in compliance with all Orders set forth on Schedule 4.16(a). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any Contract to settle or compromise any Proceeding against it which has involved any obligation other than the payment of money or under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any continuing Liability.

(b)     There are no Proceedings pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened by or against the Company with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to the Company, would prevent or delay the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4.17     Compliance with Laws. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.17, the Company and its Subsidiaries are, and since January 1, 2017 have been, in compliance in all material respects with all Laws applicable to its properties, its assets, and the Business. Since January 1, 2017, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written or, to the Company’s Knowledge, oral notice from a Governmental Authority alleging that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is not in compliance with any applicable Law.

Section 4.18     Compliance With Regulatory Requirements and Product Certifications. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.18, the Company and its Subsidiaries are, and have been since January 1 2017, in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. ch. 9 § 301 et seq., and enabling regulations, as applicable to the Company’s and its Subsidiaries PHA bioplastic products and PHA resins (collectively, “PHA Products”). Without limitation, the Company and its Subsidiaries have received all required Food Contact Substance Notification Letters (“FCN Letters”) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) with such FCN Letters remaining in full force and effect. At all relevant times (i) the Company and its applicable

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Subsidiaries have developed, tested, manufactured, labeled, marketed, promoted and stored, as applicable, each of the PHA Products, and, (ii) to the Company’s Knowledge, all of the Company and its Subsidiaries vendors have marketed and promoted each of the PHA Products, in compliance with applicable Laws, including those requirements relating to current good manufacturing practices, good laboratory practices and good trial practices, as applicable, except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. During the three (3) years prior to the date of this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice or other communication from any Governmental Authority alleging any violation of any Law with respect to such activities or any “Warning Letters” or “Untitled Letters” with respect to any PHA Product or any manufacturing, promotional, marketing or distribution processes or procedures. All deficiencies and non-conformities discovered during internal and external audits and inspections have been corrected and resolved in all material respects. With respect to each of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries PHA Products that it has sold, or sells, to third parties for commercial use, the Company and its Subsidiaries have had, or have all required certifications concerning biodegradability and/or compostability, and all such certifications are current as of the date of the last sale of any Company PHA Product.

Section 4.19     Accounts Receivable. All accounts receivable of the Company and its Subsidiaries have arisen from bona fide transactions by the Company and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business. All accounts receivable reflected in the Interim Balance Sheet are collectible in the ordinary course of business at the aggregate recorded amounts thereof, net of any applicable allowance for doubtful accounts reflected in the Interim Balance Sheet, which allowance was calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Section 4.20     Inventory. The inventories of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including raw materials, supplies, work-in-process, finished goods, and other materials (collectively, the “Inventory”), (a) are in good, merchantable, and useable condition, (b) are reflected in the Interim Balance Sheet, and (c) are, in the case of finished goods, of a quality and quantity saleable in the ordinary course of business and are, in the case of all other Inventory, of a quality and quantity useable in the ordinary course of business.

Section 4.21     Material Customers and Material Suppliers.

(a)     Schedule 4.21(a) sets forth a correct list of (i) the top ten (10) customers of the Company (based on the total amount of sales to such customer) for the year ended December 31, 2019 (each, a “Material Customer”), showing the total amount of sales to each such Material Customer during the applicable period, and (ii) the top ten (10) suppliers to the Company or its Subsidiaries (based on total amount purchased from such supplier) for the year ended December 31, 2019 (each, a “Material Supplier”), showing the total amount of purchases by the Company and its Subsidiaries from each such Material Supplier during the applicable period.

(b)     Except as set forth in Schedule 4.21(b), since January 1, 2019, there has been (i) no adverse change in the business relationship, or any material dispute, between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any Material Customer or Material Supplier, on the other hand, (ii) no change in any material term or condition of any Contract between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, one the one hand, and any Material Customer or Material Supplier, on the other hand, and (iii) to the Company’s Knowledge, no indication that any Material Customer or Material Supplier intends to reduce its purchases from or sales to, as applicable, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or that any Material Customer or Material Supplier intends to terminate, not renew, or materially amend the terms and conditions of any Contract with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(c)     Since January 1, 2019, no Material Customer or Material Supplier has made any breach of contract, indemnification, or similar claim against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Section 4.22     Related Party Transactions.

(a)     Schedule 4.22(a) sets forth: (i) a description of (A) all services provided by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, to any officer, director or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or to any individual in such officer’s, director’s or employee’s immediate family (as such term is used under the Instructions to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act) (each, a “Related Party”, and collectively, the “Related Parties”), on the other hand and (B) any use by any Related Party or any business of any Related Party of any assets, properties, or employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any purpose other than the conduct of the Business, and the manner in which and the amount that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has been compensated for the costs of providing such services or use; and (ii) other than customary employment or consulting arrangements,

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including equity incentive arrangements, between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any related Party, on the other hand, a description of (A) all services provided by any Related Party or any businesses of any Related Party to the Company and (B) any use by the Company of any assets, properties, or employees of any Related Party or any business of any Related Party for the conduct of the Business, and the manner in which and the amount that the Company has compensated such Related Party or business of such Related Party for the costs of providing such services or use.

(b)     Except as set forth on Schedule 4.22(b), no Related Party, (i) is a party to any Contract with the Company or its Subsidiaries, (ii) has an interest in any property (real or personal, tangible or intangible) owned, leased, or licensed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or otherwise used in the conduct of the Business, (iii) provides any goods or services to the Company (other than in such Person’s capacity as an officer, director, or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), or (iv) to the Company’s Knowledge, has an interest in any Person that is a customer of, or supplier or vendor to, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Section 4.23     Bank Accounts. Schedule 4.23 sets forth a correct list of all bank accounts, safe deposit boxes, and lock boxes maintained by or on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the Persons authorized to sign or otherwise act with respect thereto.

Section 4.24     Insurance Policies. Schedule 4.24 sets forth a correct list of all material policies of fire, Liability, medical, workers’ compensation, title, and other forms of insurance owned or held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Insurance Policies”). The Company has provided to Live Oak correct copies of all of the Insurance Policies. All of the Insurance Policies are valid, in full force and effect, and enforceable, all premiums thereunder that are required to have been paid as of the date hereof have been paid in full, and no notice of cancellation or termination has been received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any of the Insurance Policies. The Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been in compliance in all material respects with all such Insurance Policies. Taken together, the Insurance Policies (a) provide adequate insurance coverage for the properties and assets of the Company and the operation of the Business for all risks normally insured against by a Person carrying on the same business or businesses as the Business and for all risks to which the Company and its Subsidiaries are normally exposed and (b) are sufficient for compliance with all (i) applicable Laws and (ii) Contracts to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets is bound. Schedule 4.24 also sets forth a correct list of all claims which have been made by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries since January 1, 2017 under any of the Insurance Policies, including any claims that are currently pending.

Section 4.25     Required Shareholder Approval. The only vote of the Shareholders required to adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger is the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Shares (the “Required Shareholder Approval”). No other vote of the Shareholders is required by Law, the Organizational Documents of the Company, or any Contract to which the Company is a party.

Section 4.26     Takeover Laws. The Company has not made any election under its Organizational Documents to adopt the restrictions on business combinations set forth in Sections 14-2-1110 et seq. and 14-2-1131 et seq. of the GBCC and, with respect to the Company, no other “business combination,” “control share acquisition,” “fair price,” “moratorium,” or other similar anti-takeover Law other than dissenters’ rights pursuant to Section 14-2-1322 of the GBCC (collectively, the “Takeover Laws”) is applicable to this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4.27     Exchange Act. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is currently (or has previously been) subject to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”).

Section 4.28     Brokers. No broker, finder, or investment bank is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s, or similar fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Related Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company, other than Houlihan Lokey, Inc., the fees and expenses of which shall constitute Transaction Expenses.

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ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF LIVE OAK AND MERGER SUB

Live Oak and Merger Sub represent and warrant to the Company as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date (as though made on the Closing Date) as follows:

Section 5.1     Organization and Authorization. Each of Live Oak and Merger Sub is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Each of Live Oak and Merger Sub has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver, and, upon receipt of the Required Live Oak Stockholder Approval, perform this Agreement and its Related Agreements and, subject to the adoption of this Agreement by Live Oak, in its capacity as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and its Related Agreements. The execution, delivery, and performance by each of Live Oak and Merger Sub of this Agreement and its Related Agreements and the consummation by each of Live Oak and Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and its Related Agreements have been validly authorized by all necessary action by the Live Oak Board and the Merger Sub Board, and, other than the adoption of this Agreement by Live Oak, in its capacity as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub and receipt of the Required Live Oak Stockholder Approval, no other corporate action by Live Oak or Merger Sub is necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of Live Oak and Merger Sub has validly executed and delivered this Agreement and, at or prior to the Closing, each of Live Oak and Merger Sub will have validly executed and delivered each of its Related Agreements. This Agreement constitutes, and each Related Agreement of Live Oak or Merger Sub will after the Closing constitute, legal, valid, and binding obligations of Live Oak or Merger Sub, as applicable, enforceable against Live Oak or Merger Sub in accordance with their respective terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

Section 5.2     Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

(a)     The execution, delivery, and performance by each of Live Oak and Merger Sub of this Agreement and its Related Agreements, and the consummation by each of Live Oak and Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and its Related Agreements, do not and will not require any Consent of, filing, notification, or registration with any Governmental Authority, other than (i) any Consent of, filing, notification, or registration with any Governmental Authority, the failure of which to be obtained would not be material to Live Oak or Merger Sub or prevent or materially delay the consummation by Live Oak and Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of its Related Agreements, (ii) any Consent of, filing, notification, or registration with any Governmental Authority that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to the Company, any Shareholder, or any of their respective Affiliates, (iii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia, and (iv) the Consents, filings, notifications, or registrations with any Governmental Authority set forth on Schedule 5.2(a).

(b)     Except as set forth on Schedule 5.2(b), the execution, delivery, and performance by each of Live Oak and Merger Sub of this Agreement and its applicable Related Agreements, and the consummation by each of Live Oak and Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and its Related Agreements, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the properties or assets of Live Oak or Merger Sub under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (i) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Live Oak, Merger Sub, or any of their respective properties or assets, (ii) any material Contract to which Live Oak or Merger Sub is a party or by which Live Oak, Merger Sub, or any of their respective properties or assets is bound, (iii) any Permit held by Live Oak or Merger Sub, or (iv) any of the Organizational Documents of Live Oak or Merger Sub except, in the case of each of clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not prevent or delay the consummation by Live Oak or Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of its Related Agreements.

(c)     The only vote of the Live Oak Stockholders required to adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger is the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Live Oak Shares (the “Required Live Oak Stockholder Approval”). No other vote of the Live Oak Stockholders is required by Law, the Organizational Documents of Live Oak, or any Contract to which Live Oak is a party.

Section 5.3     Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Live Oak’s Knowledge, threatened by or against Live Oak, Merger Sub, or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Live Oak or Merger Sub, would prevent or delay

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the consummation by Live Oak or Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of its Related Agreements.

Section 5.4     Compliance with Laws. Live Oak and its Subsidiaries are, and since May 24, 2019 have been, in compliance in all material respects with all Laws applicable to its properties, its assets, and its business. Since May 24, 2019, neither Live Oak nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written or, to Live Oak’s Knowledge, oral notice from a Governmental Authority alleging that Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries is not in compliance with any applicable Law.

Section 5.5     Issuance of Shares. The shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock representing the Final Merger Consideration and the Earn-Out Shares, when issued in accordance with this Agreement, will be duly authorized and validly issued, and will be fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens.

Section 5.6     Live Oak Trust Fund. As of the date of this Agreement, Live Oak has no less than Two Hundred Million Dollars ($200,000,000) in the trust fund established by Live Oak for the benefit of its public stockholders (the “Trust Fund”) maintained in a trust account at Morgan Stanley (the “Trust Account”). The monies of such Trust Account are invested in United States Government securities or money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2(a)(16) promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and held in trust by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Trustee”) pursuant to the Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2020, between Live Oak and the Trustee.

Section 5.7     Capitalization of Live Oak.

(a)     As of the date of this Agreement, the authorized capital stock of Live Oak consists (a) one hundred ten million (110,000,000) shares of common stock of Live Oak, including (i) one hundred million (100,000,000) shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, and (ii) ten million (10,000,000) shares of Class B Common Stock (“Live Oak Class B Common Stock”), and (b) one million (1,000,000) shares of preferred stock (“Live Oak Preferred Stock”), of which (i) twenty million (20,000,000) shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock are issued and outstanding, (ii) five million (5,000,000) shares of Live Oak Class B Common Stock are issued and outstanding, (iii) no shares of Live Oak Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding, and (iv) sixteen million (16,000,000) shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock are reserved for future issuance pursuant to the Live Oak Warrants. Each Live Oak Warrant is exercisable for one share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of Eleven Dollars Fifty Cents ($11.50). All such issued and outstanding shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock (i) have been duly authorized, (ii) are validly issued, fully-paid, and non-assessable, and (iii) were not issued in violation of any preemptive right, subscription right, right of first refusal, or applicable Law.

(b)     As of the date of this Agreement, the authorized capital stock of Merger Sub consists of 1,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Merger Sub Common Stock”). As of the date hereof, one hundred (100) shares of Merger Sub Common Stock are issued and outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Merger Sub are owned by Live Oak.

Section 5.8     Merger Sub. Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the Merger, and since the date of its incorporation has engaged in no other business, conducted any operations, or incurred any Liabilities, other than in connection with the execution of this Agreement, the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and matters ancillary thereto.

Section 5.9     SEC Filings. Live Oak has timely filed with or furnished to the SEC all reports, schedules, forms, statements, and other documents (including exhibits and other information incorporated therein) required to be filed or furnished by it since January 1, 2020 (all such documents, collectively, the “Live Oak SEC Documents”). The Live Oak SEC Documents, including any audited or unaudited financial statements and any notes thereto or schedules included therein (the “Live Oak Financial Statements”), at the time filed or furnished (a) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein (in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, (b) complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, as applicable, (c) complied as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, (d) in the case of the Live Oak Financial Statements, were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or the omission of notes to the extent permitted by Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities

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Act or, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) and subject, in the case of interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments which are not material in the aggregate, and (e) in the case of the Live Oak Financial Statements, fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of Live Oak as of the dates and for the periods indicated therein, except any unaudited Live Oak Financial Statements are subject to normal year-end adjustments which are not material in the aggregate.

Section 5.10     Internal Controls. Live Oak and its Subsidiaries maintain internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets.

Section 5.11     Listing. Live Oak Class A Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is listed for trading on the NYSE under the symbol “LOAK”. As of the date of this Agreement, there is no Proceeding pending or, to Live Oak’s Knowledge, threatened against Live Oak by the NYSE or the SEC with respect to any intention to terminate the listing of Live Oak on the NYSE. None of Live Oak or any of its Affiliates has taken any action in an attempt to terminate the registration of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock under the Exchange Act.

Section 5.12     Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, since May 8, 2020, (a) Live Oak and its Subsidiaries have conducted its business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, other than due to any actions taken due to a “shelter in place,” “non-essential employee” or similar direction of any Governmental Authority, and (b) there has been no Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.13     No Undisclosed Liabilities. Live Oak and its Subsidiaries do not have any Liabilities that would be required to be reflected on, or reserved against in, a consolidated balance sheet of Live Oak and its Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP, except: (i) Liabilities reflected on, or reserved against in, the Live Oak Financial Statements; (ii) Liabilities that have arisen since June 30, 2020 in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, none of which is a Liability resulting from or arising out of any breach of contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement, misappropriation, or violation of Law; and (iii) Liabilities set forth on Schedule 5.13.

Section 5.14     Employees. Other than any officers as described in the Live Oak SEC Documents, and consultants and advisors in the ordinary course of business, Live Oak and Merger Sub have never employed any employees or retained any contractors. Other than reimbursement of any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Live Oak’s officers and directors in connection with activities on Live Oak’s behalf in an aggregate amount not in excess of the amount of cash held by Live Oak outside of the Trust Account, Live Oak has no unsatisfied material liability with respect to any officer or director. Live Oak and Merger Sub have no Liability with respect to any Benefit Plan.

Section 5.15     Tax Matters.

(a)     All material Tax Returns of Live Oak and Merger Sub have been timely filed, and all other filings in respect of Taxes have been made for Live Oak and Merger Sub, as required by applicable Law, and each such Tax Return and filing is accurate and complete in all material respects. All material Taxes and estimated material Taxes owed by Live Oak and Merger Sub whether or not shown on such Tax Returns have been fully and timely paid as required by applicable Law, except for Taxes being contested in good faith by appropriate Proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been provided on the books and records of the Live Oak or Merger Sub, in each case in accordance with GAAP.

(b)     Neither Live Oak nor Merger Sub have any liability for a material amount of Taxes which has not been accrued for or reserved on Live Oak’s financial statements, other than any Liability for unpaid Taxes that has been incurred since the end of the last period for which Live Oak and Merger Sub ordinarily record items on their financial statements.

(c)     No Tax audit or other examination of Live Oak or Merger Sub is presently in progress, nor has Live Oak or Merger Sub been notified of any request or threat for such an audit or other examination. No claim, assessment, deficiency or proposed adjustment for any material amount of Tax has been asserted or assessed by any Governmental Authority against Live Oak or Merger Sub that has not been paid or resolved. No material issues have been raised in any examination by any Governmental Authority of Live Oak or its Subsidiaries which, by application of similar principles, reasonably could be expected to result in a proposed adjustment to the liability for Taxes for any other period not so examined.

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(d)     Live Oak and Merger Sub have complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to the reporting, payment, and withholding of Taxes and all Taxes which Live Oak or Merger Sub is required by Law to withhold or collect, including sales and use Taxes, goods and services Taxes, and all amounts required to be withheld for Taxes of any employee, independent contractor, creditor, customer, stockholder, or other Person have been duly withheld or collected and, to the extent required, have been paid over to the proper Governmental Authorities. All information returns required to be filed by Live Oak and Merger Sub have been filed, and all statements required to be furnished to payees by Live Oak or Merger Sub have been furnished to such payees, and the information set forth on such information returns and statements is accurate and complete.

(e)     There are no Liens for Taxes (other than Permitted Liens for current Taxes not yet due and payable) on any of the properties or assets of Live Oak or Merger Sub.

(f)     Neither Live Oak nor Merger Sub has granted or been requested to grant any waiver of any statutes of limitations applicable to any claim for Taxes, and neither Live Oak nor Merger Sub has requested or been granted an extension of the time for filing any Tax Return.

(g)     Neither Live Oak nor Merger Sub will be required to include any item of income in, or exclude any item of deduction from, taxable income for any period ending after the Closing Date as a result of any: (i) change in method of accounting for a taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date; (ii) closing agreement as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of U.S. state, local or non-U.S. income Tax Law) executed on or prior to the Closing Date; (iii) intercompany transactions or any excess loss account described in Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of U.S. state, local or foreign Tax Law); (iv) installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Closing Date; (v) election under Section 108(i) of the Code (or similar provision of U.S. state, local or foreign Tax Law); or (vi) prepaid amount received or deferred revenue accrued on or prior to the Closing Date; or (vii) otherwise as a result of a transaction or accounting method that accelerated an item of deduction into periods ending on or before the Closing Date or a transaction or accounting method that deferred an item of income into periods beginning after the Closing Date.

(h)     There is no power of attorney given by or binding upon Live Oak or Merger Sub with respect to Taxes for any period for which the statute of limitations (including any waivers or extensions) has not yet expired.

(i)     Neither Live Oak nor Merger Sub is subject to or owns any joint venture, partnership, or other Contract which is treated as a partnership for Federal income Tax purposes.

(j)     Neither Live Oak nor Merger Sub has ever been (i) a member of any affiliated group filing or required to file a consolidated, combined, unitary, or other similar Tax Return (other than any such group of which Live Oak is the common parent) or (ii) a party to or bound by, nor does it have or has it ever had any obligation under, any Tax sharing or Tax allocation agreement or similar contract or arrangement (other than pursuant to customary commercial contracts not primarily related to Taxes and, in the case of any such contracts that are reasonably expected to give rise to a material amount of shared or allocated Taxes). Neither Live Oak nor Merger Sub has any liability for Taxes of any other Person under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local, or non-United States Law), as a transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise (other than pursuant to customary commercial contracts not primarily related to Taxes).

(k)     Neither Live Oak nor Merger Sub has, in any year for which the applicable statute of limitations remains open, distributed stock of another Person, or had its stock distributed by another Person, in a transaction that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by Sections 355 or 361 of the Code.

(l)     Neither Live Oak nor Merger Sub has engaged in or entered into a “listed transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4.

(m)     No written claim has been made within the past five (5) years by a Tax authority in a jurisdiction where a Tax Return with respect to Live Oak or Merger Sub is not filed asserting that Live Oak or Merger Sub is or may be subject to Tax in that jurisdiction.

(n)     Live Oak has never directly or indirectly owned any subsidiary organized outside the United States. Neither Live Oak nor Merger Sub (i) has a permanent establishment or fixed place of business in any other country other than the United States; (ii) is subject to taxation or have any Tax filing obligations in any jurisdiction

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outside of the United States; or (iii) directly owns stock in any other corporation which is a passive foreign investment company within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code or a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.

(o)     Neither Live Oak nor Merger Sub has requested or received a ruling from any taxing authority or signed a closing or other agreement with any taxing authority which would affect any taxable period after the Closing Date.

(p)     None of the Indebtedness of Live Oak or Merger Sub constitutes (i) “corporate acquisition indebtedness” (as defined in Section 279(b) of the Code) with respect to which any interest deductions may be disallowed under Section 279 of the Code, (ii) an “applicable high yield discount obligation” under Section 163(i) of the Code or (iii) a disqualified debt instrument described in Section 163(l) of the Code.

(q)     Neither Live Oak, Merger Sub, nor any Person related to Live Oak or Merger Sub (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-1(e)(4), without regard to Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-1(e)(4)(i)(A)) has any plan or intention at the Effective Time to acquire or redeem, either directly or through any transaction, agreement, or arrangement with any other person, any Live Oak Class A Common Stock issued to any Shareholders pursuant to this Agreement.

(r)     Live Oak has no plan or intention to cause the Surviving Corporation after the Merger to issue additional shares of stock of the Surviving Corporation that would result in Live Oak losing “control” of the Surviving Corporation within the meaning of Section 368(c) of the Code.

(s)     Live Oak has no plan or intention at the Effective Time to cause the Surviving Corporation to cease its separate legal existence for U.S. federal income tax purposes after the Merger.

(t)     Each of Live Oak’s and Merger Sub’s principal reason for participating in the Merger is a bona fide business purpose not related to Taxes.

(u)     Except as set forth on Schedule 5.15(u), neither Live Oak nor Merger Sub has taken or agreed to take any action, has omitted to take any action, has any plan or intention to take any action or to omit to take any action, or has any knowledge of any fact or circumstance, the taking, omission, or existence of which, as the case may be, that would reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from constituting a transaction qualifying as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code.

Section 5.16     Brokers. No broker, finder, or investment bank is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s, or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Related Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Live Oak other than Jefferies LLC.

ARTICLE VI
PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

Section 6.1     Access to Information. From the date of this Agreement until the Closing Date, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, give Live Oak and its Representatives full access, upon reasonable advance notice and during normal business hours, to the offices, facilities, books, and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries, shall make the officers and employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries available to Live Oak and its Representatives as they may from time to time request, and shall provide Live Oak and its Representatives with any and all additional information concerning the Company, its Subsidiaries or the Business as they may from time to time reasonably request; provided that any of the foregoing does not interrupt the Company’s normal course of business. The Company shall have the right to have a Representative present during any inspections, interviews, and examinations conducted at the offices or facilities owned or leased by the Company or its Subsidiaries. Live Oak shall not sample or analyze any soil, groundwater, other environmental media, or building material without the prior written Consent of the Company, which Consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Live Oak shall, and shall direct its Representatives to, treat and hold strictly confidential any information provided or obtained pursuant to this Section 6.1 in accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement.

Section 6.2     Conduct of Business Pending the Closing. From the date of this Agreement until the Closing Date, and subject to the Company obligations under Section 6.5, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, operate the Business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice. Consistent with the foregoing,

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the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, keep and maintain its assets in good and satisfactory operating condition and repair, normal wear and tear excepted, and use its reasonable best efforts consistent with good business practice to maintain the business organization of the Company and its Subsidiaries intact and to preserve the goodwill of the suppliers, contractors, licensors, employees, customers, distributors, and others having business relations with the Company and its Subsidiaries. The Company shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to, take any action that would, or that would reasonably be expected to, result in any of the conditions to Closing set forth in ARTICLE VIII not being satisfied. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as set forth on Schedule 6.2 or to the extent Live Oak otherwise Consents in writing, prior to the Closing, the Company shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to:

(a)     amend its Organizational Documents;

(b)     (i) issue or sell any of its Equity Interests (other than in connection with the exercise of outstanding Company Options), (ii) grant any options, warrants, calls, or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire any of its Equity Interests or (iii) split, combine, reclassify, cancel, redeem, or repurchase any of its Equity Interests; provided that the grant of Company Options in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice to employees (other than the Company’s executive officers) shall not require the Consent of Live Oak; provided, further that copies of all such grants will be delivered to Live Oak within two (2) Business Days following execution thereof;

(c)     sell, lease, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) on, any of its properties or assets, except for the sale, transfer, or disposition of finished goods inventory in the ordinary course of business;

(d)     make any capital expenditures in an aggregate amount of more than Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000);

(e)     create, incur, guarantee, or assume any Indebtedness in an aggregate amount of more than Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000);

(f)     enter into any transaction between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any officer, director or Shareholder or any Affiliate of any Shareholder (excluding the Company or its Subsidiaries), on the other hand, that (i) is not on an arm’s-length basis or (ii) would be binding on the Company after the Closing;

(g)     make any loans, advances, or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person (including any Affiliate);

(h)     acquire any business, Equity Interests, or assets of any other Person (whether by merger, sale of Equity Interests, sale of assets, or otherwise);

(i)     create any new Subsidiary;

(j)     make any material change in the Company’s business or its operations, except such changes as may be required to comply with any applicable Law;

(k)     grant any increase in the base salary or wages, bonus opportunity, or other compensation or benefits payable to any Employee, in each case except (i) base salary or hourly wage increases in the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent with past practice, (ii) as required by Law, or (iii) as required by the terms of any existing Contract, Company Benefit Plan, or collective bargaining agreement;

(l)     except as set forth on Schedule 6.2(l), make any amendment to, establish, enter into, or terminate any Company Benefit Plan or any employment agreement or other Contract with any Employee, other than as required by applicable Law, the other provisions of this Agreement, or by the terms of any existing Contract, Company Benefit Plan, or collective bargaining agreement;

(m)     (i) amend or modify in any material respect any Material Contract, Real Property Lease, Outbound IP License, or Inbound IP License, (ii) terminate, not renew, or extend any Material Contract, Real Property Lease, Outbound IP License, or Inbound IP License, or (iii) enter into a Contract that, if entered into prior to the date hereof, would have been a Material Contract, Real Property Lease, Outbound IP License, or Inbound IP License;

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(n)     make any change in any accounting principle, policy, or procedure used by it (other than regarding Taxes, which shall be governed by Section 6.2(o)), other than changes required by GAAP or applicable Law;

(o)     change, revoke or make any material Tax election, file any amended Tax Return or claim for refund, adopt or change any method of Tax accounting or accounting period, settle, compromise, or file any appeal with respect to any Tax Liability or refund, Consent to or file any appeal with respect to any claim or assessment relating to Taxes, or Consent to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any Tax claim or assessment (other than any request in the ordinary course of business to extend the initial due date for any Tax Return not yet filed);

(p)     accelerate or delay collection of any notes or accounts receivable in advance of or beyond their regular due dates or the dates when the same would have been collected in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

(q)     delay or accelerate payment of any account payable or other Liability beyond or in advance of its due date or the date when such Liability would have been paid in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

(r)     offer any rebates, discounts, commissions, incentives, or inducements for the purchase of products or services that are materially different from those rebates, discounts, commissions, incentives or inducements offered by it in the ordinary course of business consistent with prior practice, or engage in any form of “channel stuffing” or other activity that could reasonably be expected to result in a reduction, temporary or otherwise, in the demand for its products and services following the Closing;

(s)     make any material change in its general pricing practices or policies or any change in its credit or allowance practices or policies other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

(t)     enter into any Contract for the lease or purchase of real property, other than contemplated amendments to the Company’s Amended and Restated Master Lease Agreement, dated as of May 2020 with Store Capital in connection with the Phase II expansion of the Winchester, Kentucky facility;

(u)     declare, set aside, or pay any dividend or any other distribution with respect to its Equity Interests;

(v)     (i) settle or commence any material Proceeding or (ii) cancel any other debts owed to or claims held by it other than, in the case of this sub-clause (ii), in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

(w)     intentionally waive, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any rights in or to any material item of Company Intellectual Property;

(x)     adopt a complete or partial plan of liquidation, dissolution, restructuring, recapitalization, bankruptcy, suspension of payments, or other reorganization; or

(y)     agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing; provided, however, that the Company shall not require Live Oak’s Consent to (i) issue or sell any Shares to investors at a price of at least Sixty Three Dollars ($63.00) per share for general working capital purposes; provided that (x) any sales made pursuant to this Section 6.2(y) shall not exceed (A) Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000) in the aggregate or (B) if the Closing has not occurred on or prior to December 31, 2020, the Company may raise up to Forty Two Million Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($42,300,000) in the aggregate through either issuance of Shares to investors at a price of at least Sixty Three Dollars ($63.00) per share, incurrence of Indebtedness or a combination of both, and (y) the Company shall update and deliver an updated capitalization table of the Company setting forth the number of issued and outstanding Shares to Live Oak within two (2) Business Days of each issuance or sale of any of Shares, or (ii) perform its obligations under that certain settlement agreement entered into by the Company prior to the date hereof and which is described on Schedule 6.2.

Section 6.3     Consents and Approvals.

(a)     On the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, each Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Closing to occur as promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement, including taking all commercially reasonable actions necessary (i) to comply promptly with all legal requirements that may be imposed on it or any of its Affiliates with respect to the Closing, (ii) to obtain all Consents from third parties necessary or appropriate to permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (iii) to obtain

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or make each Consent of or filing, notification, or registration with a Governmental Authority that is necessary or appropriate to permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that no Party shall have any obligation to offer or pay any consideration (or incur any obligation) in order to obtain or make any such Consents, filings, notifications or registrations; and provided, further, that the Company shall not make any agreement or understanding affecting the Shares, the Company, or the Business as a condition for obtaining or making any such Consents, filings, notifications or registrations except with the prior written Consent of Live Oak.

(b)     In furtherance and not in limitation of the covenants of the Parties contained in this Section 6.3, the Parties shall (i) cooperate and consult with each other in (A) determining, as promptly as possible, whether any filings or notifications are required to be made with, or actions or nonactions, waivers, expirations or terminations of waiting periods, clearances, Consents or orders are required to be obtained from, any Governmental Authorities in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (B) timely making all such filings and notifications and timely seeking all such actions or nonactions, waivers, expirations or terminations of waiting periods, clearances, Consents or orders, (ii) respond promptly to inquiries from any Governmental Authority in connection with any filings or notifications made pursuant to this Section 6.3 and supply as promptly as practicable such information or documentation as may be requested pursuant to the HSR Act by any Governmental Authority, and (iii) use reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all other actions and do, or cause to be done, all other things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Parties shall as promptly as practicable, but in no event later than ten (10) Business Days following the date of this Agreement, file with U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice the notification and report form required under the HSR Act with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of Live Oak and the Company shall pay fifty percent (50%) of all filing fees associated with the filings required by this Section 6.3; provided, however, that the Company shall only be obligated to pay fifty percent (50%) of such filing fee only for one HSR Act filing, and if multiple HSR Act filings shall be required, then Live Oak shall bear the entire cost of all such additional filings.

(c)     In furtherance and not in limitation of the covenants of the Parties contained in this Section 6.3, subject to applicable legal limitations, each Party agrees to (i) furnish to the other Parties with such information and assistance as the other Parties may reasonably request in connection with its preparation of any notifications or filings contemplated by Section 6.3, (ii) keep the other Parties apprised of the status of matters relating to the completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including promptly furnishing the other Parties with copies of notices or other communications received by such Party from, or given by such Party to, any third party or any Governmental Authority with respect to such transactions, (iii) permit the other Parties to review and incorporate the other Parties’ reasonable comments in any communication to be given by it to any Governmental Authority with respect to any filings or notifications required to be made with, or actions or nonactions, waivers, expirations or terminations of waiting periods, clearances, Consents or orders required to be obtained from, such Governmental Authority in connection with execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (iv) consult with the other Parties in advance of and not participate in any meeting or discussion relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, either in person or by telephone, with any Governmental Authority in connection with the proposed transactions unless it gives the other Parties the opportunity to attend and observe. Each Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to share information protected from disclosure under the attorney-client privilege, work product doctrine, joint defense privilege or any other privilege pursuant to this in a manner so as to preserve any applicable privilege.

(d)     Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else in this Agreement to the contrary, neither Party nor any of such Party’s Affiliates shall be required to (i) propose, offer, commit, agree, or Consent to (A) sell, divest, lease, license, transfer, hold separate, or otherwise dispose of any assets, businesses, products or product lines of Live Oak, any of its Affiliates, or the Company, (B) terminate, amend, or modify any existing relationships, ventures, contractual rights or Liabilities of Live Oak, any of its Affiliates, or the Company, or (C) take or agree to take any action that after the Closing would limit the freedom of Live Oak, any of its Affiliates, or the Company with respect to, or its ability to retain, one or more of its or its Affiliates’ (including the Company’s) businesses, product lines, or assets, (ii) contest, defend, or resist any Proceeding brought or threatened to be brought challenging or seeking to enjoin, restrain, prohibit, or otherwise make illegal any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Related Agreements, or (iii) appeal or seek to have vacated, lifted, reversed, or overturned any Order, whether temporary, preliminary, or permanent, that enjoins, restrains, prohibits, or otherwise makes illegal any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Related Agreements.

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Section 6.4     Notification of Certain Matters. From the date of this Agreement until the Closing Date, each of the Company and Live Oak shall give the other prompt written notice of: (a) any event, change, or occurrence that (i) causes, or would reasonably be expected to cause, any representation or warranty of such Party set forth in this Agreement to be untrue or inaccurate in any material respect or (ii) causes, or would reasonably be expected to cause, such Party to fail to perform or comply with in any material respect any covenant or agreement of such Party in this Agreement; and (b) any Proceeding commenced or, to the Company’s Knowledge or Live Oak’s Knowledge, as applicable, threatened against or otherwise affecting such Party with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No such notification will affect any of the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements, rights, or remedies of the Parties contained in this Agreement.

Section 6.5     Termination of Certain Related Party and other Contracts. Prior to the Closing, the Company shall take such actions as are necessary to terminate, effective as of the Closing, each Related Party and other Contract set forth on Schedule 6.5, and, from and after the Closing, no further rights or Liabilities of any party shall continue under such terminated Contract it such Contract is terminated pursuant to this Section 6.5.

Section 6.6     D&O Insurance. At or prior to the Closing, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, obtain and fully pay for an irrevocable directors’ and officers’ “tail” insurance policy that provides coverage, for a period of six (6) years after the Closing Date, for current and former officers, directors, managers, and employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Closing Date (i) from an insurance carrier with the same or better credit rating as the Company’s current insurance carrier with respect to directors’ and officers’ Liability insurance and (ii) in an amount and scope at least as favorable as the existing insurance.

Section 6.7     Resignations. On or prior to the Closing Date, and consistent with Section 6.13 hereof, the Company shall cause each officer and director of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as requested by Live Oak in writing at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing to tender his or her resignation from such position effective as of the Closing.

Section 6.8     Confidentiality. Each of Live Oak and the Company acknowledges that the information being provided to it in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the Confidentiality Agreement. Effective upon the Closing, and without further action by any Party, the Confidentiality Agreement shall terminate.

Section 6.9     Transfer of Assets. The Company shall cause all assets, including Intellectual Property, used by the Company or its Subsidiaries that are held by an Affiliate or other related Person (other than any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company) to be transferred to the Company free and clear of any Liens (other than Permitted Liens).

Section 6.10     Parachute Payment Waivers. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and deliver to Live Oak prior to the initiation of the requisite shareholder approval procedure under Section 6.11, a parachute payment waiver from each individual who the Company reasonably believes is, with respect to the Company, a “disqualified individual” (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder), as determined immediately prior to the initiation of the requisite shareholder approval procedure under Section 6.11, and who might otherwise have, receive or have the right or entitlement to receive a parachute payment under Section 280G of the Code, with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as determined pursuant to a report obtained by the Company, and provided to Live Oak for review at least five (5) Business Days prior to Closing, from a nationally recognized accounting firm expert in Code Section 280G analyses (the “280G Report”). The waiver documents shall be subject to reasonable and timely review and comment by Live Oak prior to the execution thereof. The 280G Report shall be binding on all Parties in respect of whether there have been any parachute payments under Section 280G of the Code as a result of the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Parties shall make all Tax elections and take such Tax positions, including, but not limited to, with respect to any Tax withholding obligation, in accordance with such report.

Section 6.11     Section 280G Stockholder Approval. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, prior to the Closing Date, approval of payments subject to the waivers described in Section 6.10, by such number of Shareholders as is required by the terms of Section 280G(b)(5)(B) of the Code so as to render the parachute payment provisions of Section 280G of the Code inapplicable to any and all such payments that would not be deductible by reason of Section 280G of the Code, with such shareholder vote to be obtained in a manner that satisfies all applicable requirements of Section 280G(b)(5)(B) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Any

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documents related to the shareholder approval as described in this Section 6.11 will be subject to reasonable and timely review and comment by Live Oak prior to delivery of any such documents to Shareholders.

Section 6.12     PCAOB Audited Financials. The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to deliver true and complete copies of PCAOB Audited Financials not later than ten (10) Business Days from the date hereof.

Section 6.13     Directors and Officers. The initial directors and officers of Live Oak shall be the individuals set forth on Schedule 6.13, each to hold office in accordance with the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Live Oak, and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

Section 6.14     Claims Against Trust Account. The Company agrees that, notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement, the Company does not now have, and shall not at any time prior to the Effective Time have, any claim to, or make any claim against, the Trust Fund, regardless of whether such claim arises as a result of, in connection with or relating in any way to, the business relationship between the Company on the one hand, and Live Oak on the other hand, this Agreement, or any other agreement or any other matter, and regardless of whether such claim arises based on contract, tort, equity or any other theory of legal liability (any and all such claims against the Trust Fund are collectively referred to in this Section 6.14 as the “Claims”). Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement, the Company hereby irrevocably waives any Claim they may have, now or in the future, and will not seek recourse against the Trust Fund for any reason whatsoever in respect thereof; provided, however, that the foregoing waiver will not limit or prohibit the Company from pursuing a claim against Live Oak, Merger Sub or any other Person (a) for legal relief against monies or other assets of Live Oak or Merger Sub held outside of the Trust Account or for specific performance or other equitable relief in connection with the Merger or (b) for damages for breach of this Agreement against Live Oak (or any successor entity) or Merger Sub in the event this Agreement is terminated for any reason and Live Oak consummates a business combination transaction with another party. In the event that the Company commences any action or Proceeding against or involving the Trust Fund in violation of the foregoing, Live Oak shall be entitled to recover from the Company the associated reasonable legal fees and costs in connection with any such action, in the event Live Oak prevails in such action or Proceeding. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained herein shall restrict the ability of the Company or its Subsidiaries to seek monetary or other relief against funds not held in the Trust Account.

Section 6.15     Proxy Statement; Registration Statement.

(a)     As promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement and receipt of the PCAOB Audited Financials, (i) Live Oak and the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC a proxy statement (as amended or supplemented, the “Proxy Statement”) to be sent to the Live Oak Stockholders relating to the meeting of the Live Oak Stockholders (the “Live Oak Stockholders’ Meeting”) to be held to consider approval and adoption of (1) this Agreement and the Merger, (2) the issuance of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock as contemplated by this Agreement (including the Earn-Out Shares) and the PIPE, (3) an employee stock purchase plan for Live Oak having the principal terms described on Schedule 6.15(a), (4) the New Equity Incentive Plan, (5) the following amendments to Live Oak’s Certificate of Incorporation: (A) increasing the authorized shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock to 200,000,000 shares, (B) deleting the classified Live Oak Board structure, and (C) deleting the provisions of Section 5.4, Article VII, Article IX and Article X of the Live Oak Certificate of Incorporation and (6) any other proposals the Parties deem necessary to effectuate the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby (collectively, the “Live Oak Proposals”) and (ii) Live Oak shall prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 (together with all amendments thereto, the “Registration Statement”) in which the Proxy Statement shall be included as a prospectus, in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock (A) to be issued to the Shareholders pursuant to this Agreement (including the Earn-Out Shares) and (B) held by the Live Oak Stockholders immediately prior to the Effective Time. The Company shall furnish all information concerning the Company as Live Oak may reasonably request in connection with such actions and the preparation of the Proxy Statement and Registration Statement. Live Oak and the Company each shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause the Registration Statement when filed with the SEC to comply in all material respects with all legal requirements applicable thereto, (ii) respond as promptly as reasonably practicable to and resolve all comments received from the SEC concerning the Registration Statement, (iii) cause the Registration Statement be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable and (iv) keep the Registration Statement effective as long as is necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. Prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement, Live Oak shall take all or any action required under any applicable federal or state securities Laws in connection with the issuance of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, in each case to be

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issued or issuable to the Shareholders pursuant to this Agreement. As promptly as practicable after finalization of the Proxy Statement, Live Oak shall mail the Proxy Statement to the Live Oak Stockholders. Each of Live Oak and the Company shall furnish all information concerning it as may reasonably be requested by the other Party in connection with such actions and the preparation of the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement.

(b)     No filing of, or amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement or the Registration Statement will be made by Live Oak without the approval of the Company (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Live Oak will advise the Company, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when the Registration Statement has become effective or any supplement or amendment has been filed, of the issuance of any stop order, of the suspension of the qualification of the Live Oak Class A Common Stock to be issued or issuable to the Shareholders in connection with this Agreement for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of any request by the SEC for amendment of the Proxy Statement or the Registration Statement or comments thereon and responses thereto or requests by the SEC for additional information. Each of Live Oak and the Company shall cooperate and mutually agree upon (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), any response to comments of the SEC or its staff with respect to the Registration Statement and any amendment to the Registration Statement filed in response thereto.

(c)     The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to provide Live Oak as promptly as reasonably practicable with all such information concerning the operations and business of the Business and the Company and the Company’s management and operations and financial condition, in each case, required or reasonably requested by the Live Oak to be included in the Proxy Statement and the Registration Statement including required financial statements (including pro forma financial statements) of the Business prepared in accordance with SEC Guidance including the requirements of Regulation S-X and a related Consent from the Business’s independent public accountants. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make the directors, officers and employees of the Company available to Live Oak and its counsel (and other Representatives engaged in connection with the preparation of the Proxy Statement) in connection with the drafting of the Proxy Statement and the Registration Statement, as reasonably requested by Live Oak.

(d)     Live Oak represents that the information supplied by Live Oak for inclusion in the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement shall not, at (i) the time the Registration Statement is declared effective, (ii) the time the Proxy Statement (or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto) is first mailed to the Live Oak Stockholders, (iii) the time of the Live Oak Stockholders’ Meeting, and (iv) the Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or fail to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If, at any time prior to the Effective Time, any event or circumstance relating to Live Oak or Merger Sub, or their respective officers or directors, should be discovered by Live Oak which should be set forth in an amendment or a supplement to the Registration Statement or the Proxy Statement, Live Oak shall promptly inform the Company. All documents that Live Oak is responsible for filing with the SEC in connection with the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement will comply as to form and substance in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

(e)     The Company represents that the information supplied by the Company for inclusion in the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement shall not, at (i) the time the Registration Statement is declared effective, (ii) the time the Proxy Statement (or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto) is first mailed to the Live Oak Stockholders, (iii) the time of the Live Oak Stockholders’ Meeting, and (iv) the Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or fail to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If, at any time prior to the Effective Time, any event or circumstance relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or their respective officers or directors, should be discovered by the Company which should be set forth in an amendment or a supplement to the Registration Statement or the Proxy Statement, the Company shall promptly inform Live Oak. All documents that the Company is responsible for filing with the SEC in connection with the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement will comply as to form and substance in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

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Section 6.16     Live Oak Stockholders’ Meeting and Merger Sub Stockholders’ Approval.

(a)     Live Oak shall call and hold the Live Oak Stockholders’ Meeting as promptly as practicable after the date on which the Registration Statement becomes effective for the purpose of voting solely upon the Live Oak Proposals, and Live Oak shall use its reasonable best efforts to hold the Live Oak Stockholders’ Meeting as soon as practicable after the date on which the Registration Statement becomes effective (but in any event no later than thirty (30) days after the date on which the Proxy Statement is mailed to Live Oak Stockholders). Live Oak shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the approval of the Live Oak Proposals at the Live Oak Stockholders’ Meeting, including by soliciting from its stockholders proxies as promptly as possible in favor of the Live Oak Proposals, and shall take all other action necessary or advisable to secure the required vote or Consent of its stockholders. The Live Oak Board shall unanimously recommend to Live Oak Stockholders that they approve the Live Oak Proposals and shall include such recommendation in the Proxy Statement.

(b)     Promptly following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Live Oak shall adopt this Agreement in its capacity as sole stockholder of Merger Sub and deliver to the Company evidence of its vote or action by written Consent relating thereto in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of Merger Sub.

Section 6.17     Required Shareholder Approval.

(a)     The Company shall seek the irrevocable written consent, in the form attached as Exhibit E, of holders (including those Shareholders who have entered into Support Agreements with Live Oak) of the Required Shareholder Approval (collectively, the “Written Consent”) as soon as practicable after the Registration Statement becomes effective, and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after the Registration Statement becomes effective. The Company shall not send the Registration Statement to the Shareholders of the Company, other than those Shareholders who have entered into Support Agreements with Live Oak, until after delivery of the Written Consent to Live Oak. Promptly following receipt of the Written Consent, the Company shall deliver a correct copy, certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company, of the Written Consent to Live Oak.

(b)     Promptly following, but in no event more than ten (10) days after, the date on which the Written Consent is effective under Section 14-2-704(e) of the GBCC (or such shorter period as may be required by applicable Law), the Company shall prepare and mail a notice (the “Shareholder Notice”) to every Shareholder that did not execute the Written Consent. The Shareholder Notice shall (i) be a statement to the effect that the Company Board recommends to such Shareholders that this Agreement, the Merger, and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement be approved by such Shareholders, (ii) in accordance with Section 14-2-1322 of the GBCC, provide the Shareholders to whom it is sent with notice of the actions taken in the Written Consent, and (iii) notify such Shareholders of their dissenters’ rights pursuant to Section 14-2-1322 of the GBCC. The Shareholder Notice shall include a copy of Article 13 of the GBCC and shall be sufficient in form and substance to start the thirty (30) day period during which a Shareholder must demand appraisal of such Shareholder’s Shares as contemplated by Section 14-2-1322 of the GBCC. Live Oak shall have the right to review and approve, in advance, the Shareholder Notice and all documents and other materials submitted to the Shareholders in accordance with this Section 6.17, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed.

Section 6.18     Company Solicitation; Change in Recommendation.

(a)      From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not, directly or indirectly, and shall cause their respective Representatives not to (i) solicit, initiate, induce, facilitate or encourage the making, submission of any inquiries, proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a potential business combination with or acquisition of the Company or the Business (whether by way of merger, purchase of Equity Interests, purchase of assets, or otherwise) or any portion of the Equity Interests or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (a “Competing Transaction”), (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, (iii) provide information regarding the Company, its Subsidiaries or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person or (iv) fail to provide a copy of the Company Board Recommendation for inclusion by Live Oak in the Proxy Statement. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. The Company shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by the Company or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

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(b)     The Company and its Subsidiaries shall not, directly or indirectly, and shall cause its Representatives not to (i) withdraw or modify in any manner adverse to Live Oak or Merger Sub, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, propose to withdraw or modify in any manner adverse to Live Oak or Merger Sub, the Company Board Recommendation or (ii) recommend, declare advisable, or propose publicly to recommend or declare advisable any Competing Transaction.

Section 6.19     Live Oak Solicitation; Change in Recommendation.

(a)     From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, Live Oak shall not, directly or indirectly, and shall cause its Representatives not to (i) solicit, initiate, induce, facilitate or encourage the making, submission of any inquiries, proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a potential business combination with Live Oak or acquisition by Live Oak of another company or business (whether by way of merger, purchase of Equity Interests, purchase of assets, or otherwise) or any portion of the Equity Interests or assets of another company or business (a “Competing Live Oak Transaction”), (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Live Oak Transaction or (iii) provide information regarding Live Oak or its business, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than the Company and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Live Oak Transaction with such Person. Live Oak shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Live Oak shall immediately advise the Company orally and in writing of the receipt by Live Oak or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Live Oak Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

(b)     Live Oak shall not, directly or indirectly, and shall cause its Representatives not to (i) withdraw or modify in any manner adverse to the Company, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, propose to withdraw or modify in any manner adverse to the Company, the approval of this Agreement by the Live Oak Board and the transactions contemplated hereby or the recommendation of the Live Oak Board to the Live Oak Stockholders to approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby or (ii) recommend, declare advisable, or propose publicly to recommend or declare advisable any Competing Live Oak Transaction.

Section 6.20     Takeover Laws. If any Takeover Law shall become applicable to this Agreement, the Merger, or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Company and the Company Board shall take such actions, to the extent legally permissible, as are necessary so that the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated by this Agreement, and otherwise take such actions as are necessary to minimize the effects of any such Takeover Law on the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 6.21     Stock Exchange Listing. Live Oak shall cause the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration, the Earn-Out Shares and any other shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock issued or issuable to the Shareholders in accordance with the terms of this Agreement in connection with the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby to be approved for listing on the NYSE at Closing, or on such other exchange as such shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock may then be listed when so issued.

Section 6.22     Other Disclosure.

(a)     Between the date of this Agreement and the earlier of the Closing or the termination of this Agreement, in connection with the preparation of any Current Report on Form 8-K pursuant to the Exchange Act to report the execution of this Agreement, or any other statement, filing, notice or application (including any amendments or supplements thereto) made by or on behalf of Live Oak or the Company to any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (each, a “Reviewable Document”), Live Oak and the Company shall, upon request by the other, use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to furnish the other with all information reasonably necessary in connection with the preparation of such materials, which information provided shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading. The Company shall cooperate in good faith with respect to the preparation of any such Form 8-K, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to provide Live Oak with all information relating to the Company and its business that is reasonably requested by Live Oak and required to be included in any such filing. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make the directors, officers and employees of the Company available to Live Oak and its counsel in connection with

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the drafting of any such Form 8-K, as reasonably requested by Live Oak; provided that doing so does not unreasonably interfere with the ongoing operations of the Business.

(b)     The Company shall cooperate in good faith with respect to the preparation of the Current Report on Form 8-K announcing the Closing (the “Super 8-K”), and use its reasonable best efforts to provide Live Oak with all information reasonably requested by Live Oak and required to be included by SEC Guidance in such filing, including (i) the required financial statements of the Business, (ii) the selected financial data of the Business required by Item 301 of Regulation S-K and (iii) required management’s discussion & analysis for the applicable periods presented. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with Live Oak in connection with the preparation for inclusion in the Super 8-K of pro forma financial statements that comply with SEC Guidance, including the requirements of Regulation S-X. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make the managers, directors, officers and employees of the Company available to Live Oak and its counsel in connection with the drafting of the Super 8-K, as reasonably requested by Live Oak; provided that doing so does not unreasonably interfere with the ongoing operations of the Business.

Section 6.23     Road Shows. In connection with this Agreement, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall make available the Company’s executives to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by Live Oak or the Live Oak Representative, as the case may be.

Section 6.24     Publicity. Except as required by applicable Law, no publicity, release, disclosure or announcement of or concerning this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be issued by any Party or any Affiliate or Representative of such Party, without the advance written Consent of the Company and Live Oak, which Consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided, however, that Live Oak, Merger Sub and the Company shall be permitted to make disclosures concerning this Agreement and the other Related Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (a) to prospective investors and lenders in connection with financings and acquisitions that it is contemplating; and (b) as required by any Governmental Authority, including pursuant to any applicable securities exchange rules. In the event that a Party is required by applicable Law to make a release or announcement, such Party shall provide the other Parties with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such release or announcement before such release or announcement is made.

Section 6.25     Conduct of the Live Oak Business Pending the Closing. From the date of this Agreement until the Closing Date, Live Oak shall operate its business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice. Live Oak shall not take any action that would, or that would reasonably be expected to, result in any of the conditions to Closing set forth in ARTICLE VIII not being satisfied. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as set forth on Schedule 6.25 or to the extent the Company otherwise Consents in writing, prior to the Closing, Live Oak shall not:

(a)     amend its Organizational Documents;

(b)     (i) issue or sell any of its Equity Interests (other than in connection with the PIPE or the exercise of any options, warrants or other convertible securities that are outstanding as of the date hereof), (ii) grant any options, warrants, calls, or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire any of its Equity Interests, (iii) split, combine, reclassify, cancel, redeem, or repurchase any of its Equity Interests or (iv) authorize or create any new class of Equity Interests;

(c)     create, incur, guarantee, or assume any Indebtedness in an aggregate amount of more than Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000);

(d)     acquire any business, Equity Interests, or assets of any other Person (whether by merger, sale of Equity Interests, sale of assets, or otherwise);

(e)     create any new Subsidiary other than Merger Sub and a subsidiary to be incorporated under the Laws of the State of Delaware, pursuant to which the Surviving Corporation will be merged with and into immediately following the Effective Time;

(f)     declare, set aside, or pay any dividend or any other distribution with respect to its Equity Interests;

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(g)     adopt a complete or partial plan of liquidation, dissolution, restructuring, recapitalization, bankruptcy, suspension of payments, or other reorganization; or

(h)     agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

Section 6.26     Section 16 Matters. Assuming the Company delivers to Live Oak, in a timely fashion prior to the Effective Time, the Section 16 Information (as defined below), the Board of Directors of Live Oak, or a committee of two (2) or more Non-Employee Directors thereof (as such term is defined for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act), shall adopt resolutions prior to the consummation of the Merger providing that the receipt by Company Insiders (as defined below) of Live Oak Common Stock in exchange for capital stock of the Company, or of Live Oak stock options in exchange for Company Options, in each case, to the extent listed in the Section 16 Information and resulting from the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are intended to be exempt from liability pursuant to Section 16(b) under the Exchange Act. Live Oak shall use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that such resolutions comply with the approval conditions of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act for purposes of such Section 16(b) exemption, including, but not limited to, specifying the name of the Company Insiders, the numbers of securities to be acquired or disposed of for each such Person, the material terms of any derivative securities, and that the approval is intended make the receipt of such securities exempt pursuant to Rule 16b-3(d). “Section 16 Information” shall mean information accurate in all respects regarding the Company Insiders, the number of shares of capital stock of the Company held by each such Company Insider and expected to be exchanged for Live Oak Common Stock in the Merger. “Company Insiders” shall mean those officers and directors of the Company who will be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act with respect to Live Oak and who are listed in the Section 16 Information.

ARTICLE VII
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

Section 7.1     Taxes.

(a)     Transfer Taxes. The Party required under Law to file and pay all necessary Tax Returns and other documentation with respect to any transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration and other such Taxes and fees (including any penalties and interest) incurred in connection with the Merger shall do so, and any other Party shall cooperate and join in the execution of any such Tax Returns and other documentation as necessary, and each of the Company and Live Oak shall share the costs of all such Taxes and fees equally.

(b)     Tax Treatment. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Parties intend the Merger qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and this Agreement is intended to be, and is hereby adopted as, a “plan of reorganization” for purposes of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code and Treasury Regulations Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a), to which Live Oak, Merger Sub and the Company are parties under Section 368 of the Code. Each of Live Oak, Merger Sub, and the Company shall report the Merger as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code unless otherwise required pursuant to a “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code, including attaching the statement described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-3(a) on or with its Tax Return for the taxable year of the Merger.

(c)     Continuation of the Company’s Historic Business. Following the Merger, the Surviving Corporation shall, for at least six (6) months following the Closing Date, (i) continue the Company’s “historic business” (with the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-1(d)(2)), or (ii) use a significant portion of the Company’s “historic business assets” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-1(d)(3)) in a business. Neither Live Oak nor the Surviving Corporation shall sell or otherwise dispose of any of the assets of the Company acquired in the Merger for at least six (6) months following the Closing Date, except for dispositions made in the ordinary course of business or transfers described in Section 368(a)(2)(C) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

Section 7.2     Books and Records.

(a)     For a period of seven (7) years after the Closing Date, the Surviving Corporation shall retain, or cause the Company and its Subsidiaries to retain, all Company Records and other accounting, legal, auditing, Tax, and other books and records of the Business relating to (i) the conduct of the Business or (ii) the ownership of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case prior to the Closing Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Live Oak may dispose of

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any such Company Records or other books and records during such seven (7) year period if the same are first offered in writing to the Shareholder Representative and not accepted by the Shareholder Representative within thirty (30) days of such offer.

(b)     After the Closing Date, the Surviving Corporation shall permit the Shareholder Representative and its Representatives to have reasonable access to, and to inspect and copy, at the Shareholder Representative’s expense, any Company Records and other books and records referred to in Section 7.2 that any Shareholder requires for financial reporting, Tax, or accounting purposes, provided, however, that such Shareholder Representative agrees in writing with the Surviving Corporation to keep confidential all such Company Records and other books and records.

Section 7.3     Trust Account. As of the Effective Time, the obligations of Live Oak to dissolve or liquidate within a specified time period as contained in Live Oak’s Certificate of Incorporation will be terminated and Live Oak shall have no obligation whatsoever to dissolve and liquidate the assets of Live Oak by reason of the consummation of the Merger or otherwise, and no stockholder of Live Oak shall be entitled to receive any amount from the Trust Account. At least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the Effective Time, Live Oak shall provide notice to the Trustee in accordance with the Trust Agreement and shall deliver any other documents, opinions or notices required to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to the Trust Agreement and cause the Trustee prior to the Effective Time to, and the Trustee shall thereupon be obligated to, transfer all funds held in the Trust Account to Live Oak (to be held as available cash on the balance sheet of Live Oak, and to be used for (a) (i) payment of Live Oak’s accrued but unpaid expenses, including any of the Live Oak Transaction Expenses, deferred fees in connection with Live Oak’s initial public offering and deferred advisor fees, (ii) obligations owing to Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (which amount will not exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000)), and (b) working capital and other general corporate purposes of the business following the Closing) and thereafter shall cause the Trust Account and the Trust Agreement to terminate.

ARTICLE VIII
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

Section 8.1     Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations. The obligations of Live Oak, Merger Sub, and the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by each of Live Oak and the Company) of the following conditions as of the Closing Date:

(a)     Antitrust Approvals and Waiting Periods. The applicable waiting period under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated.

(b)     No Order. No Governmental Authority shall have entered or issued any Order preventing, enjoining, or making illegal the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Related Agreements and no Law shall have been enacted or shall be deemed applicable to any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Related Agreements which makes the consummation of any of such transactions illegal.

(c)     Written Consent. The Written Consent shall have been delivered by the Company to Live Oak.

(d)     Required Live Oak Shareholder Approval. The Live Oak Proposals shall have been approved and adopted by the requisite affirmative vote of Live Oak’s Stockholders in accordance with the Proxy Statement and applicable Law.

(e)     Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect, and no Proceedings for purposes of suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been initiated or be threatened by the SEC.

(f)     Stock Exchange Listing. The shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock to be issued to the Shareholders as contemplated by this Agreement (including the Earn-Out Shares) shall be listed on the NYSE as of the Closing Date.

(g)     Company Options. All Company Options shall have been converted into Assumed Company Options in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

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(h)     Other Outstanding Warrants and Convertible Securities. Pursuant to Section 2.13, all of the outstanding warrants and all other convertible securities of the Company (other than the Company Options addressed in Section 8.1(g)) shall have been converted into equity of the Company, repaid, cancelled (in the case of out-of-the-money securities) or otherwise converted at or prior to the Closing, and any rights to acquire equity of the Company (other than as described in Section 8.1(g)) will be extinguished as of the Closing.

Section 8.2     Additional Conditions to Obligations of Live Oak and Merger Sub. The obligations of Live Oak and Merger Sub to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by Live Oak) of the following additional conditions as of the Closing Date:

(a)     Representations and Warranties. Each of the Fundamental Representations of the Company shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date (except to the extent any such Fundamental Representation speaks as of the date of this Agreement or any other specific date, in which case such Fundamental Representation shall be true and correct as of such date). Each of the other representations and warranties of the Company set forth in ARTICLE IV shall be true and correct in all respects, in the case of any representation or warranty qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, or in all material respects, in the case of any representation or warranty not qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in each case as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date (except to the extent any such representation or warranty speaks as of the date of this Agreement or any other specific date, in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all respects or all material respects, as the case may be, as of such date).

(b)     Agreements and Covenants. The Company shall have performed or complied with in all material respects all covenants and agreements required to be performed or complied with by the Company under this Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date.

(c)     Pending Proceedings. No Proceeding shall be pending by or before any Governmental Authority seeking to, or wherein an unfavorable Order would, (i) prevent the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Related Agreements, (ii) make illegal any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Related Agreements, (iii) cause any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Related Agreements to be rescinded following the Closing, or (iv) impose any conditions, restrictions, undertakings, or limitations that, individually or in the aggregate, would impair, or could reasonably be expected to impair, the ability of Live Oak to consummate any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Related Agreements.

(d)     Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of this Agreement, there shall have been no Material Adverse Effect.

(e)     Consents. Live Oak shall have received the written Consents set forth on Schedule 8.2(e) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Live Oak.

(f)     Company Deliverables. Live Oak shall have received from the Company each delivery required pursuant to Section 2.9.

(g)     Key Employment Agreements. Each of the Key Employment Agreements shall be effective and in full force and effect; and, each of the Key Executives shall remain employed by the Company and none of the Key Executives shall have expressed an intention to terminate his or her employment with the Company or withdraw or rescind his or her Key Employment Agreement (except in each case due to disability or death).

(h)     Non-Competition Agreements. No Specified Shareholder shall have sought, or threatened, to withdraw or rescind his or her Non-Competition Agreement.

(i)     Lock-Up Agreement. All parties to the Lock-Up Agreement (other than Live Oak) shall have delivered, or cause to be delivered, to Live Oak, copies of the Lock-Up Agreement, duly executed by such parties.

Section 8.3     Additional Conditions to Obligations of the Company. The obligations of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by the Company) of the following additional conditions as of the Closing Date:

(a)     Representations and Warranties. Each of the Fundamental Representations of Live Oak and Merger Sub shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as

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though made on the Closing Date (except to the extent any such Fundamental Representation speaks as of the date of this Agreement or any other specific date, in which case such Fundamental Representation shall be true and correct as of such date). Each of the other representations and warranties of Live Oak and Merger Sub set forth in ARTICLE V shall be true and correct in all respects, in the case of any representation or warranty qualified by materiality, or in all material respects, in the case of any representation or warranty not qualified by materiality, in each case as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date (except to the extent any such representation or warranty speaks as of the date of this Agreement or any other specific date, in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all respects or all material respects, as the case may be, as of such date).

(b)     Agreements and Covenants. Live Oak and Merger Sub shall have performed or complied with in all material respects all covenants and agreements required to be performed or complied with by Live Oak and Merger Sub under this Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date.

(c)     Live Oak and Merger Sub Deliverables. The Company shall have received from Live Oak and Merger Sub each delivery required pursuant to Section 2.8.

(d)     Minimum Cash Condition. Live Oak shall have raised at least Two Hundred Million Dollars ($200,000,000) in cash in an equity financing to be consummated in connection with the Closing (the “PIPE”). Live Oak’s cash and cash equivalents from all sources at the Closing, after giving effect to redemptions made by certain Live Oak Stockholders, when added together with the amount of all net proceeds from the PIPE, along with any additional private financing or backstop arrangements concurrent with the Closing that may be pursued by Live Oak at its sole discretion, shall be at least Three Hundred Million Dollars ($300,000,000).

Section 8.4     Frustration of Closing Conditions. No Party may rely, whether as a basis for not consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or terminating this Agreement or otherwise, on the failure of any condition set forth in this ARTICLE VIII to be satisfied if such failure was caused by such Party’s breach of this Agreement.

ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION

Section 9.1     Termination. This Agreement may be terminated, and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement may be abandoned, by written notice delivered by Live Oak or the Company to the other Party (other than in the case of Section 9.1) at any time prior to the Closing:

(a)     by the mutual written agreement of the Company and Live Oak;

(b)     by either the Company or Live Oak, if the Closing does not occur on or prior to March 31, 2021 (the “Outside Date”); provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(b) shall not be available to a Party whose breach of or failure to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants, or agreements contained in this Agreement has been the cause of or has resulted in the failure of the Closing to occur on or prior to the Outside Date;

(c)     by Live Oak, if:

(i)     the Company breaches or fails to perform in any material respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants, or agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform (A) would result in a failure of a condition set forth in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2 and (B) (1) if capable of being cured, has not been cured by the Company by the earlier of the Outside Date and the date that is ten (10) days after the Company’s receipt of written notice from Live Oak stating Live Oak’s intention to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(c) or (2) is incapable of being cured; or

(ii)     the Company has not delivered to Live Oak a certified copy of the Written Consent by 5:00 p.m. (Central Time) on the tenth (10th) Business Day following the date the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC;

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(d)     by the Company, if:

(i)     Live Oak or Merger Sub breaches or fails to perform in any material respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants, or agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform (A) would result in a failure of a condition set forth in Section 8.1 or Section 8.3 and (B) (1) if capable of being cured, has not been cured by Live Oak by the earlier of the Outside Date and the date that is ten (10) days after Live Oak’s receipt of written notice from the Company stating the Company’s intention to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1 or (2) is incapable of being cured; or

(ii)     Live Oak fails to receive the requisite vote to approve each of the Live Oak Proposals by the Outside Date.

Section 9.2     Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9.1, this Agreement will immediately become void and have no further force or effect, and no Party will have any Liability to any other Party; provided, however, that (a) the first sentence of Section 6.8, this Section 9.2, and Section 11.1 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination will relieve any Party from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by such Party prior to such termination.

ARTICLE X
SHAREHOLDER REPRESENTATIVE

Section 10.1     Designation. By adopting this Agreement or accepting any portion of the Merger Consideration, each Non-Dissenting Shareholder shall have irrevocably designated John A. Dowdy, Jr. to serve as the Shareholder Representative with respect to the matters expressly set forth in this Agreement and the Exchange Agent Agreement to be performed by the Shareholder Representative.

Section 10.2     Authority. Pursuant to such designation, each Non-Dissenting Shareholder shall have irrevocably appointed the Shareholder Representative as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for such Shareholder for all purposes of this Agreement and the Exchange Agent Agreement, including the full power and authority on such Shareholder’s behalf to: (a) consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (b) execute the Exchange Agent Agreement and make all decisions required or allowed to be made by the Shareholder Representative pursuant to the Exchange Agent Agreement; (c) review the Initial Closing Statement delivered by the Live Oak Representative pursuant to Section 3.3(a), negotiate with the Live Oak Representative regarding any Proposed Adjustments, and otherwise take all other actions contemplated to be taken by the Shareholder Representative under Section 3.3; (d) execute and deliver any amendment or waiver to this Agreement or the Exchange Agent Agreement; (e) deliver all notices required to be delivered by the Shareholders under this Agreement; (f) take all other actions to be taken by or on behalf of such Shareholder that the Shareholder Representative may deem necessary or desirable in connection with this Agreement and the Exchange Agent Agreement; and (g) do each and every act and exercise any and all rights which such Shareholder is, or the Shareholders collectively are, permitted or required to do or exercise under this Agreement. Such agency and proxy are coupled with an interest, are therefore irrevocable without the Consent of the Shareholder Representative and shall survive the death, incapacity, bankruptcy, dissolution, or liquidation of any Shareholder. All decisions and actions by the Shareholder Representative (to the extent authorized by this Agreement or the Exchange Agent Agreement) will be binding upon all of the Shareholders, and no Shareholder will have the right to object, dissent, protest, or otherwise contest the same.

Section 10.3     Reliance by Live Oak. Pursuant to such designation, each Non-Dissenting Shareholder shall have further agreed that Live Oak will be entitled to rely on any action taken by the Shareholder Representative, on behalf of such Shareholder, pursuant to Section 10.2 (each, an “Authorized Action”), and that each Authorized Action shall be binding on such Shareholder as fully as if such Shareholder had taken such Authorized Action.

Section 10.4     Shareholder Representative Amount. The Shareholder Representative Amount shall be withheld from the Shareholders at Closing and paid directly to an account designated by the Shareholder Representative to serve as a fund for the fees and expenses (including any legal fees and expenses) of, and other amounts payable by, the Shareholder Representative in connection with this Agreement and the Exchange Agent Agreement. Any balance of the Shareholder Representative Amount not utilized for such purposes shall be paid (directly or via the Exchange Agent), when deemed appropriate by the Shareholder Representative in its sole discretion, to the Shareholders in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests. The Shareholder Representative shall be entitled to recover any remaining

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fees, expenses, or other amounts directly from the Shareholders, and, for the avoidance of doubt, the Shareholder Representative shall not have any obligation to personally advance funds in connection with the performance of any of its duties under this Agreement. By adopting this Agreement, each Shareholder, severally and not jointly (in accordance with such Shareholder’s Percentage Interest), agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Shareholder Representative against all fees and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) and other amounts payable or incurred by the Shareholder Representative in connection with the performance of any of its duties under this Agreement or the Exchange Agent Agreement, including any such fees, expenses, or other amounts that may be incurred by the Shareholder Representative in connection with any Proceeding to which the Shareholder Representative is made a party by reason of the fact it is or was acting as the Shareholder Representative pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the Exchange Agent Agreement, to the extent the Shareholder Representative Amount is insufficient to pay such fees, expenses, or other amounts.

Section 10.5     Exculpation. The Shareholder Representative will not, by reason of this Agreement or the Exchange Agent Agreement, have a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Shareholder, except in respect of any amounts received on behalf of such Shareholder. The Shareholder Representative will not be liable to any Shareholder for any action taken or omitted by it or any agent employed by it under this Agreement, the Exchange Agent Agreement, or any other document entered into in connection with this Agreement or the Exchange Agent Agreement, except that the Shareholder Representative will not be relieved of any Liability imposed by Law for willful misconduct. The Shareholder Representative will not be liable to any Shareholder for any apportionment or distribution of payments made by the Shareholder Representative in good faith, and if any such apportionment or distribution is subsequently determined to have been made in error the sole recourse of any Shareholder to whom payment was due, but not made, will be to recover from other Shareholders any payment in excess of the amount to which such other Shareholders are determined to have been entitled. The Shareholder Representative will not be required to make any inquiry concerning either the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions, or conditions of this Agreement or the Exchange Agent Agreement. Neither the Shareholder Representative nor any Representative engaged by it will be liable to any Shareholder by virtue of the failure or refusal of the Shareholder Representative for any reason to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or relating to the performance of its other duties under this Agreement or the Exchange Agent Agreement, except that the Shareholder Representative will not be relieved of any Liability imposed by Law for fraud or willful misconduct.

ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.1     Expenses. Except as provided in Section 3.3(c), Section 6.3(b), Section 7.1, and Section 7.2(b), each Party shall bear its own fees and expenses with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided that, if the Closing occurs, all unpaid Transaction Expenses for which invoices were delivered by the Company pursuant to Section 2.9(f) at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing shall be paid by Live Oak at the Closing, and all other unpaid Transaction Expenses shall be paid by Live Oak following the Closing.

Section 11.2     Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by Live Oak, Merger Sub, the Company, the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative.

Section 11.3     Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (a) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (b) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (c) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, facsimile number, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

(i)     If to Live Oak or Merger Sub prior to the Closing, or to the Live Oak Representative, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

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with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

(ii)    If to the Company prior to the Closing, or to the Shareholder Representative, to:

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc.
140 Industrial Boulevard
Bainbridge, Georgia 39817
Attention: Stephen E. Croskrey     
Email: croskrey@danimer.com

and

John A. Dowdy, Jr.
P.O. Box 1306
Bainbridge, Georgia 39818
Email: jdowdy@dowdywhittaker.com

in each case, with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Kane Kessler, P.C.
666 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Robert L. Lawrence
Email: rlawrence@kanekessler.com

or to such other individual or address, facsimile number, or email address as a Party may designate for itself by notice given in accordance with this Section 11.3.

Section 11.4     United States Dollars. All payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be made by wire transfer in Dollars in immediately available funds to the account or accounts designated in writing by the payee to the payor.

Section 11.5     Waivers. No failure or delay by a Party in enforcing any of such Party’s rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of a Party’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of such Party’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of a Party’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by such Party.

Section 11.6     Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of such Party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement without the written Consent of the other Parties.

Section 11.7     No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

Section 11.8     Publicity. No Party or any of its Representatives may make any press release or other public disclosure regarding the existence of this Agreement or the Related Agreements, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Related Agreements without the written Consent of the other Parties, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure (which Consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed). Each Party shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement and the Related Agreements and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Related Agreements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 11.8 will prevent any Party or its Representatives from making any press release or other disclosure required by Law or the rules of any stock exchange, in which case the Party required to make such press release or

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other disclosure shall use commercially reasonable efforts to allow the other Parties reasonable time to review and comment on such release or disclosure in advance of its issuance.

Section 11.9     Further Assurances. On and after the Closing Date, upon the request of any Party, the other Parties shall execute and deliver such documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by the requesting Party in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 11.10     Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (a) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (b) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

Section 11.11     Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Schedules), the Related Agreements, and the Confidentiality Agreement contain the entire agreement among the Parties and supersede all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, among the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement, the Related Agreements, and the Confidentiality Agreement.

Section 11.12     No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

Section 11.13     Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of, or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of Law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York; provided, that the Merger shall be governed by the Laws of the State of Georgia.

Section 11.14     Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Except with respect to the resolution of Unresolved Adjustments in accordance with Section 3.3, each Party agrees: (a) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (b) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (c) that service of any process, summons, notice, or document by U.S. registered mail to the address of such Party set forth in Section 11.3 will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (d) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (e) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

Section 11.15     WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH PARTY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (B) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (C) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (D) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 11.15.

Section 11.16     Equitable Relief. Each Party acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by such Party, (b) any such breach may cause the other Parties irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at Law or in equity, the other Parties will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by such Party.

Section 11.17     Privileged Communications. Kane Kessler, P.C. and K&L Gates LLP (collectively, “Counsel”) have acted as counsel for the Company in connection with this Agreement and the Related Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Related Agreements (the “Transaction Engagement”). The Parties acknowledge that (a) all communications in any form or format whatsoever between or

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among Counsel, on the one hand, and the Company or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or advisors, on the other hand, that relate in any way to the Transaction Engagement (collectively, the “Privileged Communications”) will be deemed to be attorney-client privileged communications that belong to the Company, (b) from and after the Closing, the Privileged Communications and the expectation of client confidence relating thereto shall belong solely to the Surviving Corporation and may be controlled by the Surviving Corporation and shall not be claimed by any Shareholder or any of its Affiliates, and (c) Counsel shall have no duty whatsoever to reveal or disclose any such Privileged Communications, or any of its files relating to the Transaction Engagement, to any Shareholder, any of their respective Affiliates, or any of their respective Representatives by reason of any attorney-client relationship between Counsel and any Shareholder or otherwise. No Shareholder or any of its Affiliates will have access to any such Privileged Communications, or to the files of Counsel relating to the Transaction Engagement.

Section 11.18     No Waiver of Privilege; Protection from Disclosure or Use. Nothing in this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of any attorney-client privilege, work product protection, or other protection from disclosure or use. The Parties have undertaken reasonable efforts to prevent the disclosure of any information that may be confidential, subject to a claim of privilege, or otherwise protected from disclosure or use but, notwithstanding such efforts, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement could result in the inadvertent disclosure of such information by one Party to the other Party. The Parties agree that any such inadvertent disclosure of information that may be confidential, subject to a claim of privilege, or otherwise protected from disclosure or use will not constitute a waiver of or otherwise prejudice any claim of confidentiality, privilege, or protection from disclosure, and further agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to return any inadvertently disclosed information to the disclosing Party promptly upon becoming aware of its existence. Promptly following the return of any inadvertently disclosed information, the Party returning such information shall destroy any and all copies, summaries, descriptions, or notes of such inadvertently disclosed information, including electronic versions thereof, and all portions of larger documents or communications that contain such copies, summaries, descriptions, or notes.

Section 11.19     Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants. None of the representations, warranties, covenants, obligations or other agreements in this Agreement or in any certificate, statement or instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement, including any rights arising out of any breach of such representations, warranties, covenants, obligations, agreements and other provisions, shall survive the Closing and shall terminate and expire upon the occurrence of the Closing, except for (a) those covenants and agreements contained herein and therein that by their terms are to be performed in whole or in part after the Closing which shall survive in accordance with their terms and (b) this ARTICLE XI. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, nothing in this Agreement is intended to limit any Party’s Liability for such Party’s fraud.

Section 11.20     Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No Party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such Party forever waives any such defense.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.

         
   

By:

 

/s/ Richard J. Hendrix

   

Name:

 

Richard J. Hendrix

   

Title:

 

Chief Executive Officer

         
   

GREEN MERGER CORP.

         
   

By:

 

/s/ Richard J. Hendrix

   

Name:

 

Richard J. Hendrix

   

Title:

 

President

         
   

LIVE OAK REPRESENTATIVE:

         
   

Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC

         
   

By:

 

/s/ Richard J. Hendrix

   

Name:

 

Richard J. Hendrix

   

Title:

 

Managing Member

         
   

By:

 

/s/ Gregory K. Wunderlich, Jr.

   

Name:

 

Gregory K. Wunderlich, Jr.

   

Title:

 

Managing Member

[Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]

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MEREDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.

         
   

By:

 

/s/ Stephen E. Croskrey

   

Name:

 

Stephen E. Croskrey

   

Title:

 

Chief Executive Officer

         
   

SHAREHOLDER REPRESENTATIVE:

         
       

/s/ John A Dowdy, Jr.

   

Name:

 

John A. Dowdy, Jr.

         

[Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]

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Exhibit A

Form of Support Agreement

See attached.

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SUPPORT Agreement

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and [•], [an individual / a [•]] (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

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(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

(a) Organization and Authorization. [Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation.]1 Shareholder has [all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority]2[the requisite capacity]3 to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder [and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests]4. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. [Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto,]5 Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares [and as set forth on Schedule A hereto], Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority [or of Shareholder’s spouse under any “community property” or other applicable Law], other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.6

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, [or] (C) any Permit held by Shareholder[, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement].7

____________

1    Note to Draft: For an entity.

2    Note to Draft: For an entity.

3    Note to Draft: For an individual.

4    Note to Draft: For an entity.

5    Note to Draft: Schedule to disclose certain share pledges of certain shareholders.

6    Note to Draft: If Stockholder is an individual.

7    Note to Draft: Delete clause (D) for individuals.

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(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

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Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

If to Shareholder, to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

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(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.

   

By:

 

   

Name:

 

   

Title:

 

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[SHAREHOLDER]

   

Name:

 

 

   

By:

 

 

   

[Title:_________________________________]

   

Number of Shares:

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Exhibit B

Form of Lock Up Agreement

See attached.

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LOCK UP AGREEMENT

This Lock up Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [•], 2020 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and each of the stockholder parties listed on Schedule A hereto (each, a “Stockholder Party” and collectively, the “Stockholder Parties”). Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation, Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (“Meredian”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as representative of the Company, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of Meredian, are party to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 3, 2020 (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which, on the Effective Date, Merger Sub will merge (the “Merger”) with and into Meredian, with Meredian surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company;

WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger and effective upon the consummation thereof, the parties hereto wish to set forth herein certain understandings between such parties with respect to restrictions on transfer of equity interests in the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

1.1. Defined Terms. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

Agreement” means has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Stock” means the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

Company” means Live Oak Acquisition Corp., which following the consummation of the Merger shall be renamed “Danimer Scientific, Inc.”

covered shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time.

Lock Up Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

Non-Recourse Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.17.

Permitted Transferee” means with respect to a Stockholder Party, a transferee of shares that agrees to become party to, and to be bound to the same extent as its transferor by the terms of, this Agreement.

shares” means shares of Common Stock or any securities of the Company into which the shares are converted or reclassified or for which the shares are exchanged.

Specified Courts” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8.

Sponsor” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b).

Stockholder Parties” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

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Transfer” means the (i) sale or assignment of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder with respect to, any security, (ii) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (iii) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i) or (ii).

1.2. Construction. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction will be applied against any party. Unless the context otherwise requires: (a) “or” is disjunctive but not exclusive, (b) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular, and (c) the words “hereof”, “herein”, and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section references are to sections of this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

ARTICLE II
LOCK UP

2.1. Lock Up.

(a) For the period from the Effective Date until the earlier of (i) one year after the Effective Date or (ii) subsequent to the Effective Date, (x) if the reported closing price of the Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any twenty (20) trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least one hundred fifty (150) days after the Effective Date, or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property (such period, the “Lock Up Period”), each Stockholder Party agrees, severally and not jointly, not to, directly or indirectly, Transfer any shares of Common Stock owned by it (collectively, the “covered shares”). The foregoing restriction is expressly agreed to preclude such Stockholder Parties, severally and not jointly, from engaging in any hedging or other transaction which is designed to or which reasonably could be expected to lead to or result in a sale or disposition of such covered shares even if such covered shares would be disposed of by someone other than such Stockholder Parties. Such prohibited hedging or other transactions would include, without limitation, any short sale or any purchase, sale or grant of any right (including, without limitation, any put or call option) with respect to any of the covered shares or with respect to any security that includes, relates to, or derives any significant part of its value from such covered shares.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in Section 2.1(a), Transfers of the covered shares and that are held by any Stockholder Party or any of their Permitted Transferees that have complied with this Section 2.1(b), are permitted (i) to the Company’s officers or directors, any affiliates or family members of any of the Company’s officers or directors, or any members of the Sponsor or any affiliates of the Sponsor; (ii) in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of such individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of such individual’s immediate family, an affiliate of such individual or to a charitable organization; (iii) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon the death of such individual; (iv) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (v) by private sales or transfers made in connection with any forward purchase agreement or similar arrangement or in connection with the consummation of the Merger at prices no greater than the price at which the shares or warrants were originally purchased; (vi) in the event of the Company’s liquidation prior to the completion of the Merger; or (vii) by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware or the organizational documents of Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC (the “Sponsor”) upon dissolution of the Sponsor; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (i) through (v) or (vii), these Permitted Transferees must enter into a written agreement with the Company agreeing to be bound by the transfer restrictions herein and the other restrictions contained in this Agreement and by the same agreements entered into by the Sponsor with respect to such securities (including provisions relating to voting, the trust fund established by Live Oak for the benefit of its public stockholders maintained in a trust account at Morgan Stanley and liquidating distributions.

(c) Each Stockholder Party agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the covered shares except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions and to the addition of a legend to such Stockholder Party’s shares describing the foregoing restrictions.

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ARTICLE III
GENERAL PROVISIONS

3.1. Termination. Subject to Section 3.16 or the early termination of any provision as a result of an amendment to this Agreement agreed to by the Board and the Stockholder Parties, as provided under Section 3.3, this Agreement (other than ARTICLE III hereof), shall terminate with respect to each Stockholder Party and its Permitted Transferees at such time as such Stockholder Party or Permitted Transferee is no longer subject to the restrictions contained in Section 2.1.

3.2. Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other party (a) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (b) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (c) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, facsimile number, or email address of such party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

(i)     If to the Company, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

(ii)    If to any Stockholder Party, to such address as such Stockholder Party shall furnish to the Company in writing.

3.3. Amendment; Waiver.

(a) The terms and provisions of this Agreement may be modified or amended only with the written approval of the Company and Stockholder Parties holding a majority of the shares then held by the Stockholder Parties in the aggregate as to which this Agreement has not been terminated pursuant to Section 3.1.

(b) Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, no failure or delay by a party in enforcing any of such party’s rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of a party’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of such party’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of a party’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by such party.

(c) Any party may unilaterally waive any of its rights hereunder in a signed writing delivered to the Company.

3.4. Further Assurances. Upon the request of any party hereto, the other parties hereto shall execute and deliver such documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by the requesting party in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

3.5. Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No party hereto may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of such party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement without the written consent of the other parties.

3.6. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except as provided for in ARTICLE II and ARTICLE III with respect to any Non-Recourse Party, this Agreement does not create any rights, claims or benefits inuring to any person that is not a party hereto nor create or establish any third party beneficiary hereto.

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3.7. Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of, or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of Law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

3.8. Jurisdiction; Service, and Venue. Each party hereto agrees: (a) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (b) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (c) that service of any process, summons, notice, or document by U.S. registered mail to the address of such Party set forth in Section 3.2 will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (d) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (e) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

3.9. WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH PARTY HERETO WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HERETO CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (B) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (C) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (D) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 3.9.

3.10. Equitable Relief. Each party hereto acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by such party, (b) any such breach may cause the other parties hereto irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at Law or in equity, the other parties hereto will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by such party.

3.11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement among the parties hereto and supersede all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

3.12. No Strict Construction. The parties hereto have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The parties hereto agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

3.13. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (a) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (b) the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

3.14. Table of Contents, Headings and Captions. The headings preceding the text of Articles and Sections included in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed part of this Agreement or be given any effect in interpreting this Agreement.

3.15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract

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shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense.

3.16. Effectiveness. This Agreement shall be valid and enforceable as of the date of this Agreement and may not be revoked by any party hereto.

3.17. No Recourse. This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claim or cause of action that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or the subject matter hereof may only be made against the parties hereto and no past, present or future Affiliate, director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, manager, partner, shareholder, agent, attorney or representative of any party hereto or any past, present or future Affiliate, director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, manager, partner, stockholder, agent, attorney or representative of any of the foregoing (each, a “Non-Recourse Party”) shall have any liability for any obligations or liabilities of the parties to this Agreement or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, the transactions contemplated hereby. Without limiting the rights of any party against the other parties hereto, in no event shall any party or any of its Affiliates seek to enforce this Agreement against, make any claims for breach of this Agreement against, or seek to recover monetary damages from, any Non-Recourse Party.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.

   

By:

 

 

   

Name:

 

 

   

Title:

 

 

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STOCKHOLDER PARTY:

   

Name:

 

 

   

By:

 

 

   

[Title:_________________________________]

         
   

Address for Notice:_______________________

   

 

   

 

   

Telephone No.:__________________________

   

Facsimile No.: ___________________________

   

Email Address:__________________________

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Schedule A

Stockholder Parties

Name of Stockholder Party

 

Number of Shares

Stephen E. Croskrey

   

Phillip Gregory Calhoun

   

Stuart Pratt

   

Terril Scott

   

John A. Dowdy, III

   

Richard Ivey

   

Ralph Powell, Jr.

   

John A. Dowdy, Jr.

   

Michael Smith

   

Phillip Van Trump

   

Scott Tuten

   

Isao Noda

   

Stephen Economos

   

Gregory Hunt

   

Green Plastic Holdings, LLC

   

Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO Michael Ashton Hudson Roth IRA

   

Michael Ashton Hudson Living Trust

   

Prine Partners, Ltd.

   

Trustland Partners, LLC

   

Polymer Holdings, LLC

   

Three Sigma Holdings, LLC

   

James H. Dahl

   

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Exhibit C

Form of Non-Competition Agreement

See attached.

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NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT

This Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, by and between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”), and [•], [an individual / a [•]] (the “Restricted Party”). Live Oak and the Restricted Party are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as representative of Live Oak, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak;

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party is a shareholder of the Company;

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party will receive a material economic benefit from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party has obtained extensive and valuable knowledge, trade and other confidential information of the Business; and

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, the Restricted Party has agreed to enter into this Agreement effective upon the consummation thereof.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the amounts to be paid by Live Oak to the Restricted Party under and pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

Section 1. Covenant Not to Compete or Solicit.

(a) The Restricted Party hereby acknowledges and recognizes the highly competitive nature of the business in which the parties engage. The Restricted Party covenants and agrees that, during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the third (3rd) anniversary of the date hereof (the “Restricted Period”), the Restricted Party shall not directly or indirectly:

(i) own, manage, operate, control, have any interest in, financial or otherwise, participate in, consult or perform services for, render services in any form to any Person in, or otherwise carry on, whether as principal, agent, independent contractor, consultant, partner, manager, member, executive, employee, representative or licensor or otherwise, any business that is competitive with the Business in any geographic area throughout the world in which the Company and any of its Subsidiaries has conducted any aspects of the Business during the 12-month period prior to the date hereof (a “Competing Business”) (it being acknowledged by the Restricted Party that the Business has been conducted or is proposed to be conducted throughout such geographic areas and such geographic restriction is reasonable and necessary to protect the value and goodwill of the Business). “Business” means the business of researching, developing, manufacturing, marketing, distributing and selling biodegradable bio-plastic replacements for traditional petroleum-based plastics;

(ii) (A) solicit, attempt to solicit, assist in soliciting, directly or indirectly, individually (other than on behalf of Live Oak and its Subsidiaries) or on behalf of a Competing Business, any customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of Live Oak and its Subsidiaries, or induce or encourage, or attempt to induce or encourage, any customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of the Live Oak and its Subsidiaries, in each such case to cease doing business with Live Oak and its Subsidiaries or (B) in any way interfere with the relationship between Live Oak and its Subsidiaries and any current customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of Live Oak and any of its Subsidiaries; or

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(iii) (A) solicit or recruit, or attempt to solicit or recruit, any officer, employee, representative, or agent of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries who has been hired or engaged by Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) to leave the employ of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) hire any such individual.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) nothing in Section 1(a)(i) shall prohibit the Restricted Party from being a passive owner of less than five percent (5%) of the outstanding Equity Interests of any Person that is publicly traded, so long as the Restricted Party has no active participation in the business of such Person and (ii) nothing in Section 1(a)(iii) shall prohibit the Restricted Party from (A) making general employment solicitations, not specifically directed at employees of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries, and hiring any individuals who respond to such solicitations, or (B) soliciting, recruiting, or hiring any individual who has not been employed by the Business for at least six (6) months, so long as the Restricted Party did not have any contact with such individual in violation of Section 1(a)(iii) prior to the end of such individual’s employment with Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries.

Section 2. Confidentiality Obligation. Following the Closing, the Restricted Party shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, keep confidential, not use and not disclose to any Person any confidential or proprietary information relating to the Company and the Business conducted by Live Oak and its Subsidiaries (“Confidential Information”), except to the extent such Confidential Information is required to be disclosed by applicable Law, in which case the Restricted Party shall (i) to the extent permitted by applicable Law, provide Live Oak with prompt written notice of such requirement so that Live Oak may seek, at its sole cost and expense, an appropriate protective order or other remedy or waive compliance, in whole or in part, with this Section 2, (ii) cooperate with Live Oak, at Live Oak’s sole cost and expense, to obtain such protective order or other remedy, (iii) disclose only the portion of that information the Restricted Party is advised by its counsel is legally required to be disclosed, and (iv) use its commercially reasonable efforts to preserve the confidentiality of all information so disclosed.

Section 3. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) this Section 3, Section 7, and Section 10 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by the Restricted Party prior to such termination.

Section 4. Reasonableness of Covenants. The Restricted Party acknowledges that he or she is sophisticated in business and that the restrictions and remedies set forth in this Agreement do not create an undue hardship and will not prevent him or her from earning a livelihood. The Restricted Party acknowledges that the covenants set forth herein are necessary for the reasonable, proper, and necessary protection of Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) and their legitimate business interests. Such legitimate business interests include (but are not limited to) trade secrets, valuable confidential business information that may not qualify as trade secrets, substantial relationships with numerous existing and prospective vendors, suppliers or customers, and goodwill associated with the trade names of the Business and their specific marketing areas. The Restricted Party acknowledges and agrees that each and every one of the covenants set forth herein is reasonable in respect to scope, subject matter, length of time and geographic area and are intended to be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law. Before providing services, whether as a director, manager, employee, consultant, independent contractor or otherwise, to any Person during the Restricted Period, the Restricted Party shall be required to disclose the existence of this Agreement to such Person, and if requested by such Person, Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) shall be permitted to share a complete copy of this Agreement with such Person or any other Person to which the Restricted Party performs services. Each of the covenants set forth herein has a unique, substantial and immeasurable value to Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries). The Restricted Party acknowledges that Live Oak, in executing the Merger Agreement and the Related Agreements, placed significant reliance on the Restricted Party’s compliance with the covenants in this Agreement. In the event of any litigation relating to this Agreement, the prevailing Party as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order shall be entitled to seek reimbursement from the non-prevailing Party for its reasonable, documented and out-of-pocket costs and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, incurred in connection with such litigation, including any appeal therefrom.

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Section 5. Reformation. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any covenant in this Agreement is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under applicable Law, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such covenant may be modified or amended by such court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under applicable Law, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision of this Agreement or the enforceability of this Agreement.

Section 6. Tolling. In the event of any final determination by a court of competent jurisdiction of any breach of the provisions of this Agreement by the Restricted Party, the Restricted Period shall be extended by a period of time equal to the period of such breach, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the running of the Restricted Period shall be tolled and suspended for the duration of such breach and shall automatically recommence when such breach if remedied so that Live Oak shall receive the full benefit of the compliance by the Restricted Party with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that this Section 6 shall not apply to any period for which Live Oak is awarded and receives actual monetary damages for breach by the Restricted Party of any breach of the provisions of this Agreement with respect to which this Section 6 applies.

Section 7. Remedies; Equitable Relief. The Restricted Party agrees that this Agreement shall be enforced independently of any obligations between Live Oak and the Company under the Merger Agreement and the Related Agreements, and that the existence of any claim or defense under such other agreements shall not affect the enforceability of the provisions of this Agreement or the remedies provided herein. The Restricted Party acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient or inadequate remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by it, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without showing of actual damages or posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by the Restricted Party, and the exercise of one right or remedy shall not be deemed a waiver of any other right or remedy. The exercise of any right or remedy will be without prejudice to the right to exercise any other right or remedy provided in this Agreement, by law or in equity.

Section 8. Representations and Warranties. Each Party represents and warrants to the other Party that: (a) it, he or she has all necessary right, title and authority to enter into this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; (b) this Agreement constitutes valid and binding obligations of such Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and limitations on the availability of equitable remedies; and (c) the execution and delivery by such Party of this Agreement and the performance of and compliance with the terms hereof by such Party does not and will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (ii) constitute a default under, (iii) result in the creation of any lien, security interest, charge, or encumbrance upon such Party’s assets pursuant to, (iv) give any third party the right to modify, terminate, or accelerate any obligation under, (v) result in a violation of, or (vi) require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption, or other action by or notice to any court or administrative or governmental body or any Law that such Party is subject to, or pursuant to any material agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which such Party or any of its Affiliates is subject.

Section 9. Acknowledgment of Voluntary Agreement. The Restricted Party has entered into this Agreement freely and without coercion. The Restricted Party has been advised by Live Oak to consult with counsel of the Restricted Party’s choice with regard to the execution of this Agreement and the Restricted Party’s covenants hereunder. The Restricted Party has had an adequate opportunity to consult with counsel and such other legal, financial, technical or other experts as the Restricted Party deems necessary or desirable and either so consulted or freely determined in the Restricted Party’s own discretion not to so consult with such counsel or other experts. The Restricted Party understands that Live Oak and its Affiliates have been advised by counsel, and the Restricted Party has read this Agreement and fully and completely understands this Agreement and each of the Restricted Party’s representations, warranties, covenants and other agreements hereunder. This Agreement shall be interpreted and construed as having been drafted jointly by the Restricted Party and Live Oak and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto by virtue of the authorship of any or all of the provisions of this Agreement.

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Section 10. Miscellaneous.

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed between the parties.

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, facsimile number, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich

Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

with a copy, (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

and

Kane Kessler, P.C.

666 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Robert L. Lawrence
Email: rlawrence@kanekessler.com

If to the Restricted Party, to the address set forth on the signature page hereto, with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

[•]
[•]
[•]
Attention: [•]
Email: [•]

or to such other individual or address, facsimile number, or email address as a Party may designate for itself by notice given in accordance with this Section 10(b).

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

(d) Binding Effect; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the exclusive benefit of the Parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to, nor shall it, confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. The Restricted Party acknowledges and agrees that (i) this Agreement is and shall be binding against it, him or her

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from and after such execution, and (ii) the Restricted Party’s agreements and liabilities and obligations hereunder are those of the Restricted Party and for the benefit of Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries). Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the Parties without the prior written consent of the other Party; provided that Live Oak may assign this Agreement in whole or in part to any of its Affiliates or to any Person that becomes a successor in interest (by purchase of assets or equity, or by merger or otherwise) to all or any portion of Live Oak or its assets. Each of Live Oak’s Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) will have the right to enforce all of the Restricted Party’s covenants under this Agreement as if a party hereto and shall be express third party beneficiaries hereof.

(e) Further Assurances. From time to time, as and when reasonably requested by Live Oak, the Restricted Party shall execute and deliver all such documents and instruments, and shall take all such further or other actions, as shall be reasonably necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent of this Agreement.

(f) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

(g) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of, or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of Law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

(h) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 10(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

(i) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 10(i).

(j) Counterparts; Delivery by Electronic Transmission. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense.

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(k) Definitional Provisions and Interpretation. The captions used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed part of this Agreement or be given any effect in interpreting this Agreement. The use of the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender or the singular or plural form of words in this Agreement shall not limit any provision of this Agreement. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and the parties intend that no rule of strict construction will be applied against any Person. The use of the word “including” or “include” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation and will in all cases mean “including, without limitation” or “include, without limitation,” respectively. The use of “or” is not intended to be exclusive unless expressly indicated otherwise. Underlined references to Sections, clauses, Exhibits or Schedules shall refer to those portions of this Agreement. The use of the terms “hereunder,” “hereof,” “hereto,” and words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section, paragraph, or clause of this Agreement.

[Signature Pages Follow]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.

   

By:

 

 

   

Name:

 

 

   

Title:

 

 

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RESTRICTED PARTY:

   

Name:

 

 

   

By:

 

 

   

[Title:_________________________________]

   

Address for Notice:_______________________

   

 

   

 

   

Telephone No.:__________________________

   

Facsimile No.: ___________________________

   

Email Address:__________________________

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Exhibit D

Form of Certificate of Merger

See attached.

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CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

OF

GREEN MERGER CORP.
(a Georgia corporation)

WITH AND INTO

MEREDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.
(a Georgia corporation)

Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and the non-surviving corporation in the merger (“Merger Sub”), and Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., a Georgia corporation and the surviving corporation in the merger (the “Company”), hereby certify that:

I.

The name and state of incorporation of each constituent corporation which is merging are:

(a) Green Merger Corp., a business corporation under the laws of the State of Georgia; and

(b) Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., a business corporation under the laws of the State of Georgia.

II.

The surviving corporation in the merger is the Company, which will continue its existence as the surviving corporation.

III.

The Agreement and Plan of Merger has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of the constituent corporations which is a party to the merger in accordance with the provisions of Section 14-2-1103 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code.

IV.

Approval of the merger by the shareholders of the constituent corporations was obtained pursuant to Section 14-2-1103 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code.

V.

The Company’s articles of incorporation shall be amended and restated pursuant to the provisions of the Georgia Business Corporation Code, as further set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto.

VI.

The executed Agreement and Plan of Merger is on file at the principal place of business of the Company, which is: 140 Industrial Boulevard, Bainbridge, Georgia 39817.

VII.

A copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger will be furnished by the Company, on request and without cost, to any shareholder of either constituent corporation.

VIII.

The Company hereby undertakes to make the request for publication of a notice of filing of this Certificate of Merger and payment therefor in accordance with Sections 14-2-1006.1 and 14-2-1105.1(b) of the Georgia Business Corporation Code.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Merger as of this ___ day of _______, 2020.

 

MEREDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.,

   

a Georgia corporation

   

By:

 

 

   

Name:

   
   

Title:

   

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EXHIBIT A

AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
MEREDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Georgia (the “Corporation”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY AS FOLLOWS:

1. The current name of the Corporation is “Meredian Holdings Group, Inc.”. The original articles of incorporation of the Corporation were filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia on January 13, 2014 (the “Original Articles”).

2. These Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (these “Amended and Restated Articles”), which both restate and amend the provisions of the Original Articles, were duly adopted in accordance with Section 14-2-1007 and Section 14-2-1003 of the Georgia Business Corporate Code.

3. These Amended and Restated Articles shall become effective on the date of filing with Secretary of State of Georgia.

4. The text of the Original Articles is hereby restated and amended in its entirety to read as follows:

Article 1.

The name of the Corporation is Meredian Holdings Group, Inc.

Article 2.

The Corporation is organized pursuant to the provisions of the Georgia Business Corporation Code (the “Code”).

Article 3.

The duration of the Corporation shall be perpetual.

Article 4.

The Corporation is organized for profit and is organized for the purpose of engaging in any lawful business. The Corporation shall have all of the general powers granted to corporations organized under the Code, whether granted by specific statutory authority or by construction of law.

Article 5.

The Corporation is authorized to issue 1,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $.0001 per share.

Article 6.

The street address of the registered office is 40 Technology Pkwy South, #300, Norcross, Georgia 30092, in Gwinnett County. The registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

Article 7.

The name and address of each incorporator is:

 

NAME

 

ADDRESS

   

Molly B. Gray

 

71 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606

Article 8.

The principal mailing address of the Corporation is 774A Walker Road Great Falls, Virginia 22066.

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Article 9.

The director of the Corporation shall have no personal liability to the Corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of duty of care or other duty as a director resulting from any act or omission, other than personal liability of the director for:

(a) any appropriation, in violation of his or her duties, of any business opportunity of the Corporation;

(b) any acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

(c) the types of liability set forth in Section 14-2-832 of the Code; or

(d) any transaction from which the director received an improper personal benefit.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. has caused these Amended and Restated Articles to be duly executed and acknowledged in its name and on its behalf by an authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.

 

MEREDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.

   

By:

 

 

   

Name:

   
   

Title:

   

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Exhibit E

Form of Written Consent

See attached.

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MEREDIAN HOLDINGS GROUPS, INC.
ACTION OF THE SHAREHOLDERS
TAKEN BY MAJORITY WRITTEN CONSENT
IN LIEU OF A SPECIAL MEETING

The undersigned shareholders (the “Shareholders”) of Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), holding at least a majority of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company, hereby adopt and approve this Shareholders Majority Written Consent (the “Written Consent”), in lieu of a special meeting of the shareholders (pursuant to Section 14-2-704 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code (the “GBCC”) and the Company’s Articles of Incorporation) and the Shareholders hereby: (a) waive all requirements of notice of a special meeting of the shareholders, (b) consent to the adoption of and do hereby adopt and approve the following resolutions which shall have the same force and effect as if approved by a vote taken at a duly called and held special meeting of the shareholders of the Company, (c) direct that this Written Consent be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Company, and (d) direct that the Company deliver a copy of this Written Consent to those shareholders of the Company who did not participate in the taking of the actions represented herein by signing this Written Consent, such copy to be delivered not more than ten days after the date on which this Written Consent becomes effective under Georgia law.

Approval of Merger

WHEREAS, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has approved the merger of a merger subsidiary of Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation with and into the Company (collectively, the “Merger”), with the Company being the surviving company, pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”), Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), the Company, Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for Live Oak, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company, including the exhibits and schedules attached thereto (the “Merger Agreement”), a copy of which is attached hereto at Exhibit A;

WHEREAS, the Board has recommended (the “Recommendation”) to the Shareholders that the Shareholders approve the Merger, the Merger Agreement, and all transactions contemplated therein, such recommendation being reflected in the resolutions of the Board duly adopted at a meeting held for such purpose, a copy of which resolutions are attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Board Resolution”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 14-2-1103 of the GBCC, the approval of the Merger requires the approval of the holders of a majority of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company (the “Required Shareholder Approval”); and

WHEREAS, the Shareholders signatory hereto constitute the Required Shareholder Approval and desire to approve the Merger, the Merger Agreement and all transactions contemplated therein;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that after careful consideration and having received the Recommendation, the Shareholders hereby approve the terms and conditions of the Merger, the Merger Agreement, and all transactions contemplated therein;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that each Shareholder signatory hereto expressly waives such Shareholder’s right to receive from the Company any and all material whether required by the GBBC or the Company’s Bylaws, including without limitation any notice and description of dissenters’ rights (including the right to receive a copy of Article 13 of the GBCC) which, in the absence of such waiver, would be required to be furnished with a notice of shareholders’ meeting called for such purpose; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all actions taken by any officer of the Company prior to the date of these resolutions in connection with the negotiation of the terms of the Merger, the Merger Agreement and any transactions and documents ancillary thereto, be and are hereby, authorized, adopted, ratified and confirmed in all respects.

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General

BE IT RESOLVED, that this Written Consent shall be effective upon the execution hereof by the majority of the shareholders in accordance with Section 14-2-704(e) of the GBCC; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Written Consent may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which together shall constitute one in the same instrument, and facsimile transmissions of the signatures provided for below may be relied upon, and shall have the same force and effect, as the originals of such signatures; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the directors and officers of the Company be, and each hereby is, authorized, empowered and directed to do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such other acts, deeds and things, including the expenditure of reasonable monies, and to negotiate, make, execute, deliver, or cause to be made, executed, delivered and recorded, all agreements, undertakings, documents, instruments and certificates contemplated or required by the Merger Agreement in the name and on behalf of the Company or otherwise as such directors and officers may deem necessary, appropriate or desirable to effect the transactions contemplated herein, and to otherwise carry out fully the purpose and intent of the foregoing resolutions.

[Signatures Appear on Following Pages]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this action by Written Consent of the Shareholders of the Company as of the date set forth below each of the undersigned’s signature.

 

[ENTITY NAME]

   

By:

 

 

   

Name:

 

 

   

Its:

 

 

   

Actual Date of Execution: ______________, 2020

   

[INDIVIDUAL SHAREHOLDER]

   

 

   

[Name of Shareholder], Individually

   

Actual Date of Execution: ______________, 2020

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EXHIBIT A

Merger Agreement

[Attached]

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EXHIBIT B

Board Resolution

[Attached]

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Annex A-2

Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger

This Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger (this “Amendment”) is entered into as of October 8, 2020, by and among Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”), Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., dba Danimer Scientific, a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for Live Oak, for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement (as defined below) (the “Live Oak Representative”), and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement (the “Shareholder Representative”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Amendment shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Live Oak, Merger Sub, the Company, the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative, entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 3, 2020 (the “Merger Agreement”);

WHEREAS, pursuant and Section 11.2 of the Merger Agreement, any term of the Merger Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented by a written agreement signed by Live Oak, Merger Sub, the Company, the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative; and

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to amend the Merger Agreement as provided herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual representations, warranties, covenants, and agreements contained in this Amendment, the Parties agree as follows:

1.     Definition of Cash Free Exercise Option and Warrant Shares.    The definition of “Cash Free Exercise Option and Warrant Shares” in Section 1.1 of the Merger Agreement shall be deleted in its entirety.

2.     Definition of Closing Payment.    The definition of “Closing Payment” in Section 1.1 of the Merger Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

“ “Closing Payment” means an amount equal to (i) the Estimated Merger Consideration, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of the exercise prices of all Company Options and Company Warrants that remain outstanding as of immediately prior to the Closing, minus (iii) the Adjustment Holdback Amount, and minus (iv) the Shareholder Representative Amount.”

3.     Definition of Net Debt.    The definition of “Net Debt” in Section 1.1 of the Merger Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

“ “Net Debt” means (i) the aggregate consolidated Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (including prepayment penalties that would be due if paid off at the Closing), minus (ii) the aggregate consolidated Indebtedness incurred by the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to their participation in the NMTC Program and the Paycheck Protection Program, minus (iii) Cash of the Company, minus (iv) the amount of all capital expenditures (whether paid in Cash or through the issuance of Shares) up to a maximum of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000) made by the Company and its Subsidiaries from September 18, 2020 through the Closing Date solely in connection with the Company’s “Phase 2” (“Phase II”) expansion of the Winchester, Kentucky facility (collectively, the “Phase II Capital Expenditures”), minus (v) the principal amount of and accrued but unpaid interest on all promissory notes issued in favor of the Company.”

4.     Conversion of Shares. Section 2.5(a) of the Merger Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

“(a)      each share of common stock, $0.001 par value, of the Company (collectively, the “Shares”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Cancelled Shares and any Dissenting Shares) shall be cancelled and extinguished, shall cease to exist and shall be converted into the right to receive, without interest, the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (a) (i) the Closing Payment divided by (ii) the sum of (x) the total number of Shares (other than Cancelled

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Shares) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time plus (y) the total number of Shares issuable in respect of all Company Options and Company Warrants that remain outstanding as of immediately prior to the Closing, by (b) the Live Oak Share Price (the “Closing Per Share Merger Consideration”), together with any amounts that may become payable in respect of such Shares from the Adjustment Holdback Amount, the Shareholder Representative Amount, and the Earn-Out Shares, when and as provided in this Agreement;”

5.     Rollover of Company Options. Section 2.12 of the Merger Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

“At the Effective Time, each Company Option that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, whether vested or unvested, shall be assumed by Live Oak and shall be converted automatically at the Effective Time into an option (an “Assumed Company Option”) to acquire shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such Company Option (including applicable vesting and exercise conditions) except that (a) the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock that will be subject to each such Assumed Company Option shall be determined by multiplying the number of Shares subject to the corresponding Company Option by a fraction (the “Award Exchange Ratio”), the numerator of which is the Closing Per Share Merger Consideration multiplied by the Live Oak Share Price and the denominator of which is the fair market value of a share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the Closing Date (rounded down to the nearest whole share) and (b) the exercise price per share of each such Assumed Company Option shall equal (i) the per share exercise price of the corresponding Company Option divided by (ii) the Award Exchange Ratio (rounded up to the nearest whole cent). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the assumption of and corresponding adjustments to a Company Option shall be performed in a manner that is intended to comply with the requirements of Sections 409A or 424(a) of the Code and, in the case of any Company Option that is an incentive stock option (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, in accordance with Section 422 of the Code). Within thirty (30) Business Days following the Closing Date, Live Oak shall file a registration statement on Form S-8 (or other applicable form) with respect to the Live Oak Class A Common Stock issuable pursuant to Assumed Company Options and shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain and maintain the effectiveness of such registration statements for so long as any Assumed Company Options remain outstanding. Live Oak shall take all corporate action necessary to reserve for issuance a sufficient number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock for delivery with respect to the Assumed Company Options in accordance with this Section 2.12.”

6.     Continuity of Terms. Except as expressly amended hereby, all the other terms and provisions of the Merger Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. Except as expressly set forth in this Amendment, no Party waives, modifies, alters, or releases any right, remedy, or claim that such Party may have, whether under the Merger Agreement or otherwise, including without limitation any right or claim a party may have under any section of the Merger Agreement other than the specified section with respect to which such matter is addressed in this Amendment.

7.     Effective Date. This Amendment and all amendments, modifications, restatements and supplements set forth herein shall be made effective as of the date hereof.

8.     Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Amendment only by a written agreement signed by Live Oak, Merger Sub, the Company, the Live Oak Representative and the Shareholder Representative.

9.     Waivers. No failure or delay by a Party in enforcing any of such Party’s rights under this Amendment will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of a Party’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of such Party’s rights under this Amendment. No waiver of any of a Party’s rights under this Amendment will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by such Party.

10.     Governing Law. Sections 11.13, 11.14, 11.15 and 11.16 of the Merger Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference into this Amendment, mutatis mutandis.

11.     Entire Agreement. No Party to this Amendment makes any agreements, arrangements, understanding, statements, or representations with respect to any of the subject matters addressed by this Amendment other than as specifically set forth in this Amendment, and each of the Parties disclaims any reliance upon any agreements, arrangements, understanding, statements, or representations that are not expressly set forth in this Amendment.

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12.     Counterparts. This Amendment may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Amendment by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No Party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such Party forever waives any such defense.

[Signature Page Follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Amendment to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.

   

By:

 

/s/ Richard J. Hendrix

   

Name:

 

Richard J. Hendrix

   

Title:

 

Chief Executive Officer

   

GREEN MERGER CORP.

   

By:

 

/s/ Richard J. Hendrix

   

Name:

 

Richard J. Hendrix

   

Title:

 

President

   

LIVE OAK REPRESENTATIVE:

   

Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC

   

By:

 

/s/ Richard J. Hendrix

   

Name:

 

Richard J. Hendrix

   

Title:

 

Managing Member

   

By:

 

/s/ Gary K. Wunderlich, Jr.

   

Name:

 

Gary K. Wunderlich, Jr.

   

Title:

 

Managing Member

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger]

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MEREDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.

   

By:

 

/s/ Stephen E. Croskrey

   

Name:

 

Stephen E. Croskrey

   

Title:

 

Chief Executive Officer

   

SHAREHOLDER REPRESENTATIVE:

       

/s/ John A. Dowdy, Jr.

   

Name:

 

John A. Dowdy, Jr

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger]

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Annex B

FORM OF FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
DANIMER SCIENTIFIC, INC.

[Date]

Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY AS FOLLOWS:

1.     The current name of the Corporation is “Live Oak Acquisition Corp.”. The original certificate of incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 24, 2019 (the “Original Certificate”).

2.     The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “First Amended and Restated Certificate”), which restated and amended in its entirety the Original Certificate, was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) and the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) of the State of Delaware and was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 5, 2019.

3.     The Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Second Amended and Restated Certificate”), which restated and amended in its entirety the First Amended and Restated Certificate, was duly adopted by the Board and the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the DGCL and was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 15, 2020.

4.     The Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Third Amended and Restated Certificate”), which restated and amended in its entirety the Second Amended and Restated Certificate, was duly adopted by the Board and the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the DGCL and was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 5, 2020.

5.     This Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (this “Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate”), which both restates and amends the provisions of the Third Amended and Restated Certificate, was duly adopted in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the DGCL.

6.     This Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate shall become effective on the date of filing with Secretary of State of Delaware.

7.     The text of the Third Amended and Restated Certificate is hereby restated and amended in its entirety to read as follows:

ARTICLE I
NAME

The name of the corporation is Danimer Scientific, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE II
PURPOSE

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the “DGCL”).

ARTICLE III
REGISTERED AGENT

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 251 Little Falls Drive, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware, 19808, and the name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

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ARTICLE IV
CAPITALIZATION

Section 4.1     Authorized Capital Stock. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock, each with a par value of $0.0001 per share, which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 210,000,000 shares, consisting of (a) 200,000,000 shares of common stock (the “Common Stock”), and (b) 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”).

Section 4.2     Preferred Stock. The board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) is hereby expressly authorized to provide, out of the unissued shares of the Preferred Stock, one or more series of Preferred Stock, and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights, if any, of each such series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such series and included in a certificate of designation (a “Preferred Stock Designation”) filed pursuant to the DGCL, and the Board is hereby expressly vested with the authority to the full extent provided by law, now or hereafter, to adopt any such resolution or resolutions.

Section 4.3     Common Stock.

(a)     Voting. Except as otherwise required by law or this Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of the Common Stock shall exclusively possess all voting power with respect to the Corporation. Except as otherwise required by law or this Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders on which the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to vote. Except as otherwise required by law or this Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, holders of the Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and on all other matters properly submitted to a vote of the stockholders.

(b)     Dividends. Subject to applicable law, the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of the Corporation) when, as and if declared thereon by the Board from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.

(c)     Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up of the Corporation. Subject to applicable law, the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them.

ARTICLE V
DIRECTORS

Section 5.1     Board Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. The total number of directors shall be determined from time to time exclusively by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. Subject to any rights granted to holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, any newly-created directorship on the Board of Directors that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors (whether by death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause) may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director or by the stockholders. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon the Board by statute, this Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate or the Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) of the Corporation, the Board is hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the DGCL, this Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate and any Bylaws adopted by the stockholders; provided, however, that no Bylaws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such Bylaws had not been adopted.

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Section 5.2     Election. Unless and except to the extent that the Bylaws shall so require, the election of directors need not be by written ballot.

ARTICLE VI
BYLAWS

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by law, the Board shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter, change, add or repeal the Bylaws , without any action on the part of the stockholders, by the vote of at least a majority of the directors of the Corporation then in office. The Bylaws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of the shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting as one class.

ARTICLE VII
LIMITED LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

Section 7.1     Limitation of Director Liability. A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty by such director as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended. Any repeal or modification of this Section 7.1 by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation with respect to events occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.

Section 7.2     Indemnification. The Corporation, to the full extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, as amended from time to time, shall indemnify all persons whom it may indemnify pursuant thereto. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which such officer or director may be entitled to indemnification hereunder shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized hereby.

ARTICLE VIII
INSOLVENCY; SALE, LEASE OR EXCHANGE OF ASSETS

Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between this Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of this Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under Section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under Section 279 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of this Corporation as a consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of this Corporation, as the case may be, and also on this Corporation.

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ARTICLE IX
CONSENT OF STOCKHOLDERS IN LIEU OF MEETING, ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 9.1     Consent of Stockholders. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such holders.

Section 9.2     Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairman or the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation or by a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, and any power of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders is specifically denied.

Section 9.3     Advance Notice. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the corporation shall be given in the manner and to the extent provided in the by-laws of the corporation.

ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS

Section 10.1     Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for: (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation; (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders; (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Corporation’s Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws (as either may be amended, restated, modified, supplemented or waived from time to time); (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine; or (v) any action asserting an “internal corporate claim” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the DGCL, shall be a state court located within the State of Delaware (or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware). For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 10.1 shall not apply to any action or proceeding asserting a claim under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Section 10.2     Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act.

Section 10.3     If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of Section 10.1 above is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce Section 10.1 above (an “FSC Enforcement Action”) and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such FSC Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

Section 10.4     If any provision or provisions in this Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision or provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions in this Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the application of such provision or provisions to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 10.5     Any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any security of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to this Article X.

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ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENT OF FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change, add or repeal any provision contained in this Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by this Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate and the DGCL; and except as set forth in ARTICLE VIII, all rights, preferences and privileges herein conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons by and pursuant to this Certificate in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Live Oak Acquisition Corp. has caused this Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate to be duly executed and acknowledged in its name and on its behalf by an authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.

 

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.

   

By:

 

 

       

Name: Richard J. Hendrix

       

Title: Chief Executive Officer

[Signature page to Live Oak Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate]

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Annex C

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
2020 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

1.     Purpose and Effective Date. Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”), established the Live Oak Acquisition Corp. 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) effective as of the Closing (the “Effective Date”) as required by the Merger Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no Awards shall be made under the Plan until the Approval Date. The purpose of the Plan is to assist Live Oak in attracting and rewarding employees, officers, directors, consultants and other persons who provide services to Live Oak or its Related Companies by enabling such persons to acquire or increase a proprietary interest in Live Oak in order to strengthen the mutuality of interests between such persons and Live Oak’s stockholders, and providing such persons with performance incentives to expend their maximum efforts in the creation of stockholder value.

2.     Defined Terms.

(a)     “Approval Date” means the date on which the Plan is approved by Live Oak’s stockholders.

(b)     “Assumed Company Option” has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.

(c)     “Award” means any Option, SAR, or Full Value Award granted to a Participant under the Plan.

(d)     “Award Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(g) hereof.

(e)     “Beneficiary” means the person or persons the Participant designates to receive the balance of his or her benefits under the Plan in the event the Participant’s Termination Date occurs on account of death. Any designation of a Beneficiary shall be in writing, signed by the Participant and filed with the Committee prior to the Participant’s death. A Beneficiary designation shall be effective when filed with the Committee in accordance with the preceding sentence. If more than one Beneficiary has been designated, the balance of the Participant’s benefits under the Plan shall be distributed to each such Beneficiary per capita. In the absence of a Beneficiary designation or if no Beneficiary survives the Participant, the Beneficiary shall be the Participant’s estate.

(f)     “Board” means the Board of Directors of Live Oak.

(g)     “Cause” shall mean, with respect to a Participant, except as otherwise provided in a separate agreement, including, but not limited to, an Award Agreement, between the Participant and Live Oak or a Related Company, (i) the willful and continued failure by the Participant to substantially perform his duties with Live Oak or any Related Company, as applicable, after written notification by Live Oak or the Related Company, (ii) the willful engaging by the Participant in any conduct which is demonstrably injurious to Live Oak or any Related Company, monetarily or otherwise, or (iii) the engaging by the Participant in egregious misconduct involving serious moral turpitude, determined in the reasonable judgment of the Committee. For purposes hereof, no act, or failure to act, on the Participant’s part shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Participant not in good faith and without reasonable belief that such action was in the best interest of Live Oak or a Related Company.

(h)     “Change in Control” means the first to occur of any of the following:

(i)     the consummation of a transaction, approved by the stockholders of Live Oak, to merge Live Oak with or into or consolidate Live Oak with another entity or sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets or the stockholders of Live Oak adopt a plan of liquidation; provided, however, that a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred by reason of a transaction, or a substantially concurrent or otherwise related series of transactions, upon the completion of which 50% or more of the beneficial ownership of the voting power of Live Oak, the surviving corporation or corporation directly or indirectly controlling Live Oak or the surviving corporation, as the case may be, is held by the same persons (although not necessarily in the same proportion) as held the beneficial ownership of the voting power of Live Oak immediately prior to the transaction or the substantially concurrent or otherwise related series of transactions, except that upon the completion thereof, employees or employee benefit plans of Live Oak may be a new holder of such beneficial ownership; or

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(ii)     the “beneficial ownership” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of Live Oak is acquired, other than from Live Oak, by any “person” as defined in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit or other similar equity plan of Live Oak or a Related Company); or

(iii)     at any time during any period of two consecutive years individuals who at the beginning of such period were members of the Board cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof (unless the election, or the nomination for election by Live Oak’s stockholders, of each new director was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors still in office at the time of such election or nomination who were directors at the beginning of such period).

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the term “Change in Control” shall not include a sale of assets, a merger or other transaction effected for the purpose of changing the domicile of Live Oak.

(i)     “Closing” has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.

(j)     “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including regulations thereunder and successor provisions and regulations thereto.

(k)     “Committee” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(a) hereof.

(l)     “Common Stock” means Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Live Oak, including the shares of Class A Common Stock into which the shares of Class B Common Stock will convert into upon the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, or any other class of securities into which substantially all such Class A Common Stock is converted or for which substantially all such Class A Common Stock is exchanged.

(m)     “Disability” means, except as otherwise provided by the Committee, for purposes of an Incentive Stock Option, a permanent and total disability, within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, and for all other purposes, the Participant’s inability, by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, to engage in the material and substantial duties of his position with Live Oak or a Related Company, which condition is expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months.

(n)     “Eligible Person” means any employee, officer, director, consultant, independent contractor, advisor and any other person who provides services to Live Oak or any Related Company. An employee on leave of absence may, in the discretion of the Committee, be considered as still in the employ of Live Oak or a Related Company for purposes of eligibility for participation in the Plan.

(o)     “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(p)     “Exercise Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(c) hereof.

(q)     “Expiration Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(g) hereof.

(r)     “Fair Market Value” of a share of Common Stock means, as of any date, the value determined in accordance with the following rules:

(i)     If the Common Stock is at the time listed or admitted to trading on any stock exchange, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing sale price per share of Common Stock on such date on the principal stock exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed or admitted to trading or, if no such sale is reported on that date, on the last preceding date on which a sale was so reported.

(ii)     If the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on a stock exchange, the Fair Market Value shall be the average of the closing bid and asked price of a share of Common Stock on such date in the over-the-counter market, as such price is reported in a publication of general circulation selected by the Committee and regularly reporting the market price of Common Stock in such market.

(iii)     If the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any stock exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market, the Fair Market Value shall be as determined by the Committee in good faith.

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(iv)     For purposes of determining the Fair Market Value of Common Stock that is sold pursuant to a cashless exercise program, Fair Market Value shall be the price at which such Common Stock is sold.

(s)     “Full Value Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.

(t)     “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is intended to satisfy the requirements applicable to an “incentive stock option” described in Section 422 of the Code.

(u)     “Live Oak” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.

(v)     “Merger Agreement” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as the Company Representative, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as the Shareholder Representative, dated as of October 3, 2020 (as may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time).

(w)     “Non-Qualified Stock Option” means an Option that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.

(x)     “Option” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a)(i) hereof.

(y)     “Participant” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3 hereof.

(z)     “Plan” means the Live Oak Acquisition Corp. 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan as set forth herein.

(aa)     “Recycled Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a)(iii) hereof.

(bb)     “Related Company” means any Subsidiary, and any business, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other entity designated by the Committee, during any period in which a controlling interest in such entity is owned, directly or indirectly, by Live Oak (or by any entity that is a successor to Live Oak).

(cc)     “SAR” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a)(ii) hereof.

(dd)     “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(ee)     “Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity that is a subsidiary corporation of Live Oak within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.

(ff)     “Substitute Award” means (i) the Assumed Company Options and (ii) an Award granted in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to make future awards, by a company (A) acquired by Live Oak or any Related Company, (B) which becomes a Related Company after the date hereof, or (C) with which Live Oak or any Related Company combines.

(gg)     “Ten Percent Stockholder” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(c) hereof.

(hh)     “Termination Date” means the date on which a Participant both ceases to be an employee, officer, director, consultant, independent contractor or advisor of Live Oak or any Related Company and ceases to perform services for Live Oak or any Related Company (whether as an officer, a director or otherwise), regardless of the reason for the cessation; provided that a “Termination Date” shall not be considered to have occurred during the period in which the reason for the cessation of services is a leave of absence approved by Live Oak or the Related Company which was the recipient of the Participant’s services. In the case of any Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, a Participant’s Termination Date shall be the date on which the Participant has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

3.     Participation. For purposes of the Plan, a “Participant” is any person to whom an Award is granted under the Plan. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee shall determine and designate, from time to time, from among the Eligible Persons those persons who will be granted one or more Awards under the Plan and, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, a Participant may be granted any Award permitted under the provisions of the Plan and more than one Award may be granted to a Participant. Except as otherwise agreed by Live Oak and the Participant, or except as otherwise provided in the Plan, an Award under the Plan shall not affect any previous

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Award under the Plan or an award under any other plan maintained by Live Oak or the Related Companies. A grant of any Award to an Eligible Person shall neither guarantee nor preclude a further grant of that or any other type to such Eligible Person in that year or subsequent years.

4.     Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.

(a)     Definitions.

(i)     The grant of an “Option” under the Plan entitles the Participant to purchase shares of Common Stock during specified time periods at an Exercise Price established by the Committee at the time the Option is granted. Options granted under this Section 4 may be either Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options, as determined in the discretion of the Committee; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to employees of Live Oak or a Subsidiary (including officers and directors who are also employees, provided that such Incentive Stock Options are received in exchange for service as an employee) and shall satisfy all other applicable requirements of Section 422 of the Code. An Option will be deemed to be a Non-Qualified Stock Option unless it is specifically designated by the Committee as an Incentive Stock Option or to the extent that it does not satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

(ii)     A grant of a “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” entitles the Participant to receive cash or shares of Common Stock (as determined in accordance with the terms of the Plan) having a value equal to the excess of: (A) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock at the time of exercise; over (B) an Exercise Price established by the Committee at the time of grant, for a specified number of shares.

(b)     Eligibility. The Committee shall designate the Participants to whom Options and SARs are to be granted under this Section 4 and shall determine the number of shares of Common Stock subject to each such Option and SAR, the time period during which such Option or SAR is exercisable and the other terms and conditions thereof, not inconsistent with the Plan. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may not grant dividend equivalents (current or deferred) with respect to any Option or SAR granted under the Plan.

(c)     Exercise Price. The “Exercise Price” of an Option or SAR shall be established by the Committee at the time the Option or SAR is granted; provided, however, that in no event shall such price be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on such date (or, if greater, the par value of a share of Common Stock on such date); provided, however, (i) the Exercise Price of an Incentive Stock Option will be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant; and (ii) the Exercise Price of any Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules applicable under Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of Live Oak (or any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of Live Oak, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively) (“Ten Percent Stockholder”) will not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant.

(d)     Exercise/Vesting. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, an Option or SAR granted under the Plan shall be exercisable in accordance with the following:

(i)     The terms and conditions relating to exercise and vesting of an Option or SAR shall be established by the Committee to the extent not inconsistent with the Plan, and may include, without limitation, conditions relating to completion of a specified period of service, achievement of performance standards prior to exercise or the achievement of Common Stock ownership guidelines by the Participant; provided, however, that no Option or SAR will be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date the Option or SAR is granted; and provided further that no Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder will be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted.

(ii)     No Option or SAR may be exercised by a Participant prior to the date on which it is exercisable (or vested) or after the Expiration Date applicable thereto.

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(iii)     Options or SARs may be exercised by delivery to Live Oak of a written stock option exercise notice in a form approved from time to time by the Committee (which need not be the same for each Participant), stating the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Option or SAR is being exercised, the restrictions imposed on any shares of Common Stock delivered in connection with the exercise, and such representations and agreements regarding Participant’s investment intent and access to information and other matters, if any, as may be required or desirable by Live Oak to comply with applicable securities laws. Payment of the Exercise Price for the shares of Common Stock purchased upon exercise of an Option may be made in accordance with Section 4(e) hereof.

(e)     Payment of Exercise Price. The payment of the Exercise Price of an Option granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following:

(i)     Subject to the following provisions of this Section 4(e), the full Exercise Price of each share of Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of any Option and any related tax withholdings shall be paid at the time of such exercise (except that, in the case of an exercise arrangement described in Section 4(e)(ii)(D) hereof, payment may be made as soon as practicable after the exercise) and, as soon as practicable thereafter, a certificate representing the shares of Common Stock so purchased shall be delivered to the person entitled thereto or shares of Common Stock so purchased or such shares of Common Stock shall otherwise be registered in the name of the Participant on the records of Live Oak’s transfer agent and credited to the Participant’s account.

(ii)     Subject to applicable law, the Exercise Price shall be payable (A) in cash or its equivalent, (B) by tendering, by actual delivery or by attestation, shares of Common Stock valued at Fair Market Value as of the day of exercise (including by net exercise so that Live Oak withholds a number of shares of Common Stock that is being exercised) and remit to Live Oak a sufficient portion of the sale proceeds to pay the entire Exercise Price and any U.S. federal, state, and local and/or foreign tax (including any social insurance tax or contribution obligations) withholding resulting from such exercise, (C) by a combination of (A) and (B), and (D) if and to the extent provided by the Committee by irrevocably authorizing a third party to sell shares of Common Stock (or a sufficient portion of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of the Option) and remit to Live Oak a sufficient portion of the sale proceeds to pay the entire Exercise Price and any U.S. federal, state, and local and/or foreign tax (including any social insurance tax or contribution obligations) withholding resulting from such exercise. Shares of Common Stock may not be used to pay any portion of the Exercise Price unless the holder thereof has good title, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.

(f)     No Repricing. Except for either adjustments pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof (relating to the adjustment of shares) or reductions of the Exercise Price approved by Live Oak’s stockholders, the Exercise Price for any outstanding Option or SAR may not be decreased after the date of grant nor may an outstanding Option or SAR granted under the Plan be surrendered to Live Oak as consideration for the grant of a replacement Option or SAR with a lower exercise price or a Full Value Award. Except as approved by Live Oak’s stockholders, in no event shall any Option or SAR granted under the Plan be surrendered to Live Oak in consideration for a cash payment if, at the time of such surrender, the Exercise Price of the Option or SAR is greater than the then current Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock. In addition, no repricing of an Option or SAR shall be permitted without the approval of Live Oak’s stockholders if such approval is required under the rules of any stock exchange on which Common Stock is listed.

(g)     Expiration Date. The “Expiration Date” with respect to an Option or SAR means the date established as the Expiration Date by the Committee at the time of the grant (as the same may be modified in accordance with the terms of the Plan); provided, however, that the Expiration Date with respect to any Option or SAR shall not be later than the earliest to occur of the ten-year anniversary of the date on which the Option or SAR is granted or the following dates, unless the following dates are determined otherwise by the Committee:

(i)     if the Participant’s Termination Date occurs by reason of death, Disability or retirement (as defined the Committee), the one-year anniversary of such Termination Date;

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(ii)     if the Participant’s Termination Date occurs for reasons other than retirement (as defined by the Committee), death, Disability or Cause, the three-month anniversary of such Termination Date; or

(iii)     if the Participant’s Termination Date occurs for reasons of Cause, the day preceding the Termination Date.

Except as otherwise provided in an agreement, including, but not limited to, an Award Agreement, between the Participant and Live Oak or a Related Company, the Expiration Date of unvested Options or SARs shall be the Participant’s Termination Date. In no event shall the Expiration Date of an Option or SAR be later than the ten-year anniversary of the date on which the Option or SAR is granted (or such shorter period required by law or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock is listed).

(h)     Tandem Grants of Options and SARs. An Option may but need not be in tandem with an SAR, and an SAR may but need not be in tandem with an Option (in either case, regardless of whether the original award was granted under this Plan or another plan or arrangement). If an Option is in tandem with an SAR, the exercise price of both the Option and SAR shall be the same, and the exercise of the corresponding tandem SAR or Option shall cancel the corresponding tandem SAR or Option with respect to such share. If an SAR is in tandem with an Option but is granted after the grant of the Option, or if an Option is in tandem with an SAR but is granted after the grant of the SAR, the later granted tandem Award shall have the same exercise price as the earlier granted Award, but in no event less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock at the time of such grant.

5.     Full Value Awards. A “Full Value Award” is a grant of one or more shares of Common Stock or a right to receive one or more shares of Common Stock in the future (including restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units, performance stock and performance stock units). Such grants may be in consideration of a Participant’s previously performed services or surrender of other compensation that may be due, contingent upon the achievement of performance or other objectives (including completion of service) during a specified period, subject to a risk of forfeiture or other restrictions that will lapse upon the achievement of one or more goals relating to completion of service by the Participant or achievement of performance or other objectives, and/or may be granted for other purposes and shall be subject to such conditions, restrictions and contingencies, as determined by the Committee, including provisions relating to dividend or dividend equivalent rights and deferred payment or settlement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no dividends or dividend equivalent rights will be paid or settled on performance-based Awards that have not been earned based on the performance criteria established. Such grants may be made under other arrangements or plans that are treated as subplans of the Plan and, in such case, awards under such subplans shall be treated as the grant of an Award under the Plan. Any Full Value Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement containing such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee and not inconsistent with the Plan.

6.     Shares Reserved and Limitations.

(a)     Shares Subject to the Plan. The shares of Common Stock for which Awards may be granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following:

(i)     The shares of Common Stock with respect to which Awards may be made under the Plan shall consist, in whole or in part, of authorized but unissued shares or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, subsequently acquired by Live Oak as treasury shares, including shares of Common Stock purchased in the open market or in private transactions.

(ii)     Subject to the provisions of Section 6(b) hereof, the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued with respect to Awards under the Plan shall be equal to ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, determined on a fully-diluted basis, immediately following the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement).

(iii)     In the event of the exercise of SARs, whether or not granted in tandem with Options, only the number of shares of Common Stock actually issued in payment of such SARs shall be charged against the number of shares of Common Stock available for the grant of Awards hereunder, and any Common Stock subject to tandem Options, or portions thereof, which have been surrendered in connection with any such exercise of SARs shall not be charged against the number of shares of Common Stock available for the grant of Awards hereunder. Except as otherwise provided herein, any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award under the Plan which for any reason is forfeited,

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expires or is otherwise terminated without issuance of shares of Common Stock (including shares that are attributable to Awards that are settled in cash) and shares subject to such Awards that are tendered or withheld in payment of the taxes with respect to the grant, vesting or payment of a Full Value Award (collectively, “Recycled Shares”) shall thereafter be available for further grants under the Plan. Shares of Common Stock that are withheld to pay the exercise price of an Option or the taxes payable upon exercise of an Option or SAR shall not be Recycled Shares for purpose of the Plan.

(iv)     Substitute Awards shall not reduce the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan, and shares subject to a Substitute Award that is forfeited, expires or is otherwise terminated without issuance of shares of Common Stock, including shares that are attributable to Substitute Awards that are settled in cash, shall not be added to the shares available for issuance under the Plan as set forth in Section 6(a)(ii) hereof,

(v)     Except as expressly provided by the terms of this Plan, the issue by Live Oak of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, for cash or property or for labor or services, either upon direct sale, upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor or upon conversion of stock or obligations of Live Oak convertible into such stock or other securities, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof, shall be made with respect to Awards then outstanding hereunder.

(vi)     To the extent provided by the Committee, any Award may be settled in cash rather than in Common Stock.

(vii)     Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered to Participants and their Beneficiaries with respect to Incentive Stock Options under the Plan shall be equal to the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan as set forth in Section 6(a)(ii) hereof; provided, however, that to the extent that shares not delivered must be counted against this limit as a condition of satisfying the rules applicable to Incentive Stock Options, such rules shall apply to the limit on Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan.

(b)     Adjustments to Shares of Common Stock. In the event of a stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, exchange of shares, sale of assets or subsidiaries, combination, or other corporate transaction that affects the Common Stock such that the Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that an adjustment is warranted in order to preserve the benefits or prevent the enlargement of benefits of Awards under the Plan, the Committee shall, in the manner it determines equitable in its sole discretion, (i) adjust the number and kind of shares which may be delivered under the Plan; (ii) adjust the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding Awards; (iii) adjust the Exercise Price of outstanding Options and SARs and (iv) make any other adjustments that the Committee determines to be equitable (which may include, without limitation, (A) replacement of Awards with other awards which the Committee determines have comparable value and which are based on stock of a company resulting from the transaction, and (B) cancellation of the Award in return for cash payment of the current value of the Award, determined as though the Award is fully vested at the time of payment, provided that in the case of an Option or SAR, the amount of such payment may be the excess of value of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR at the time of the transaction over the exercise price).

7.     Change in Control. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, in the event that (a) a Participant is employed on the date of a Change in Control and the Participant’s employment or service, as applicable, is terminated by Live Oak or the successor to Live Oak (or a Related Company which is his or her employer) for reasons other than Cause within twenty-four (24) months following the Change in Control, or (b) the Plan is terminated by Live Oak or its successor in connection with or following a Change in Control without provision for the continuation of outstanding Awards hereunder (or replacement thereof with substantially equivalent awards), all Options or SARs which have not otherwise expired shall become immediately exercisable and all other Awards shall become fully vested. If, upon a Change in Control, awards in other shares or securities are substituted for outstanding Awards pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, and immediately following the Change in Control the Participant becomes employed by or in service with the entity into which Live Oak merged, or the purchaser of substantially all of the assets of Live Oak, or a successor to such

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entity or purchaser, the Participant shall not be treated as having terminated employment or service for purposes of this Section 7 until such time as the Participant terminates employment or service with the merged entity or purchaser (or successor), as applicable.

8.     Committee.

(a)     Administration. The authority to control and manage the operation and administration of the Plan shall be vested in the committee designated by the Board (the “Committee”) in accordance with this Section 8. If the Committee does not exist, or for any other reason determined by the Board, the Board may take any action under the Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee.

(b)     Selection of Committee. So long as Live Oak is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Committee shall be selected by the Board and shall consist of not fewer than two members of the Board or such greater number as may be required for compliance with Rule 16b-3 issued under the Exchange Act, each of whom shall be (i) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 (or any successor rule) under the Exchange Act, unless administration of the Plan by “non-employee directors” is not then required in order for exemptions under Rule 16b-3 to apply to transactions under the Plan and (ii) “independent” for purposes of applicable stock exchange listing requirements.

(c)     Powers of Committee. The authority to manage and control the operation and administration of the Plan shall be vested in the Committee, subject to the following:

(i)     Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee will have the authority and discretion to (A) select Eligible Persons who will receive Awards under the Plan, (B) determine the time or times of receipt of Awards, (C) determine the types of Awards and the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Awards, (D) establish the terms, conditions, performance targets, restrictions, and other provisions of Awards, (E) modify the terms of, cancel or suspend Awards, (F) reissue or repurchase Awards, and (G) accelerate the exercisability or vesting of any Award. In making such Award determinations, the Committee may take into account the nature of services rendered by the respective employee, the individual’s present and potential contribution to Live Oak’s or a Related Company’s success and such other factors as the Committee deems relevant.

(ii)     Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee will have the authority and discretion to conclusively interpret the Plan, to establish, amend and rescind any rules and regulations relating to the Plan, to determine the terms and provisions of any agreements made pursuant to the Plan and to make all other determinations that may be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. In exercising any discretion granted to the Committee under the Plan or pursuant to any Award, the Committee shall not be required to follow past practices, act in a manner consistent with past practices, or treat any Eligible Person or Participant in a manner consistent with the treatment of any other Eligible Persons or Participants.

(iii)     Any interpretation of the Plan by the Committee and any decision made by it under the Plan is final, conclusive and binding on Live Oak, the Related Companies, the Participants and all other persons.

(iv)     Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, where the Committee is authorized to make a determination with respect to any Award, such determination shall be made at the time the Award is made, except that the Committee may reserve the authority to have such determination made by the Committee in the future (but only if such reservation is made at the time the Award is granted, is expressly stated in the Award Agreement reflecting the Award and is permitted by applicable law).

(v)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the course of administering the Plan and in granting Awards hereunder and in exercise of the authority granted to the Committee pursuant to the Plan, it is the Committee’s practice, when making determinations with respect to Awards (including the grant or administration thereof), to consider whether the Participant is in good standing to ensure that the Plan is administered in accordance with its purposes and goals with respect to the delivery of compensation to Live Oak’s employees and other service providers.

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Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is the intention of Live Oak that, to the extent that any provisions of this Plan or any Awards granted hereunder are subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Plan and the Awards comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and that the Plan and Awards be administered in accordance with such requirements and the Committee shall have the authority to amend any outstanding Awards to conform to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Furthermore, the Committee, and not the Board, shall exercise sole and exclusive discretion (i) on any matter relating to a Participant then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to Live Oak to the extent necessary in order that transactions by such Participant shall be exempt under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and (ii) with respect to any Award to an “independent” director.

(d)     Delegation by Committee. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock is listed, the Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any person or persons selected by it. Any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time.

(e)     Information to be Furnished to Committee. Live Oak and the Related Companies shall furnish the Committee such data and information as may be required for it to discharge its duties. The Committee and the Board, and each member thereof, shall be entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to him by any officer or employee, Live Oak’s independent auditors and consultants or any other agents assisting in the administration of the Plan. The records of Live Oak and the Related Companies as to an employee’s or Participant’s employment or provision of services, termination of employment or cessation of the provision of services, leave of absence, reemployment and compensation shall be conclusive on all persons unless determined to be incorrect. Participants and other persons entitled to benefits under the Plan must furnish the Committee such evidence, data or information as the Committee consider desirable to carry out the terms of the Plan.

(f)     Liability and Indemnification of Committee. No member, or authorized delegate, of the Committee shall be liable to any person for any action taken or omitted in connection with the administration of the Plan unless attributable to his own fraud or willful misconduct; nor shall Live Oak or any Related Company be liable to any person for any such action unless attributable to fraud or willful misconduct on the part of a director or employee of Live Oak or Related Company. The Committee, the individual members thereof, and persons acting as the authorized delegates of the Committee under the Plan, shall be indemnified by Live Oak against any and all liabilities, losses, costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) of whatsoever kind and nature which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Committee or its members or authorized delegates by reason of the performance of a Committee function if the Committee or its members or authorized delegates did not act dishonestly or in willful violation of the law or regulation under which such liability, loss, cost or expense arises. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under Live Oak’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that Live Oak may have to indemnify indemnitee or hold such persons harmless.

9.     Miscellaneous.

(a)     Approval Date and Effectiveness of Plan. The Plan will be effective as of the Effective Date; provided that no Awards will be granted under the Plan until the Approval Date. The Plan shall be unlimited in duration and, in the event of Plan termination, shall remain in effect as long as any Awards granted under it are outstanding and not fully vested or paid, as applicable; provided, however, that no new Awards shall be made under the Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date.

(b)     Limit on Distribution. Distribution of Common Stock or other amounts under the Plan shall be subject to the following:

(i)     Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, Live Oak shall have no liability to deliver any Common Stock under the Plan or make any other distribution of benefits under the Plan unless such delivery or distribution would comply with all applicable laws (including applicable securities laws) and the applicable requirements of any securities exchange or similar entity.

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(ii)     In the case of a Participant who is subject to Section 16(a) and 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Committee may, at any time, add such conditions and limitations to any Award to such Participant, or any feature of any such Award, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or desirable to comply with Section 16(a) or 16(b) and the rules and regulations thereunder or to obtain any exemption therefrom.

(iii)     To the extent that the Plan provides for issuance of certificates to reflect the transfer of Common Stock, the transfer of such Common Stock may be effected on a non-certificated basis, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock is listed.

(c)     Withholding. Live Oak shall have the right to deduct from any and all payments made under the Plan or to require the Participant, through payroll withholding, cash payment, or otherwise (including, with the consent of the Committee, through the surrender of Common Stock which the Participant already owns or to which the Participant is otherwise entitled under the Plan), an amount that is required by law to be withheld by Live Oak or a Related Company with respect to an Award or the shares or cash acquired pursuant thereto, but in no event more than maximum U.S. federal, state, and local, and/or foreign taxes. Live Oak shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock or cash until the tax withholding obligations have been satisfied by the Participant.

(d)     Transferability. Awards under the Plan are not transferable except as permitted by the Committee or by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or, unless otherwise provided by the Committee, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order (within the meaning of the Code and applicable rules thereunder). To the extent that the Participant who receives an Award under the Plan has the right to exercise such Award, the Award may be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant.

(e)     Notices. Any notice or document required to be filed with the Committee under the Plan will be properly filed if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid (or in such other form acceptable to the Committee), to the Committee, in care of Live Oak or the Related Company, as applicable, at its principal executive offices. The Committee may, by advance written notice to affected persons, revise such notice procedure from time to time. Any notice required under the Plan (other than a notice of election) may be waived by the person entitled to notice.

(f)     Form and Time of Elections. Unless otherwise specified herein, each election required or permitted to be made by any Participant or other person entitled to benefits under the Plan, and any permitted modification or revocation thereof, shall be in writing filed with the applicable Committee at such times, in such form, and subject to such restrictions and limitations, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall require.

(g)     Award Agreement with Live Oak or Related Company. At the time of an Award to a Participant under the Plan, the Committee may require a Participant to enter into an agreement, contract or other instrument or document with Live Oak or a Related Company, as applicable (the “Award Agreement”), in a form specified by the Committee, agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Plan and to such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe.

(h)     Limitation of Implied Rights.

(i)     Neither a Participant nor any other person shall, by reason of the Plan, acquire any right in or title to any assets, funds or property of Live Oak or any Related Company whatsoever, including, without limitation, any specific funds, assets, or other property which Live Oak or any Related Company, in its sole discretion, may set aside in anticipation of a liability under the Plan. A Participant shall have only a contractual right to the amounts, if any, payable under the Plan, unsecured by any assets of Live Oak and any Related Company. Nothing contained in the Plan shall constitute a guarantee by Live Oak or any Related Company that the assets of such companies shall be sufficient to pay any benefits to any person.

(ii)     The Plan does not constitute a contract of employment or continued service, and selection as a Participant will not give any employee the right to be retained in the employ or service of Live Oak or any Related Company, nor any right or claim to any benefit under the Plan, unless such right or

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claim has specifically accrued under the terms of the Plan. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, no Award under the Plan shall confer upon the holder thereof any right as a stockholder of Live Oak prior to the date on which he fulfills all service requirements and other conditions for receipt of such rights and shares of Common Stock are registered in his name.

(i)     Evidence. Evidence required of anyone under the Plan may be by certificate, affidavit, document or other information which the person acting on it considers pertinent and reliable, and signed, made or presented by the proper party or parties.

(j)     Action by Live Oak or Related Company. Any action required or permitted to be taken by Live Oak or any Related Company shall be by resolution of its board of directors or governing body or by action of one or more members of the board or governing body (including a committee of the board or governing body) who are duly authorized to act for the board or, in the case of any Related Company which is a partnership, by action of its general partner or a person or persons authorized by the general partner, or (except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock is listed) by a duly authorized officer of Live Oak.

(k)     Gender and Number. Where the context admits, words in any gender shall include any other gender, words in the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular.

(l)     Compliance with Law. The grant of Awards and the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to any Award shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. law with respect to such securities and the requirements of any stock exchanges or market system upon which the Common Stock may then be listed. In addition, no Award may be exercised or shares issued pursuant to an Award unless (i)(A) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of such exercise or issuance be in effect with respect to the shares issuable pursuant to the Award or (B) in the opinion of legal counsel to Live Oak, the shares issuable pursuant to the Award may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (ii) Live Oak has obtained such other approvals from governmental agencies and/or has completed any registration or other qualification of such shares of Common Stock under any state or non-U.S. law that Live Oak determines are necessary or advisable. The inability of Live Oak to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by Live Oak’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder shall relieve Live Oak of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such required authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to issuance of any Common Stock, Live Oak may require the Participant to satisfy any qualification that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or requirement, and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be required by Live Oak.

(m)     Restrictions on Shares and Awards. The Committee, in its discretion, may impose such restrictions on shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the Plan, whether pursuant to the exercise of an Option or SAR, vesting of a Full Value Award or otherwise, as it determines to be desirable, including, without limitation, restrictions relating to disposition of the shares and forfeiture restrictions based on service, performance, Common Stock ownership by the Participant, conformity with Live Oak’s recoupment, compensation recovery, or clawback policies and such other factors as the Committee determines to be appropriate. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, unless otherwise specified by the Committee, any Awards under the Plan and any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to Live Oak’s compensation recovery, clawback, and recoupment policies as in effect from time to time.

(n)     Applicable Law. The provisions of the Plan shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to choice of law principles.

10.     Amendment and Termination. The Board may, at any time, amend or terminate the Plan, and the Board or the Committee may amend any Award Agreement, provided that no amendment or termination may, in the absence of written consent to the change by the affected Participant (or, if the Participant is not then living, the affected Beneficiary), adversely affect the rights of any Participant or Beneficiary under any Award granted under the Plan prior to the date such amendment is adopted by the Board (or the Committee, if applicable); and further provided that adjustments pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof shall not be subject to the foregoing limitations of this Section 10; and

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further provided that the provisions of Section 4(f) hereof (relating to Option and SAR repricing) cannot be amended unless the amendment is approved by Live Oak’s stockholders; and provided further that, no other amendment shall be made to the Plan without the approval of Live Oak’s stockholders if such approval is required by law or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock is listed.

11.     Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Unless otherwise expressly provided in an Award Agreement, the Plan and Award Agreements will be interpreted to in compliance with Section 409A of the Code. To the extent that any amount constituting deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code would become payable under this Plan or any Award Agreement by reason of a Change in Control, such amount shall become payable only if the event constituting a Change in Control would also qualify as a change in ownership or effective control of Live Oak or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of Live Oak within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. If a Participant holding an Award that constitutes deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code is a specified employee within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, no distribution or payment of any amount that is payable because of a separation from service (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) will be issued or paid before the date that is six months following the date of such Participant’s separation from service or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death, unless such distribution or payment can be made in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, and any amounts so deferred will be paid in a lump sum on the day after such six month period elapses, with the balance paid thereafter on the original schedule. In no event will any Participant have a right to payment or reimbursement or otherwise from Live Oak or its Related Companies, or their successors or assigns, for any taxes, penalties or interest imposed or other costs incurred as a result of Section 409A of the Code.

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Annex D

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

1.     Purpose and Effective Date. The Live Oak Acquisition Corp. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”) has been established by Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), effective as of the Effective Date (as defined in Section 2), as required by the Merger Agreement (as defined in Section 2) and to provide eligible employees of the Participating Companies (as defined in Section 2) with an opportunity to become owners of the Company through the purchase of shares of Common Stock (as defined in Section 2). It is intended that the Plan, and all rights granted hereunder, will meet the requirements of an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code (as defined in Section 2) and the Plan shall be interpreted and construed in all respects so as to be consistent with such requirements. The Plan shall remain in effect until all shares reserved for issuance hereunder have been issued or until the Plan is otherwise terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section 11 hereof.

2.     Defined Terms. For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall have the meaning specified:

(a)     Administrator. The term “Administrator” is defined in Section 9 hereof.

(b)     Base Pay. The term “Base Pay” means, for any period, an Eligible Employee’s basic or regular rate of cash compensation (excluding commissions, short-term or long-term incentive, stock options, premiums, vacation pay, overtime pay, disability payments, special allowances, expense reimbursements, retention bonus and variable compensation) from a Participating Company for that period.

(c)     Board. The term “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(d)     Closing. The term “Closing” has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.

(e)     Closing Date. The term “Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.

(f)     Code. The term “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and, where applicable, includes Treasury regulations issued thereunder.

(g)     Committee. The term “Committee” is defined in Section 9 hereof.

(h)     Common Stock. The term “Common Stock” means Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company, including the shares of Class A Common Stock into which the shares of Class B Common Stock will convert into upon the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, or any other class of securities into which substantially all such Class A Common Stock is converted or for which substantially all such Class A Common Stock is exchanged.

(i)     Company. The term “Company” is defined in Section 1 hereof.

(j)     Effective Date. The term “Effective Date” means the Closing Date.

(k)     Eligible Employee. For any Offering Period, the term “Eligible Employee” means any employee of the Company or a Participating Company.

(l)     Exercise Date. The term “Exercise Date” means the last day of each Offering Period (or, if such day is not a Trading Day, the immediately preceding Trading Day).

(m)     Exercise Price. For any Offering Period, the term “Exercise Price” means 85% of the lesser of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Grant Date or the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Exercise Date, in either case rounded up to the nearest whole cent.

(n)     Fair Market Value. The “Fair Market Value” of a share of Common Stock as of any date shall be determined in accordance with the following:

(i)     If, as of the applicable date, the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading on any stock exchange, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing price per share of Common Stock on such date on the principal stock exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed or admitted to trading or, if no such sale is reported on that date, on the last preceding date on which a sale was so reported.

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(ii)     If, as of the applicable date, the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on a stock exchange, the Fair Market Value shall be the average of the closing bid and asked price of a share of Common Stock on such date in the over-the-counter market, as such price is reported in a publication of general circulation selected by the Company and regularly reporting the market price of Common Stock in such market.

(iii)     If the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any stock exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market, the Fair Market Value shall be as determined by the Committee in good faith.

(o)     Grant Date. The term “Grant Date” means the first day of each Offering Period (or, if such day is not a Trading Day, the next Trading Day).

(p)     Merger Agreement. The term “Merger Agreement” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Company, Green Merger Corp., Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as the Company Representative, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as the Shareholder Representative, dated as of October 3, 2020.

(q)     Offering Period. The term “Offering Period” means the period beginning on the first day of the calendar month beginning after the Effective Date and ending on December 31, 2020, if the Effective Date occurs in 2020, and June 30, 2021, if the Effective Date occurs in 2021, and each six (6)-month period commencing thereafter beginning on each January 1 and July 1 respectively.

(r)     Option. The term “Option” is defined in Section 5 hereof.

(s)     Participant. With respect to any Offering Period, the term “Participant” means an Eligible Employee who has elected to participate in the Plan for that Offering Period by filing a Participation Election for such Offering Period.

(t)     Participating Company. The term “Participating Company” means the Company and the Subsidiaries of the Company as set forth on Appendix A to the Plan and any other Subsidiary that has been designated by the Committee to participate in the Plan.

(u)     Participation Election. The term “Participation Election “ means, for any Offering Period, a Participant’s election to participate in the Plan for that Offering Period and to authorize payroll deductions under the Plan for that Offering Period, which election shall be made in the time, form and manner specified by the Committee or Administrator (which may include electronically). A Participant’s Participation Election for an Offering Period will remain in effect for the entire Offering Period unless suspended or revoked earlier in accordance with the terms of the Plan.

(v)     Plan. The term “Plan” is defined in Section 1 hereof.

(w)     Plan Account. The term “Plan Account” means a separate bookkeeping account maintained for each Participant, which reflects the accumulated payroll deductions made on behalf of the Participant for any Offering Period, reduced for any distributions from such Plan Account pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.

(x)     Securities Act. The term “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(y)     Subsidiary. The term “Subsidiary” means a subsidiary corporation with respect to the Company as determined in accordance with Section 424(f) of the Code.

(z)     “Trading Day” means a day on which the national stock exchange or national market system upon which the Common Stock is listed is open for trading.

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3.     Shares Subject to Plan.

(a)     Shares Reserved. The shares of Common Stock which may be issued under the Plan shall be shares currently authorized but unissued or currently held or subsequently acquired by the Company or shares purchased in the open market or in private transactions (including shares purchased in the open market with Participants’ Plan Account balances under the Plan). Subject to the provisions of Section 3(c), the number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued under the Plan shall not exceed 2,730,000 shares; provided, however, that the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that shall be available for the grant of Options under the Plan shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company, determined on a fully-diluted basis, immediately following the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement).

(b)     Reusage of Shares. In the event of the expiration, withdrawal, termination or other cancellation of an Option under the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock that were subject to the Option but not delivered shall again be available for issuance under the Plan.

(c)     Adjustments to Shares Reserved. In the event of any transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, spinoff, stock dividend, extraordinary cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, combination, exchange or other distribution with respect to shares of Common Stock or other change in the corporate structure or capitalization affecting the Common Stock), the Committee shall make such adjustments to the Plan and Options under the Plan as the Committee determines appropriate in its sole discretion in order to preserve the benefits or potential benefits of the Plan and the Options and to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the benefits of the Plan and the Options. Action by the Committee may include (i) adjustment of the number and kind of shares which are or may be subject to Options under the Plan, including, but not limited, to the numerical limitations in Sections 3(a) and 5(c) of the Plan, (ii) adjustment of the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding Options under the Plan, (iii) adjustment to the Exercise Price of outstanding Options under the Plan, (iv) cancellation of outstanding Options, and (v) any other adjustments that the Committee determines to be equitable.

(d)     Insufficient Shares. If, on an Exercise Date, Participants in the aggregate have outstanding Options to purchase more shares of Common Stock than are then available for purchase under the Plan, each Participant shall be eligible to purchase a reduced number of shares of Common Stock on a pro rata basis and any excess payroll deductions shall be returned to such Participants, without interest, all as provided by uniform and nondiscriminatory rules adopted by the Committee in accordance with Section 423 of the Code.

4.     Participation. An individual who is an Eligible Employee on the first day of an Offering Period may elect to become a Participant in the Plan for that Offering Period by completing and filing a Participation Election in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Committee or the Administrator. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, individuals who are not treated as common law employees by a Participating Company on its payroll records are excluded from Plan participation even if a court or administrative agency determines that such individuals are common law employees and not independent contractors. No employee of any Participating Company shall be eligible to participate in the Plan if the Committee determines that such participation could be in violation of any local law and that it is permissible to exclude such employees from participation in the Plan under Section 423 of the Code.

5.     Grant of Options. As of each Grant Date, each Eligible Employee who is a Participant for such Offering Period shall be deemed to have been granted an “Option” under the Plan which, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, grants the Participant the right to purchase shares of Common Stock under the Plan on the Exercise Date and at the Exercise Price. Notwithstanding the foregoing:

(a)     no Participant shall be granted an Option to purchase shares of Common Stock on any Grant Date if, immediately after the Option is granted, such Participant would own stock (including stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options held by such Participant) possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary;

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(b)     no Participant may purchase under the Plan (or any other employee stock purchase plan of the Company or any Subsidiary) in any calendar year shares of Common Stock with a Fair Market Value (as determined as of the Grant Date) in excess of $25,000; and

(c)     no Participant shall be granted an Option to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock that exceeds 3,750 for any Offering Period.

The provisions of Section 5(b) shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code. For purposes of this Section 5, the rules of Section 424(d) of the Code shall apply in determining the stock ownership of an individual.

6.     Payroll Deductions. Payroll deductions pursuant to a Participant’s Participation Election shall commence with the first payroll period ending after the first day of the Offering Period to which the Participation Election relates. Payroll deductions under the Plan shall be subject to the following:

(a)     Source and Amount of Payroll Deductions. Payroll deductions shall be made from the Base Pay paid to each Participant for each payroll period in such amounts as the Participant shall authorize in his Participation Election. Subject to the provisions of Section 5, the Committee may, from time to time, establish uniform and nondiscriminatory minimum and maximum payroll deductions for any period and other rules relating to elections. Unless otherwise specified by the Committee, a Participant’s payroll deductions for any payroll period may not be less than one (1) percent or more than fifteen (15) percent (in whole percentages) of Base Pay. Except as provided in Section 7, a Participant may not change his payroll deductions during an Offering Period.

(b)     Insufficient Pay. If a Participant’s Base Pay is insufficient in any payroll period to allow the entire payroll deduction contemplated under the Plan and his Participation Election, no deduction will be made for such payroll period. Payroll deductions will resume with the next payroll period in which the Participant has Base Pay sufficient to allow for the deductions. Payroll deductions under the Plan shall be made in any payroll period only after other withholdings, deductions, garnishments and the like have been made, and only if the remaining Base Pay is sufficient to allow the entire payroll deduction contemplated.

(c)     Participant’s Plan Account. All payroll deductions made with respect to a Participant shall be credited to his Plan Account under the Plan. A Participant may participate in the Plan only through payroll deductions and no other contributions will be accepted. No interest will accrue or be paid on any amount credited to a Participant’s Plan Account (or withheld from a Participant’s pay). Except as otherwise provided in Sections 7(b), 7(c) or 8(f), all amounts in a Participant’s Plan Account will be used to purchase shares of Common Stock and no cash refunds will be made from such Plan Account. Any amounts remaining in a Participant’s Plan Account with respect to an Offering Period shall be returned to the Participant, without interest, and will not be used to purchase shares of Common Stock with respect to any other Offering Period under the Plan.

7.     Termination of Participation.

(a)     Voluntary Suspension of Contributions. A Participant may, at any time and for any reason, voluntarily suspend contributions to the Plan during an Offering Period by notification of suspension delivered to the appropriate payroll office or its designee at least ten (10) business days (or such other period provided by the Committee) before the payroll period in which such suspension is to be effective. If a Participant elects to suspend contributions during an Offering Period, his payroll deductions for the remainder of the Offering Period shall cease (and he shall not be permitted to resume payroll deductions for the remainder of the Offering Period) and the balance in his Plan Account determined as of the effective date of his suspension shall be used as of the next Exercise Date to purchase shares of Common Stock under the Plan in accordance with the terms hereof.

(b)     Withdrawal. A Participant (including a Participant who previously elected to have contributions suspended in accordance with Section 7(a)) may, at any time and for any reason, voluntarily withdraw from participation in the Plan for an Offering Period by notification of withdrawal delivered to the appropriate payroll office or its designee at least ten (10) business days (or such other period provided by the Committee) before the next payroll period in which the withdrawal is to be effective. If a Participant elects to withdraw from participation during an Offering Period, his participation in the Plan for that Offering Period shall

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terminate, his payroll deductions for the remainder of the Offering Period shall cease (and he shall not be permitted to resume payroll deductions for the remainder of the Offering Period), the balance in his Plan Account determined as of the effective date of his withdrawal shall be paid to him in cash, without interest, in the manner determined by the Committee, as soon as practicable following the effective date of his withdrawal and no shares of Common Stock will be purchased on behalf of the Participant for the Offering Period in which the withdrawal occurs. A Participant’s withdrawal from the Plan during an Offering Period shall have no effect on his eligibility to participate in subsequent Offering Period.

(c)     Termination of Employment. A Participant’s participation in the Plan shall be automatically terminated immediately upon termination of his employment with the Company and the Participating Companies for any reason, including, but not limited to, death or retirement, and the balance in his Plan Account determined on his termination date shall be paid to him or his estate in cash as soon as practicable following his termination date and no shares of Common Stock will be purchased on behalf of the Participant for the Offering Period in which the termination date occurs.

8.     Exercise of Option/Purchase of Shares.

(a)     Exercise of Option. On each Exercise Date, each Participant whose participation in the Plan for that Offering Period has not been withdrawn or terminated shall be deemed to have exercised his Option with respect to that number of whole and fractional shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of (i) the balance in the Participant’s Plan Account as of the Exercise Date and (ii) the Exercise Price.

(b)     Statements. As soon as practicable after each Exercise Date, a statement shall be made available to each Participant which shall include the number of shares of Common Stock purchased on the Exercise Date on behalf of such Participant under the Plan.

(c)     Registration/Certificates. Shares of Common Stock purchased by a Participant under the Plan shall be issued in the name of the Participant. Shares of Common Stock will be uncertificated; provided, however, that a stock certificate for whole shares shall be delivered to the Participant the upon the Participant’s request.

(d)     Holding Period. Shares of Common Stock purchased by a Participant under the Plan shall be held by the Participant in a brokerage account designated or approved by the Company for a minimum of twelve (12) months following the Exercise Date, or, if earlier, until the Participant terminates employment with the Company and its affiliates.

(e)     Transfer Restriction. Shares of Common Stock purchased by a Participant under the Plan shall be held in a brokerage account designated or approved by the Company for a minimum of twenty-four (24) months following the Exercise Date, or, if earlier, until the Participant disposes of the Shares.

(f)     Excess Plan Account Balances. Any amounts remaining in a Participant’s Plan Account as of any Exercise Date after the purchase of shares described herein shall be distributed to the Participant, without interest, in the manner determined by the Committee, as soon as practicable after the Exercise Date.

9.     Administration.

(a)     Generally. The Plan shall be administered by a committee appointed by the Board (the “Committee”). The Committee shall have the authority to appoint an “Administrator” of the Plan. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the authority and duty to (a) manage and control the operation of the Plan; (b) conclusively interpret and construe the provisions of the Plan, and prescribe, amend and rescind rules, regulations and procedures relating to the Plan; (c) correct any defect or omission and reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan; (d) determine whether and to what extent a company will be a Participating Company; and (e) make all other determinations and take all other actions as it deems necessary or desirable for the implementation and administration of the Plan. The Administrator shall perform such functions with respect to the Plan as the Committee and the Administrator agree. The determination of the Committee and the Administrator, respectively, on matters within their respective authorities shall be conclusive and binding on the Company, the Participating Companies, the Participants and all other persons.

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(b)     Liability and Indemnification of Committee. No member of the Committee or the Administrator shall be liable to any person for any action taken or omitted in connection with the administration of the Plan unless attributable to his own fraud or willful misconduct; nor shall the Company or any Participating Company be liable to any person for any such action unless attributable to fraud or willful misconduct on the part of a director or employee of the Company or a Participating Company. The Committee, the individual members thereof, and the Administrator, shall be indemnified by the Company against any and all liabilities, losses, costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of whatsoever kind and nature which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Committee, individual members of the Committee or the Administrator by reason of the performance of a Committee function of Administrator function, as applicable; provided that any such liabilities, losses, costs or expenses were not the result of fraud or willful misconduct by such indemnitee. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify such indemnitee or hold such indemnitee harmless.

10.     Miscellaneous.

(a)     Compliance with Applicable Laws; Limits on Issuance. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Company shall have no liability to deliver any shares of Common Stock under the Plan unless such delivery or distribution would comply with all applicable laws (including, without limitation, the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable requirements of any securities exchange or similar entity on which the Common Stock is listed). Prior to the issuance of any shares of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company may require a written statement that the recipient is acquiring the shares for investment and not for the purpose or with the intention of distributing the shares and will not dispose of them in violation of the registration requirements of the Securities Act. All shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant Options granted hereunder shall be subject to any applicable restrictions contained in the Company’s By-laws. In addition, the Committee may impose such restrictions on any shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of Options as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, restrictions under applicable securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Common Stock is then listed and/or traded, and restrictions under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such Common Stock.

(b)     Transferability. Neither the right of a Participant to purchase shares of Common Stock hereunder, nor Participant’s Plan Account balance, may be transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise disposed of by the Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any such attempt at transfer, pledge assignment or other disposition will be without effect, and the Company shall treat such act as an election to withdraw from participation in an Offering Period in accordance with Section 7(b) of the Plan. An Option granted under the Plan may be exercised during a Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant.

(c)     Notices. Any notice or document required to be filed with the Committee or Administrator, as applicable, under or with respect to the Plan will be properly filed if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid (or in such other form acceptable to the Committee or the Administrator, as applicable), if to the Committee, at the Company’s principal executive offices and, if to the Administrator, at the Administrator’s principal executive offices. The Committee and Administrator may, by advance written notice to affected persons, revise any notice procedure applicable to it from time to time. Any notice required under the Plan may be waived by the person entitled to notice.

(d)     Withholding. All amounts withheld pursuant to the Plan, shares of Common Stock issued hereunder and any payments pursuant to the Plan are subject to withholding of all applicable taxes and the Company and the Participating Companies shall have the right to withhold from any payment or distribution of shares or to collect as a condition of any payment or distribution under the Plan, as applicable, any taxes required by law to be withheld. To the extent provided by the Committee, a Participant may elect to have any distribution of shares otherwise required to be made pursuant to the Plan to be withheld or to surrender to the Company or its subsidiaries shares of Common Stock already owned by the Participant to fulfill any tax withholding obligation; provided, however, in no event shall the fair market value of the number of shares so withheld (or accepted) exceed the amount necessary to meet the minimum Federal, state and local marginal tax rates then in effect that are applicable to the Participant and to the particular transaction.

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(e)     Limitation of Implied Rights. The Plan does not constitute a contract of employment or continued service and participation in the Plan will not give any employee the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any Participating Company or any right or claim to any benefit under the Plan unless such right or claim has specifically accrued under the terms of the Plan. Participation in the Plan by a Participant shall not create any rights in such Participant as a stockholder of the Company until shares of Common Stock are registered in the name of the Participant.

(f)     Evidence. Evidence required of anyone under the Plan may be by certificate, affidavit, document or other information which the person acting on it considers pertinent and reliable, and signed, made or presented by the proper party or parties.

(g)     Gender and Number. Where the context admits, words in one gender shall include the other gender, words in the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular.

(h)     Use of Payroll Deductions. All payroll deductions made under the Plan may be used by the Company for any corporate purpose and the Company shall not be obligated to segregate such payroll deductions except as required by applicable law.

(i)     Governing Law and Forum. The laws of the State of Delaware will govern all matters relating to the Plan except to the extent it is superseded by the laws of the United States. For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the relationship of the parties evidenced by the Option or the Plan, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of Delaware and agree that such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of the State of Delaware, or the federal courts for the United States for the District of Delaware, and no other courts, where the grant of Options under the Plan is made and/or to be performed.

11.     Amendment or Termination of Plan. The Board of Directors of the Company may, at any time and in any manner, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or any election outstanding under the Plan; provided, however, that no such amendment shall be made without approval of the Company’s stockholders to the extent such approval would be required under Section 423 of the Code, the rules of any securities exchange or similar entity on which the Common Stock is listed or otherwise by applicable law.

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APPENDIX A
Participating Companies
Effective as of Effective Date

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
Meredian Holdings Group, Inc.
Danimer Scientific Manufacturing, Inc.
Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC
Meredian, Inc.
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.
Danimer Scientific L.L.C
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.
Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc.

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that all of our directors, officers, employees and agents shall be entitled to be indemnified by us to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). Section 145 of the DGCL concerning indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents is set forth below.

Section 145. Indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents; insurance.

(a)     A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.

(b)    A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

(c)     To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

(d)    Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or

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(3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.

(e)     Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former officers and directors or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate.

(f)     The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. A right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under a provision of the certificate of incorporation or a bylaw shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to such provision after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought, unless the provision in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such elimination or impairment after such action or omission has occurred.

(g)    A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this section.

(h)    For purposes of this section, references to “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

(i)     For purposes of this section, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this section.

(j)     The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

(k)    The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all actions for advancement of expenses or indemnification brought under this section or under any by law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily determine a corporation’s obligation to advance expenses (including attorneys’ fees).

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Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers, and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in a successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of Live Oak’s counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to the court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

In accordance with Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that no director shall be personally liable to us or any of our stockholders for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors, except to the extent such limitation on or exemption from liability is not permitted under the DGCL. The effect of this provision of our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is to eliminate our rights and those of our stockholders (through stockholders’ derivative suits on our behalf) to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of the fiduciary duty of care as a director, including breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior, except, as restricted by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL. However, this provision does not limit or eliminate our rights or the rights of any stockholder to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission, in the event of a breach of a director’s duty of care.

If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the liability of directors, then, in accordance with our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the liability of our directors to us or our stockholders will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as so amended. Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation limiting or eliminating the liability of directors, whether by our stockholders or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to further limit or eliminate the liability of directors on a retroactive basis.

Our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation also provides that we will, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by applicable law, indemnify and hold harmless our current and former officers and directors, as well as those persons who, while directors or officers of our corporation, are or were serving as directors, officers, employees or agents of another entity, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, in connection with any threatened, pending or completed proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, against all expense, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by any such person in connection with any such proceeding.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person eligible for indemnification pursuant to our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation indemnifies us in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by our board of directors, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification.

The right to indemnification which will be conferred by our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is a contract right that includes the right to be paid by us the expenses incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding referenced above in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by our officer or director (solely in the capacity as an officer or director of our corporation) will be made only upon delivery to us of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such officer or director, to repay all amounts so advanced if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise.

The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses will not be deemed exclusive of any other rights which any person covered by our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation may have or hereafter acquire under law, our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our bylaws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation affecting indemnification rights, whether by our stockholders or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent

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such amendment or change in law permits us to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis, and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision. Our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation permits us, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other that those specifically covered by our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

Our bylaws include the provisions relating to advancement of expenses and indemnification rights consistent with those which will be set forth in our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. In addition, our bylaws provide for a right of indemnity to bring a suit in the event a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses is not paid in full by us within a specified period of time. Our bylaws also permit us to purchase and maintain insurance, at our expense, to protect us and/or any director, officer, employee or agent of our corporation or another entity, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our bylaws affecting indemnification rights, whether by our board of directors, stockholders or by changes in applicable law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis, and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing thereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our officers and directors, a form of which is to be filed as an exhibit to this proxy statement/prospectus. These agreements will require us to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law against liabilities that may arise by reason of their service to us, and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified.

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Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

Exhibit Index

Exhibit

 

Description

1.1

 

Underwriting Agreement, dated May 5, 2020, by and between Live Oak Acquisition Corp and Jefferies LLC(1)

2.1

 

Merger Agreement by and among Live Oak Acquisition Corp., Green Merger Corp., Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC and John A. Dowdy, Jr., dated October 3, 2020.(2)

2.2

 

Amendment No. 1 dated October 8, 2020 to the Merger Agreement dated October 3, 2020 by and among Live Oak Acquisition Corp., Green Merger Corp., Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC and John A. Dowdy, Jr.(3)

2.3

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Wayne Bodie.*

2.4

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Nikki Bodie.*

2.5

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and John A. Dowdy.*

2.6

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Wentworth 84 Irrevocable Trust.*

2.7

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Trustland Partners, LLC.*

2.8

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Three Sigma Holdings, LLC.*

2.9

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Stuart Pratt.*

2.10

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Stephen E. Croskrey.*

2.11

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Stephan C. Economos Irrevocable Trust.*

2.12

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Scott C. Tuten Family Trusts.*

2.13

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Scott C. Tuten.*

2.14

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Richard F. Ivey Siblings Trusts, u/t/a 8/31/07.*

2.15

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Richard F. Ivey.*

2.16

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Richard & Diane Ivey Family Trusts, u/t/a 8/31/07.*

2.17

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Ralph Powell, Jr.*

2.18

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Ralph Powell Jr. Trust.*

2.19

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Ralph Powell Jr. Life Insurance Trust.*

2.20

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Ralph Powell Jr. Descendant Trust.*

2.21

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Prine Partners, Ltd.*

2.22

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Polymer Holdings, LLC.*

2.23

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Philip Gregory Calhoun.*

2.24

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Phillip Van Trump.*

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Exhibit

 

Description

2.25

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and NuView Trust Co. Custodian FBO Richard F. Ivey Roth IRA.*

2.26

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and NuView IRA, Inc. FBO Richard Ivey IRA #9921803.*

2.27

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and NuView IRA, Inc. FBO Diane Ivey 1411939.*

2.28

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Michael Smith.*

2.29

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Michael Ashton Hudson Living Trust.*

2.30

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and John Adams Dowdy, III Living Trust.*

2.31

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and John A. Dowdy, III.*

2.32

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and John & Brenda Dowdy Family Trusts.*

2.33

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and James H. Dahl.*

2.34

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Dr. Isao Noda.*

2.35

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Gregory Hunt.*

2.36

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Green Plastic Holdings, LLC.*

2.37

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO Michael Ashton Hudson Roth IRA.*

2.38

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Eddie Terril Scott.*

2.39

 

Support Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Brenda Dowdy.*

3.1

 

Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Live Oak Acquisition Corp.(1)

3.2

 

Bylaws of Live Oak Acquisition Corp.(4)

3.3

 

Form of Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (included as Annex B to this proxy statement/prospectus).

3.4

 

Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws.

4.1

 

Warrant Agreement, dated May 5, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.(1)

4.2

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated May 5, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC.(1)

4.3

 

Form of Lock-up Agreement by and among Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and certain stockholders of Live Oak Acquisition Corp. (included as Exhibit B of the Merger Agreement filed herewith as Exhibit 2.1).

5.1

 

Form of opinion of Mayer Brown, LLP with respect to the legality of the securities being registered.

8.1

 

Form of opinion of Mayer Brown, LLP regarding tax matters.

10.1

 

Form of Subscription Agreement.(2)

10.2

 

Form of New Danimer Long-Term Incentive Plan (included as Annex C to this proxy statement/prospectus).#

10.3

 

Form of New Danimer Employee Stock Purchase Plan (included as Annex D to this proxy statement/prospectus).#

10.4

 

Employment Agreement, by and between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Stephen E. Croskrey, dated October 3, 2020.#

10.5

 

Consulting Agreement, by and between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Stuart Pratt, dated October 3, 2020.#

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Exhibit

 

Description

10.6

 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. and John A. Dowdy, III, dated August 31, 2020.#

10.7

 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. and Michael Smith, dated August 31, 2020.#

10.8

 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. and Scott Tuten, dated August 31, 2020.#

10.9

 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. and Phillip Van Trump, dated August 31, 2020.#

10.10

 

Warrant Sale and Support Agreement, dated October 2, 2020, between Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, Valfund Plastics, LLC, Michael Ashton Hudson, James H. Dahl and Andrew F. Cates.

10.11

 

Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, dated October 3, 2020, by and between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Michael Smith.*

10.12

 

Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, dated October 3, 2020, by and between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Scott Tuten.*

10.13

 

Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, dated October 3, 2020, by and between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Phillip Van Trump.*

10.14

 

Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, dated October 3, 2020, by and between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Stuart Pratt.*

10.15

 

Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, dated October 3, 2020, by and between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and Stephen E. Croskrey.*

10.16

 

Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, dated October 3, 2020, by and between Live Oak Acquisition Corp. and John A. Dowdy, III.*

10.17

 

Loan Agreement, dated as of April 25, 2019, by and among Carver Development CDE VI, LLC, ST CDE LXII, LLC, and Danimer Scientific Manufacturing, Inc.*

10.18

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement dated as of November 7, 2019, by and between Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc. and AMCREF Fund 51, LLC.

10.19

 

Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019, among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC and Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., as borrowers, Meredian, Inc, Danimer Scientific, L.L.C., Danimer Bioplastics, Inc. and Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc., as guarantors, the lenders party thereto and Southeast Community Development Fund X, L.L.C., as administrative agent.*

10.20

 

Amendment No. One to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of October 2, 2020, among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC and Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., as borrowers, Meredian, Inc, Danimer Scientific, L.L.C., Danimer Bioplastics, Inc. and Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc., as guarantors, the lenders party thereto and Southeast Community Development Fund X, L.L.C., as administrative agent*

10.21

 

Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019, by and among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, Meredian, Inc., Danimer Scientific, L.L.C., Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc., Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., Danimer Bioplastics, Inc., such additional borrowers party thereto, such additional guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto, and White Oak Global Advisors, LLC.*

10.22

 

Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2019, by and among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, Meredian, Inc., Danimer Scientific, L.L.C., Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc., Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., Danimer Bioplastics, Inc., such additional borrowers party thereto, such additional guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto, and White Oak Global Advisors, LLC.

10.23

 

Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2019, by and among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, Meredian, Inc., Danimer Scientific, L.L.C., Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc., Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., Danimer Bioplastics, Inc., such additional borrowers party thereto, such additional guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto, and White Oak Global Advisors, LLC.

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Exhibit

 

Description

10.24

 

Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of January 23, 2020, by and among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, Meredian, Inc., Danimer Scientific, L.L.C., Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc., Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., Danimer Bioplastics, Inc., such additional borrowers party thereto, such additional guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto, and White Oak Global Advisors, LLC.

10.25

 

Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2020, by and among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, Meredian, Inc., Danimer Scientific, L.L.C., Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc., Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., Danimer Bioplastics, Inc., such additional borrowers party thereto, such additional guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto, and White Oak Global Advisors, LLC.

10.26

 

Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2020, by and among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, Meredian, Inc., Danimer Scientific, L.L.C., Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc., Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., Danimer Bioplastics, Inc., such additional borrowers party thereto, such additional guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto, and White Oak Global Advisors, LLC.

10.27

 

Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of July 13, 2020, by and among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, Meredian, Inc., Danimer Scientific, L.L.C., Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc., Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., Danimer Bioplastics, Inc., such additional borrowers party thereto, such additional guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto, and White Oak Global Advisors, LLC.

10.28

 

Amended and Restated Master Lease Agreement, dated May 2020, between Store Capital Acquisitions, LLC and Meredian Holdings Group, Inc.*

23.1

 

Consent of WithumSmith+Brown, PC.

23.2

 

Consent of Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A.

24.1

 

Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page to this Registration Statement on Form S-4).

99.1

 

Consent of Richard J. Hendrix to be named as a director.

99.2

 

Consent of John P. Amboian to be named as a director.

99.3

 

Consent of Stephen E. Croskrey to be named as a director.

99.4

 

Consent of Stuart Pratt to be named as a director.

99.5

 

Consent of Philip Gregory Calhoun to be named as a director.

99.6

 

Consent of Gregory Hunt to be named as a director.

99.7

 

Consent of Dr. Isao Noda to be named as a director.

99.8

 

Consent of Christy Basco to be named as a director.

99.9+

 

Form of Proxy Card

____________

#        Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

+        To be filed by amendment.

*        Portions of this exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

(1)      Incorporated by reference to an exhibit to Live Oak Acquisition Corp.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 11, 2020.

(2)      Incorporated by reference to an exhibit to Live Oak Acquisition Corp.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 5, 2020.

(3)      Incorporated by reference to an exhibit to Live Oak Acquisition Corp.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 9, 2020.

(4)      Incorporated by reference to an exhibit to Live Oak Acquisition Corp.’s Form S-1, filed with the SEC on March 2, 2020.

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Item 22. Undertakings

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

A.     To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i)     To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii)    To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii)   To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

B.      That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

C.     To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

D.     That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

E.      That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i)     Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii)    Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii)   The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv)   Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

II-9

Table of Contents

F.      That prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form.

G.     That every prospectus (i) that is filed pursuant to paragraph (F) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet the requirements of section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act and is used in connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act , each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

H.     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

I.       The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request.

J.       To supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in New York City, New York, on October 27, 2020.

 

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.

   

By:

 

/s/ Richard J. Hendrix

       

Name: Richard J. Hendrix

       

Title:   Chief Executive Officer

   

By:

 

/s/ Andrea K. Tarbox

       

Name: Andrea K. Tarbox

       

Title:   Chief Financial Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Richard J. Hendrix and Andrea K. Tarbox, each acting alone, as his/her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power to act alone, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him/her and in his/her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement on Form S-4, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully for all intents and purposes as he/she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his/her substitute or resubstitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated:

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

/s/ John P. Amboian

 

Chairman (Chairman)

 

October 27, 2020

John P. Amboian

       

/s/ Richard J. Hendrix

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

October 27, 2020

Richard J. Hendrix

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

   

/s/ Andrea K. Tarbox

 

Chief Financial Officer and Director

 

October 27, 2020

Andrea K. Tarbox

 

(Principal Financial Officer and Accounting Officer)

   

/s/ Tor R. Braham

 

Director

 

October 27, 2020

Tor R. Braham

       

/s/ Jonathan Furer

 

Director

 

October 27, 2020

Jonathan Furer

       

/s/ Harold Ford, Jr.

 

Director

 

October 27, 2020

Harold Ford, Jr.

       

/s/ John W. Sweet, Jr.

 

Director

 

October 27, 2020

John W. Sweet, Jr.

       

II-11

Exhibit 2.3

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Wayne Bodie, an individual (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder has the requisite capacity to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

 

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority or of Shareholder’s spouse under any “community property” or other applicable Law, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, or (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

 

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

774A Walker Road

Great Falls, Virginia 22066

Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich

Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Mayer Brown LLP

71 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Attention: Edward S. Best

Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

 

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

 

Wayne Bodie

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

________________________________

________________________________

________________________________

Attention:

Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
   
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  SHAREHOLDER:
     
  /s/ Wayne Bodie
  Name:  Wayne Bodie

 

  Number of Shares: 128,076

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.4

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Nikki Bodie, an individual (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder has the requisite capacity to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

 

 

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority or of Shareholder’s spouse under any “community property” or other applicable Law, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, or (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

 

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

 

 

  

If to Shareholder, to:

Nikki Bodie

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

 

 

  

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
   
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:   Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  SHAREHOLDER:
   
  Name: /s/ Nikki Bodie 
  Nikki Bodie
     
  Number of Shares: 4,500

 

  

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.5

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and John A. Dowdy, Jr., an individual (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder has the requisite capacity to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

2

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority or of Shareholder’s spouse under any “community property” or other applicable Law, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, or (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

John A. Dowdy, Jr.

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  SHAREHOLDER:
   
  /s/ John A Dowdy, Jr.
  Name:   John A. Dowdy, Jr.
     
  Number of Shares: 75,869  

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.6

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Wentworth 84 Irrevocable Trust, a Massachusetts trust (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Shareholder has all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

2

 

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Wentworth 84 Irrevocable Trust

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
   
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement] 

 

 

 

 

  WENTWORTH 84 IRREVOCABLE TRUST
   
  Name:  Ken Goldberg
  By: /s/ Ken Goldberg
  Title: Trustee
   

 

  Number of Shares: 136,072                       

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement] 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.7

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Trustland Partners, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Shareholder has all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

2

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

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Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

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Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Trustland Partners, LLC

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  TRUSTLAND PARTNERS, LLC
     
  Name:  William Dahl
  By: /s/ William Dahl
  Title: CFO

 

  Number of Shares: 14,667

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.8

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Three Sigma Holdings, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Shareholder has all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

2

 

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

  

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

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Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

 If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich   
Email:  rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

 with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best   
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

 If to Shareholder, to:

Three Sigma Holdings, LLC

[redacted]

 

 with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention: 
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:   Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

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  THREE SIGMA HOLDINGS, LLC
     
  Name:   Ashton Hudson
  By::   /s/ Ashton Hudson
  Title: President

 

  Number of Shares: 0

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.9

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Stuart W. Pratt, an individual (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder has the requisite capacity to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

2

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority or of Shareholder’s spouse under any “community property” or other applicable Law, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, or (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Stuart W. Pratt

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:   Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  SHAREHOLDER:
     
  /s/ Stuart W. Pratt
  Name: Stuart W. Pratt

  

  Number of Shares: 202,654

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

As collateral security for the payment and performance of promissory notes made by the Shareholder in favor of the Company, the Shareholder granted a security interest in, and pledged, the Shareholder Shares to the Company.

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.10

 

sUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Stephen E. Croskrey, an individual (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder has the requisite capacity to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

2

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority or of Shareholder’s spouse under any “community property” or other applicable Law, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, or (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Stephen E. Croskrey

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  SHAREHOLDER:  
     
  /s/ Stephen E. Croskrey
  Name: Stephen E. Croskrey  
     
  Number of Shares: 483,977  

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

As collateral security for the payment and performance of promissory notes made by the Shareholder in favor of the Company, the Shareholder granted a security interest in, and pledged, the Shareholder Shares to the Company.

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.11

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Stephan C. Economos Irrevocable Trust, a Georgia trust (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Shareholder has all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

2

 

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

  

If to Shareholder, to:

Stephan C. Economos Irrevocable Trust

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

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(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

 

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:   Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  STEPHAN C. ECONOMOS IRREVOCABLE TRUST
     
  Name:  Stephan Economos
By: /s/ Stephan Economos
  Title: Board Member & Shareholder

  

  Number of Shares: 8,334

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.12

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Scott C. Tuten Family Trusts (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Shareholder has all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

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(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

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Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Scott C. Tuten Family Trusts

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

  

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

 

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:   Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  SCOTT C. TUTEN FAMILY TRUSTS
     
  Name:    Scott Tuten
  By: /s/ Scott Tuten
  Title: CMO

 

  Number of Shares: 5,664

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.13

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Scott C. Tuten, an individual (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder has the requisite capacity to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

2

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority or of Shareholder’s spouse under any “community property” or other applicable Law, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, or (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

774A Walker Road

Great Falls, Virginia 22066

Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich

Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Mayer Brown LLP

71 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Attention: Edward S. Best

Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Scott C. Tuten

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

     
     
     
  Attention:  
  Email:  

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.

 

  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name: Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

  SHAREHOLDER:

 

  /s/ Scott Tuten
  Name: Scott Tuten

 

  Number of Shares: 15,963

 

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.14

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Richard F. Ivey Siblings Trusts, u/t/a 8/31/07 (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Shareholder has all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

  2  

 

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

  3  

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

  4  

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

  5  

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Richard F. Ivey Siblings Trusts, u/t/a 8/31/07

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

  6  

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

  7  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

 

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name: Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  RICHARD F. IVEY SIBLINGS TRUSTS, U/T/A
8/31/07
   
  Name: Richard F. Ivey
  By: /s/ Richard F. Ivey
  Title: Trustee

 

  Number of Shares: 2,500

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.15

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Richard F. Ivey, an individual (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder has the requisite capacity to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

2

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority or of Shareholder’s spouse under any “community property” or other applicable Law, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, or (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Richard F. Ivey

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

8

 

 

  SHAREHOLDER:
     
  /s/ Richard F. Ivey
  Name:  Richard F. Ivey

 

  Number of Shares: 65,901

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

9

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

Exhibit 2.16

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Richard & Diane Ivey Family Trusts, u/t/a 8/31/07 (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Shareholder has all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

2

 

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

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Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Richard & Diane Ivey Family Trusts, u/t/a 8/31/07

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
   
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name: Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

8

 

 

  RICHARD & DIANE IVEY FAMILY TRUSTS, U/T/A 8/31/07
   
  Name: Richard F. Ivey
  By: /s/ Richard F. Ivey
  Title: Trustee

 

  Number of Shares: 24,000  

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

9

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

10

 

 

Exhibit 2.17

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Ralph Powell, Jr., an individual (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder has the requisite capacity to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

2

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority or of Shareholder’s spouse under any “community property” or other applicable Law, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, or (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Ralph Powell, Jr.

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  SHAREHOLDER:
     
  /s/ Ralph Powell, Jr.
  Name:  Ralph Powell, Jr.

 

  Number of Shares:  0  

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.18

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Ralph Powell Jr. Trust (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Shareholder has all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

2

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Ralph Powell Jr. Trust

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  RALPH POWELL JR. TRUST
     
  Name:  Ralph Powell, Jr.
  By: /s/ Ralph Powell, Jr.
  Title: Trustee

 

  Number of Shares:  17,812  

  

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.19

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Ralph Powell Jr. Life Insurance Trust (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Shareholder has all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

2

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Ralph Powell Jr. Life Insurance Trust

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name: Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

  

 

 

 

  RALPH POWELL JR. LIFE INSURANCE TRUST
     
  Name: Stanley R. Powell; Laura Lynn Powell
  By: /s/ Stanley R. Powell, Laura Lynn Powell
  Title: Trustee

 

  Number of Shares: 72,046

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

  

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.20

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Ralph Powell Jr. Descendant Trust (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Shareholder has all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

2

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Ralph Powell Jr. Descendant Trust

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name: Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

  

 

 

 

 

RALPH POWELL JR. DESCENDANT TRUST

     
  Name: Ralph Powell Jr.
  By: /s/ Ralph Powell Jr.
  Title: Trustee

 

  Number of Shares: 4,500

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

  

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.21

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Prine Partners, Ltd. (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a)  Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b)  For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i)  appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii)  cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii)  cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c)  Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a)  Organization and Authorization. Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Shareholder has all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

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(b)  Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

(c)  Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i)  The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii)  The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d)  Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e)  Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

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Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a)  Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b)  Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c)  Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d)  Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e)  Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

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Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a)  Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b)  Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Prine Partners, Ltd.

[redacted]

 

5

 

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c)  Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d)  Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e)  No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f)  Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g)  Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h)  Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i)  No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j)  Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k)  Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l)  WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m)  Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  PRINE PARTNERS, LTD.
     
  Name:  William Dahl
  By: /s/ William Dahl
  Title: William Dahl

 

  Number of Shares: 4,889

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.22

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Polymer Holdings, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a)  Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b)  For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i)  appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii)  cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii)  cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c)  Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a)  Organization and Authorization. Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Shareholder has all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

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(b)  Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

(c)  Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i)  The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii)  The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d)  Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e)  Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a)  Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b)  Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c)  Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d)  Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e)  Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a)  Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b)  Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

774A Walker Road

Great Falls, Virginia 22066

Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich

Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Mayer Brown LLP

71 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Attention: Edward S. Best

Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

 

Polymer Holdings, LLC

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c)  Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d)  Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e)  No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f)  Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g)  Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h)  Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i)  No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j)  Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k)  Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l)  WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m)  Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  POLYMER HOLDINGS, LLC
     
  Name:  Ashton Hudson
  By:   /s/ Ashton Hudson
  Title: President

 

  Number of Shares: 0

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.23

 

sUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Philip Gregory Calhoun, an individual (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder has the requisite capacity to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

  2  

 

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority or of Shareholder’s spouse under any “community property” or other applicable Law, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, or (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

  3  

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

  4  

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

  5  

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Philip Gregory Calhoun

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

  6  

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

  7  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

 

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:   Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  SHAREHOLDER:
   
  /s/ Gregory Calhoun
  Name: Gregory Calhoun

 

  Number of Shares:

363,055

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.24

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Phillip Van Trump, an individual (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder has the requisite capacity to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

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(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority or of Shareholder’s spouse under any “community property” or other applicable Law, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, or (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Phillip Van Trump

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
   
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name: Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

8

 

 

  SHAREHOLDER:
   
  /s/ Phillip Van Trump
Name: Phillip Van Trump         

 

  Number of Shares: 2,500  

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

9

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

10

 

 

Exhibit 2.25

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and NuView Trust Co. Custodian FBO Richard F. Ivey Roth IRA (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Shareholder has all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

2

 

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

4

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

If to Shareholder, to:

NuView Trust Co. Custodian FBO Richard F. Ivey Roth IRA

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

8

 

 

 

  NUVIEW TRUST CO. CUSTODIAN FBO RICHARD F. IVEY ROTH IRA
   
  Name:  Richard F. Ivey
  By: /s/ Richard F. Ivey
  Title: Beneficiary

 

  Number of Shares: 3,000

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

9

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

Exhibit 2.26

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and NuView IRA, Inc. FBO Richard Ivey IRA #9921803 (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Shareholder has all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

2

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

NuView IRA, Inc. FBO Richard Ivey IRA #9921803

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name: Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

  

 

 

 

 

NUVIEW IRA, INC. FBO RICHARD IVEY IRA #9921803

     
  Name: Richard F. Ivey
  By: /s/ Richard F. Ivey
  Title: Beneficiary

 

  Number of Shares: 662

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

  

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.27

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and NuView IRA, Inc. FBO Diane Ivey 1411939 (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Shareholder has all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

2

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

NuView IRA, Inc. FBO Diane Ivey 1411939

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name: Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

  

 

 

 

 

NUVIEW IRA, INC. FBO DIANE IVEY 1411939

     
  Name: Diane Ivey
  By: /s/Diane Ivey
  Title:

Beneficiary

 

  Number of Shares: 2,404

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

  

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.28

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Michael Smith, an individual (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder has the requisite capacity to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

2

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority or of Shareholder’s spouse under any “community property” or other applicable Law, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, or (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Michael Smith

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  SHAREHOLDER:
                                    
 

/s/ Michael Smith

  Name: 

Michael Smith

 

  Number of Shares:  0  

  

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.29

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Michael Ashton Hudson Living Trust, a Florida trust (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Shareholder has all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

2

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Michael Ashton Hudson Living Trust

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  MICHAEL ASHTON HUDSON LIVING TRUST
     
  Name: 

Ashton Hudson

  By: /s/ Ashton Hudson
  Title: Trustee

 

  Number of Shares:  3,969  

  

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.30

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and John Adams Dowdy, III Living Trust (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a)  Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b)  For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i)  appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii)  cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii)  cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c)  Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a)  Organization and Authorization. Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Shareholder has all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

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(b)  Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

(c)  Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i)  The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii)  The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d)  Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e)  Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

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Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a)  Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b)  Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c)  Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d)  Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e)  Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

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Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a)  Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b)  Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

If to Shareholder, to:

John Adams Dowdy, III Living Trust

[redacted]

 

5

 

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c)  Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d)  Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e)  No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f)  Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g)  Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h)  Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i)  No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j)  Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k)  Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l)  WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m)  Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  JOHN ADAMS DOWDY, III LIVING TRUST
     
  Name:  Jad Dowdy
  By: /s/ Jad Dowdy
  Title: Trustee

 

  Number of Shares: 33,092

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.31

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and John A. Dowdy, III, an individual (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder has the requisite capacity to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

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(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority or of Shareholder’s spouse under any “community property” or other applicable Law, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, or (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

John A. Dowdy, III

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:


________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name: Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

  

 

 

 

  SHAREHOLDER:
     
  /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
  Name: John A. Dowdy, III

 

  Number of Shares: 0

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

  

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.32

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and John & Brenda Dowdy Family Trusts (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Shareholder has all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

2

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

John & Brenda Dowdy Family Trusts

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:


________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name: Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

  

 

 

 

  JOHN & BRENDA DOWDY FAMILY TRUSTS
     
  Name: John A. Dowdy, Jr.
  By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, Jr.
  Title: Trustee

 

  Number of Shares:

8,160

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

  

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.33

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and James H. Dahl, an individual (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder has the requisite capacity to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

2

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority or of Shareholder’s spouse under any “community property” or other applicable Law, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, or (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

James H. Dahl

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

 

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

8

 

 

SHAREHOLDER:

 

 

/s/ James H. Dahl 
  Name:  James H. Dahl

 

  Number of Shares: 0

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

9

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

Exhibit 2.34

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Isao Noda, an individual (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder has the requisite capacity to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

2

 

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority or of Shareholder’s spouse under any “community property” or other applicable Law, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, or (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

3

 

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

4

 

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Isao Noda

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
   
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name: Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

8

 

 

  SHAREHOLDER:
   
  /s/ Isao Noda
  Name:  Isao Noda

 

  Number of Shares: 2,000  

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

9

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

9

 

 

Exhibit 2.35

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Gregory Hunt, an individual (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder has the requisite capacity to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

  2  

 

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority or of Shareholder’s spouse under any “community property” or other applicable Law, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, or (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

  3  

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

  4  

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

  5  

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Gregory Hunt

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

  6  

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

  7  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

 

LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:   Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  SHAREHOLDER:
     
  /s/ Gregory Hunt
  Name: Gregory Hunt

 

  Number of Shares: 0

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.36

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Green Plastic Holdings, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Shareholder has all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

2

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Green Plastic Holdings, LLC

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  GREEN PLASTIC HOLDINGS, LLC
     
  Name:  Ashton Hudson
  By: /s/ Ashton Hudson
  Title: Manager

 

  Number of Shares:  103,120  

  

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.37

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO Michael Ashton Hudson Roth IRA (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Shareholder has all requisite corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder and, if applicable, the holders of its Equity Interests. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

2

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, or (D) any of the Organizational Documents of Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  EQUITY TRUST COMPANY CUSTODIAN FBO MICHAEL ASHTON HUDSON ROTH IRA
     
  Name:  Ashton Hudson
  By: /s/ Ashton Hudson
  Title: Beneficiary

 

  Number of Shares:  3,969  

  

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.38

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Eddie Terril Scott, an individual (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder has the requisite capacity to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

2

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority or of Shareholder’s spouse under any “community property” or other applicable Law, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, or (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Eddie Terril Scott

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:


________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name: Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

  

 

 

 

  SHAREHOLDER:
   
  /s/ Eddie Terril Scott
  Name: Eddie Terril Scott

 

  Number of Shares: 296,383

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

  

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.39

 

SUPPORT Agreement

 

This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”) and Brenda Dowdy, an individual (“Shareholder”). Live Oak and Shareholder are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shareholder Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, Shareholder Shares will only include shares of Common Stock outstanding and not any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock that might otherwise be deemed to be “beneficially-owned shares” under Rule 13d-3.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Execution of Written Consent; Voting of Shareholder Shares.

 

(a) Following the execution of this Agreement and no later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice from the Company that Live Oak’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholder shall execute and deliver to the Company the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit I, agreeing to vote the Shareholder Shares in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company, which consent will become effective by its terms immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, Shareholder shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shareholder Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn any meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to Closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Any Shares that Shareholder acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shareholder Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shareholder Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to Live Oak as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Authorization. Shareholder has the requisite capacity to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Shareholder. Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

(b) Ownership of Shareholder Shares. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Shareholder Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities Laws). Other than the Shareholder Shares and as set forth on Schedule A hereto, Shareholder does not own any Equity Interests of the Company that provide Shareholder with any voting rights. Shareholder agrees that any shares of Common Stock of the Company acquired after the date hereof shall be deemed Shareholder Shares for all purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the voting provisions contained in Section 1. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other Contracts obligating Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any Equity Interests of the Company, including the Shareholder Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, Shareholder agreements, proxies, or other Contracts or understandings in effect to which Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shareholder Shares.

 

2

 

 

(c) Governmental Consents; No Conflicts.

 

(i) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any Consent of or with any Governmental Authority or of Shareholder’s spouse under any “community property” or other applicable Law, other than (x) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Live Oak or any of its Affiliates.

 

(ii) The execution, delivery, and performance by Shareholder of this Agreement, and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Shareholder Shares under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (A) any Law or Order applicable to or binding on Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, (B) any Contract to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shareholder Shares, is bound, or (C) any Permit held by Shareholder, except, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d) Proceedings. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) Informed Consent; Reliance. Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Merger Agreement. Shareholder acknowledges that Live Oak and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Shareholder’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 3. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) Restrictions Regarding the Shareholder Shares. From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Live Oak, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any Lien on, any of the Shareholder Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shareholder Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, Shareholder agreement, or other Contract or understanding with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shareholder Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shareholder Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) Appointment of Shareholder Representative. Pursuant to Article X of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder hereby irrevocably designates Shareholder Representative to serve as the Shareholder Representative and as the agent, proxy, and attorney in fact for Shareholder pursuant to the terms of Article X of the Merger Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Article X.

 

(d) Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other Person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Live Oak and its Representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Shareholder shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Shareholder shall immediately advise Live Oak orally and in writing of the receipt by Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other Person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the Person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

(e) Publicity. Shareholder will not make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Live Oak, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Except as may otherwise be required by law, rule or regulation, including any court order or legal process, or the rules of a national securities exchange, Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement until such information is otherwise publicly disclosed without a breach by Shareholder of the terms of this Section 3(e).

 

4

 

 

Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) Section 3(e), this Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Shareholder prior to such termination.

 

Section 5. Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Shareholder.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich
Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

5

 

 

If to Shareholder, to:

Brenda Dowdy

[redacted]

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:


________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:
Email:

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Assignment. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Live Oak may, without the Consent of Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Live Oak to which Live Oak assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Further Assurances. Upon the request of Live Oak, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Live Oak in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

(i) No Strict Construction. The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 6(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 6(l).

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name: Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

  

 

 

 

  SHAREHOLDER:
   
  /s/ Brenda Dowdy
  Name: Brenda Dowdy

 

  Number of Shares:

8,258

 

[Signature page to Support Agreement]

  

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.4

 

Form of amended and restated BY LAWS

 

OF

 

Danimer Scientific, Inc.

 

(THE “CORPORATION”)

 

ARTICLE I
OFFICES

 

Section 1.1. Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation within the State of Delaware shall be located at either (a) the principal place of business of the Corporation in the State of Delaware or (b) the office of the corporation or individual acting as the Corporation’s registered agent in Delaware.

 

Section 1.2. Additional Offices. The Corporation may, in addition to its registered office in the State of Delaware, have such other offices and places of business, both within and outside the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) may from time to time determine or as the business and affairs of the Corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II
STOCKHOLDERS MEETINGS

 

Section 2.1. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and time and on such date as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the notice of the meeting, provided that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5(a). At each annual meeting, the stockholders entitled to vote on such matters shall elect those directors of the Corporation to fill any term of a directorship that expires on the date of such annual meeting and may transact any other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

 

Section 2.2. Special Meetings. Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of the preferred stock of the Corporation (“Preferred Stock”), and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and may not be called by any other person. Special meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and at such time and on such date as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the Corporation’s notice of the meeting, provided that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5(a).

 

Section 2.3. Notices. Written notice of each stockholders meeting stating the place, if any, date, and time of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting and the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, shall be given in the manner permitted by Section 9.3 to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, by the Corporation not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting unless otherwise required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). If said notice is for a stockholders meeting other than an annual meeting, it shall in addition state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, and the business transacted at such meeting shall be limited to the matters so stated in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto). Any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be postponed, and any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be cancelled, by the Board upon public announcement (as defined in Section 2.7(c)) given before the date previously scheduled for such meeting.

 

 

 

 

Section 2.4. Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, as the same may be amended or restated from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) or these By Laws, the presence, in person or by proxy, at a stockholders meeting of the holders of shares of outstanding capital stock of the Corporation representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, except that when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock voting as a class, the holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series for the transaction of such business. If a quorum shall not be present or represented by proxy at any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 2.6 until a quorum shall attend. The stockholders present at a duly convened meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Shares of its own stock belonging to the Corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation or any such other corporation to vote shares held by it in a fiduciary capacity.

 

Section 2.5. Voting of Shares.

 

(a) Voting Lists. The Secretary of the Corporation (the “Secretary”) shall prepare, or shall cause the officer or agent who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation to prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders of record entitled to vote at such meeting; provided, however, that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address and the number and class of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Nothing contained in this Section 2.5(a) shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If a meeting of stockholders is to be held solely by means of remote communication as permitted by Section 9.5(a), the list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of meeting. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list required by this Section 2.5(a) or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

 

(b) Manner of Voting. At any stockholders meeting, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy. If authorized by the Board, the voting by stockholders or proxy holders at any meeting conducted by remote communication may be effected by a ballot submitted by electronic transmission (as defined in Section 9.3), provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which the Corporation can determine that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder or proxy holder. The Board, in its discretion, or the chairman of the meeting of stockholders, in such person’s discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.

 

(c) Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Proxies need not be filed with the Secretary until the meeting is called to order, but shall be filed with the Secretary before being voted. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy, either of the following shall constitute a valid means by which a stockholder may grant such authority. No stockholder shall have cumulative voting rights.

 

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(i) A stockholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy. Execution may be accomplished by the stockholder or such stockholder’s authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing such writing or causing such person’s signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means, including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature.

 

(ii) A stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of an electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder. Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission authorizing another person or persons to act as proxy for a stockholder may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used; provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.

 

(d) Required Vote. Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors pursuant to the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock, at all meetings of stockholders at which a quorum is present, the election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon. All other matters presented to the stockholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, unless the matter is one upon which, by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By Laws or applicable stock exchange rules, a different vote is required, in which case such provision shall govern and control the decision of such matter.

 

(e) Inspectors of Election. The Board may, and shall if required by law, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more persons as inspectors of election, who may be employees of the Corporation or otherwise serve the Corporation in other capacities, to act at such meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof and to make a written report thereof. The Board may appoint one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspectors of election or alternates are appointed by the Board, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall ascertain and report the number of outstanding shares and the voting power of each; determine the number of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots; count all votes and ballots and report the results; determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors; and certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of all votes and ballots. No person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election. Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors.

 

Section 2.6. Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned by the chairman of the meeting, from time to time, whether or not there is a quorum, to reconvene at the same or some other place. Notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the date, time, and place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the stockholders, or the holders of any class or series of stock entitled to vote separately as a class, as the case may be, may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 9.2, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

 

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Section 2.7. Advance Notice for Business.

 

(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. No business may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders, other than business that is either (i) specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any stockholder of the Corporation (x) who is a stockholder of record entitled to vote at such annual meeting on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2.7 (a) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (y) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.7(a). Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.7(a) to the contrary, only persons nominated for election as a director to fill any term of a directorship that expires on the date of the annual meeting pursuant to Section 3.2 will be considered for election at such meeting.

 

(i) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business (other than nominations) to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary and such business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. Subject to Section 2.7(a)(iii), a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary with respect to such business, to be timely, must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date (or if there has been no prior annual meeting), notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the meeting and not later than the later of (x) the close of business on the 90th day before the meeting or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is first made by the Corporation. The public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 2.7(a).

 

(ii) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary with respect to any business (other than nominations) must set forth as to each such matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event such business includes a proposal to amend these By Laws, the language of the proposed amendment) and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (B) the name and record address of such stockholder and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (C) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (D) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder, (E) any material interest of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made in such business and (F) a representation that such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting.

 

(iii) The foregoing notice requirements of this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder as to any proposal (other than nominations) if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of such stockholder’s intention to present such proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereof) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and such stockholder has complied with the requirements of such Rule for inclusion of such proposal in a proxy statement prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.7(a), provided, however, that once business has been properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any such business. If the Board or the chairman of the annual meeting determines that any stockholder proposal was not made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.7(a) or that the information provided in a stockholder’s notice does not satisfy the information requirements of this Section 2.7(a), such proposal shall not be presented for action at the annual meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.7(a), if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present the proposed business, such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such matter may have been received by the Corporation.

 

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(iv) In addition to the provisions of this Section 2.7(a), a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. Nothing in this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting only pursuant to Section 3.2.

 

(c) Public Announcement. For purposes of these By Laws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed or furnished by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (or any successor thereto).

 

Section 2.8. Conduct of Meetings. The chairman of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act of the Chief Executive Officer or if the Chief Executive Officer is not a director, the President (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President or if the President is not a director, such other person as shall be appointed by the Board. The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the chairman of the meeting. The Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with these By Laws or such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and to adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (b) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (c) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall determine; (d) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (e) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure. The secretary of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Secretary or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary so appointed to act by the chairman of the meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

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ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS

 

Section 3.1. Powers; Number. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By Laws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. Directors need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware. Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, the number of directors shall be fixed exclusively by resolution of the Board.

 

Section 3.2. Advance Notice for Nomination of Directors.

 

(a) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation, except as may be otherwise provided by the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock with respect to the rights of holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock to elect directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board at any annual meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors as set forth in the Corporation’s notice of such special meeting, may be made (i) by or at the direction of the Board or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation (x) who is a stockholder of record entitled to vote in the election of directors on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 3.2 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and (y) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 3.2.

 

(b) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (i) in the case of an annual meeting, not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date (or if there has been no prior annual meeting), notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the meeting and not later than the later of (x) the close of business on the 90th day before the meeting or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was first made by the Corporation; and (ii) in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the special meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 3.2.

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything in paragraph (b) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board at an annual meeting is greater than the number of directors whose terms expire on the date of the annual meeting and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for the additional directors to be elected or specifying the size of the increased Board before the close of business on the 90th day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 3.2 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships created by such increase that are to be filled by election at such annual meeting, if it shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the date on which such public announcement was first made by the Corporation.

 

(d) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (C) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially or of record by the person and (D) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice (A) the name and record address of such stockholder as they appear on the Corporation’s books and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, (B) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, (C) a description of all arrangements or understandings relating to the nomination to be made by such stockholder among such stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names), (D) a representation that such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice and (E) any other information relating to such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.

 

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(e) If the Board or the chairman of the meeting of stockholders determines that any nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.2, or that the information provided in a stockholder’s notice does not satisfy the information requirements of this Section 3.2, then such nomination shall not be considered at the meeting in question. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.2, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present the nomination, such nomination shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nomination may have been received by the Corporation.

 

(f) In addition to the provisions of this Section 3.2, a stockholder shall also comply with all of the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. Nothing in this Section 3.2 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of Preferred Stock to elect directors pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 3.3. Compensation. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors, including for service on a committee of the Board, and may be paid either a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or other compensation as director. The directors may be reimbursed their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of committees of the Board may be allowed like compensation and reimbursement of expenses for service on the committee.

 

ARTICLE IV
BOARD MEETINGS

 

Section 4.1. Annual Meetings. The Board shall meet as soon as practicable after the adjournment of each annual stockholders meeting at the place of the annual stockholders meeting unless the Board shall fix another time and place and give notice thereof in the manner required herein for special meetings of the Board. No notice to the directors shall be necessary to legally convene this meeting, except as provided in this Section 4.1.

 

Section 4.2. Regular Meetings. Regularly scheduled, periodic meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such times, dates and places (within or without the State of Delaware) as shall from time to time be determined by the Board.

 

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Section 4.3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board (a) may be called by the Chairman of the Board or President and (b) shall be called by the Chairman of the Board, President or Secretary on the written request of at least a majority of directors then in office, or the sole director, as the case may be, and shall be held at such time, date and place (within or without the State of Delaware) as may be determined by the person calling the meeting or, if called upon the request of directors or the sole director, as specified in such written request. Notice of each special meeting of the Board shall be given, as provided in Section 9.3, to each director (i) at least 24 hours before the meeting if such notice is oral notice given personally or by telephone or written notice given by hand delivery or by means of a form of electronic transmission and delivery; (ii) at least two days before the meeting if such notice is sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service; and (iii) at least five days before the meeting if such notice is sent through the United States mail. If the Secretary shall fail or refuse to give such notice, then the notice may be given by the officer who called the meeting or the directors who requested the meeting. Any and all business that may be transacted at a regular meeting of the Board may be transacted at a special meeting. Except as may be otherwise expressly provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By Laws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting. A special meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in accordance with Section 9.4.

 

Section 4.4. Quorum; Required Vote. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.

 

Section 4.5. Consent In Lieu of Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions (or paper reproductions thereof) are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

 

Section 4.6. Organization. The chairman of each meeting of the Board shall be the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Executive Officer or if the Chief Executive Officer is not a director, the President (if he or she shall be a director) or in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President or if the President is not a director, a chairman elected from the directors present. The Secretary shall act as secretary of all meetings of the Board. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary shall perform the duties of the Secretary at such meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 5.1. Establishment. The Board may by resolution of the Board designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required by the resolution designating such committee. The Board shall have the power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such committee.

 

Section 5.2. Available Powers. Any committee established pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, to the extent permitted by applicable law and by resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all of the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it.

 

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Section 5.3. Alternate Members. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of the committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.

 

Section 5.4. Procedures. Unless the Board otherwise provides, the time, date, place, if any, and notice of meetings of a committee shall be determined by such committee. At meetings of a committee, a majority of the number of members of the committee (but not including any alternate member, unless such alternate member has replaced any absent or disqualified member at the time of, or in connection with, such meeting) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee, except as otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By Laws or the Board. If a quorum is not present at a meeting of a committee, the members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. Unless the Board otherwise provides and except as provided in these By Laws, each committee designated by the Board may make, alter, amend and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board is authorized to conduct its business pursuant to Article III and Article IV of these By Laws.

 

ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS

 

Section 6.1. Officers. The officers of the Corporation elected by the Board shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Secretary and such other officers (including without limitation, a Chairman of the Board, Presidents, Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and a Treasurer) as the Board from time to time may determine. Officers elected by the Board shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article VI. Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board. The Chief Executive Officer or President may also appoint such other officers (including without limitation one or more Vice Presidents and Controllers) as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Corporation. Such other officers shall have such powers and duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as may be provided in these By Laws or as may be prescribed by the Board or, if such officer has been appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President, as may be prescribed by the appointing officer.

 

(a) Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall have general supervision and control of the acquisition activities of the Corporation subject to the ultimate authority of the Board, and shall be responsible for the execution of the policies of the Board with respect to such matters. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board shall not include supervision or control of the preparation of the financial statements of the Corporation (other than through participation as a member of the Board). The position of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer may be held by the same person.

 

(b) Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation, shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Corporation and general control of all of its business subject to the ultimate authority of the Board, and shall be responsible for the execution of the policies of the Board with respect to such matters, except to the extent any such powers and duties have been prescribed to the Chairman of the Board pursuant to Section 6.1 (a) above. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The position of Chief Executive Officer and President may be held by the same person.

 

(c) President. The President shall make recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer on all operational matters that would normally be reserved for the final executive responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, the President (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The President shall also perform such duties and have such powers as shall be designated by the Board. The position of President and Chief Executive Officer may be held by the same person.

 

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(d) Vice Presidents. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President, the Vice President (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the order designated by the Board) shall perform the duties and have the powers of the President. Any one or more of the Vice Presidents may be given an additional designation of rank or function.

 

(e) Secretary.

 

(i) The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders, the Board and (as required) committees of the Board and shall record the proceedings of such meetings in books to be kept for that purpose. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or President. The Secretary shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation and the Secretary, or any Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it, and when so affixed, it may be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of such Assistant Secretary. The Board may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing thereof by his or her signature.

 

(ii) The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, if one has been appointed, a stock ledger, or duplicate stock ledger, showing the names of the stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each and, with respect to certificated shares, the number and date of certificates issued for the same and the number and date of certificates cancelled.

 

(f) Assistant Secretaries. The Assistant Secretary or, if there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board shall, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, perform the duties and have the powers of the Secretary.

 

(g) Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform all duties commonly incident to that office (including, without limitation, the care and custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation, which from time to time may come into the Chief Financial Officer’s hands and the deposit of the funds of the Corporation in such banks or trust companies as the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may authorize).

 

(h) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Financial Officer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chief Financial Officer.

 

Section 6.2. Term of Office; Removal; Vacancies. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be appointed by the Board and shall hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified by the Board or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or removal from office. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by the Board. Any officer appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may also be removed, with or without cause, by the Chief Executive Officer or President, as the case may be, unless the Board otherwise provides. Any vacancy occurring in any elected office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board. Any vacancy occurring in any office appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may be filled by the Chief Executive Officer, or President, as the case may be, unless the Board then determines that such office shall thereupon be elected by the Board, in which case the Board shall elect such officer.

 

Section 6.3. Other Officers. The Board may delegate the power to appoint such other officers and agents, and may also remove such officers and agents or delegate the power to remove same, as it shall from time to time deem necessary or desirable.

 

Section 6.4. Multiple Officeholders; Stockholder and Director Officers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws otherwise provide. Officers need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware.

 

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ARTICLE VII
SHARES

 

Section 7.1. Certificated and Uncertificated Shares. The shares of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated, subject to the sole discretion of the Board and the requirements of the DGCL.

 

Section 7.2. Multiple Classes of Stock. If the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the Corporation shall (a) cause the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights to be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of any certificate that the Corporation issues to represent shares of such class or series of stock or (b) in the case of uncertificated shares, within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of such shares, send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth on certificates as specified in clause (a) above; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided by applicable law, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of such certificate or, in the case of uncertificated shares, on such written notice a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences or rights.

 

Section 7.3. Signatures. Each certificate representing capital stock of the Corporation shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by (a) the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President and (b) the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation. Any or all the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, such certificate may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar on the date of issue.

 

Section 7.4. Consideration and Payment for Shares.

 

(a) Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, shares of stock may be issued for such consideration, having in the case of shares with par value a value not less than the par value thereof, and to such persons, as determined from time to time by the Board. The consideration may consist of any tangible or intangible property or any benefit to the Corporation including cash, promissory notes, services performed, contracts for services to be performed or other securities, or any combination thereof.

 

(b) Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, shares may not be issued until the full amount of the consideration has been paid, unless upon the face or back of each certificate issued to represent any partly paid shares of capital stock or upon the books and records of the Corporation in the case of partly paid uncertificated shares, there shall have been set forth the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon up to and including the time said certificate representing certificated shares or said uncertificated shares are issued.

 

Section 7.5. Lost, Destroyed or Wrongfully Taken Certificates.

 

(a) If an owner of a certificate representing shares claims that such certificate has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Corporation shall issue a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form if the owner: (i) requests such a new certificate before the Corporation has notice that the certificate representing such shares has been acquired by a protected purchaser; (ii) if requested by the Corporation, delivers to the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, wrongful taking or destruction of such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares; and (iii) satisfies other reasonable requirements imposed by the Corporation.

 

(b) If a certificate representing shares has been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken, and the owner fails to notify the Corporation of that fact within a reasonable time after the owner has notice of such loss, apparent destruction or wrongful taking and the Corporation registers a transfer of such shares before receiving notification, the owner shall be precluded from asserting against the Corporation any claim for registering such transfer or a claim to a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form.

 

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Section 7.6. Transfer of Stock.

 

(a) If a certificate representing shares of the Corporation is presented to the Corporation with an endorsement requesting the registration of transfer of such shares or an instruction is presented to the Corporation requesting the registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall register the transfer as requested if:

 

(i) in the case of certificated shares, the certificate representing such shares has been surrendered;

 

(ii) (A) with respect to certificated shares, the endorsement is made by the person specified by the certificate as entitled to such shares; (B) with respect to uncertificated shares, an instruction is made by the registered owner of such uncertificated shares; or (C) with respect to certificated shares or uncertificated shares, the endorsement or instruction is made by any other appropriate person or by an agent who has actual authority to act on behalf of the appropriate person;

 

(iii) the Corporation has received a guarantee of signature of the person signing such endorsement or instruction or such other reasonable assurance that the endorsement or instruction is genuine and authorized as the Corporation may request;

 

(iv) the transfer does not violate any restriction on transfer imposed by the Corporation that is enforceable in accordance with Section 7.8(a); and

 

(v) such other conditions for such transfer as shall be provided for under applicable law have been satisfied.

 

(b) Whenever any transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security and not absolutely, the Corporation shall so record such fact in the entry of transfer if, when the certificate for such shares is presented to the Corporation for transfer or, if such shares are uncertificated, when the instruction for registration of transfer thereof is presented to the Corporation, both the transferor and transferee request the Corporation to do so.

 

Section 7.7. Registered Stockholders. Before due presentment for registration of transfer of a certificate representing shares of the Corporation or of an instruction requesting registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation may treat the registered owner as the person exclusively entitled to inspect for any proper purpose the stock ledger and the other books and records of the Corporation, vote such shares, receive dividends or notifications with respect to such shares and otherwise exercise all the rights and powers of the owner of such shares, except that a person who is the beneficial owner of such shares (if held in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person) may, upon providing documentary evidence of beneficial ownership of such shares and satisfying such other conditions as are provided under applicable law, may also so inspect the books and records of the Corporation.

 

Section 7.8. Effect of the Corporation’s Restriction on Transfer.

 

(a) A written restriction on the transfer or registration of transfer of shares of the Corporation or on the amount of shares of the Corporation that may be owned by any person or group of persons, if permitted by the DGCL and noted conspicuously on the certificate representing such shares or, in the case of uncertificated shares, contained in a notice, offering circular or prospectus sent by the Corporation to the registered owner of such shares within a reasonable time prior to or after the issuance or transfer of such shares, may be enforced against the holder of such shares or any successor or transferee of the holder including an executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of the holder.

 

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(b) A restriction imposed by the Corporation on the transfer or the registration of shares of the Corporation or on the amount of shares of the Corporation that may be owned by any person or group of persons, even if otherwise lawful, is ineffective against a person without actual knowledge of such restriction unless: (i) the shares are certificated and such restriction is noted conspicuously on the certificate; or (ii) the shares are uncertificated and such restriction was contained in a notice, offering circular or prospectus sent by the Corporation to the registered owner of such shares within a reasonable time prior to or after the issuance or transfer of such shares.

 

Section 7.9. Regulations. The Board shall have power and authority to make such additional rules and regulations, subject to any applicable requirement of law, as the Board may deem necessary and appropriate with respect to the issue, transfer or registration of transfer of shares of stock or certificates representing shares. The Board may appoint one or more transfer agents or registrars and may require for the validity thereof that certificates representing shares bear the signature of any transfer agent or registrar so appointed.

 

ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 8.1. Right to Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “Indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with such proceeding; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 8.3 with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify an Indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

 

Section 8.2. Right to Advancement of Expenses. In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 8.1, an Indemnitee shall also have the right to be paid by the Corporation to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law the expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an ‘ advancement of expenses”), provided, however, that, if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an Indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such Indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon the Corporation’s receipt of an undertaking (hereinafter an ‘“undertaking”), by or on behalf of such Indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VIII or otherwise.

 

Section 8.3. Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If a claim under Section 8.1 or Section 8.2 is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be 20 days, the Indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (a) any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by an Indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (b) in any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that, the Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including a determination by its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the Indemnitee, shall be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article VIII or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

 

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Section 8.4. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights provided to any Indemnitee pursuant to this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other right, which such Indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By Laws, an agreement, a vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

 

Section 8.5. Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and/or any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

 

Section 8.6. Indemnification of Other Persons. This Article VIII shall not limit the right of the Corporation to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Indemnitees. Without limiting the foregoing, the Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation and to any other person who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of Indemnitees under this Article VIII.

 

Section 8.7. Amendments. Any repeal or amendment of this Article VIII by the Board or the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in applicable law, or the adoption of any other provision of these By Laws inconsistent with this Article VIII. will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in applicable law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights to Indemnitees on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision; provided however, that amendments or repeals of this Article VIII shall require the affirmative vote of the stockholders holding at least 66.7% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation.

 

Section 8.8. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Article VIII (a) references to “other enterprise” shall include any employee benefit plan; (b) references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; (c) references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service that imposes duties on, or involves services by, a person with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and (d) a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interest of the Corporation” for purposes of Section 145 of the DGCL.

 

Section 8.9. Contract Rights. The rights provided to Indemnitees pursuant to this Article VIII shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, agent or employee and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators.

 

Section 8.10. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article VIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VIII shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, each such portion of this Article VIII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

 

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ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.1. Place of Meetings. If the place of any meeting of stockholders, the Board or committee of the Board for which notice is required under these By Laws is not designated in the notice of such meeting, such meeting shall be held at the principal business office of the Corporation; provided, however, if the Board has, in its sole discretion, determined that a meeting shall not be held at any place, but instead shall be held by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5 hereof, then such meeting shall not be held at any place.

 

Section 9.2. Fixing Record Dates.

 

(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.2(a) at the adjourned meeting.

 

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

 

Section 9.3. Means of Giving Notice.

 

(a) Notice to Directors. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws notice is required to be given to any director, such notice shall be given either (i) in writing and sent by mail, or by a nationally recognized delivery service, (ii) by means of facsimile telecommunication or other form of electronic transmission, or (iii) by oral notice given personally or by telephone. A notice to a director will be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, orally, or by telephone, when actually received by the director, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iv) if sent by facsimile telecommunication, when sent to the facsimile transmission number for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, (v) if sent by electronic mail, when sent to the electronic mail address for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, or (vi) if sent by any other form of electronic transmission, when sent to the address, location or number (as applicable) for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation.

 

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(b) Notice to Stockholders. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws notice is required to be given to any stockholder, such notice may be given (i) in writing and sent either by hand delivery, through the United States mail, or by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or (ii) by means of a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder, to the extent permitted by, and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 232 of the DGCL. A notice to a stockholder shall be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, when actually received by the stockholder, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, and (iv) if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given and otherwise meeting the requirements set forth above, (A) if by facsimile transmission, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (B) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (C) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specified posting, upon the later of (1) such posting and (2) the giving of such separate notice, and (D) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent to receiving notice by means of electronic communication by giving written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (1) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent and (2) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or to the Corporation’s transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.

 

(c) Electronic Transmission. “Electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process, including but not limited to transmission by telex, facsimile telecommunication, electronic mail, telegram and cablegram.

 

(d) Notice to Stockholders Sharing Same Address. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively by the Corporation to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent by delivering written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Corporation within 60 days of having been given written notice by the Corporation of its intention to send such a single written notice shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.

 

(e) Exceptions to Notice Requirements. Whenever notice is required to be given, under the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given.

 

In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.

 

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Whenever notice is required to be given by the Corporation, under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, to any stockholder to whom (1) notice of two consecutive annual meetings of stockholders and all notices of stockholder meetings or of the taking of action by written consent of stockholders without a meeting to such stockholder during the period between such two consecutive annual meetings, or (2) all, and at least two payments (if sent by first-class mail) of dividends or interest on securities during a 12-month period, have been mailed addressed to such stockholder at such stockholder’s address as shown on the records of the Corporation and have been returned undeliverable, the giving of such notice to such stockholder shall not be required. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to such stockholder shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. If any such stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation a written notice setting forth such stockholder’s then current address, the requirement that notice be given to such stockholder shall be reinstated. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate need not state that notice was not given to persons to whom notice was not required to be given pursuant to Section 230(b) of the DGCL. The exception in subsection (1) of the first sentence of this paragraph to the requirement that notice be given shall not be applicable to any notice returned as undeliverable if the notice was given by electronic transmission.

 

Section 9.4. Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By Laws, a written waiver of such notice, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to such required notice. All such waivers shall be kept with the books of the Corporation. Attendance at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a person attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.

 

Section 9.5. Meeting Attendance via Remote Communication Equipment.

 

(a) Stockholder Meetings. If authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board may adopt, stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and proxy holders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication:

 

(i) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and

 

(ii) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (A) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxy holder, (B) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxy holders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and, if entitled to vote, to vote on matters submitted to the applicable stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (C) if any stockholder or proxy holder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such votes or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.

 

(b) Board Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, members of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board or any committee thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.

 

Section 9.6. Dividends. The Board may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends (payable in cash, property or shares of the Corporation’s capital stock) on the Corporation’s outstanding shares of capital stock, subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 9.7. Reserves. The Board may set apart out of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve.

 

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Section 9.8. Contracts and Negotiable Instruments. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument may be executed and delivered in the name and on behalf of the Corporation by such officer or officers or other employee or employees of the Corporation as the Board may from time to time authorize. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances as the Board may determine. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Vice President may execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation. Subject to any restrictions imposed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board Chief Executive Officer, President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Vice President may delegate powers to execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation to other officers or employees of the Corporation under such person’s supervision and authority, it being understood, however, that any such delegation of power shall not relieve such officer of responsibility with respect to the exercise of such delegated power.

 

Section 9.9. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board.

 

Section 9.10. Seal. The Board may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be in such form as the Board determines. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or otherwise reproduced.

 

Section 9.11. Books and Records. The books and records of the Corporation may be kept within or outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board.

 

Section 9.12. Resignation. Any director, committee member or officer may resign by giving notice thereof in writing or by electronic transmission to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary. The resignation shall take effect at the time it is delivered unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of an event or events. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

Section 9.13. Surety Bonds. Such officers, employees and agents of the Corporation (if any) as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board may direct, from time to time, shall be bonded for the faithful performance of their duties and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of their death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in their possession or under their control belonging to the Corporation, in such amounts and by such surety companies as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board may determine. The premiums on such bonds shall be paid by the Corporation and the bonds so furnished shall be in the custody of the Secretary.

 

Section 9.14. Securities of Other Corporations. Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents in writing and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, any Vice President or any officers authorized by the Board. Any such officer, may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation may own securities, or to consent in writing, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by such corporation, and at any such meeting or with respect to any such consent shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and power incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed. The Board may from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.

 

Section 9.15. Amendments. The Board shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws. The By Laws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders; provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-third percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power (except as otherwise provided in Section 8.7) of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws.

 

 

18

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

 

 

 

 

, 2020 

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

774 A. Walker Road

Great Falls, Virginia 22066

 

Mayer Brown LLP

71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
United States of America

T: +1 312 782 0600

F: +1 312 701 7711

mayerbrown.com

 

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-4

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel to Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (as it may be amended from time to time, the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the registration under the Securities Act of up to 51,000,000 shares (the “Shares”) of the Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Class A Common Stock”), issuable pursuant to that certain merger agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., doing business as Danimer Scientific, a Georgia corporation (“Danimer”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for the Company for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of Danimer for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement.

 

In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined (i) the Registration Statement including the form of the Company’s fourth amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Proposed Certificate of Incorporation”) included therein, (ii) the Merger Agreement, (iii) the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as amended to the date hereof (the “Existing Certificate of Incorporation”), (iv) the Company’s bylaws, as amended to the date hereof, and (v) resolutions of the Company’s board of directors. We have also examined such other documents and instruments and have made such further investigations as we have deemed necessary or appropriate in connection with this opinion.

 

In expressing the opinions set forth below, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the conformity to the originals of all documents reviewed by us as copies, the authenticity and completeness of all original documents reviewed by us in original or copy form and the legal competence of each individual executing any document. As to all parties other than the Company, we have assumed the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents and the validity and enforceability thereof against all parties thereto in accordance with their respective terms. We have also assumed that (i) the Registration Statement will become, and remain, effective under the Securities Act, (ii) the terms of the Shares are as described in the Registration Statement; (iii) the approval, in the manner required by the Existing Certificate of Incorporation, by the holders of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and the Company’s Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, voting as a single class, to the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation will be obtained and all necessary filings will be made in compliance with applicable federal and state laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement so that the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation becomes effective.

 

Mayer Brown is a global services provider comprising an association of legal practices that are separate entities including
Mayer Brown LLP (Illinois, USA), Mayer Brown International LLP (England), Mayer Brown (a Hong Kong partnership)
and Tauil & Chequer Advogados (a Brazilian partnership).

Mayer Brown LLP



Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

                , 2020

Page 2

 

 

As to matters of fact (but not as to legal conclusions), to the extent we deemed proper, we have relied on certificates of responsible officers of the Company and of public officials.

 

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, conditions and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and, when and if issued in accordance with the terms set forth in the Registration Statement and the Merger Agreement, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to being named in the Prospectus and any related prospectus supplement under the caption “Legal Matters” with respect to the matters stated therein. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are experts within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act or within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act.

 

The opinions and statements expressed herein are as of the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update or supplement this opinion letter to reflect any facts or circumstances that may hereafter come to our attention or any changes in applicable law which may hereafter occur.

 

We express no opinion as to matters under or involving any laws other than the laws of the State of Delaware and the federal laws of the United States of America.

  

  Very truly yours,
  _______________________ 
 

MAYER BROWN LLP

 

 

 

Exhibit 8.1

 

 

 

 

 

, 2020 

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

774 A. Walker Road

Great Falls, Virginia 22066

 

Mayer Brown LLP

71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
United States of America

T: +1 312 782 0600

F: +1 312 701 7711

mayerbrown.com

 

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-4

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel to Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (as it may be amended from time to time, the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the registration under the Securities Act of up to 51,000,000 shares (the “Shares”) of the Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Class A Common Stock”), issuable pursuant to that certain merger agreement, dated as of October 3, 2020 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., doing business as Danimer Scientific, a Georgia corporation (“Danimer”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for the Company for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of Danimer for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement.

 

As counsel to the Company, we have examined and relied upon originals or copies of such agreements, instruments, certificates, records and other documents and have made such examination of law as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purpose of this opinion, including the Registration Statement and the proxy statement/prospectus contained therein (the “Prospectus”).

 

Although we have made such inquiries and performed such investigations as we have deemed necessary for purposes of our opinion, we have not independently verified all of the facts set forth in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or in any other document. Our opinion is conditioned on, among other things, the initial and continuing accuracy of the factual information set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. Any change or inaccuracy in the facts referred to, set forth or assumed herein may affect our conclusions set forth herein.

 

Our opinion is also based on the correctness of the following assumptions: (i) the Company and each of the entities in which the Company holds a direct or indirect interest have been and will continue to be operated in accordance with the laws of the jurisdictions in which they were formed and in the manner described in the relevant organizational documents, (ii) there will be no changes in the applicable laws of which any such entity has been formed, and (iii) each of the written agreements to which the Company or any such entity is a party will be implemented, construed and enforced in accordance with its terms.

 

In rendering our opinion, we have also considered the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions, administrative rulings and other applicable authorities, in each case as in effect on the date hereof. The statutory provisions, regulations, decisions, rulings and other authorities on which this opinion is based are subject to change, and such changes could apply retroactively. A material change that is made after the date hereof in any of the foregoing bases for our opinion could affect our conclusions set forth herein.

 

Mayer Brown is a global services provider comprising an association of legal practices that are separate entities including
Mayer Brown LLP (Illinois, USA), Mayer Brown International LLP (England), Mayer Brown (a Hong Kong partnership)
and Tauil & Chequer Advogados (a Brazilian partnership).

Mayer Brown LLP



Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

                , 2020

Page 2

 

In our examination, we have assumed (i) the legal capacity of all natural persons, (ii) the genuineness of all signatures, (iii) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, (iv) the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, or photostatic copies, and (v) the authenticity of the originals of such copies.

 

This opinion shall not be construed as or deemed to be a guaranty or insuring agreement. Opinions of counsel represent only counsel’s best legal judgment and are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or on any court. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions of the opinion set forth herein or that such a challenge would not be successful.

 

Based on and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the statements set forth in the Prospectus under the heading “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations of the Redemption and the Business Combination,” to the extent that they constitute matters of United States federal income tax law or legal conclusions with respect thereto currently applicable to the holders described therein as of the date thereof, while not purporting to discuss all possible United States federal income tax consequences of investment in, sale of or other disposition of the Shares, constitute (subject to the qualifications, assumptions, limitations and exceptions set forth therein) accurate summaries of such matters in all material respects.

 

Other than as expressly stated above, we express no opinion on any issue relating to the Company or to any investment therein or under any other law.

 

This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and we are under no obligation to supplement or revise our opinion to reflect any legal developments or factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof, or the impact of any information, document, certificate, record, statement, representation, covenant, or assumption relied upon herein that becomes incorrect or untrue.

 

We hereby consent to the use of this opinion for filing with the Registration Statement as Exhibit 8.1 thereto, without admitting we are “experts” within the meaning of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission issued thereunder, with respect to any part of the Registration Statement, including this exhibit.

 

Very truly yours,

 

Mayer Brown LLP

  

 

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

Execution Version

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of October 3, 2020, is made by and between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (together with any successor thereto, “Live Oak” or the “Company”), and Stephen E. Croskrey (“Executive”) (collectively referred to as the “Parties” or individually referred to as a “Party”).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Company, Green Merger Corp, a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (“MHG”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into MGH, with MGH continuing as the surviving corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”);

 

WHEREAS, Executive is currently a party to that certain Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of August 13, 2018, between MHG and Executive, as amended by that certain Amendment (the “Amendment”), dated as of the date hereof (as amended, the “Current Employment Agreement”), between MHG and Executive, which Current Employment Agreement will be, upon fulfilment of all obligations reflected in the Amendment (including certain payment obligations to Executive under the Current Employment Agreement), terminated simultaneously with the Closing in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Amendment;

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of the Company’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, it is the desire of the Company to assure itself of the services of Executive commencing on the date of the consummation of the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement (the “Effective Date”) and thereafter on the terms herein provided by entering into this Agreement and by terminating the Current Employment Agreement as of the Effective Date; and

 

WHEREAS, it is the desire of Executive to provide services to the Company from and after the Effective Date on the terms herein provided.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and for other good and valuable consideration, including the respective covenants and agreements set forth below, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.  Employment.

 

a.  General. The Company shall employ Executive and Executive shall remain in the employ of the Company, for the period and in the positions set forth in this Section 1, and subject to the other terms and conditions herein.

 

b.  Employment Term. The term of employment under this Agreement (the “Term”) shall commence on the Effective Date and end on February 1, 2024, subject to earlier termination as provided in Section 3 below.

 

 

 

 

c.  Positions. Executive shall serve as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Company with such responsibilities, duties and authority normally associated with such positions and as may from time to time be reasonably assigned to Executive by the Board (as defined below). Executive shall report directly to the Board. During the Term, the Board shall nominate Executive for re-election as a member of the Board at the expiration of his then current Board term, provided that the foregoing shall not be required to the extent prohibited by legal or regulatory requirements. Executive shall use his reasonable best efforts to be present at each regular meeting of the Board, either in person or by telecommunication or other similar means, and such other meetings for which there is reasonable prior notice. At the Company’s request, Executive shall serve the Company and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates in such other capacities in addition to the foregoing as the Board may reasonably designate; provided that such additional capacities are consistent with Executive’s position as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. In the event that Executive serves in any one or more of such additional capacities, Executive’s compensation shall not automatically be increased on account of such additional service.

 

d.  Duties. Executive shall devote substantially all of Executive’s working time, attention and efforts to the business and affairs of the Company (which shall include service to its subsidiaries), except during any paid vacation or other excused absence periods. Executive shall not engage in outside business activities (including serving on outside boards or committees) without the prior written consent of the Board (which the Board may grant or withhold in its sole and absolute discretion); provided that Executive shall be permitted to (i) have a direct and/or indirect ownership interest in any company that is not a competitor of the Company; (ii) serve on the board of directors (or as an advisor) of any business corporation other than a competitor of the Company or where the Board reasonably determines there is an actual conflict of interest; provided that Executive shall not serve on more than two other public company boards (and four boards total) without the prior consent of the Board, not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned; provided that the Board shall be deemed to have consented to Executive’s continued service on the two other boards of private companies in the medical device industries on which Executive serves as of the date hereof; (iii) serve on the board of directors of, or work for, any charitable, non-profit or community organization other than a competitor of the Company or where the Board reasonably determines there is an actual conflict of interest; or (iv) pursue his personal financial and legal affairs, in each case, subject to compliance with this Agreement and provided that such activities do not materially interfere with Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder or violate any restrictive covenants applicable to Executive pursuant to any written agreement with the Company (including, without limitation, the restrictive covenants set forth in Section 5). Executive agrees to observe and comply with the rules and policies of the Company as adopted by the Company from time to time, in each case as amended from time to time, as set forth in writing, and as delivered or made available to Executive in advance of the effectiveness thereof.

 

e.  Location. Executive shall perform his duties hereunder at the offices of the Company located in Bainbridge, Georgia or from his home offices, but from time to time Executive may be reasonably required to travel to other locations in the proper conduct of Executive’s responsibilities under this Agreement.

 

2

 

 

2.  Compensation and Related Matters.

 

a.  Annual Base Salary. During the Term while Executive is employed by the Company, Executive shall receive a base salary at a rate of $425,000 per annum, which shall increase by $25,000 on January 1 of each year of the Term, and be paid in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company (such annual base salary, as it may be adjusted from time to time, the “Annual Base Salary”).

 

b.  Annual Bonus. Executive will be paid an annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) equal to ten percent (10%) of the Company EBITDAR (as defined below) until such bonus amount equals the Annual Base Salary then in effect, and five percent (5%) of Company EBITDAR in excess thereof, which Annual Bonus will be paid no later than March 15 following the year in which such Annual Bonus was earned. “Company EBITDAR” means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent and operating leases, and shall be determined based upon the Company’s audited financial statements for the year in question and in accordance with the Company’s internal financial records; provided that any determination of the Company’s independent auditors shall be controlling.

 

c.  Annual Equity Awards. During the Term, Executive will be eligible to participate in the Company’s equity incentive plans for executives and employees and receive annual equity awards thereunder, as determined by the Board or an applicable committee thereof in its sole discretion and subject to the terms of the Company’s equity incentive plans and applicable award agreements by and between Executive and the Company.

 

d.  Benefits. During the Term, Executive shall be eligible to participate in employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements as the Company may from time to time offer to provide to its executives, including, but not limited to, a life insurance program (with buy-up option, if available), consistent with the terms thereof and as such plans, programs and arrangements may be amended from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein is intended, or shall be construed, to require the Company to institute or continue any, or any particular, plan or benefit.

 

e.  Housing and Transportation. The Company shall provide Executive with the use of a rental home or apartment in the Bainbridge area (or the surrounding area within a 25-mile radius) that is reasonably acceptable to Executive, it being acknowledged by Executive that the current rental property being provided to him by the Company is so acceptable. The Company shall reimburse Executive for incremental living expenses for periods during which he resides in the rental home for Company business in an amount not exceeding $1,500.00 per month (the “Living Expense Reimbursement”, which Living Expense Reimbursement shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal expense reimbursement policy and this Agreement. In the event that all or any portion of the Living Expense Reimbursement is taxable to Executive, Executive will be entitled to an additional payment in an amount such that the net amount of the Living Expense Reimbursement plus the additional payment retained by Executive after deduction of all applicable federal and state income taxes shall be equal to the Living Expense Reimbursement, with additional payment shall be made at the same time that the Living Expense Reimbursement is made. The Company will also make available to Executive, at the Company’s sole expense, use of a corporate vehicle for travel from Executive’s residence to the Company’s offices in Bainbridge, which Executive shall return upon termination of his employment.

 

3

 

 

f.  Vacation; Holidays. Executive shall be entitled to thirty (30) days’ vacation per year taken in increments of no more than ten (10) working days at a time or such greater number of working days at a time as may be approved by the Board in its sole discretion (vacation time shall not accumulate from year to year unless approved in advance by the Board or required by applicable law). In addition, the Company offers employees time off for standard Company holidays in accordance with the Policies.

 

g.  Business Expenses. During the Term, the Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable travel and other business expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of Executive’s duties to the Company in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement Policy, including travel between his home offices and the Company’s locations, including the Company’s principal location in Bainbridge Georgia. Executive shall be entitled to business class, or, if similar cost, first class air travel, subject to the Company’s travel policy then in effect.

 

h.  Key Person Insurance.  At any time during the Term, the Company shall have the right to insure the life of Executive for the Company’s sole benefit. The Company shall have the right to determine the amount of insurance and the type of policy. Executive shall reasonably cooperate with the Company in obtaining such insurance by submitting to physical examinations, by supplying all information reasonably required by any insurance carrier, and by executing all necessary documents reasonably required by any insurance carrier; provided that any information provided to an insurance company or broker shall not be provided to the Company without the prior written authorization of Executive. Executive shall incur no financial obligation by executing any required document and shall have no interest in any such policy.

 

i.  Indemnification. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify Executive and hold Executive harmless to the fullest extent permitted under the organizational documents of the Company and applicable law against and in respect of any and all actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands, judgments, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees), losses, and damages (including advancement of fees and expenses) resulting from Executive’s good faith performance of Executive’s duties and obligations with the Company hereunder. The Company shall cover Executive under directors’ and officers’ liability insurance both during and, while potential liability exists, after the Term in the same amount and to the same extent as the Company covers its other officers and directors. The foregoing obligations shall survive the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company and shall be in addition to any other indemnification rights Executive is entitled to, under existing or future indemnification agreements or otherwise. The Company and Executive further agree to, promptly after the date hereof, enter into an indemnification agreement in favor of Executive in a form that is mutually agreeable to the parties.

 

3.  Termination.

 

a.  Circumstances. Executive’s employment hereunder (and the Term) may be terminated by the Company or Executive, as applicable, without any breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances:

 

i.  Death. Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon Executive’s death.

 

4

 

 

ii.  Disability. If Executive has incurred a Disability, as defined below, the Company may terminate Executive’s employment.

 

iii.  Termination for Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment for Cause, as defined below.

 

iv.  Termination without Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment without Cause.

 

v.  Resignation from the Company with Good Reason. Executive may resign Executive’s employment with the Company with Good Reason, as defined below.

 

vi.  Resignation from the Company without Good Reason. Executive may resign Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason other than Good Reason or for no reason.

 

b.  Notice of Termination. During the Term, any termination of Executive’s employment by the Company or by Executive under this Section 3 (other than termination pursuant to Section 3(a)(i) above) shall be communicated by a written notice (a “Notice of Termination”) to the other Party hereto (i) indicating the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, if applicable, and (iii) specifying a Date of Termination (as defined below). The failure by either Party to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance shall not waive any right of the Party hereunder or preclude the Party from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Party’s rights hereunder.

 

c.  Termination Date. For purposes of this Agreement, “Date of Termination” shall mean the date of the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company and all of its affiliates, which, if Executive’s employment is terminated as a result of Executive’s death, will be the date of Executive’s death, and otherwise shall be the date specified in a Notice of Termination. Except in the case of a termination pursuant to Sections 3(a)(i) and (iii) above, the Date of Termination shall be at least thirty (30) days following the date of the Notice of Termination; provided, however, that the Company may deliver a Notice of Termination to Executive that specifies any Date of Termination that occurs on or after the date of its Notice of Termination and, in the event that Executive delivers a Notice of Termination to the Company, the Company may, in its sole discretion, change the Date of Termination to any date that occurs on or following the date of the Notice of Termination and is prior to the Date of Termination specified in the Notice of Termination; and provided, further, that a Notice of Termination relating to termination for Good Reason shall be subject to the timing rules set forth in the definition of Good Reasons.

 

d.  Deemed Resignation. Upon termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from all offices and directorships, if any, then held with the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

 

5

 

 

4.  Obligations upon a Termination of Employment.

 

a.  Company Obligations upon Termination. Upon termination of Executive’s employment pursuant to any of the circumstances listed in Section 3(a) above, Executive (or Executive’s estate) shall be entitled to receive the sum of: (i) the portion of Executive’s Annual Base Salary earned through the Date of Termination, but not yet paid to Executive, payable in accordance with applicable law; (ii) any unpaid Annual Bonus earned by Executive for the year prior to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, as determined by the Board in its good faith discretion based upon actual performance achieved, which Annual Bonus, if any, shall be paid to Executive when bonuses for such year are paid to actively employed senior executives of the Company but in no event later than March 15 following the year in which the Date of Termination occurs; (iii) any accrued but unpaid paid vacation owed to Executive pursuant to Section 2(f) above, if applicable; (iv) any expenses owed to Executive pursuant to Section 2(e) or Section 2(g) above; and (v) any amount accrued and vested and arising from Executive’s participation in, or benefits accrued and vested under, any employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements, which amounts shall be payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of such employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements (collectively, the “Company Arrangements”). Except as otherwise expressly required by law or as specifically provided in a Company Arrangement, this Section 4 or otherwise in this Agreement, all of Executive’s rights to salary, severance, benefits, bonuses and other compensatory amounts hereunder (if any) shall cease upon the termination of Executive’s employment hereunder.

 

b.  Executive’s Obligations upon Termination.

 

i.  Cooperation. Executive shall provide Executive’s reasonable cooperation in connection with any action or proceeding (or any appeal from any action or proceeding) which relates to events occurring during Executive’s employment hereunder; provided the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive with respect to any such cooperation and reimburse Executive for Executive’s reasonable costs and expenses (including legal counsel selected by Executive and reasonably acceptable to the Company) and such cooperation shall not unreasonably burden Executive or unreasonably interfere with any subsequent employment that Executive may undertake.

 

ii.  Return of Company Property. Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that all Personal Property (as defined below) and equipment furnished to, or prepared by, Executive in the course of, or incident to, Executive’s employment, belongs to the Company and shall be promptly returned to the Company upon termination of Executive’s employment (and will not be kept in Executive’s possession or delivered to anyone else). For purposes of this Agreement, “Personal Property” includes, without limitation, all books, manuals, records, reports, notes, contracts, lists, blueprints, and other documents, or materials, or copies thereof (including computer files), keys, building card keys, company credit cards, telephone calling cards, computer hardware and software, laptop computers, docking stations, cellular and portable telephone equipment, personal digital assistant (PDA) devices and all other proprietary information relating to the business of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates. Following termination, Executive shall not retain any written or other tangible material containing any proprietary information of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates.

 

6

 

 

c.  Severance Payments upon a Termination without Cause, Resignation with Good Reason. If, during the Term, Executive’s employment terminates pursuant to Section 3(a)(iv) above due to the Company’s termination without Cause or pursuant to Section 3(a)(v) above due to Executive’s resignation with Good Reason, then, subject to Executive’s delivery to the Company of an executed waiver and release of claims agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Release”) that becomes effective and irrevocable in accordance with Section 9(k)(vi) below, and Executive’s continued compliance with Section 5 below, Executive shall receive, in addition to payments and benefits set forth in Section 4(a) above, the following:

 

i.  an amount in cash equal to twenty-four (24) months of Executive’s Annual Base Salary immediately prior to the Date of Termination, payable in one lump sum on the Payment Date (defined below);

 

ii.  any accrued but unpaid portion of the Annual Bonus as of the Date of Termination, payable on the Payment Date;

 

iii.  notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any applicable Company equity plan or award agreement, any unvested equity awards held by Executive that are outstanding immediately prior to the Date of Termination shall automatically vest and become exercisable (as applicable) as of the Date of Termination; and

 

iv.  in the event that Executive is entitled to and elects coverage under Section 4980B of the Code (“COBRA coverage”), payment of the Continued Benefit Payment (as defined below).

 

For purposes of this Agreement, (1) the “Payment Date” means the 65th day after the Termination Date, and (2) the “Continued Benefit Payment” means a reimbursement by the Company of the portion of the applicable monthly premium required to be paid by Executive (and his eligible dependents) for COBRA coverage, which reimbursement (I) shall be equal to the portion of the monthly premium paid by Company for group health coverage with respect to its active employees for the level of coverage provided to Executive and his dependents in the form of COBRA coverage and (II) shall be provided for the lesser of (A) twenty four (24) months following the Termination Date or (B) the date that COBRA coverage with respect to Executive and/or his covered dependents, as applicable, terminates in accordance with its terms.

 

d.  COBRA Payments upon Death or Disability. If, during the Term, Executive’s employment terminates pursuant to Section 3(a)(i) above due to Executive’s death or pursuant to Section 3(a)(ii) above due to Executive’s Disability (as defined below), Executive (or Executive’s estate) shall receive the Continued Benefit Payment.

 

e.  No Requirement to Mitigate; Survival. Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for under this Agreement by seeking other employment or in any other manner and Executive shall continue to receive any severance or other payments or benefits to which he is entitled to under this Agreement regardless of whether he seeks or obtains subsequent employment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the termination of Executive’s employment shall not impair the rights or obligations of any Party.

 

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f.  Certain Reductions. The Company shall reduce Executive’s severance benefits under this Agreement, in whole or in part, by any other severance benefits, pay in lieu of notice, or other similar benefits payable to Executive by the Company in connection with Executive’s termination, including but not limited to, payments or benefits pursuant to (i) any applicable legal requirement, including, without limitation, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, or (ii) any Company policy or practice providing for Executive to remain on the payroll without being in active service for a limited period of time after being given notice of the termination of Executive’s employment. The benefits provided under this Agreement are intended to satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, any and all statutory obligations that may arise out of Executive’s termination of employment. Such reductions shall be applied on a retroactive basis, with severance benefits previously paid being re-characterized as payments pursuant to the Company’s statutory obligation. Any reductions pursuant to this Section 4(f) shall be applied in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code.

 

g.  Survival. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the provisions of Sections 5 through 9 of this Agreement will survive the termination of Executive’s employment and the termination of the Term.

 

5.  Restrictive Covenants and Confidentiality.

 

a.  Executive hereby agrees that Executive shall not, at any time during the Restricted Period, directly or indirectly engage in, have any interest in (including, without limitation, through the investment of capital or lending of money or property), or manage, operate or otherwise render any services to, any Person (whether on his own or in association with others, as a principal, director, officer, employee, agent, representative, partner, member, security holder, consultant, advisor, independent contractor, owner, investor, participant or in any other capacity) that engages in (either directly or through any subsidiary or affiliate thereof) any business or activity which is competitive with any service or product offering that, as of the Date of Termination, the Company or any entity owned by the Company anywhere in the United States. For these purposes, “competitive” entities shall consist of businesses that are competitive with, or substantially similar to, the Company’s business as of the Date of Termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall be permitted to acquire a passive stock or equity interest in such a business; provided that such stock or other equity interest acquired is not more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding interest in such business.

 

b.  Executive hereby agrees that Executive shall not, at any time during the Restricted Period, directly or indirectly, either for himself or on behalf of any other Person, (i) recruit or otherwise solicit or induce any employees, suppliers or customers of the Company to terminate its employment or arrangement with the Company, or otherwise change its relationship with the Company, or (ii) hire, or cause to be hired, any person who was employed by the Company at any time during the twelve (12)-month period immediately prior to the Date of Termination or who thereafter becomes employed by the Company. For these purposes, a “customer” of the Company shall be all Persons that have actually used the Company’s services or purchased its products at any time prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period.

 

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c.  Except as Executive reasonably and in good faith determines to be required in the faithful performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, Executive shall, during the Term and after the Date of Termination, maintain in confidence and shall not directly or indirectly, use, disseminate, disclose or publish, for Executive’s benefit or the benefit of any other Person, any confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets of or relating to the Company, including, without limitation, information with respect to the Company’s operations, processes, protocols, products, inventions, business practices, finances, principals, vendors, suppliers, customers, potential customers, marketing methods, costs, prices, contractual relationships, regulatory status, compensation paid to employees or other terms of employment (“Proprietary Information”), or deliver to any Person, any document, record, notebook, computer program or similar repository of or containing any such Proprietary Information. Executive’s obligation to maintain and not use, disseminate, disclose or publish, or use for Executive’s benefit or the benefit of any other Person, any Proprietary Information after the Date of Termination (i) will continue so long as such Proprietary Information is not generally known and in the public domain (other than by means of Executive’s direct or indirect disclosure of such Proprietary Information) and continues to be maintained as Proprietary Information by the Company and (ii) will not apply to Proprietary Information that was in Executive’s rightful possession, without confidentiality obligations, at the time of disclosure by the Company (as shown by Executive’s then-contemporaneous written records). The parties hereby stipulate and agree that as between them, the Proprietary Information identified herein is important, material and affects the successful conduct of the businesses of the Company (and any successor or assignee of the Company).

 

d.  Upon termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, Executive will promptly deliver to the Company all correspondence, drawings, manuals, letters, notes, notebooks, reports, programs, plans, proposals, financial documents, or any other documents that are Proprietary Information, including all physical and digital copies thereof, and (ii) all other Company property (including, without limitation, any personal computer or wireless device and related accessories, keys, credit cards and other similar items) which is in his possession, custody or control.

 

e.  Executive may respond to a lawful and valid subpoena or other legal process but shall give the Company the earliest possible notice thereof, and shall, as much in advance of the return date as possible, make available to the Company and its counsel the documents and other information sought, and shall assist such counsel in resisting or otherwise responding to such process.

 

f.  Executive agrees not to disparage the Company, any of its products, services or practices, or any of its directors, officers, agents, representatives, equity holders or affiliates, either orally or in writing, at any time; provided that Executive may confer in confidence with Executive’s legal representatives and make truthful statements as required by law.

 

g.  Upon termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, the Company agrees not to disparage Executive, either orally or in writing, at any time and will respond to all inquiries regarding Executive in accordance with the Company’s standard human resources policy which is only to confirm title and dates of employment; provided that the Company may confer in confidence with the Company’s legal representatives and make truthful statements as required by law. For purposes of the immediately preceding sentence, the Company refers only to the Company as a corporate entity and not any of its individual officers, directors, employees or representatives. The Company shall also instruct its directors, officers and senior management to neither disparage Executive nor respond to any inquiries regarding Executive, but rather to refer any such inquiries directly to the Company.

 

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h.  In the event the terms of this Section 5 shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable by reason of its extending for too great a period of time or over too great a geographical area or by reason of its being too extensive in any other respect, it will be interpreted to extend only over the maximum period of time for which it may be enforceable, over the maximum geographical area as to which it may be enforceable, or to the maximum extent in all other respects as to which it may be enforceable, all as determined by such court in such action. Any breach or violation by Executive of the provisions of this Section 5 shall toll the running of any time periods set forth in this Section 5 for the duration of any such breach or violation.

 

i.  As used in this Section 5, the term “Company” shall include the Company and any parent, affiliated, related and/or direct or indirect subsidiary entity thereof.

 

6.  Assignment and Successors.

 

The Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any of its affiliates or to any successor to all or substantially all of the business or the assets of the Company (by merger or otherwise). This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, Executive and their respective successors, assigns, personnel and legal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees, as applicable. None of Executive’s rights or obligations may be assigned or transferred by Executive, other than Executive’s rights to payments hereunder, which may be transferred only by will or operation of law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall be entitled, to the extent permitted under applicable law and applicable Company Arrangements or other payments or benefits provided to Executive under this Agreement, to select and change a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive compensation hereunder following Executive’s death by giving written notice thereof to the Company.

 

7.  Certain Definitions.

 

a.  “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company or an authorized committee of the Board.

 

b.  “Cause” shall mean any of the following:

 

i.  breach by Executive of any material provision of this Agreement and, only if such material breach is capable of being cured, the expiration of a fifteen (15) day cure period for such breach after written notice thereof has been given to Executive;

 

ii.  Executive’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with the performance of his duties under this Agreement;

 

iii.  Executive’s refusal to perform any reasonable directive of the Board;

 

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iv.  fraud, criminal conduct or embezzlement by Executive; or

 

v.  Executive’s misappropriation for personal use of any assets (having in excess of nominal value) or business opportunities of the Company.

 

c.  “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

d.  “Disability” shall mean any physical or mental disability or infirmity of Executive that has prevented the performance of Executive’s duties for a period of (i) ninety (90) consecutive days or (ii) one hundred twenty (120) non-consecutive days during any twelve (12) month period; provided, however, that any leave of absence under the Family and Medical Leave Act or other medical leaves permitted by the Company to other employees generally shall be excluded from this definition. Any question as to the existence, extent, or potentiality of Executive’s Disability upon which Executive and the Company cannot agree shall be determined by a qualified, independent physician selected by the Company and approved by Executive (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld).

 

e.  “Good Reason” shall mean any one of the following, that occurs without Executive’s written consent: (i) a material breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement and, only if such material breach is capable of being cured, the expiration of a thirty (30) day cure period for such breach after written notice thereof has been given to the Company; (ii) a material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties, responsibilities or reporting structure; (iii) a material diminution in Executive’s annual base compensation opportunity (i.e., base salary and target bonus percentage); or (iv) relocation of Executive’s principal workplace with the Company by greater than fifty (50) miles from Bainbridge, Georgia; provided that no Good Reason will have occurred unless and until (A) Executive has provided the Company written notice within thirty (30) days following the initial occurrence of any such event or condition, (B) the Company fails to cure such event within thirty (30) days thereafter; and (C) Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason within thirty (30) days following the end of such cure period.

 

f.  “Person” shall mean any individual, natural person, corporation (including any non-profit corporation), general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, estate, trust, company (including any company limited by shares, limited liability company or joint stock company), incorporated or unincorporated association, governmental authority, firm, society or other enterprise, organization or other entity of any nature.

 

g.  “Restricted Period” shall mean the period from the Effective Date through the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Date of Termination.

 

8.  Parachute Payments.

 

If it shall be determined that any payment, distribution or benefit provided (including, without limitation, the acceleration of any payment, distribution or benefit and the acceleration of exercisability of any stock option) to Executive or for his benefit (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable) pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a “Payment”) would be subject, in whole or in part, to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Company and Executive shall consult together in good faith to attempt to reach a mutually acceptable agreement to restructure such Payments or otherwise amend this Agreement to minimize any such Excise Tax, taking into consideration any issues that may arise under Section 409A of the Code.

 

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9.  Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

a.  Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed, construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with its express terms, and otherwise in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without reference to the principles of conflicts of law of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction that would result in application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware, and where applicable, the laws of the United States. Any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought exclusively in the Delaware Chancery Court, or, if the Delaware Chancery Court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, in the federal courts located in the State of Delaware, and the parties hereby expressly represent and agree that they are subject to the personal jurisdiction of said courts, and the parties hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of such courts in any legal or equitable proceedings related to such disputes and waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which either of them may now or hereafter have that the laying of the venue of any legal proceedings related to such dispute which is brought in any such courts is improper or that such proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

b.  Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

c.  Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, facsimile number, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual as follows:

 

(A) if to the Company, to the Board at the Company’s headquarters,

 

(B) if to Executive, to the last address that the Company has in its personnel records for Executive, or

 

(C) at any other address as any Party shall have specified by notice in writing to the other Party.

 

d.  Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same Agreement. Signatures delivered by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed effective for all purposes.

 

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e.  Entire Agreement. The terms of this Agreement, any indemnification agreement between the Company and Executive, and any equity award agreement between the Company and Executive are intended by the Parties to be the final expression of their agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior understandings and agreements, whether written or oral, including without limitation any other prior employment agreement or offer letter between Executive and the Company. The Parties further intend that this Agreement shall constitute the complete and exclusive statement of their terms and that no extrinsic evidence whatsoever may be introduced in any judicial, administrative, or other legal proceeding to vary the terms of this Agreement.

 

f.  Amendments; Waivers. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by Executive and a duly authorized representative of Company. By an instrument in writing similarly executed, Executive or a duly authorized representative of the Company may waive compliance by the other Party with any specifically identified provision of this Agreement that such other Party was or is obligated to comply with or perform; providedhowever, that such waiver shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any other or subsequent failure. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising any right, remedy, or power hereunder preclude any other or further exercise of any other right, remedy, or power provided herein or by law or in equity.

 

g.  Construction. This Agreement shall be deemed drafted equally by both the Parties. Its language shall be construed as a whole and according to its fair meaning. Any presumption or principle that the language is to be construed against any Party shall not apply. The headings in this Agreement are only for convenience and are not intended to affect construction or interpretation. Any references to paragraphs, subparagraphs, sections or subsections are to those parts of this Agreement, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary. Also, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary, (i) the plural includes the singular and the singular includes the plural; (ii) “and” and “or” are each used both conjunctively and disjunctively; (iii) “any,” “all,” “each,” or “every” means “any and all,” and “each and every”; (iv) “includes” and “including” are each “without limitation”; (v) “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and other similar compounds of the word “here” refer to the entire Agreement and not to any particular paragraph, subparagraph, section or subsection; and (vi) all pronouns and any variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular or plural as the identity of the entities or persons referred to may require.

 

h.  Enforcement. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the Term, such provision shall be fully severable; this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a portion of this Agreement; and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision there shall be added automatically as part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable.

 

i.  Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement any federal, state, local or foreign withholding or other taxes or charges that the Company is required to withhold. The Company shall be entitled to rely on an opinion of counsel if any questions as to the amount or requirement of withholding shall arise.

 

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j.  Whistleblower Protections and Trade Secrets. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, nothing in this Agreement prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any United States governmental agency or entity in accordance with the provisions of and rules promulgated under Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or any other whistleblower protection provisions of state or federal law or regulation (including the right to receive an award for information provided to any such government agencies). Furthermore, in accordance with 18 U.S.C. § 1833, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement: (i) Executive shall not be in breach of this Agreement, and shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law (A) for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (B) for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal; and (ii) if Executive files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Executive may disclose the trade secret to Executive’s attorney, and may use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if Executive files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

 

k.  Section 409A.

 

i.  General. The intent of the Parties is that the payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with or be exempt from Section 409A and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 409A, no payment hereunder shall be accelerated or deferred unless such acceleration or deferral would not result in additional tax or interest pursuant to Section 409A.

 

ii.  Separation from Service. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement that is considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A and is designated under this Agreement as payable upon Executive’s termination of employment shall be payable only upon Executive’s “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A (a “Separation from Service”).

 

iii.  Specified Employee. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Executive is deemed by the Company at the time of Executive’s Separation from Service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A, such portion of Executive’s benefits shall not be provided to Executive prior to the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of Executive’s Separation from Service with the Company or (B) the date of Executive’s death. Upon the first business day following the expiration of the applicable Section 409A period, all payments deferred pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be paid in a lump sum to Executive (or Executive’s estate or beneficiaries), and any remaining payments due to Executive under this Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.

 

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iv.  Expense Reimbursements. To the extent that any reimbursements under this Agreement are subject to Section 409A, any such reimbursements payable to Executive shall be paid to Executive no later than December 31st of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred; provided, that Executive submits Executive’s reimbursement request promptly following the date the expense is incurred, the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, other than medical expenses referred to in Section 105(b) of the Code, and Executive’s right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

v.  Installments. Executive’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement, including without limitation any continuation salary payments that are payable on Company payroll dates, shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment as permitted under Section 409A.

 

vi.  Release. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, to the extent that any payments due under this Agreement as a result of Executive’s termination of employment are subject to Executive’s execution and delivery of a Release, (A) the Company shall deliver the Release to Executive within ten (10) business days following Executive’s Date of Termination, (B) if Executive fails to execute the Release on or prior to the Release Expiration Date (as defined below) or timely revokes Executive’s acceptance of the Release thereafter, Executive shall not be entitled to any payments or benefits otherwise conditioned on the Release, and (C) in any case where Executive’s Date of Termination and the Release Expiration Date fall in two separate taxable years, any payments required to be made to Executive that are conditioned on the Release and are treated as nonqualified deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A shall be made in the later taxable year. For purposes hereof, “Release Expiration Date” shall mean (1) if Executive is under 40 years old as of the Date of Termination, the date that is twenty-one (21) days following the date upon which the Company timely delivers the Release to Executive, or such shorter time prescribed by the Company, and (2) if Executive is 40 years or older as of the Date of Termination, the date that is twenty-one (21) days following the date upon which the Company timely delivers the Release to Executive, or, in the event that Executive’s termination of employment is “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967), the date that is forty-five (45) days following such delivery date. To the extent that any payments of nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) due under this Agreement as a result of Executive’s termination of employment are delayed pursuant to this Section 9(k)(vi), such amounts shall be paid in a lump sum on the first payroll date following the date that Executive executes and does not revoke the Release (and the applicable revocation period has expired) or, in the case of any payments subject to Section 9(k)(vi)(C), on the first payroll period to occur in the subsequent taxable year, if later.

 

10.  Acknowledgements.

 

Each Party acknowledges that such Party has read and understands this Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, has not acted in reliance upon any representations or promises made by the other Party hereto, other than those contained in writing herein, and has entered into this Agreement freely based on such Party’s own judgment.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the date and year first above written.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
  EXECUTIVE
     
  /s/ Stephen E. Croskrey
  Stephen E. Croskrey

 

(Signature Page to Employment Agreement)

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT

 

This General Release of Claims (this “Release”) is made by [___________________] (“Employee”) in favor of Live Oak Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) and the “Releasees” (as defined below), as of the date of Employee’s execution of this Release.

 

1.  Release by Employee. In exchange for the payments and benefits provided to Employee pursuant to that certain Employment Agreement entered into by and between the Company and Employee, dated as of [_____________] (the “Agreement”) and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, Employee agrees unconditionally and forever to release and discharge the Company and the Company’s affiliated, related, parent and subsidiary corporations, as well as their respective past and present parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, associates, members, stockholders, employee benefit plans, attorneys, agents, representatives, partners, joint venturers, predecessors, successors, assigns, insurers, owners, employees, officers, directors and all persons acting by, through, under, or in concert with them, or any of them (hereinafter the “Releasees”) from any and all manner of claims, actions, causes of action, in law or in equity, demands, rights, or damages of any kind or nature which he or she may now have, or ever have, whether known or unknown, fixed or contingent, including any claims, causes of action or demands of any nature (hereinafter called “Claims”), that Employee now has or may hereafter have against the Releasees by reason of any and all acts, omissions, events or facts occurring or existing prior to Employee’s execution of this Release. The Claims released hereunder specifically include, but are not limited to, any claims for fraud; breach of contract; breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; inducement of breach; interference with contract; wrongful or unlawful discharge or demotion; violation of public policy; sexual or any other type of assault and battery; invasion of privacy; intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress; intentional or negligent misrepresentation; conspiracy; failure to pay wages, benefits, vacation pay, severance pay, commissions, equity, attorneys’ fees, or other compensation of any sort; failure to accommodate disability, including pregnancy; discrimination or harassment on the basis of pregnancy, race, color, sex, gender, national origin, ancestry, religion, disability, handicap, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation or any other protected category; any claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq. (“ADEA”); the Older Workers’ Protection Benefit Act of 1990; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, by the Civil Rights Act of 1991, 42 U.S.C. § 2000 et seq.; Equal Pay Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 206(d); the Civil Rights Act of 1866, 42 U.S.C. § 1981; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.; the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729 et seq.; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq.; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (“WARN”), as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 2101 et seq.; the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. § 215 et seq.; the [New York Human Rights Law, N.Y. Exec Law Art. 15, § 290 et seq.; the New York State WARN Act; the New York State Labor Law; the New York City Human Rights Law; the New York City Earned Sick Time Act; Section 125 of the New York Workers’ Compensation Law, New York State Civil Rights Law, Article 23-A of the New York State Corrections Law; and any federal, state or local laws of similar effect.]1

 

 

1 NTD: to be updated for DE statutes.

 

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2.  Claims Not Released. This Release shall not apply to: the Company’s obligations to provide the separation benefits under Section 3 of the Agreement; Employee’s right to indemnification under any applicable indemnification agreement with the Company; the Company’s governing documents or applicable law; Employee’s right to assert claims for workers’ compensation or unemployment benefits; Employee’s right to bring to the attention of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) claims of discrimination (providedhowever, that Employee releases his or her right to secure any damages for alleged discriminatory treatment); any right to communicate directly with, cooperate with, or provide information to, any federal, state or local government regulator; any right to file an unfair labor practice charge under the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”); Employee’s vested rights under any retirement or welfare benefit plan of the Company; Employee’s rights in his or her capacity as an equityholder of the Company; or any other rights that may not be waived by an employee under applicable law.

 

3.  Unknown Claims. Employee acknowledges that Employee has been advised of and is familiar with the provisions of California Civil Code section 1542, which provides as follows:

 

“A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.”

 

Employee, being aware of said Code section, hereby expressly waives any rights he or she may have thereunder, as well as under any other statutes or common law principles of similar effect.

 

4.  [Older Worker’s Benefit Protection Act.2 In accordance with the Older Worker’s Benefit Protection Act, Employee is hereby advised as follows:

 

(a) Employee has read this Release and understands its terms and effect, including the fact that Employee is agreeing to release and forever discharge the Company and each of the Releasees from any Claims released in this Release.

 

(b) Employee understands that, by entering into this Release, Employee does not waive any Claims that may arise after the date of Employee’s execution of this Release, including without limitation any rights or claims that Employee may have to secure enforcement of the terms and conditions of this Release.

 

(c) Employee has signed this Release voluntarily and knowingly in exchange for the consideration described in this Release, which Employee acknowledges is adequate and satisfactory to Employee and in addition to any other benefits to which Employee is otherwise entitled.

 

 

2 NTD: Insert if employee is age 40 and over.

 

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(d) The Company advises Employee to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release.

 

(e) Employee has twenty-one (21) days to review and decide whether or not to sign this Release. If Employee signs this Release prior to the expiration of such period, Employee acknowledges that Employee has done so voluntarily, had sufficient time to consider the Release, to consult with counsel and that Employee does not desire additional time and hereby waives the remainder of the twenty-one (21) day period. In the event of any changes to this Release, whether or not material, Employee waives the restarting of the twenty-one (21) day period.

 

(f) Employee has seven (7) days after signing this Release to revoke this Release and this Release will become effective upon the expiration of that revocation period. If Employee revokes this Release during such seven (7)-day period, this Release will be null and void and of no force or effect on either the Company or Employee and Employee will not be entitled to any of the payments or benefits which are expressly conditioned upon the execution and non-revocation of this Release.

 

If Employee wishes to revoke this Release, Employee shall deliver written notice stating his or her intent to revoke this Release to [NAME, OFFICER TITLE, DEPARTMENT, ADDRESS], on or before 5:00 p.m. on the seventh (7th) day after the date on which Employee signs this Release.

 

5.  Representations. Employee represents and warrants that there has been no assignment or other transfer of any interest in any Claim which he or she may have against Releasees, or any of them, and Employee agrees to indemnify and hold Releasees, and each of them, harmless from any liability, Claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and attorneys’ fees incurred by Releasees, or any of them, as the result of any such assignment or transfer or any rights or Claims under any such assignment or transfer. It is the intention of the parties that this indemnity does not require payment as a condition precedent to recovery by the Releasees against Employee under this indemnity. Employee agrees that if he or she hereafter commences any suit arising out of, based upon, or relating to any of the Claims released hereunder or in any manner asserts against Releasees, or any of them, any of the Claims released hereunder, then Employee agrees to pay to Releasees, and each of them, in addition to any other damages caused to Releasees thereby, all attorneys’ fees incurred by Releasees in defending or otherwise responding to said suit or Claim.

 

6.  No Actions. Employee represents and warrants to the Company that Employee has no pending actions, Claims or charges of any kind. Employee agrees that if Employee hereafter commences, joins in, or in any manner seeks relief through any suit arising out of, based upon, or relating to any of the Claims released hereunder or in any manner asserts against the Releasees any of the Claims released hereunder, then Employee will pay to the Releasees against whom such Claim(s) is asserted, in addition to any other damages caused thereby, all attorneys’ fees incurred by such Releasees in defending or otherwise responding to said suit or Claim; provided, however, that Employee shall not be obligated to pay the Releasees’ attorneys’ fees to the extent such fees are attributable to[: (i) claims under the ADEA or a challenge to the validity of the release of claims under the ADEA; or (ii)] Employee’s right to file a charge with the EEOC; however, Employee hereby waives any right to any damages or individual relief resulting from any such charge.

 

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7.  Exceptions. Notwithstanding anything in this Release to the contrary, nothing contained in this Release shall prohibit Employee (or Employee’s attorney) from (i) filing a charge with, reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to, participating in any investigation by, or cooperating with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the EEOC, the NLRB, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice or any other securities regulatory agency, self-regulatory authority or federal, state or local regulatory authority (collectively, “Government Agencies”), or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of applicable law or regulation, (ii) communicating directly with, cooperating with, or providing information (including trade secrets) in confidence to any Government Agencies for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or from providing such information to Employee’s attorney or in a sealed complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other governmental proceeding, and/or (iii) receiving an award for information provided to any Government Agency. Pursuant to 18 USC Section 1833(b), Employee will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made: (x) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (y) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. Further, nothing in this Release is intended to or shall preclude Employee from providing truthful testimony in response to a valid subpoena, court order, regulatory request or other judicial, administrative or legal process or otherwise as required by law. If Employee is required to provide testimony, then unless otherwise directed or requested by a Governmental Agency or law enforcement, Employee shall notify the Company in writing as promptly as practicable after receiving any such request of the anticipated testimony and at least ten (10) days prior to providing such testimony (or, if such notice is not possible under the circumstances, with as much prior notice as is possible) to afford the Company a reasonable opportunity to challenge the subpoena, court order or similar legal process.

 

8.  Miscellaneous.

 

(a) No Admission. Employee understands and agrees that neither the payment of money nor the execution of this Release shall constitute or be construed as an admission of any liability whatsoever by the Releasees.

 

(b) Severability. If any sentence, phrase, section, subsection or portion of this Release is found to be illegal or unenforceable, such action shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining sentences, phrases, sections, subsections or portions of this Release, which shall remain fully valid and enforceable.

 

(c) Headings. The headings in this Release are provided solely for convenience, and are not intended to be part of, nor to affect or alter the interpretation or meaning of, this Release.

 

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(d) Construction of Agreement. Employee has been represented by, or had the opportunity to be represented by, counsel in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Release. Any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be applied in the construction or interpretation of this Release.

 

(e) Entire Agreement/Integration. This Release, together with the Agreement and the Restrictive Covenant Agreement, which is attached to the Agreement as an exhibit, constitutes the entire agreement between Employee and the Company concerning the subject matter hereof. No covenants, agreements, representations, or warranties of any kind, other than those set forth herein, have been made to any party hereto with respect to this Release. All prior discussions and negotiations have been and are merged and integrated into, and are superseded by, this Release. No amendments to this Release will be valid unless written and signed by Employee and an authorized representative of the Company.

 

      [EMPLOYEE]
       
Date:       
      [NAME]
       

 

 

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Exhibit 10.5

 

Execution Version

 

Consulting Agreement

 

This Consulting Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of October 3, 2020, is entered into by and between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak” or the “Company”), and Stuart Pratt (“Consultant”) (collectively referred to as the “Parties” or individually referred to as a “Party”).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Company, Green Merger Corp, a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (“MHG”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company, are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into MGH, with MGH continuing as the surviving corporation and as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”);

 

WHEREAS, Consultant is currently a party to that certain Letter Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2016, by and between MHG and Consultant, as amended on December 5, 2018, and as amended on the date hereof (the “Current Consulting Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of the Company’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, it is the desire of the Company to assure itself of the services of Consultant commencing on the date of the consummation of the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement (the “Effective Date”) and thereafter on the terms herein provided by entering into this Agreement and by terminating the Current Consulting Agreement simultaneously with the Closing of the Merger with effect as of the Effective Date; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to engage Consultant to perform consulting services on behalf of the Company and Consultant desires to perform such services on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants set forth herein, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Consulting Services.

 

(a) The Company hereby retains Consultant, and Consultant hereby accepts such retention, to perform consulting and advisory services for the Company as a special advisor to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “CEO”) and to provide such other consulting and advisory services for the Company in connection with the operation of the Company’s business as the CEO may request from time to time (the “Consulting Services”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

(b) Consultant agrees to devote Consultant’s reasonable best efforts in performing the Consulting Services. Consultant shall comply with all rules, procedures and standards promulgated from time to time by the Company with regard to Consultant’s access to and use of the Company’s property, information, equipment and facilities.

 

 

 

 

2. Compensation.

 

(a) Cash Compensation. Consultant shall be compensated for services at a rate of $1,500.00 per month payable monthly in arrears.

 

(b) Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Consultant for all pre-approved, reasonable, appropriate and necessary travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of Consultant’s duties hereunder upon submission and approval of written statements and bills in accordance with the then regular reimbursement procedures of the Company.

 

(c) Stock Options. The Company hereby agrees to grant to Consultant options (the “Options”) to purchase a total of 30,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), of the Company under the Company’s equity incentive plan with an exercise price per share of Class A Common Stock equal to the greater of (i) Ten Dollars ($10.00) and (ii) the fair market value of a share of Class A Common Stock determined as of the date of this Agreement and vesting in accordance with the vesting terms set forth on Schedule A attached hereto. In the event that the fair market value of a share of Class A Common Stock determined as of the date of this Agreement is greater than Ten Dollars ($10.00), then Consultant shall be entitled to receive a grant of restricted stock under the Company’s equity incentive plan (the “Restricted Stock Grant”). The number of shares of Class A Common Stock, if any, that will be subject to the Restricted Stock Grant and the vesting schedule applicable to the Restricted Stock Grant are set forth on Schedule A attached hereto.

 

3. Independent Contractor. In furnishing the Consulting Services, Consultant understands that Consultant will at all times be acting as an independent contractor of the Company and, as such, will not be an employee of the Company and will not by reason of this Agreement or by reason of Consultant’s Consulting Services to the Company be entitled to participate in or to receive any benefit or right under any of the Company’s employee benefit or welfare plans, other than as provided herein or as available to all directors of the Company so long as Consultant remains a director of the Company. Consultant also will be responsible for paying all withholding and other taxes required by law to be paid as and when the same become due and payable. It is intended that the fees paid hereunder shall constitute revenues to Consultant. To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Company will not withhold any amounts therefrom as federal income tax withholding from wages or as employee contributions under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act or any other state or federal laws. Consultant shall be solely responsible for the withholding and/or payment of any federal, state or local income or payroll taxes and shall hold the Company, its affiliates and their respective officers, directors and employees harmless from any liability arising from the failure to withhold such amounts. Consultant shall not enter into any agreements or incur any obligations on behalf of the Company and shall not direct the activities of any employees of the Company, in each case, except as a director of the Company.

 

4. Term and Termination.

 

(a) The Parties agree that this Agreement shall commence as of the date of this Agreement and continue until the third anniversary of such date (the “Term”), unless terminated earlier as set forth herein.

 

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(b) The Company may terminate this Agreement immediately if:

 

(i) Consultant is unable to perform a material portion of the Consulting Services for a period of not less than thirty (30) says after being notified in writing by the Company;

 

(ii) Consultant becomes insolvent or bankrupt; or

 

(iii) Consultant, in the judgment of the Company, has engaged in corrupt or fraudulent business practices in executing the Consulting Services.

 

(c) The Company may terminate this Agreement upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to Consultant.

 

(d) The Consultant may terminate this Agreement upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to the Company.

 

(e) The Consultant may terminate this Agreement immediately if the Company fails to pay any monies due and owing to Consultant under this Agreement after thirty (30) days written notice to the Company.

 

(f) Upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 4(b) or Section 4(d) of this Agreement, Consultant shall receive any accrued cash compensation payable pursuant Section 2(a) of this Agreement through the date of such termination, payable within ten (10) days after such termination.

 

(g) Upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 4(c) or Section 4(e) of this Agreement, Consultant shall receive the cash compensation payable pursuant to Section 2(a) of this Agreement through the remainder of the Term (as though such termination had not occurred), payable monthly in arrears, and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any applicable Company equity plan or award agreement, any unvested equity awards held by Consultant that are outstanding immediately prior to such date of termination shall automatically vest and become exercisable (as applicable) as of such date of termination.

 

5. Managing Conflicts of Interest. The Company acknowledges that Consultant is now or may become a party to agreements with third parties relating to the disclosure of information, the ownership of inventions, restrictions against competition and/or similar matters. Consultant represents and agrees that the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement does not and will not conflict with any agreement, policy or rule applicable to Consultant. Consultant will not (i) disclose to the Company any information that Consultant is required to keep secret pursuant to an existing confidentiality agreement with any third party, (ii) use the funding, resources, facilities or inventions of any third party to perform the Consulting Services, or (iii) perform the Consulting Services in any manner that would give any third party rights to any intellectual property created in connection with such services. Consultant shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations in connection with the performance of the Consulting Services.

 

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6. Confidential Information; Non-Disclosure. Except as authorized or directed by the Company in connection with the performance of Consultant’s duties and obligations, Consultant shall not, at any time during the Term or any time following the termination of this Agreement (for any reason or no reason), directly or indirectly, (i) copy, disclose, utilize, exploit, or make available to any other person or entity any Confidential Information (as defined below) that has come into Consultant’s possession, custody or control in the course of engagement with the Company, or (ii) use any such Confidential Information for Consultant’s own personal use or advantage or the use or advantage of any other person or entity other than the Company, or make any such Confidential Information available to others. “Confidential Information” means all confidential information, proprietary information, trade secrets, or other information (whether oral or written, whether maintained in hard copy, electronically, or otherwise) regarding the business or affairs of the Company, including, without limitation, information as to any of the Company’s products; services; systems; designs; inventions; research; marketing plans; prospects; prospective and existing contracts; business plans, procedures, and strategies; costs; personnel; computer programs; algorithms; pending patent applications; systems; negotiations; lists of actual and/or prospective clients and customers; supplier lists and supplier information, financial results; and business developments. Confidential Information does not include information which shall have been lawfully and without breach of any obligations of confidentiality, including pursuant to this Section 6, made available to the general public without restriction. The obligations of confidentiality set forth in this Section 6 extend to any Confidential Information of any third parties contracting with the Company, whether or not the Company has undertaken an express obligation of confidentiality with regard to such third parties.

 

7. Work Product. Consultant agrees that any and all improvements, inventions, discoveries, developments, creations, formulae, processes, methods, designs, and works of authorship, and any documents, things, or information relating thereto, whether patentable or not, within the scope of or pertinent to the Consulting Services or any field of business or research in which the Company or any affiliate of the Company is engaged or (if such is known to or ascertainable by Consultant) considering engaging, which Consultant may conceive, make, author, create, invent, develop, or reduce to practice, or which Consultant previously have conceived, made, authored, created, invented, developed, or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, during the performance of Consultant’s services for the Company, whether alone or with others, whether during or outside of normal working hours, whether inside or outside of the Company’s offices, and whether with or without the use of the Company’s computers, systems, materials, equipment, or other property, shall be and remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company (the foregoing, individually and collectively, “Work Product”). To the maximum extent allowable by law, any Work Product subject to copyright protection shall be considered “works made for hire” for the Company under U.S. copyright law. To the extent that any Work Product that is subject to copyright protection is not considered a work made for hire, or to the extent that Consultant otherwise have or retain any ownership or other rights in any Work Product (or any intellectual property rights therein), Consultant hereby assign and transfer to the Company all such rights in the Work Product, including but not limited to the intellectual property rights therein, effective automatically as and when such Work Product is conceived, made, authored, created, invented, developed, or reduced to practice. The Company shall have the full right to use, assign, license, and/or transfer all rights in, with, to, or relating to Work Product (and all intellectual property rights therein). Consultant shall, whenever requested to do so by the Company (whether during Consultant’s engagement or thereafter), at the Company’s expense, execute any and all applications, assignments, and/or other instruments, and do all other things (including giving testimony in any legal proceeding) which the Company may deem necessary or appropriate in order to (a) apply for, obtain, maintain, enforce, or defend patent, trademark, copyright, or similar registrations of the United States or any other country for any Work Product; (b) assign, transfer, convey, or otherwise make available to the Company any right, title, or interest which Consultant might otherwise have in any Work Product; and/or (c) confirm the Company’s right, title, and interest in any Work Product. Consultant shall promptly communicate, disclose, and, upon request, report upon and deliver all Work Product to the Company, and shall not use or permit any Work Product to be used for any purpose other than on behalf of the Company, whether during Consultant’s engagement or thereafter. Consultant will, at any time during or after the Term, upon request of the Company, execute all documents and perform all lawful acts which the Company considers necessary or advisable to secure its rights hereunder and to carry out the intent of this Section 7. In the event the Company is unable for any reason, after reasonable effort, to secure Consultant’s signature on any document needed in connection with the actions specified in this Section 7, Consultant hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as Consultant’s agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and in Consultant’s behalf to execute, verify and seal any such documents and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the purposes of this Section 7 with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Consultant.

 

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8. Legal Process. Consultant agrees that in the event Consultant is served with a subpoena, document request, interrogatory, or any other legal process that will or may require Consultant to disclose any Confidential Information, whether during the performance of Consultant’s services for the Company or thereafter, Consultant will immediately notify the Chief Executive Officer of the Company of such fact, in writing, and provide a copy of such subpoena, document request, interrogatory, or other legal process, and shall thereafter cooperate with the Company, at the Company’s expense, in any lawful response to such subpoena, document request, interrogatory, or legal process as the Company may request.

 

9. Return of Company Property. Upon termination of Consultant’s services (for any reason or no reason), or at any other time at the Company’s request, Consultant agrees to deliver to the Company (and not retain any copies of) all Confidential Information and all other property, materials, documents, and computer media in any form (and all copies thereof) that belong to the Company, relate to the Company or the Confidential Information or that would be useful to the Company’s maintenance and protection of the Confidential Information. After returning all of the foregoing documents, property, and information, Consultant agrees to delete any copies of any such documents or information in Consultant’s possession, custody, or control, including all paper and digital copies of such documents and information.

 

10. Non-Solicitation. During the Term and for a period of twenty-four (24) months after termination of this Agreement (for any reason or no reason), Consultant will not, directly or indirectly, as principal, agent, employer, consultant, officer, director, stockholder, lender or in any other capacity:

 

(i) contract or solicit any employee, consultant, independent contractor, or agent of the Company with the intention or effect of encouraging such Party to terminate or alter his, her or its employment, engagement, agency or other relationship with the Company; or

 

(ii) contract or otherwise solicit any client, customer, prospective customer or partner of the Company with the intention or effect of encouraging such Party to terminate or reduce the volume of its business with the Company or to place elsewhere any portion of its business that could be served by the Company.

 

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11. Non-Disparagement. At any time during the Term or any time following the termination of this Agreement (for any reason or no reason), Consultant shall not make any public statements, whether orally, in writing or through any electronic medium, that disparage the Company, any of its products, services or practices, or any of its directors, officers, agents, representatives, equity holders or affiliates, either orally or in writing, at any time; provided that Consultant may confer in confidence with Consultant’s legal representatives and make truthful statements, including as required by law.

 

12. Enforcement; Injunctive Relief. Consultant acknowledges and agrees that Consultant’s breach or threatened breach of any of the terms set forth in Sections 6 through 11 of this Agreement will result in significant, irreparable and continuing damage to the Company for which there is no adequate remedy at law.. The Company and its affiliates shall be entitled to obtain emergency injunctive or other equitable relief, including a temporary restraining order and/or preliminary injunction, from any state or federal court of competent jurisdiction, without first posting a bond, to restrain any such breach or threatened breach. Such relief shall be in addition to any and all other remedies, including damages, available to the Company and its affiliates against Consultant for such breaches or threatened breaches. The prevailing Party in any judicial action arising out of or related to this Agreement shall be entitled to reimbursement of its/his/her reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred in such action in addition to such damages, if any, to which such Party is entitled; and the determination by the judge in such action shall be conclusive on the matter of which Party has prevailed for purposes hereof.

 

13. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement and its schedules and exhibits, and any equity award agreement between the Company and Consultant, constitute the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the Parties with respect to such subject matter.

 

(b) Assignment; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to permit the assignment by Consultant of this Agreement or any of Consultant’s rights or obligations hereunder, and such assignment is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of the Company. The Company may assign this contract in connection with a merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of its assets or that portion of its business to which this Agreement relates or to an affiliate. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall confer upon any person other than the Parties any rights or remedies hereunder.

 

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(c) Amendments and Supplements. This Agreement may not be altered, changed or amended, except by an instrument in writing signed by the Parties.

 

(d) No Waiver. The terms and conditions of this Agreement may be waived only by a written instrument signed by the Party waiving compliance. The failure of any Party hereto to enforce at any time any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of any such provision, nor in any way to affect the validity of this Agreement or any part hereof or the right of such Party thereafter to enforce each and every such provision. No waiver of any breach of or non-compliance with this Agreement shall be held to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach or non-compliance.

 

(e) Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without reference to the principles of conflicts of law of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction that would result in application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware, and where applicable, the laws of the United States. Any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought exclusively in the Delaware Chancery Court, or, if the Delaware Chancery Court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, in the federal courts located in the State of Delaware, and the Parties hereby expressly represent and agree that they are subject to the personal jurisdiction of said courts, and the Parties hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of such courts in any legal or equitable proceedings related to such disputes and waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which either of them may now or hereafter have that the laying of the venue of any legal proceedings related to such dispute which is brought in any such courts is improper or that such proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(f) Notice. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, facsimile number, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual as follows:

 

To the Company:

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

140 Industrial Blvd.

Bainbridge, GA 39817

Attention: CEO

Email: [●]

 

To Consultant: At the contact information set forth beneath Consultant’s signature below.

 

(g) Survival; Validity. Notwithstanding the termination of Consultant’s relationship with the Company (whether pursuant to Section 4 or otherwise), Consultant’s covenants and obligations set forth in Sections 6 through 12 shall remain in effect and be fully enforceable in accordance with the provisions thereof. The provisions of Section 13 of this Agreement shall survive termination of this Agreement. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be unenforceable by reason of its extension for too great a period of time or over too large a geographic area or over too great a range of activities, it shall be interpreted to extend only over the maximum period of time, geographic area or range of activities as to which it may be enforceable. If, after application of the preceding sentence, any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid, illegal, or otherwise unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 13(g), any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision of this Agreement shall be severable, and after any such severance, all other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.

 

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(h) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same Agreement. Signatures delivered by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed effective for all purposes.

 

(i) Whistleblower Protections and Trade Secrets. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, nothing in this Agreement prohibits Consultant from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any United States governmental agency or entity in accordance with the provisions of and rules promulgated under Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or any other whistleblower protection provisions of state or federal law or regulation (including the right to receive an award for information provided to any such government agencies). Furthermore, in accordance with 18 U.S.C. § 1833, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement: (A) Consultant shall not be in breach of this Agreement, and shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law (x) for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (y) for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal; and (B) if Consultant files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Consultant may disclose the trade secret to Consultant’s attorney, and may use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if Consultant files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

 

(j) Section 409A. The intent of the Parties is that the payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 409A”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 409A, no payment hereunder shall be accelerated or deferred unless such acceleration or deferral would not result in additional tax or interest pursuant to Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement that is considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A and is designated under this Agreement as payable upon Consultant’s termination of services shall be payable only upon Consultant’s “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A. To the extent that any reimbursements under this Agreement are subject to Section 409A, any such reimbursements payable to Consultant shall be paid to Consultant no later than December 31st of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred; provided, that Consultant submits Consultant’s reimbursement request promptly following the date the expense is incurred, the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, and Consultant’s right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

[signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name: Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
  Consultant:
     
  /s/ Stuart Pratt
  Name: Stuart Pratt
     
Address: [redacted]
Attention:  [redacted]
Email: [redacted]

 

(Signature Page to Consulting Agreement)

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

The Options to purchase shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock, which shall be granted under the New Equity Incentive Plan (as defined in the Merger Agreement), shall vest as follows:

 

Number of Shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock Subject to the Options Vesting Schedule
1/3rd On or after first anniversary of grant date (and prior to the expiration date of the option) once the stock price of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock is at least $14.00 per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.
 1/3rd On or after second anniversary of grant date (and prior to the expiration date of the option) once the stock price of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock is at least $17.00 per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.
1/3rd On or after third anniversary of grant date (and prior to the expiration date of the option) once the stock price of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock is at least $20.00 per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.

* Options will have standard ten year terms.

 

Restricted Stock Grant (if applicable)

 

In the event that the fair market value of a share of Live Oak Class A Common Stock determined as of the date the Options described in this Agreement are granted is greater than $10.00 (such value, the “Live Oak Share FMV”), then the Restricted Stock Grant Amount shall be calculated as follows:

 

Restricted Stock Grant Amount” = (a) the Live Oak Share FMV less $10.00) multiplied by the number of shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock granted to Consultant with respect to Options granted (as described in Section 2(a) of the Agreement) divided by (b) the Live Oak Share FMV (rounded up to the nearest whole share). If the Live Oak Share FMV is equal to or less than $10.00, no grant of Restricted Stock shall be made.

 

A-1

 

 

The vesting schedule for the grant Restricted Stock described in the Agreement, if any, shall be as follows:

 

Number of Shares of Live Oak Class A Common Stock Vesting Schedule
1/6th On first anniversary of grant date.
1/6th On second anniversary of grant date.
1/6th On third anniversary of grant date.
1/6th If the VWAP of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the NYSE or such other exchange as such shares may then be listed equals or exceeds the Live Oak Share FMV for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the 1st anniversary of the grant date and ending on the 10th anniversary of the grant date.
1/6th If the VWAP of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the NYSE or such other exchange as such shares may then be listed equals or exceeds the Live Oak Share FMV for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the 2nd anniversary of the grant date and ending on the 10th anniversary of the grant date.
1/6th If the VWAP of Live Oak Class A Common Stock on the NYSE or such other exchange as such shares may then be listed equals or exceeds the Live Oak Share FMV for any twenty (20) trading days within a 30-day trading period beginning on the 3rd anniversary of the grant date and ending on the 10th anniversary of the grant date.

 

The grant of Options and the grant of Restricted Stock described in the Agreement shall be subject to such other terms and conditions as set forth in the agreement evidencing such awards.

 

 

A-2

 

Exhibit 10.6

 

Execution Version

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of August 31, 2020, is made and entered into by and between Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (dba Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), and John A. Dowdy, III (“Employee”). The Company and Employee are referred to herein collectively as the “Parties” and individually as a “Party.”

 

RECITALS:

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee are parties to that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2017 (the “Employment Agreement”), pursuant to which the Employee is employed as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer;

 

 WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to employ the Employee as Chief Financial Officer on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

 

WHEREAS, the Employee is willing to continue to be employed as Chief Financial Officer on such terms and conditions; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee desire to enter into this Agreement which shall be deemed to amend, restate and replace the Employment Agreement as of September 1, 2020.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants and agreements provided for herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Agreement, shall have the meanings set forth in Schedule 1 attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

2. Employment and Duties.

 

(a) Title. The Company hereby designates and appoints Employee as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer to act and perform the duties of Chief Financial Officer on behalf of the Company as provided herein. Employee hereby accepts such designation and appointment. The employment arrangement created pursuant to the foregoing appointment is in consideration of all other terms, limitations and restrictions set out in this Agreement.

 

(b) Status. It is mutually agreed by the Company and Employee that the duties and responsibilities created and conferred by this Agreement establish an employer/employee relationship between the Company and Employee, and the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) shall have and retain full and complete supervisory authority over the manner in which Employee engages in and conducts the duties and responsibilities of such employment.

 

 

 

 

(c) Manner of Performance. Employee will carry out the duties and responsibilities of the foregoing appointment in a faithful, diligent and responsible manner, subject to the direction and control of the Chief Executive Officer. Employee will devote Employee’s full business time and attention to perform faithfully and diligently the specific duties of, and generally to provide the services normally associated with, Employee’s position as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company and/or such other duties assigned to Employee by the Board of Directors.

 

(d) Location. The duties to be performed by Employee hereunder shall be performed primarily at the Company’s facilities in Bainbridge, Georgia, subject to reasonable travel requirements on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, its facilities in Winchester, Kentucky.

 

(e) Subsidiary Offices. Employee shall also serve as an officer of any Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company upon request of the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors.

 

3. Compensation for Services. Subject to the conditions contained in this Agreement, during the Term and in exchange for Employee’s services under this Agreement, the Company will pay or provide to Employee the following:

 

(a) Annual Compensation. For each year Employee is employed by the Company, Employee shall receive a salary equal to Three Hundred Thousand and No/100 U.S. Dollars ($300,000) per annum (the “Base Salary”), subject to raises as approved by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors. Employee’s compensation shall be payable in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practice or upon other terms mutually agreed upon. If Base Salary is increased during the Term, then such adjusted salary shall constitute Base Salary for the remainder of the Term.

 

(b) Annual Bonus. In addition to the Base Salary, Employee will be eligible to receive an annual bonus pursuant to the Company’s then current employee bonus plan, if any, or as otherwise approved by the Board of Directors.

 

(c) Stock Incentive Plan. Employee shall be eligible to participate in the Meredian Holdings Group. Inc. 2016 Director and Executive Officer Stock Incentive Plan, Meredian Holdings Group. Inc. 2016 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, or any successor stock incentive plans. On the Effective Date, the Company shall promptly grant Employee a stock option for 10,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.001 per share, at an exercise price of $63.00 per share, which option award: will vest in equal annual installments of one-third, or 3,333 shares, 3,333 shares and 3,334 shares on each of the first, second and third anniversaries, respectively, of the grant date; will, to the extent legally permissible, be issued as an incentive stock option; and, will be subject to the other terms and conditions set forth in the definitive option award agreement granting such option.

 

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(d) Vacation and Personal Days. Employee shall be entitled to 25 days of paid personal and vacation leave each year or such greater number of days as may be expressly required by the Company’s written vacation policy then in effect. Employee’s use of such leave will be subject to the Company’s prevailing vacation policies applicable to similarly situated senior executives, as such policy may be in effect from time to time.

 

(e) Other Benefits.

 

(i) Employee shall be eligible to participate in employee benefit programs available to similarly situated employees in accordance with the terms and conditions of such employee benefit programs. The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to alter, amend or discontinue any of such employee benefit programs at any time.

 

(ii) Employee agrees to adhere to the terms of any employee handbook, policy or procedures which the Company may promulgate and make available to Employee, including via email or intranet access.

 

(iii) The Company shall provide Employee use of a Company-owned automobile, which automobile shall be serviced and maintained at the Company’s sole cost and expense.

 

(f) Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Employee for all reasonable expenses incurred by Employee in the course of performing Employee’s duties under this Agreement and that are consistent with the Company’s policies in effect at that time with respect to travel, entertainment and other business expenses; provided, however, that: (i) such expenditures are of a nature qualifying them as proper deductions on the federal and state income tax returns of the Company; (ii) Employee furnishes to the Company adequate records and other documentary evidence required by federal and state statutes and regulations issued by the appropriate taxing authorities for the substantiation of each such expenditure as an income tax deduction; and (iii) such expenditures otherwise comply with the Company’s requirements with respect to reporting and documentation of such reimbursable expenses.

 

(g) Applicable Withholdings. Employee’s compensation will be subject to all withholdings and deductions required by law and will be payable in accordance with the Company’s normal periodic payroll practices.

 

4. Effective Date and Term. The Employee’s employment with the Company will continue under the terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement until August 31, 2020 and the Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect without any amendments thereto through such date. The Employment Agreement shall be deemed to be amended, restated and replaced by this Agreement on September 1, 2020 (the “Effective Date”). The term of Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall, unless earlier terminated as set forth herein, end on December 31, 2023 (the “Term”). If Employee is still employed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement as of the date that is six (6) months prior to the end of the Term, Employee and the Company hereby agree to negotiate, in good faith, through the end of the Term an extension to the Term or another employment agreement having terms mutually acceptable to the Company and Employee.

 

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5. Incapacity or Death During Employment. Both Employee and the Company acknowledge and agree that, pursuant to this Agreement, Employee will assume a significant position with the Company which will require Employee’s constant attention and that Employee’s regular presence at the Company’s facilities is an essential function of Employee’s position. Therefore, if Employee is unable to perform Employee’s job duties and responsibilities with or without a reasonable accommodation or is not present at work for more than ninety (90) consecutive days, the Company may terminate the employment of Employee upon written notice. Upon such a termination for incapacity in accordance with the preceding sentence, or in the event of termination resulting from the death of Employee, all obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall terminate other than unpaid Base Salary earned by Employee up to the date of termination, accrued but unused vacation and reimbursement of approved business expenses incurred by Employee prior to such termination subject to and in accordance with Section 3(f) above.

 

6. Termination of Employment.

 

(a) Right to Terminate. Subject to the provisions of this Section 6, prior to the expiration of the Term, Employee may terminate Employee’s employment hereunder and agrees to provide the Company with at least 90 days’ notice in the event of the employee’s resignation. Similarly, subject to the provisions of this Section 6, prior to the expiration of the Term, the Company may terminate Employee’s employment hereunder either “With Cause” or “Without Cause” (as such terms are hereinafter defined). If Employee is still employed upon expiration of the Term, Employee will not be entitled to any separation or additional pay under this Agreement if Employee’s employment ends upon or after expiration of the Term.

 

(b) Termination With Cause. If, during the Term of this Agreement, the Company terminates Employee’s employment hereunder With Cause, or Employee’s employment terminates for any of the reasons enumerated in Section 5 above, or Employee resigns, all obligations of the Company to provide compensation and benefits under this Agreement shall immediately cease upon such termination, and Employee shall have no claim or right against the Company for damages or other sums. The Company’s election to terminate Employee’s employment With Cause shall be without prejudice to any remedy the Company may have against Employee for the breach or non-performance of any of the provisions of this Agreement, or for any non-contractual liabilities.

 

(c) Termination Without Cause; Voluntary.

 

(i) If, during the Term of this Agreement, the Company terminates Employee’s employment Without Cause, subject to the provisions of Section 6(d), the Company shall be obligated to continue to pay Employee’s Base Salary in effect as of the date of termination for twelve (12) months following the date Employee’s employment is terminated, in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices and subject to applicable federal and state withholding taxes.

 

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(ii) If, during the Term of this Agreement, the Company terminates Employee’s employment Without Cause, in connection with a Change in Control, or within 12 months following a Change in Control, subject to the provisions of Section 6(d), the Company shall be obligated to continue to pay Employee’s Base Salary in effect as of the date of termination for twenty four (24) months following the date Employee’s employment is terminated, in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices and subject to applicable federal and state withholding taxes.

 

(iii) If, during the Term of this Agreement, Employee voluntarily terminates Employee’s employment, subject to the provisions of Section 6(d), the Company may elect, in its sole discretion, to pay Employee the same severance payments described in Section 6(c)(i), above, as if Employee had been terminated Without Cause.

 

(d) Conditions to Severance Payments. The payments described in Section 6(c) above are expressly contingent and conditioned upon (i) Employee’s execution of a standard separation and general release agreement, in a written form acceptable to the Company, containing a release of any and all claims by Employee against the Company, whether such claims are actual or potential, or known or unknown (the “Release”); and (ii) Employee’s compliance with the restrictive covenants and all post-termination obligations to which Employee is subject, including, but not limited to, the obligations set forth in Section 7 of this Agreement, and in that certain Confidentiality and Assignment Agreement executed by Employee in favor of the Company attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Employee Assignment Agreement”). The Company retains the right, in good faith, to terminate the initiation or continuation of payments described in Section 6(c) (as well as to pursue any other remedies available at law or in equity) if it obtains evidence that Employee breached Employee’s obligations under any of the post-employment covenants set forth in this Agreement or in the Employee Assignment Agreement, or it is determined that Employee engaged in conduct which would have justified termination With Cause. Further, Company may, in its sole discretion, waive Employee’s compliance with the restrictive covenants contained in Section 7 of this Agreement, by delivering written notice of such waiver to Employee, and upon delivery of such written waiver Company shall not be obligated to make any payments or further payments, as the case may be, to Employee pursuant to Section 6(c)(i) above.

 

(e) Cooperation.  Following the expiration and/or termination of this Agreement for any reason, Employee shall provide his reasonable cooperation in connection with any action or proceeding (or any appeal from any action or proceeding) which relates to events occurring during Employee’s employment hereunder; provided the Company shall reimburse Employee for Employee’s reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith and such cooperation shall not unreasonably burden Employee or unreasonably interfere with any subsequent employment that Employee may undertake.

 

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(f) Parachute Payments. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement or any other Company plan, arrangement or agreement (“Company Arrangement”), in the event that any payment or benefit by the Company or otherwise to or for the benefit of Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (all such payments and benefits, including the payments and benefits under this Section 6 above, being hereinafter referred to as the “Total Payments”), would be subject (in whole or in part) to the excise tax (the “Excise Tax”) imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), then the Total Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the minimum extent necessary to avoid the imposition of the Excise Tax on the Total Payments. Any such reduction shall be made by the Company in its sole discretion consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”). Any determination required under this Section 6(f), including whether any payments or benefits are parachute payments, shall be made by the Company in its sole discretion. Employee shall provide the Company with such information and documents as the Company may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 6(f). The Company’s determinations shall be final and binding on the Company and the Employee. In the event it is later determined that to implement the objective and intent of this Section 6(f), (i) a greater reduction in the Total Payments should have been made, the excess amount shall be returned promptly by Employee to the Company or (ii) a lesser reduction in the Total Payments should have been made, the excess amount shall be paid or provided promptly by the Company to Employee, except to the extent the Company reasonably determines would result in imposition of an excise tax under Section 409A.

 

(g) As used in this Agreement:

 

(i) “With Cause” means the termination of employment resulting from:

 

(A) Employee’s violation of or failure to adhere to any of the material provisions, restrictions or covenants of this Agreement or the Employee Assignment Agreement, provided Employee has received written notice from the Company of such violation and been given thirty days in which to cure such violation (if curable), such cure period shall involve Employee’s provision of a written plan to cure the circumstances forming the basis of the termination decision which the Company shall in good faith accept or reject;

 

(B) the commission by Employee of any act of fraud or embezzlement against the Company or any of its affiliates;

 

(C) conduct that is grossly negligent or willful and deliberate on Employee’s part and that is (or would reasonably be expected to be) materially detrimental to the Company or any of its Affiliates;

 

(D) Employee’s conviction of, or entry of a plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or a crime of moral turpitude;

 

6

 

 

(E) a failure of Employee to adhere in any material respect to the written policies and procedures established from time to time by the Company, including, but not limited to, any code of business conduct and ethics, and which failure is (or would reasonably be expected to be) materially detrimental to the Company or any of its Affiliates;

 

(F) A violation by the Employee of the Company’s Substance Abuse Policy;

 

(G) Employee’s violation of the Company’s policies prohibiting unlawful employment discrimination, retaliation or harassment, including sexual harassment which includes but is not limited to engaging in or aiding and abetting any act of employment discrimination, retaliation or harassment including sexual harassment;

 

(H) Employee’s violation of any contractual, statutory, or fiduciary duty owed by Employee to the Company or any of its affiliates; or

 

(I) Employee’s failure to cooperate in good faith with a governmental or internal investigation of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates, or their directors, officers or employees, if the Company has reasonably requested Employee’s cooperation.

 

(ii) “Without Cause” means the termination of employment by the Company other than resulting from any reason enumerated in Section 6(g)(i) above or Section 5 of this Agreement.

 

7. Confidentiality; Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation. For purposes of this Section 7, all references to the Company shall be deemed to include the Company’s and its Subsidiaries, whether now existing or hereafter established or acquired. In consideration for the compensation and benefits provided to Employee pursuant to this Agreement, Employee agrees with the provisions of this Section 7.

 

(a) Confidentiality. Employee acknowledges that as a result of his retention by the Company, Employee has and will continue to have knowledge of, and access to, proprietary and confidential information of the Company including, without limitation, research and development plans and results, software, databases, technology, inventions, trade secrets, technical information, know-how, plans, specifications, methods of operations, product and service information, product and service availability, pricing information (including pricing strategies), financial, business and marketing information and plans, and the identity of customers, clients and suppliers (collectively, the “Confidential Information”), and that the Confidential Information, even though it may be contributed, developed or acquired by the Employee, constitutes valuable, special and unique assets of the Company developed at great expense which are the exclusive property of the Company. Accordingly, Employee shall not, at any time, either during or subsequent to the Term of this Agreement, use, reveal, report, publish, transfer or otherwise disclose to any person, corporation, or other entity, any of the Confidential Information without the prior written consent of the Company, except to responsible officers and employees of the Company and other responsible persons who are in a contractual or fiduciary relationship with the Company and who have a need for such Confidential Information for purposes in the best interests of the Company, and except for such Confidential Information which is or becomes of general public knowledge from authorized sources other than by or through Employee. Employee acknowledges that the Company would not enter into this Agreement without the assurance that all the Confidential Information will be used for the exclusive benefit of the Company.

 

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(b) Noncompetition. In partial consideration of, and subject to, the Company’s payment of the amounts described in Section 6(c)(i) above and as an inducement to the Company entering into this Agreement, Employee accordingly covenants and agrees that, during Employee’s employment with and service as an employee to the Company and its Business Affiliates as provided in this Agreement, and for a period of twelve (12) months following any termination of such employment, except if severance is being paid in accordance with Section 6(c)(ii) in which case the period shall be 24 months (the “Noncompete Period”), Employee shall not for Employee’s own behalf or on behalf of any Person (other than the Company or any of its Business Affiliates), directly or indirectly (either individually or as an agent, advisor, partner, joint venturer, trustee, shareholder, officer, manager, investor, director, consultant, employee or in any other capacity):

 

(i) engage in any Competitive Activity within the Prohibited Territory; or

 

(ii) assist others in engaging in any Competitive Activity within the Prohibited Territory;

 

provided, however, that nothing in this Section 7 shall restrict Employee from the passive ownership of two percent (2%) or less of the publicly traded securities of any entity.

 

(c) Nonsolicitation. In partial consideration of, and subject to, the Company’s payment of the amounts described in Section 6(c)(i) above and as an inducement to the Company entering into this Agreement, Employee accordingly covenants and agrees that unless specifically authorized by the Board of Directors in writing, during the Noncompete Period, Employee shall not:

 

(i) solicit, encourage, support or cause any employee or consultant of the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof to leave the employment of the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof;

 

(ii) solicit, encourage, support or cause any supplier of goods, services or property (including intangible or other intellectual property) to the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof, or any licensor or licensee of the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof, to not do business with, to discontinue doing business with, or to materially reduce all or any part of such supplier’s or licensor’s or licensee’s business with the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof;

 

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(iii) solicit any Customer for the purposes of offering or providing any product or service of the type provided or conducted by the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof during the Noncompete Period; or

 

(iv) solicit or encourage any Customer to terminate, curtail or otherwise limit its business relationship with the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof.

 

(d) Remedies. The restrictions set forth in this Section 7 are considered by the Parties to be fair and reasonable. Employee acknowledges that the restrictions contained in this Section 7 will not prevent him from earning a livelihood. Employee further acknowledges that the Company would be irreparably harmed and that monetary damages would not provide an adequate remedy in the event of a breach of the provisions of this Section 7. Accordingly, Employee agrees that, in addition to any other remedies available to the Company, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive and other equitable relief to secure the enforcement of these provisions. In connection with seeking any such equitable remedy, including, but not limited to, an injunction or specific performance, the Company shall not be required to post a bond as a condition to obtaining such remedy. In any such litigation, the prevailing party shall be entitled to receive an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. If any provisions of this Section 7 relating to the time period, scope of activities or geographic area of restrictions is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to exceed the maximum permissible time period, scope of activities or geographic area, the maximum time period, scope of activities or geographic area, as the case may be, shall be reduced to the maximum which such court deems enforceable. If any provisions of this Section 7 other than those described in the preceding sentence are adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, the invalid or unenforceable provisions shall be deemed amended (with respect only to the jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made) in such manner as to render them enforceable and to effectuate as nearly as possible the original intentions and agreement of the parties. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting a Party from pursuing other remedies available to it for such breach or threatened breach. Employee also agrees that the Company may disclose this Agreement to any Person that, at any time during Employee’s employment with the Company or during the period the restrictive covenants set forth herein or in the Employee Assignment Agreement are in effect, employs or considers employing Employee.

 

8. Corporate Opportunities. During Employee’s employment with the Company, Employee shall bring all investment or business opportunities to the Company of which the Employee is aware and which Employee believes are, or would reasonably be, within the scope and objectives of the business of the Company and its Business Affiliates. If Employee is engaged in or associated with the planning or implementing of any project, program or venture involving the Company or its Business Affiliates and any third parties, all rights in such project, program or venture shall belong exclusively to the Company (or the third party, to the extent provided in any agreement between the Company and the third party). Except as formally approved in advance and in writing by the Company, Employee shall not be entitled to any interest in such project, program or venture or to any commission, finder’s fee or other compensation in connection therewith other than the salary or other compensation to be paid to Employee as provided in this Agreement.

 

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9. Nondisparagement. During Employee’s employment with the Company, and at all times thereafter, (i) Employee will not make any public statement that is disparaging about the Company, any of its Business Affiliates, any of its or their respective officers or directors, including, but not limited to, any statement that disparages the products, services, finances, financial condition, capabilities or other aspects of the business of the Company or any of its Business Affiliates and (ii) the Company will not make any public statement that is disparaging about Employee. The immediately preceding sentence shall not apply to or limit any statement made in any judicial proceeding relating to any dispute under this Agreement.

 

10. Confidentiality of Agreement. Employee agrees to keep the terms and conditions of this Agreement confidential except as may be required by law or legal proceeding, and except that Employee may discuss this Agreement with Employee’s attorney, accountant, financial adviser or members of Employee’s immediate family, provided, in all cases, that Employee shall direct each such person to keep the information confidential and not to disclose it to others. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall not be a violation of this Section 10 for Employee to disclose the terms of the covenants contained in Section 7 to any prospective employer, entity or person with whom Executive is considering engaging.

 

11. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and received (a) when delivered or sent if delivered in person, (b) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after dispatch by prepaid registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or (c) on the next Business Day if transmitted by national overnight courier, in the case of Employee, to Employee’s place of residence as currently shown on the records of the Company, or in the case of the Company, to 140 Industrial Boulevard, Bainbridge, Georgia 39817, Attention: Board of Directors.

 

12. Amendment; Waiver. No change or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or binding unless signed by both the Company and Employee. No waiver of any provisions of this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the Party against whom the waiver is sought to be enforced. A valid waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be limited to the instance received in such writing and, unless otherwise expressly stated, shall not be effective as a continuing waiver or repeal of such provision.

 

13. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia applicable to contracts made and to be wholly performed within that State without regard to its conflict of laws provisions that could cause the application of the laws of another state or jurisdiction.

 

14. Employee Representations. Employee warrants that he is free to execute this Agreement and the Employee Assignment Agreement, and that he has no agreements or commitments that will prevent or interfere with the performance of the services required of Employee hereunder, including but not limited to agreements related to previous employment containing confidentiality or noncompetition covenants. Employee further represents and warrants that he is not presently nor has he ever been the subject of or a party to any charge, complaint, government agency investigation or proceeding, disciplinary action, arbitration or litigation involving a claim of employment discrimination, retaliation or harassment, including sexual harassment.

 

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15. Representation. The Parties waive the application of any law, regulation, holding or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in the Agreement will be construed against the Party drafting such agreement. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual agreement, and this Agreement shall not be deemed to have been prepared by any single Party.

 

16. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefits of the Parties and their respective successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives; provided, however, that (i) Employee may not assign or delegate any of Employee’s rights, obligations, title or interest in or under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company and any purported assignment of such right, obligation, title or interest without such consent shall be null and void and (ii) the Company may not assign or delegate any of its obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Employee and any purported assignment of such obligation without such consent shall be null and void.

 

17. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the validity of the other provisions of this Agreement shall not be impaired. If any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed invalid as to its scope, then notwithstanding such invalidity, that provision shall be deemed valid to the fullest extent permitted by law, and the Parties agree that, if any court makes such a determination, it shall have the power to reduce the duration, scope or area of such provisions and to delete specific words and phrases by “blue penciling” and, in its reduced or blue-penciled form, such provisions shall then be enforceable as allowed by law.

 

18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Employee with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the Parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

 

19. Facsimiles and Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Any signature delivered by a facsimile machine or by electronic transmission shall be binding to the same extent as an original signature page with regard to this Agreement. A Party that delivers a signature page in this manner agrees to later deliver an original counterpart signature page to the other Parties.

 

20. Section 409A.

 

(a) General. The parties to this Agreement intend that the Agreement complies with Section 409A, where applicable, and this Agreement shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with that intention. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 409A, no payment hereunder shall be accelerated or deferred unless such acceleration or deferral would not result in additional tax or interest pursuant to Section 409A.

 

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(b) Separation from Service. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement that is considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A and is designated under this Agreement as payable upon Employee’s termination of employment shall be payable only upon Employee’s “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A (a “Separation from Service”).

 

(c) Specified Employee. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Employee is deemed by the Company at the time of Employee’s Separation from Service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Employee is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A, such portion of Employee’s benefits shall not be provided to Employee prior to the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of Employee’s Separation from Service with the Company or (B) the date of Employee’s death. Upon the first business day following the expiration of the applicable Section 409A period, all payments deferred pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be paid in a lump sum to Employee (or Employee’s estate or beneficiaries), and any remaining payments due to Employee under this Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.

 

(d) Expense Reimbursements. To the extent that any reimbursements under this Agreement are subject to Section 409A, any such reimbursements payable to Employee shall be paid to Employee no later than December 31st of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred; provided, that Employee submits Employee’s reimbursement request promptly following the date the expense is incurred, the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, other than medical expenses referred to in Section 105(b) of the Code, and Employee’s right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

(e) Installments. Employee’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement, including without limitation any continuation salary payments that are payable on Company payroll dates, shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment as permitted under Section 409A.

 

(f) Release. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, to the extent that any payments due under this Agreement as a result of Employee’s termination of employment are subject to Employee’s execution and delivery of a Release, in any case where Employee’s date of termination and Release Expiration Date (as defined below) fall in two separate taxable years, any payments required to be made to Employee that are conditioned on the Release and are treated as nonqualified deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A shall be made in the later taxable year. For purposes hereof, “Release Expiration Date” shall mean the date that is twenty-one (21) days following the date upon which the Company timely delivers the Release to Employee, or, in the event that Employee’s termination of employment is “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967), the date that is forty-five (45) days following such delivery date. To the extent that any payments of nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) due under this Agreement as a result of Employee’s termination of employment are delayed pursuant to this Section 9(m)(v), such amounts shall be paid in a lump sum on the first payroll period to occur in the subsequent taxable year.

 

21. Survival. The Parties acknowledge that the provisions of this Agreement which by their terms extend beyond termination shall survive in accordance with the terms thereof, including Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 16 through 21 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

  

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

  COMPANY:
   
  MEREDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Stephen E. Croskrey
     
  Name:  Stephen E. Croskrey
     
  Title: CEO
     
  EMPLOYEE:
   
  /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
  john a. dowdy, iii

 

[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1

 

DEFINITIONS

 

(a) “Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person.

 

(b) “Business Affiliate” means the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, companies which are deemed to be Affiliates solely due to the control of such entity by a shareholder of the Company (including portfolio companies in which a shareholder of the Company holds an investment) shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of the Company.

 

(c) “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which the national or state banks located in the State of Georgia are authorized to be closed.

 

(d) “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following after the Effective Date:

 

i. the date any entity or person shall have become the beneficial owner of, or shall have obtained voting control over, more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting stock;

 

ii. the date of the consummation of (A) a merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company (or similar transaction involving the Company), in which the holders of the stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the transaction do not have voting control over more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting securities of the surviving corporation immediately after such transaction, or (B) the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company; or

 

iii. the date there shall have been a change in a majority of the Board within a 12-month period unless the nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders of each new Director was approved by the vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board (or a committee of the Board, if nominations are approved by a Board committee rather than the Board) then still in office who were in office at the beginning of the 12-month period; provided, however, that notwithstanding any of the foregoing, any business combination with the Company pursuant to an acquisition agreement (including without limitation any merger agreement or purchase agreement) executed at any time prior to December 31, 2020 shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control.

 

Schedule 1, Pg. 1

 

 

(e) “Competitive Activity” means the design, development, manufacturing, production, marketing, distribution and/or sale or provision of, or the provision of consulting services related to, products or services that are substantially similar to, identical to, or are otherwise competitive with those offered by the Company during the twelve (12) month period prior to the termination date of Employee’s employment hereunder, including, without limitation, the design, development, manufacturing, production, marketing, distribution and/or sale or provision of, or the provision of consulting services related to, (i) PHA, Levan or other products that are compostable and/or biodegradable substitutes for non-biodegradable plastics and (ii) the reactive extrusion of PHA, Levan or other products that are compostable and/or biodegradable substitutes for non-biodegradable plastics.

 

(f) “control” “controlling” “controlled” means, when used with respect to any specified Person, the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

(g) “Customer” means any Person that is now, or during the Noncompete Period becomes, a customer of the Company or any Business Affiliate with whom Employee had a business relationship.

 

(h) “Levan” means levan polysaccharide.

 

(i) “Person” means an individual (including Employee), a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization or a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

(j) PHA” means polyhydroxyalkanoate.

 

(k) “Prohibited Territory” means North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa.

 

(l) “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person of which (or in which) such specified Person will, at the time, directly or indirectly through one or more subsidiaries, (a) own at least 50% of the outstanding capital stock or equity interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other similar governing body, (b) hold at least 50% of the interests in the capital or profits, (c) hold at least 50% of the beneficial interest (in the case of any such Person that is a trust or estate), or (d) be a general partner (in the case of a partnership) or a managing member (in the case of a limited liability company). 

 

Schedule 1, Pg. 2

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Employee Assignment Agreement

(see attached)

 

 

Ex. A, Page 1

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.7

 

Execution Version

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of August 31, 2020, is made and entered into by and between Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (dba Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), and Michael Smith (“Employee”). The Company and Employee are referred to herein collectively as the “Parties” and individually as a “Party.”

 

RECITALS:

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee are parties to that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2017 (the “Employment Agreement”), pursuant to which the Employee is employed as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer;

 

 WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to employ the Employee as Chief Operating Officer on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

 

WHEREAS, the Employee is willing to continue to be employed as Chief Operating Officer on such terms and conditions; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee desire to enter into this Agreement which shall be deemed to amend, restate and replace the Employment Agreement as of September 1, 2020.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants and agreements provided for herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Agreement, shall have the meanings set forth in Schedule 1 attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

2. Employment and Duties.

 

(a) Title. The Company hereby designates and appoints Employee as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer to act and perform the duties of Chief Operating Officer on behalf of the Company as provided herein. Employee hereby accepts such designation and appointment. The employment arrangement created pursuant to the foregoing appointment is in consideration of all other terms, limitations and restrictions set out in this Agreement.

 

(b) Status. It is mutually agreed by the Company and Employee that the duties and responsibilities created and conferred by this Agreement establish an employer/employee relationship between the Company and Employee, and the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) shall have and retain full and complete supervisory authority over the manner in which Employee engages in and conducts the duties and responsibilities of such employment.

 

 

 

 

(c) Manner of Performance. Employee will carry out the duties and responsibilities of the foregoing appointment in a faithful, diligent and responsible manner, subject to the direction and control of the Chief Executive Officer. Employee will devote Employee’s full business time and attention to perform faithfully and diligently the specific duties of, and generally to provide the services normally associated with, Employee’s position as the Chief Operating Officer of the Company and/or such other duties assigned to Employee by the Board of Directors.

 

(d) Location. The duties to be performed by Employee hereunder shall be performed primarily at the Company’s facilities in Bainbridge, Georgia, subject to reasonable travel requirements on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, its facilities in Winchester, Kentucky.

 

(e) Subsidiary Offices. Employee shall also serve as an officer of any Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company upon request of the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors.

 

3. Compensation for Services. Subject to the conditions contained in this Agreement, during the Term and in exchange for Employee’s services under this Agreement, the Company will pay or provide to Employee the following:

 

(a) Annual Compensation. For each year Employee is employed by the Company, Employee shall receive a salary equal to Three Hundred Thousand and No/100 U.S. Dollars ($300,000) per annum (the “Base Salary”), subject to raises as approved by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors. Employee’s compensation shall be payable in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practice or upon other terms mutually agreed upon. If Base Salary is increased during the Term, then such adjusted salary shall constitute Base Salary for the remainder of the Term.

 

(b) Annual Bonus. In addition to the Base Salary, Employee will be eligible to receive an annual bonus pursuant to the Company’s then current employee bonus plan, if any, or as otherwise approved by the Board of Directors.

 

(c) Stock Incentive Plan. Employee shall be eligible to participate in the Meredian Holdings Group. Inc. 2016 Director and Executive Officer Stock Incentive Plan, Meredian Holdings Group. Inc. 2016 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, or any successor stock incentive plans. On the Effective Date, the Company shall promptly grant Employee a stock option for 10,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.001 per share, at an exercise price of $63.00 per share, which option award: will vest in equal annual installments of one-third, or 3,333 shares, 3,333 shares and 3,334 shares on each of the first, second and third anniversaries, respectively, of the grant date; will, to the extent legally permissible, be issued as an incentive stock option; and, will be subject to the other terms and conditions set forth in the definitive option award agreement granting such option.

 

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(d) Vacation and Personal Days. Employee shall be entitled to 25 days of paid personal and vacation leave each year or such greater number of days as may be expressly required by the Company’s written vacation policy then in effect. Employee’s use of such leave will be subject to the Company’s prevailing vacation policies applicable to similarly situated senior executives, as such policy may be in effect from time to time.

 

(e) Other Benefits.

 

(i) Employee shall be eligible to participate in employee benefit programs available to similarly situated employees in accordance with the terms and conditions of such employee benefit programs. The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to alter, amend or discontinue any of such employee benefit programs at any time.

 

(ii) Employee agrees to adhere to the terms of any employee handbook, policy or procedures which the Company may promulgate and make available to Employee, including via email or intranet access.

 

(iii) The Company shall provide Employee use of a Company-owned automobile, which automobile shall be serviced and maintained at the Company’s sole cost and expense.

 

(f) Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Employee for all reasonable expenses incurred by Employee in the course of performing Employee’s duties under this Agreement and that are consistent with the Company’s policies in effect at that time with respect to travel, entertainment and other business expenses; provided, however, that: (i) such expenditures are of a nature qualifying them as proper deductions on the federal and state income tax returns of the Company; (ii) Employee furnishes to the Company adequate records and other documentary evidence required by federal and state statutes and regulations issued by the appropriate taxing authorities for the substantiation of each such expenditure as an income tax deduction; and (iii) such expenditures otherwise comply with the Company’s requirements with respect to reporting and documentation of such reimbursable expenses.

 

(g) Applicable Withholdings. Employee’s compensation will be subject to all withholdings and deductions required by law and will be payable in accordance with the Company’s normal periodic payroll practices.

 

4. Effective Date and Term. The Employee’s employment with the Company will continue under the terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement until August 31, 2020 and the Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect without any amendments thereto through such date. The Employment Agreement shall be deemed to be amended, restated and replaced by this Agreement on September 1, 2020 (the “Effective Date”). The term of Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall, unless earlier terminated as set forth herein, end on December 31, 2023 (the “Term”). If Employee is still employed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement as of the date that is six (6) months prior to the end of the Term, Employee and the Company hereby agree to negotiate, in good faith, through the end of the Term an extension to the Term or another employment agreement having terms mutually acceptable to the Company and Employee.

 

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5. Incapacity or Death During Employment. Both Employee and the Company acknowledge and agree that, pursuant to this Agreement, Employee will assume a significant position with the Company which will require Employee’s constant attention and that Employee’s regular presence at the Company’s facilities is an essential function of Employee’s position. Therefore, if Employee is unable to perform Employee’s job duties and responsibilities with or without a reasonable accommodation or is not present at work for more than ninety (90) consecutive days, the Company may terminate the employment of Employee upon written notice. Upon such a termination for incapacity in accordance with the preceding sentence, or in the event of termination resulting from the death of Employee, all obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall terminate other than unpaid Base Salary earned by Employee up to the date of termination, accrued but unused vacation and reimbursement of approved business expenses incurred by Employee prior to such termination subject to and in accordance with Section 3(f) above.

 

6. Termination of Employment.

 

(a) Right to Terminate. Subject to the provisions of this Section 6, prior to the expiration of the Term, Employee may terminate Employee’s employment hereunder and agrees to provide the Company with at least 90 days’ notice in the event of the employee’s resignation. Similarly, subject to the provisions of this Section 6, prior to the expiration of the Term, the Company may terminate Employee’s employment hereunder either “With Cause” or “Without Cause” (as such terms are hereinafter defined). If Employee is still employed upon expiration of the Term, Employee will not be entitled to any separation or additional pay under this Agreement if Employee’s employment ends upon or after expiration of the Term.

 

(b) Termination With Cause. If, during the Term of this Agreement, the Company terminates Employee’s employment hereunder With Cause, or Employee’s employment terminates for any of the reasons enumerated in Section 5 above, or Employee resigns, all obligations of the Company to provide compensation and benefits under this Agreement shall immediately cease upon such termination, and Employee shall have no claim or right against the Company for damages or other sums. The Company’s election to terminate Employee’s employment With Cause shall be without prejudice to any remedy the Company may have against Employee for the breach or non-performance of any of the provisions of this Agreement, or for any non-contractual liabilities.

 

(c) Termination Without Cause; Voluntary.

 

(i) If, during the Term of this Agreement, the Company terminates Employee’s employment Without Cause, subject to the provisions of Section 6(d), the Company shall be obligated to continue to pay Employee’s Base Salary in effect as of the date of termination for twelve (12) months following the date Employee’s employment is terminated, in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices and subject to applicable federal and state withholding taxes.

 

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(ii) If, during the Term of this Agreement, the Company terminates Employee’s employment Without Cause, in connection with a Change in Control, or within 12 months following a Change in Control, subject to the provisions of Section 6(d), the Company shall be obligated to continue to pay Employee’s Base Salary in effect as of the date of termination for twenty four (24) months following the date Employee’s employment is terminated, in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices and subject to applicable federal and state withholding taxes.

 

(iii) If, during the Term of this Agreement, Employee voluntarily terminates Employee’s employment, subject to the provisions of Section 6(d), the Company may elect, in its sole discretion, to pay Employee the same severance payments described in Section 6(c)(i), above, as if Employee had been terminated Without Cause.

 

(d) Conditions to Severance Payments. The payments described in Section 6(c) above are expressly contingent and conditioned upon (i) Employee’s execution of a standard separation and general release agreement, in a written form acceptable to the Company, containing a release of any and all claims by Employee against the Company, whether such claims are actual or potential, or known or unknown (the “Release”); and (ii) Employee’s compliance with the restrictive covenants and all post-termination obligations to which Employee is subject, including, but not limited to, the obligations set forth in Section 7 of this Agreement, and in that certain Confidentiality and Assignment Agreement executed by Employee in favor of the Company attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Employee Assignment Agreement”). The Company retains the right, in good faith, to terminate the initiation or continuation of payments described in Section 6(c) (as well as to pursue any other remedies available at law or in equity) if it obtains evidence that Employee breached Employee’s obligations under any of the post-employment covenants set forth in this Agreement or in the Employee Assignment Agreement, or it is determined that Employee engaged in conduct which would have justified termination With Cause. Further, Company may, in its sole discretion, waive Employee’s compliance with the restrictive covenants contained in Section 7 of this Agreement, by delivering written notice of such waiver to Employee, and upon delivery of such written waiver Company shall not be obligated to make any payments or further payments, as the case may be, to Employee pursuant to Section 6(c)(i) above.

 

(e) Cooperation.  Following the expiration and/or termination of this Agreement for any reason, Employee shall provide his reasonable cooperation in connection with any action or proceeding (or any appeal from any action or proceeding) which relates to events occurring during Employee’s employment hereunder; provided the Company shall reimburse Employee for Employee’s reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith and such cooperation shall not unreasonably burden Employee or unreasonably interfere with any subsequent employment that Employee may undertake.

 

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(f) Parachute Payments. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement or any other Company plan, arrangement or agreement (“Company Arrangement”), in the event that any payment or benefit by the Company or otherwise to or for the benefit of Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (all such payments and benefits, including the payments and benefits under this Section 6 above, being hereinafter referred to as the “Total Payments”), would be subject (in whole or in part) to the excise tax (the “Excise Tax”) imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), then the Total Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the minimum extent necessary to avoid the imposition of the Excise Tax on the Total Payments. Any such reduction shall be made by the Company in its sole discretion consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”). Any determination required under this Section 6(f), including whether any payments or benefits are parachute payments, shall be made by the Company in its sole discretion. Employee shall provide the Company with such information and documents as the Company may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 6(f). The Company’s determinations shall be final and binding on the Company and the Employee. In the event it is later determined that to implement the objective and intent of this Section 6(f), (i) a greater reduction in the Total Payments should have been made, the excess amount shall be returned promptly by Employee to the Company or (ii) a lesser reduction in the Total Payments should have been made, the excess amount shall be paid or provided promptly by the Company to Employee, except to the extent the Company reasonably determines would result in imposition of an excise tax under Section 409A.

 

(g) As used in this Agreement:

 

(i) “With Cause” means the termination of employment resulting from:

 

(A) Employee’s violation of or failure to adhere to any of the material provisions, restrictions or covenants of this Agreement or the Employee Assignment Agreement, provided Employee has received written notice from the Company of such violation and been given thirty days in which to cure such violation (if curable), such cure period shall involve Employee’s provision of a written plan to cure the circumstances forming the basis of the termination decision which the Company shall in good faith accept or reject;

 

(B) the commission by Employee of any act of fraud or embezzlement against the Company or any of its affiliates;

 

(C) conduct that is grossly negligent or willful and deliberate on Employee’s part and that is (or would reasonably be expected to be) materially detrimental to the Company or any of its Affiliates;

 

(D) Employee’s conviction of, or entry of a plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or a crime of moral turpitude;

 

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(E) a failure of Employee to adhere in any material respect to the written policies and procedures established from time to time by the Company, including, but not limited to, any code of business conduct and ethics, and which failure is (or would reasonably be expected to be) materially detrimental to the Company or any of its Affiliates;

 

(F) A violation by the Employee of the Company’s Substance Abuse Policy;

 

(G) Employee’s violation of the Company’s policies prohibiting unlawful employment discrimination, retaliation or harassment, including sexual harassment which includes but is not limited to engaging in or aiding and abetting any act of employment discrimination, retaliation or harassment including sexual harassment;

 

(H) Employee’s violation of any contractual, statutory, or fiduciary duty owed by Employee to the Company or any of its affiliates; or

 

(I) Employee’s failure to cooperate in good faith with a governmental or internal investigation of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates, or their directors, officers or employees, if the Company has reasonably requested Employee’s cooperation.

 

(ii) “Without Cause” means the termination of employment by the Company other than resulting from any reason enumerated in Section 6(g)(i) above or Section 5 of this Agreement.

 

7. Confidentiality; Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation. For purposes of this Section 7, all references to the Company shall be deemed to include the Company’s and its Subsidiaries, whether now existing or hereafter established or acquired. In consideration for the compensation and benefits provided to Employee pursuant to this Agreement, Employee agrees with the provisions of this Section 7.

 

(a) Confidentiality. Employee acknowledges that as a result of his retention by the Company, Employee has and will continue to have knowledge of, and access to, proprietary and confidential information of the Company including, without limitation, research and development plans and results, software, databases, technology, inventions, trade secrets, technical information, know-how, plans, specifications, methods of operations, product and service information, product and service availability, pricing information (including pricing strategies), financial, business and marketing information and plans, and the identity of customers, clients and suppliers (collectively, the “Confidential Information”), and that the Confidential Information, even though it may be contributed, developed or acquired by the Employee, constitutes valuable, special and unique assets of the Company developed at great expense which are the exclusive property of the Company. Accordingly, Employee shall not, at any time, either during or subsequent to the Term of this Agreement, use, reveal, report, publish, transfer or otherwise disclose to any person, corporation, or other entity, any of the Confidential Information without the prior written consent of the Company, except to responsible officers and employees of the Company and other responsible persons who are in a contractual or fiduciary relationship with the Company and who have a need for such Confidential Information for purposes in the best interests of the Company, and except for such Confidential Information which is or becomes of general public knowledge from authorized sources other than by or through Employee. Employee acknowledges that the Company would not enter into this Agreement without the assurance that all the Confidential Information will be used for the exclusive benefit of the Company.

 

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(b) Noncompetition. In partial consideration of, and subject to, the Company’s payment of the amounts described in Section 6(c)(i) above and as an inducement to the Company entering into this Agreement, Employee accordingly covenants and agrees that, during Employee’s employment with and service as an employee to the Company and its Business Affiliates as provided in this Agreement, and for a period of twelve (12) months following any termination of such employment, except if severance is being paid in accordance with Section 6(c)(ii) in which case the period shall be 24 months (the “Noncompete Period”), Employee shall not for Employee’s own behalf or on behalf of any Person (other than the Company or any of its Business Affiliates), directly or indirectly (either individually or as an agent, advisor, partner, joint venturer, trustee, shareholder, officer, manager, investor, director, consultant, employee or in any other capacity):

 

(i) engage in any Competitive Activity within the Prohibited Territory; or

 

(ii) assist others in engaging in any Competitive Activity within the Prohibited Territory;

 

provided, however, that nothing in this Section 7 shall restrict Employee from the passive ownership of two percent (2%) or less of the publicly traded securities of any entity.

 

(c) Nonsolicitation. In partial consideration of, and subject to, the Company’s payment of the amounts described in Section 6(c)(i) above and as an inducement to the Company entering into this Agreement, Employee accordingly covenants and agrees that unless specifically authorized by the Board of Directors in writing, during the Noncompete Period, Employee shall not:

 

(i) solicit, encourage, support or cause any employee or consultant of the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof to leave the employment of the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof;

 

(ii) solicit, encourage, support or cause any supplier of goods, services or property (including intangible or other intellectual property) to the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof, or any licensor or licensee of the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof, to not do business with, to discontinue doing business with, or to materially reduce all or any part of such supplier’s or licensor’s or licensee’s business with the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof;

 

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(iii) solicit any Customer for the purposes of offering or providing any product or service of the type provided or conducted by the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof during the Noncompete Period; or

 

(iv) solicit or encourage any Customer to terminate, curtail or otherwise limit its business relationship with the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof.

 

(d) Remedies. The restrictions set forth in this Section 7 are considered by the Parties to be fair and reasonable. Employee acknowledges that the restrictions contained in this Section 7 will not prevent him from earning a livelihood. Employee further acknowledges that the Company would be irreparably harmed and that monetary damages would not provide an adequate remedy in the event of a breach of the provisions of this Section 7. Accordingly, Employee agrees that, in addition to any other remedies available to the Company, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive and other equitable relief to secure the enforcement of these provisions. In connection with seeking any such equitable remedy, including, but not limited to, an injunction or specific performance, the Company shall not be required to post a bond as a condition to obtaining such remedy. In any such litigation, the prevailing party shall be entitled to receive an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. If any provisions of this Section 7 relating to the time period, scope of activities or geographic area of restrictions is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to exceed the maximum permissible time period, scope of activities or geographic area, the maximum time period, scope of activities or geographic area, as the case may be, shall be reduced to the maximum which such court deems enforceable. If any provisions of this Section 7 other than those described in the preceding sentence are adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, the invalid or unenforceable provisions shall be deemed amended (with respect only to the jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made) in such manner as to render them enforceable and to effectuate as nearly as possible the original intentions and agreement of the parties. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting a Party from pursuing other remedies available to it for such breach or threatened breach. Employee also agrees that the Company may disclose this Agreement to any Person that, at any time during Employee’s employment with the Company or during the period the restrictive covenants set forth herein or in the Employee Assignment Agreement are in effect, employs or considers employing Employee.

 

8. Corporate Opportunities. During Employee’s employment with the Company, Employee shall bring all investment or business opportunities to the Company of which the Employee is aware and which Employee believes are, or would reasonably be, within the scope and objectives of the business of the Company and its Business Affiliates. If Employee is engaged in or associated with the planning or implementing of any project, program or venture involving the Company or its Business Affiliates and any third parties, all rights in such project, program or venture shall belong exclusively to the Company (or the third party, to the extent provided in any agreement between the Company and the third party). Except as formally approved in advance and in writing by the Company, Employee shall not be entitled to any interest in such project, program or venture or to any commission, finder’s fee or other compensation in connection therewith other than the salary or other compensation to be paid to Employee as provided in this Agreement.

 

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9. Nondisparagement. During Employee’s employment with the Company, and at all times thereafter, (i) Employee will not make any public statement that is disparaging about the Company, any of its Business Affiliates, any of its or their respective officers or directors, including, but not limited to, any statement that disparages the products, services, finances, financial condition, capabilities or other aspects of the business of the Company or any of its Business Affiliates and (ii) the Company will not make any public statement that is disparaging about Employee. The immediately preceding sentence shall not apply to or limit any statement made in any judicial proceeding relating to any dispute under this Agreement.

 

10. Confidentiality of Agreement. Employee agrees to keep the terms and conditions of this Agreement confidential except as may be required by law or legal proceeding, and except that Employee may discuss this Agreement with Employee’s attorney, accountant, financial adviser or members of Employee’s immediate family, provided, in all cases, that Employee shall direct each such person to keep the information confidential and not to disclose it to others. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall not be a violation of this Section 10 for Employee to disclose the terms of the covenants contained in Section 7 to any prospective employer, entity or person with whom Executive is considering engaging.

 

11. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and received (a) when delivered or sent if delivered in person, (b) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after dispatch by prepaid registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or (c) on the next Business Day if transmitted by national overnight courier, in the case of Employee, to Employee’s place of residence as currently shown on the records of the Company, or in the case of the Company, to 140 Industrial Boulevard, Bainbridge, Georgia 39817, Attention: Board of Directors.

 

12. Amendment; Waiver. No change or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or binding unless signed by both the Company and Employee. No waiver of any provisions of this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the Party against whom the waiver is sought to be enforced. A valid waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be limited to the instance received in such writing and, unless otherwise expressly stated, shall not be effective as a continuing waiver or repeal of such provision.

 

13. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia applicable to contracts made and to be wholly performed within that State without regard to its conflict of laws provisions that could cause the application of the laws of another state or jurisdiction.

 

14. Employee Representations. Employee warrants that he is free to execute this Agreement and the Employee Assignment Agreement, and that he has no agreements or commitments that will prevent or interfere with the performance of the services required of Employee hereunder, including but not limited to agreements related to previous employment containing confidentiality or noncompetition covenants. Employee further represents and warrants that he is not presently nor has he ever been the subject of or a party to any charge, complaint, government agency investigation or proceeding, disciplinary action, arbitration or litigation involving a claim of employment discrimination, retaliation or harassment, including sexual harassment.

 

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15. Representation. The Parties waive the application of any law, regulation, holding or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in the Agreement will be construed against the Party drafting such agreement. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual agreement, and this Agreement shall not be deemed to have been prepared by any single Party.

 

16. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefits of the Parties and their respective successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives; provided, however, that (i) Employee may not assign or delegate any of Employee’s rights, obligations, title or interest in or under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company and any purported assignment of such right, obligation, title or interest without such consent shall be null and void and (ii) the Company may not assign or delegate any of its obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Employee and any purported assignment of such obligation without such consent shall be null and void.

 

17. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the validity of the other provisions of this Agreement shall not be impaired. If any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed invalid as to its scope, then notwithstanding such invalidity, that provision shall be deemed valid to the fullest extent permitted by law, and the Parties agree that, if any court makes such a determination, it shall have the power to reduce the duration, scope or area of such provisions and to delete specific words and phrases by “blue penciling” and, in its reduced or blue-penciled form, such provisions shall then be enforceable as allowed by law.

 

18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Employee with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the Parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

 

19. Facsimiles and Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Any signature delivered by a facsimile machine or by electronic transmission shall be binding to the same extent as an original signature page with regard to this Agreement. A Party that delivers a signature page in this manner agrees to later deliver an original counterpart signature page to the other Parties.

 

20. Section 409A.

 

(a) General. The parties to this Agreement intend that the Agreement complies with Section 409A, where applicable, and this Agreement shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with that intention. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 409A, no payment hereunder shall be accelerated or deferred unless such acceleration or deferral would not result in additional tax or interest pursuant to Section 409A.

 

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(b) Separation from Service. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement that is considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A and is designated under this Agreement as payable upon Employee’s termination of employment shall be payable only upon Employee’s “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A (a “Separation from Service”).

 

(c) Specified Employee. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Employee is deemed by the Company at the time of Employee’s Separation from Service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Employee is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A, such portion of Employee’s benefits shall not be provided to Employee prior to the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of Employee’s Separation from Service with the Company or (B) the date of Employee’s death. Upon the first business day following the expiration of the applicable Section 409A period, all payments deferred pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be paid in a lump sum to Employee (or Employee’s estate or beneficiaries), and any remaining payments due to Employee under this Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.

 

(d) Expense Reimbursements. To the extent that any reimbursements under this Agreement are subject to Section 409A, any such reimbursements payable to Employee shall be paid to Employee no later than December 31st of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred; provided, that Employee submits Employee’s reimbursement request promptly following the date the expense is incurred, the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, other than medical expenses referred to in Section 105(b) of the Code, and Employee’s right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

(e) Installments. Employee’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement, including without limitation any continuation salary payments that are payable on Company payroll dates, shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment as permitted under Section 409A.

 

(f) Release. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, to the extent that any payments due under this Agreement as a result of Employee’s termination of employment are subject to Employee’s execution and delivery of a Release, in any case where Employee’s date of termination and Release Expiration Date (as defined below) fall in two separate taxable years, any payments required to be made to Employee that are conditioned on the Release and are treated as nonqualified deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A shall be made in the later taxable year. For purposes hereof, “Release Expiration Date” shall mean the date that is twenty-one (21) days following the date upon which the Company timely delivers the Release to Employee, or, in the event that Employee’s termination of employment is “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967), the date that is forty-five (45) days following such delivery date. To the extent that any payments of nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) due under this Agreement as a result of Employee’s termination of employment are delayed pursuant to this Section 9(m)(v), such amounts shall be paid in a lump sum on the first payroll period to occur in the subsequent taxable year.

 

21. Survival. The Parties acknowledge that the provisions of this Agreement which by their terms extend beyond termination shall survive in accordance with the terms thereof, including Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 16 through 21 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

  

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

  COMPANY:
   
  MEREDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Stephen E. Croskrey
     
  Name:  Stephen E. Croskrey
     
  Title: CEO
     
  EMPLOYEE:
   
  /s/ Michael Smith
  Michael Smith

 

[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1

 

DEFINITIONS

 

(a) “Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person.

 

(b) “Business Affiliate” means the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, companies which are deemed to be Affiliates solely due to the control of such entity by a shareholder of the Company (including portfolio companies in which a shareholder of the Company holds an investment) shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of the Company.

 

(c) “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which the national or state banks located in the State of Georgia are authorized to be closed.

 

(d) “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following after the Effective Date:

 

i. the date any entity or person shall have become the beneficial owner of, or shall have obtained voting control over, more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting stock;

 

ii. the date of the consummation of (A) a merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company (or similar transaction involving the Company), in which the holders of the stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the transaction do not have voting control over more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting securities of the surviving corporation immediately after such transaction, or (B) the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company; or

 

iii. the date there shall have been a change in a majority of the Board within a 12-month period unless the nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders of each new Director was approved by the vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board (or a committee of the Board, if nominations are approved by a Board committee rather than the Board) then still in office who were in office at the beginning of the 12-month period; provided, however, that notwithstanding any of the foregoing, any business combination with the Company pursuant to an acquisition agreement (including without limitation any merger agreement or purchase agreement) executed at any time prior to December 31, 2020 shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control.

 

Schedule 1, Pg. 1

 

 

(e) “Competitive Activity” means the design, development, manufacturing, production, marketing, distribution and/or sale or provision of, or the provision of consulting services related to, products or services that are substantially similar to, identical to, or are otherwise competitive with those offered by the Company during the twelve (12) month period prior to the termination date of Employee’s employment hereunder, including, without limitation, the design, development, manufacturing, production, marketing, distribution and/or sale or provision of, or the provision of consulting services related to, (i) PHA, Levan or other products that are compostable and/or biodegradable substitutes for non-biodegradable plastics and (ii) the reactive extrusion of PHA, Levan or other products that are compostable and/or biodegradable substitutes for non-biodegradable plastics.

 

(f) “control” “controlling” “controlled” means, when used with respect to any specified Person, the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

(g) “Customer” means any Person that is now, or during the Noncompete Period becomes, a customer of the Company or any Business Affiliate with whom Employee had a business relationship.

 

(h) “Levan” means levan polysaccharide.

 

(i) “Person” means an individual (including Employee), a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization or a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

(j) PHA” means polyhydroxyalkanoate.

 

(k) “Prohibited Territory” means North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa.

 

(l) “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person of which (or in which) such specified Person will, at the time, directly or indirectly through one or more subsidiaries, (a) own at least 50% of the outstanding capital stock or equity interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other similar governing body, (b) hold at least 50% of the interests in the capital or profits, (c) hold at least 50% of the beneficial interest (in the case of any such Person that is a trust or estate), or (d) be a general partner (in the case of a partnership) or a managing member (in the case of a limited liability company). 

 

Schedule 1, Pg. 2

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Employee Assignment Agreement

(see attached)

 

 

Ex. A, Page 1

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.8

 

Execution Version

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of August 31, 2020, is made and entered into by and between Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (dba Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), and Scott Tuten (“Employee”). The Company and Employee are referred to herein collectively as the “Parties” and individually as a “Party.”

 

RECITALS:

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee are parties to that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2017 (the “Employment Agreement”), pursuant to which the Employee is employed as the Company’s Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer;

 

 WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to employ the Employee as Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

 

WHEREAS, the Employee is willing to continue to be employed as Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer on such terms and conditions; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee desire to enter into this Agreement which shall be deemed to amend, restate and replace the Employment Agreement as of September 1, 2020.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants and agreements provided for herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Agreement, shall have the meanings set forth in Schedule 1 attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

2. Employment and Duties.

 

(a) Title. The Company hereby designates and appoints Employee as the Company’s Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer to act and perform the duties of Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer on behalf of the Company as provided herein. Employee hereby accepts such designation and appointment. The employment arrangement created pursuant to the foregoing appointment is in consideration of all other terms, limitations and restrictions set out in this Agreement.

 

(b) Status. It is mutually agreed by the Company and Employee that the duties and responsibilities created and conferred by this Agreement establish an employer/employee relationship between the Company and Employee, and the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) shall have and retain full and complete supervisory authority over the manner in which Employee engages in and conducts the duties and responsibilities of such employment.

 

 

 

 

(c) Manner of Performance. Employee will carry out the duties and responsibilities of the foregoing appointment in a faithful, diligent and responsible manner, subject to the direction and control of the Chief Executive Officer. Employee will devote Employee’s full business time and attention to perform faithfully and diligently the specific duties of, and generally to provide the services normally associated with, Employee’s position as the Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer of the Company and/or such other duties assigned to Employee by the Board of Directors.

 

(d) Location. The duties to be performed by Employee hereunder shall be performed primarily at the Company’s facilities in Bainbridge, Georgia, subject to reasonable travel requirements on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, its facilities in Winchester, Kentucky.

 

(e) Subsidiary Offices. Employee shall also serve as an officer of any Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company upon request of the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors.

 

3. Compensation for Services. Subject to the conditions contained in this Agreement, during the Term and in exchange for Employee’s services under this Agreement, the Company will pay or provide to Employee the following:

 

(a) Annual Compensation. For each year Employee is employed by the Company, Employee shall receive a salary equal to Three Hundred Thousand and No/100 U.S. Dollars ($300,000) per annum (the “Base Salary”), subject to raises as approved by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors. Employee’s compensation shall be payable in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practice or upon other terms mutually agreed upon. If Base Salary is increased during the Term, then such adjusted salary shall constitute Base Salary for the remainder of the Term.

 

(b) Annual Bonus. In addition to the Base Salary, Employee will be eligible to receive an annual bonus pursuant to the Company’s then current employee bonus plan, if any, or as otherwise approved by the Board of Directors.

 

(c) Stock Incentive Plan. Employee shall be eligible to participate in the Meredian Holdings Group. Inc. 2016 Director and Executive Officer Stock Incentive Plan, Meredian Holdings Group. Inc. 2016 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, or any successor stock incentive plans. On the Effective Date, the Company shall promptly grant Employee a stock option for 10,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.001 per share, at an exercise price of $63.00 per share, which option award: will vest in equal annual installments of one-third, or 3,333 shares, 3,333 shares and 3,334 shares on each of the first, second and third anniversaries, respectively, of the grant date; will, to the extent legally permissible, be issued as an incentive stock option; and, will be subject to the other terms and conditions set forth in the definitive option award agreement granting such option.

 

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(d) Vacation and Personal Days. Employee shall be entitled to 25 days of paid personal and vacation leave each year or such greater number of days as may be expressly required by the Company’s written vacation policy then in effect. Employee’s use of such leave will be subject to the Company’s prevailing vacation policies applicable to similarly situated senior executives, as such policy may be in effect from time to time.

 

(e) Other Benefits.

 

(i) Employee shall be eligible to participate in employee benefit programs available to similarly situated employees in accordance with the terms and conditions of such employee benefit programs. The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to alter, amend or discontinue any of such employee benefit programs at any time.

 

(ii) Employee agrees to adhere to the terms of any employee handbook, policy or procedures which the Company may promulgate and make available to Employee, including via email or intranet access.

 

(iii) The Company shall provide Employee use of a Company-owned automobile, which automobile shall be serviced and maintained at the Company’s sole cost and expense.

 

(f) Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Employee for all reasonable expenses incurred by Employee in the course of performing Employee’s duties under this Agreement and that are consistent with the Company’s policies in effect at that time with respect to travel, entertainment and other business expenses; provided, however, that: (i) such expenditures are of a nature qualifying them as proper deductions on the federal and state income tax returns of the Company; (ii) Employee furnishes to the Company adequate records and other documentary evidence required by federal and state statutes and regulations issued by the appropriate taxing authorities for the substantiation of each such expenditure as an income tax deduction; and (iii) such expenditures otherwise comply with the Company’s requirements with respect to reporting and documentation of such reimbursable expenses.

 

(g) Applicable Withholdings. Employee’s compensation will be subject to all withholdings and deductions required by law and will be payable in accordance with the Company’s normal periodic payroll practices.

 

4. Effective Date and Term. The Employee’s employment with the Company will continue under the terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement until August 31, 2020 and the Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect without any amendments thereto through such date. The Employment Agreement shall be deemed to be amended, restated and replaced by this Agreement on September 1, 2020 (the “Effective Date”). The term of Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall, unless earlier terminated as set forth herein, end on December 31, 2023 (the “Term”). If Employee is still employed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement as of the date that is six (6) months prior to the end of the Term, Employee and the Company hereby agree to negotiate, in good faith, through the end of the Term an extension to the Term or another employment agreement having terms mutually acceptable to the Company and Employee.

 

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5. Incapacity or Death During Employment. Both Employee and the Company acknowledge and agree that, pursuant to this Agreement, Employee will assume a significant position with the Company which will require Employee’s constant attention and that Employee’s regular presence at the Company’s facilities is an essential function of Employee’s position. Therefore, if Employee is unable to perform Employee’s job duties and responsibilities with or without a reasonable accommodation or is not present at work for more than ninety (90) consecutive days, the Company may terminate the employment of Employee upon written notice. Upon such a termination for incapacity in accordance with the preceding sentence, or in the event of termination resulting from the death of Employee, all obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall terminate other than unpaid Base Salary earned by Employee up to the date of termination, accrued but unused vacation and reimbursement of approved business expenses incurred by Employee prior to such termination subject to and in accordance with Section 3(f) above.

 

6. Termination of Employment.

 

(a) Right to Terminate. Subject to the provisions of this Section 6, prior to the expiration of the Term, Employee may terminate Employee’s employment hereunder and agrees to provide the Company with at least 90 days’ notice in the event of the employee’s resignation. Similarly, subject to the provisions of this Section 6, prior to the expiration of the Term, the Company may terminate Employee’s employment hereunder either “With Cause” or “Without Cause” (as such terms are hereinafter defined). If Employee is still employed upon expiration of the Term, Employee will not be entitled to any separation or additional pay under this Agreement if Employee’s employment ends upon or after expiration of the Term.

 

(b) Termination With Cause. If, during the Term of this Agreement, the Company terminates Employee’s employment hereunder With Cause, or Employee’s employment terminates for any of the reasons enumerated in Section 5 above, or Employee resigns, all obligations of the Company to provide compensation and benefits under this Agreement shall immediately cease upon such termination, and Employee shall have no claim or right against the Company for damages or other sums. The Company’s election to terminate Employee’s employment With Cause shall be without prejudice to any remedy the Company may have against Employee for the breach or non-performance of any of the provisions of this Agreement, or for any non-contractual liabilities.

 

(c) Termination Without Cause; Voluntary.

 

(i) If, during the Term of this Agreement, the Company terminates Employee’s employment Without Cause, subject to the provisions of Section 6(d), the Company shall be obligated to continue to pay Employee’s Base Salary in effect as of the date of termination for twelve (12) months following the date Employee’s employment is terminated, in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices and subject to applicable federal and state withholding taxes.

 

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(ii) If, during the Term of this Agreement, the Company terminates Employee’s employment Without Cause, in connection with a Change in Control, or within 12 months following a Change in Control, subject to the provisions of Section 6(d), the Company shall be obligated to continue to pay Employee’s Base Salary in effect as of the date of termination for twenty four (24) months following the date Employee’s employment is terminated, in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices and subject to applicable federal and state withholding taxes.

 

(iii) If, during the Term of this Agreement, Employee voluntarily terminates Employee’s employment, subject to the provisions of Section 6(d), the Company may elect, in its sole discretion, to pay Employee the same severance payments described in Section 6(c)(i), above, as if Employee had been terminated Without Cause.

 

(d) Conditions to Severance Payments. The payments described in Section 6(c) above are expressly contingent and conditioned upon (i) Employee’s execution of a standard separation and general release agreement, in a written form acceptable to the Company, containing a release of any and all claims by Employee against the Company, whether such claims are actual or potential, or known or unknown (the “Release”); and (ii) Employee’s compliance with the restrictive covenants and all post-termination obligations to which Employee is subject, including, but not limited to, the obligations set forth in Section 7 of this Agreement, and in that certain Confidentiality and Assignment Agreement executed by Employee in favor of the Company attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Employee Assignment Agreement”). The Company retains the right, in good faith, to terminate the initiation or continuation of payments described in Section 6(c) (as well as to pursue any other remedies available at law or in equity) if it obtains evidence that Employee breached Employee’s obligations under any of the post-employment covenants set forth in this Agreement or in the Employee Assignment Agreement, or it is determined that Employee engaged in conduct which would have justified termination With Cause. Further, Company may, in its sole discretion, waive Employee’s compliance with the restrictive covenants contained in Section 7 of this Agreement, by delivering written notice of such waiver to Employee, and upon delivery of such written waiver Company shall not be obligated to make any payments or further payments, as the case may be, to Employee pursuant to Section 6(c)(i) above.

 

(e) Cooperation.  Following the expiration and/or termination of this Agreement for any reason, Employee shall provide his reasonable cooperation in connection with any action or proceeding (or any appeal from any action or proceeding) which relates to events occurring during Employee’s employment hereunder; provided the Company shall reimburse Employee for Employee’s reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith and such cooperation shall not unreasonably burden Employee or unreasonably interfere with any subsequent employment that Employee may undertake.

 

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(f) Parachute Payments. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement or any other Company plan, arrangement or agreement (“Company Arrangement”), in the event that any payment or benefit by the Company or otherwise to or for the benefit of Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (all such payments and benefits, including the payments and benefits under this Section 6 above, being hereinafter referred to as the “Total Payments”), would be subject (in whole or in part) to the excise tax (the “Excise Tax”) imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), then the Total Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the minimum extent necessary to avoid the imposition of the Excise Tax on the Total Payments. Any such reduction shall be made by the Company in its sole discretion consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”). Any determination required under this Section 6(f), including whether any payments or benefits are parachute payments, shall be made by the Company in its sole discretion. Employee shall provide the Company with such information and documents as the Company may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 6(f). The Company’s determinations shall be final and binding on the Company and the Employee. In the event it is later determined that to implement the objective and intent of this Section 6(f), (i) a greater reduction in the Total Payments should have been made, the excess amount shall be returned promptly by Employee to the Company or (ii) a lesser reduction in the Total Payments should have been made, the excess amount shall be paid or provided promptly by the Company to Employee, except to the extent the Company reasonably determines would result in imposition of an excise tax under Section 409A.

 

(g) As used in this Agreement:

 

(i) “With Cause” means the termination of employment resulting from:

 

(A) Employee’s violation of or failure to adhere to any of the material provisions, restrictions or covenants of this Agreement or the Employee Assignment Agreement, provided Employee has received written notice from the Company of such violation and been given thirty days in which to cure such violation (if curable), such cure period shall involve Employee’s provision of a written plan to cure the circumstances forming the basis of the termination decision which the Company shall in good faith accept or reject;

 

(B) the commission by Employee of any act of fraud or embezzlement against the Company or any of its affiliates;

 

(C) conduct that is grossly negligent or willful and deliberate on Employee’s part and that is (or would reasonably be expected to be) materially detrimental to the Company or any of its Affiliates;

 

(D) Employee’s conviction of, or entry of a plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or a crime of moral turpitude;

 

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(E) a failure of Employee to adhere in any material respect to the written policies and procedures established from time to time by the Company, including, but not limited to, any code of business conduct and ethics, and which failure is (or would reasonably be expected to be) materially detrimental to the Company or any of its Affiliates;

 

(F) A violation by the Employee of the Company’s Substance Abuse Policy;

 

(G) Employee’s violation of the Company’s policies prohibiting unlawful employment discrimination, retaliation or harassment, including sexual harassment which includes but is not limited to engaging in or aiding and abetting any act of employment discrimination, retaliation or harassment including sexual harassment;

 

(H) Employee’s violation of any contractual, statutory, or fiduciary duty owed by Employee to the Company or any of its affiliates; or

 

(I) Employee’s failure to cooperate in good faith with a governmental or internal investigation of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates, or their directors, officers or employees, if the Company has reasonably requested Employee’s cooperation.

 

(ii) “Without Cause” means the termination of employment by the Company other than resulting from any reason enumerated in Section 6(g)(i) above or Section 5 of this Agreement.

 

7. Confidentiality; Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation. For purposes of this Section 7, all references to the Company shall be deemed to include the Company’s and its Subsidiaries, whether now existing or hereafter established or acquired. In consideration for the compensation and benefits provided to Employee pursuant to this Agreement, Employee agrees with the provisions of this Section 7.

 

(a) Confidentiality. Employee acknowledges that as a result of his retention by the Company, Employee has and will continue to have knowledge of, and access to, proprietary and confidential information of the Company including, without limitation, research and development plans and results, software, databases, technology, inventions, trade secrets, technical information, know-how, plans, specifications, methods of operations, product and service information, product and service availability, pricing information (including pricing strategies), financial, business and marketing information and plans, and the identity of customers, clients and suppliers (collectively, the “Confidential Information”), and that the Confidential Information, even though it may be contributed, developed or acquired by the Employee, constitutes valuable, special and unique assets of the Company developed at great expense which are the exclusive property of the Company. Accordingly, Employee shall not, at any time, either during or subsequent to the Term of this Agreement, use, reveal, report, publish, transfer or otherwise disclose to any person, corporation, or other entity, any of the Confidential Information without the prior written consent of the Company, except to responsible officers and employees of the Company and other responsible persons who are in a contractual or fiduciary relationship with the Company and who have a need for such Confidential Information for purposes in the best interests of the Company, and except for such Confidential Information which is or becomes of general public knowledge from authorized sources other than by or through Employee. Employee acknowledges that the Company would not enter into this Agreement without the assurance that all the Confidential Information will be used for the exclusive benefit of the Company.

 

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(b) Noncompetition. In partial consideration of, and subject to, the Company’s payment of the amounts described in Section 6(c)(i) above and as an inducement to the Company entering into this Agreement, Employee accordingly covenants and agrees that, during Employee’s employment with and service as an employee to the Company and its Business Affiliates as provided in this Agreement, and for a period of twelve (12) months following any termination of such employment, except if severance is being paid in accordance with Section 6(c)(ii) in which case the period shall be 24 months (the “Noncompete Period”), Employee shall not for Employee’s own behalf or on behalf of any Person (other than the Company or any of its Business Affiliates), directly or indirectly (either individually or as an agent, advisor, partner, joint venturer, trustee, shareholder, officer, manager, investor, director, consultant, employee or in any other capacity):

 

(i) engage in any Competitive Activity within the Prohibited Territory; or

 

(ii) assist others in engaging in any Competitive Activity within the Prohibited Territory;

 

provided, however, that nothing in this Section 7 shall restrict Employee from the passive ownership of two percent (2%) or less of the publicly traded securities of any entity.

 

(c) Nonsolicitation. In partial consideration of, and subject to, the Company’s payment of the amounts described in Section 6(c)(i) above and as an inducement to the Company entering into this Agreement, Employee accordingly covenants and agrees that unless specifically authorized by the Board of Directors in writing, during the Noncompete Period, Employee shall not:

 

(i) solicit, encourage, support or cause any employee or consultant of the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof to leave the employment of the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof;

 

(ii) solicit, encourage, support or cause any supplier of goods, services or property (including intangible or other intellectual property) to the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof, or any licensor or licensee of the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof, to not do business with, to discontinue doing business with, or to materially reduce all or any part of such supplier’s or licensor’s or licensee’s business with the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof;

 

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(iii) solicit any Customer for the purposes of offering or providing any product or service of the type provided or conducted by the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof during the Noncompete Period; or

 

(iv) solicit or encourage any Customer to terminate, curtail or otherwise limit its business relationship with the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof.

 

(d) Remedies. The restrictions set forth in this Section 7 are considered by the Parties to be fair and reasonable. Employee acknowledges that the restrictions contained in this Section 7 will not prevent him from earning a livelihood. Employee further acknowledges that the Company would be irreparably harmed and that monetary damages would not provide an adequate remedy in the event of a breach of the provisions of this Section 7. Accordingly, Employee agrees that, in addition to any other remedies available to the Company, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive and other equitable relief to secure the enforcement of these provisions. In connection with seeking any such equitable remedy, including, but not limited to, an injunction or specific performance, the Company shall not be required to post a bond as a condition to obtaining such remedy. In any such litigation, the prevailing party shall be entitled to receive an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. If any provisions of this Section 7 relating to the time period, scope of activities or geographic area of restrictions is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to exceed the maximum permissible time period, scope of activities or geographic area, the maximum time period, scope of activities or geographic area, as the case may be, shall be reduced to the maximum which such court deems enforceable. If any provisions of this Section 7 other than those described in the preceding sentence are adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, the invalid or unenforceable provisions shall be deemed amended (with respect only to the jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made) in such manner as to render them enforceable and to effectuate as nearly as possible the original intentions and agreement of the parties. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting a Party from pursuing other remedies available to it for such breach or threatened breach. Employee also agrees that the Company may disclose this Agreement to any Person that, at any time during Employee’s employment with the Company or during the period the restrictive covenants set forth herein or in the Employee Assignment Agreement are in effect, employs or considers employing Employee.

 

8. Corporate Opportunities. During Employee’s employment with the Company, Employee shall bring all investment or business opportunities to the Company of which the Employee is aware and which Employee believes are, or would reasonably be, within the scope and objectives of the business of the Company and its Business Affiliates. If Employee is engaged in or associated with the planning or implementing of any project, program or venture involving the Company or its Business Affiliates and any third parties, all rights in such project, program or venture shall belong exclusively to the Company (or the third party, to the extent provided in any agreement between the Company and the third party). Except as formally approved in advance and in writing by the Company, Employee shall not be entitled to any interest in such project, program or venture or to any commission, finder’s fee or other compensation in connection therewith other than the salary or other compensation to be paid to Employee as provided in this Agreement.

 

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9. Nondisparagement. During Employee’s employment with the Company, and at all times thereafter, (i) Employee will not make any public statement that is disparaging about the Company, any of its Business Affiliates, any of its or their respective officers or directors, including, but not limited to, any statement that disparages the products, services, finances, financial condition, capabilities or other aspects of the business of the Company or any of its Business Affiliates and (ii) the Company will not make any public statement that is disparaging about Employee. The immediately preceding sentence shall not apply to or limit any statement made in any judicial proceeding relating to any dispute under this Agreement.

 

10. Confidentiality of Agreement. Employee agrees to keep the terms and conditions of this Agreement confidential except as may be required by law or legal proceeding, and except that Employee may discuss this Agreement with Employee’s attorney, accountant, financial adviser or members of Employee’s immediate family, provided, in all cases, that Employee shall direct each such person to keep the information confidential and not to disclose it to others. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall not be a violation of this Section 10 for Employee to disclose the terms of the covenants contained in Section 7 to any prospective employer, entity or person with whom Executive is considering engaging.

 

11. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and received (a) when delivered or sent if delivered in person, (b) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after dispatch by prepaid registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or (c) on the next Business Day if transmitted by national overnight courier, in the case of Employee, to Employee’s place of residence as currently shown on the records of the Company, or in the case of the Company, to 140 Industrial Boulevard, Bainbridge, Georgia 39817, Attention: Board of Directors.

 

12. Amendment; Waiver. No change or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or binding unless signed by both the Company and Employee. No waiver of any provisions of this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the Party against whom the waiver is sought to be enforced. A valid waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be limited to the instance received in such writing and, unless otherwise expressly stated, shall not be effective as a continuing waiver or repeal of such provision.

 

13. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia applicable to contracts made and to be wholly performed within that State without regard to its conflict of laws provisions that could cause the application of the laws of another state or jurisdiction.

 

14. Employee Representations. Employee warrants that he is free to execute this Agreement and the Employee Assignment Agreement, and that he has no agreements or commitments that will prevent or interfere with the performance of the services required of Employee hereunder, including but not limited to agreements related to previous employment containing confidentiality or noncompetition covenants. Employee further represents and warrants that he is not presently nor has he ever been the subject of or a party to any charge, complaint, government agency investigation or proceeding, disciplinary action, arbitration or litigation involving a claim of employment discrimination, retaliation or harassment, including sexual harassment.

 

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15. Representation. The Parties waive the application of any law, regulation, holding or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in the Agreement will be construed against the Party drafting such agreement. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual agreement, and this Agreement shall not be deemed to have been prepared by any single Party.

 

16. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefits of the Parties and their respective successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives; provided, however, that (i) Employee may not assign or delegate any of Employee’s rights, obligations, title or interest in or under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company and any purported assignment of such right, obligation, title or interest without such consent shall be null and void and (ii) the Company may not assign or delegate any of its obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Employee and any purported assignment of such obligation without such consent shall be null and void.

 

17. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the validity of the other provisions of this Agreement shall not be impaired. If any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed invalid as to its scope, then notwithstanding such invalidity, that provision shall be deemed valid to the fullest extent permitted by law, and the Parties agree that, if any court makes such a determination, it shall have the power to reduce the duration, scope or area of such provisions and to delete specific words and phrases by “blue penciling” and, in its reduced or blue-penciled form, such provisions shall then be enforceable as allowed by law.

 

18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Employee with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the Parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

 

19. Facsimiles and Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Any signature delivered by a facsimile machine or by electronic transmission shall be binding to the same extent as an original signature page with regard to this Agreement. A Party that delivers a signature page in this manner agrees to later deliver an original counterpart signature page to the other Parties.

 

20. Section 409A.

 

(a) General. The parties to this Agreement intend that the Agreement complies with Section 409A, where applicable, and this Agreement shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with that intention. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 409A, no payment hereunder shall be accelerated or deferred unless such acceleration or deferral would not result in additional tax or interest pursuant to Section 409A.

 

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(b) Separation from Service. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement that is considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A and is designated under this Agreement as payable upon Employee’s termination of employment shall be payable only upon Employee’s “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A (a “Separation from Service”).

 

(c) Specified Employee. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Employee is deemed by the Company at the time of Employee’s Separation from Service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Employee is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A, such portion of Employee’s benefits shall not be provided to Employee prior to the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of Employee’s Separation from Service with the Company or (B) the date of Employee’s death. Upon the first business day following the expiration of the applicable Section 409A period, all payments deferred pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be paid in a lump sum to Employee (or Employee’s estate or beneficiaries), and any remaining payments due to Employee under this Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.

 

(d) Expense Reimbursements. To the extent that any reimbursements under this Agreement are subject to Section 409A, any such reimbursements payable to Employee shall be paid to Employee no later than December 31st of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred; provided, that Employee submits Employee’s reimbursement request promptly following the date the expense is incurred, the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, other than medical expenses referred to in Section 105(b) of the Code, and Employee’s right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

(e) Installments. Employee’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement, including without limitation any continuation salary payments that are payable on Company payroll dates, shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment as permitted under Section 409A.

 

(f) Release. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, to the extent that any payments due under this Agreement as a result of Employee’s termination of employment are subject to Employee’s execution and delivery of a Release, in any case where Employee’s date of termination and Release Expiration Date (as defined below) fall in two separate taxable years, any payments required to be made to Employee that are conditioned on the Release and are treated as nonqualified deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A shall be made in the later taxable year. For purposes hereof, “Release Expiration Date” shall mean the date that is twenty-one (21) days following the date upon which the Company timely delivers the Release to Employee, or, in the event that Employee’s termination of employment is “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967), the date that is forty-five (45) days following such delivery date. To the extent that any payments of nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) due under this Agreement as a result of Employee’s termination of employment are delayed pursuant to this Section 9(m)(v), such amounts shall be paid in a lump sum on the first payroll period to occur in the subsequent taxable year.

 

21. Survival. The Parties acknowledge that the provisions of this Agreement which by their terms extend beyond termination shall survive in accordance with the terms thereof, including Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 16 through 21 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

  

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

  COMPANY:
   
  MEREDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Stephen E. Croskrey
     
  Name:  Stephen E. Croskrey
     
  Title: CEO
     
  EMPLOYEE:
   
  /s/ Scott Tuten
  scott tuten

 

[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1

 

DEFINITIONS

 

(a) “Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person.

 

(b) “Business Affiliate” means the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, companies which are deemed to be Affiliates solely due to the control of such entity by a shareholder of the Company (including portfolio companies in which a shareholder of the Company holds an investment) shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of the Company.

 

(c) “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which the national or state banks located in the State of Georgia are authorized to be closed.

 

(d) “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following after the Effective Date:

 

i. the date any entity or person shall have become the beneficial owner of, or shall have obtained voting control over, more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting stock;

 

ii. the date of the consummation of (A) a merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company (or similar transaction involving the Company), in which the holders of the stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the transaction do not have voting control over more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting securities of the surviving corporation immediately after such transaction, or (B) the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company; or

 

iii. the date there shall have been a change in a majority of the Board within a 12-month period unless the nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders of each new Director was approved by the vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board (or a committee of the Board, if nominations are approved by a Board committee rather than the Board) then still in office who were in office at the beginning of the 12-month period; provided, however, that notwithstanding any of the foregoing, any business combination with the Company pursuant to an acquisition agreement (including without limitation any merger agreement or purchase agreement) executed at any time prior to December 31, 2020 shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control.

 

Schedule 1, Pg. 1

 

 

(e) “Competitive Activity” means the design, development, manufacturing, production, marketing, distribution and/or sale or provision of, or the provision of consulting services related to, products or services that are substantially similar to, identical to, or are otherwise competitive with those offered by the Company during the twelve (12) month period prior to the termination date of Employee’s employment hereunder, including, without limitation, the design, development, manufacturing, production, marketing, distribution and/or sale or provision of, or the provision of consulting services related to, (i) PHA, Levan or other products that are compostable and/or biodegradable substitutes for non-biodegradable plastics and (ii) the reactive extrusion of PHA, Levan or other products that are compostable and/or biodegradable substitutes for non-biodegradable plastics.

 

(f) “control” “controlling” “controlled” means, when used with respect to any specified Person, the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

(g) “Customer” means any Person that is now, or during the Noncompete Period becomes, a customer of the Company or any Business Affiliate with whom Employee had a business relationship.

 

(h) “Levan” means levan polysaccharide.

 

(i) “Person” means an individual (including Employee), a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization or a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

(j) PHA” means polyhydroxyalkanoate.

 

(k) “Prohibited Territory” means North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa.

 

(l) “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person of which (or in which) such specified Person will, at the time, directly or indirectly through one or more subsidiaries, (a) own at least 50% of the outstanding capital stock or equity interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other similar governing body, (b) hold at least 50% of the interests in the capital or profits, (c) hold at least 50% of the beneficial interest (in the case of any such Person that is a trust or estate), or (d) be a general partner (in the case of a partnership) or a managing member (in the case of a limited liability company). 

 

Schedule 1, Pg. 2

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Employee Assignment Agreement

(see attached)

 

 

Ex. A, Page 1

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.9

 

Execution Version

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of August 31, 2020, is made and entered into by and between Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (dba Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), and Phillip Van Trump (“Employee”). The Company and Employee are referred to herein collectively as the “Parties” and individually as a “Party.”

 

RECITALS:

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee are parties to that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2017 (the “Employment Agreement”), pursuant to which the Employee is employed as the Company’s Chief Science and Technology Officer;

 

 WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to employ the Employee as Chief Science and Technology Officer on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

 

WHEREAS, the Employee is willing to continue to be employed as Chief Science and Technology Officer on such terms and conditions; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee desire to enter into this Agreement which shall be deemed to amend, restate and replace the Employment Agreement as of September 1, 2020.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants and agreements provided for herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Agreement, shall have the meanings set forth in Schedule 1 attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

2. Employment and Duties.

 

(a) Title. The Company hereby designates and appoints Employee as the Company’s Chief Science and Technology Officer to act and perform the duties of Chief Science and Technology Officer on behalf of the Company as provided herein. Employee hereby accepts such designation and appointment. The employment arrangement created pursuant to the foregoing appointment is in consideration of all other terms, limitations and restrictions set out in this Agreement.

 

(b) Status. It is mutually agreed by the Company and Employee that the duties and responsibilities created and conferred by this Agreement establish an employer/employee relationship between the Company and Employee, and the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) shall have and retain full and complete supervisory authority over the manner in which Employee engages in and conducts the duties and responsibilities of such employment.

 

 

 

 

(c) Manner of Performance. Employee will carry out the duties and responsibilities of the foregoing appointment in a faithful, diligent and responsible manner, subject to the direction and control of the Chief Executive Officer. Employee will devote Employee’s full business time and attention to perform faithfully and diligently the specific duties of, and generally to provide the services normally associated with, Employee’s position as the Chief Science and Technology Officer of the Company and/or such other duties assigned to Employee by the Board of Directors.

 

(d) Location. The duties to be performed by Employee hereunder shall be performed primarily at the Company’s facilities in Bainbridge, Georgia, subject to reasonable travel requirements on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, its facilities in Winchester, Kentucky.

 

(e) Subsidiary Offices. Employee shall also serve as an officer of any Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company upon request of the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors.

 

3. Compensation for Services. Subject to the conditions contained in this Agreement, during the Term and in exchange for Employee’s services under this Agreement, the Company will pay or provide to Employee the following:

 

(a) Annual Compensation. For each year Employee is employed by the Company, Employee shall receive a salary equal to Three Hundred Thousand and No/100 U.S. Dollars ($300,000) per annum (the “Base Salary”), subject to raises as approved by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors. Employee’s compensation shall be payable in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practice or upon other terms mutually agreed upon. If Base Salary is increased during the Term, then such adjusted salary shall constitute Base Salary for the remainder of the Term.

 

(b) Annual Bonus. In addition to the Base Salary, Employee will be eligible to receive an annual bonus pursuant to the Company’s then current employee bonus plan, if any, or as otherwise approved by the Board of Directors.

 

(c) Stock Incentive Plan. Employee shall be eligible to participate in the Meredian Holdings Group. Inc. 2016 Director and Executive Officer Stock Incentive Plan, Meredian Holdings Group. Inc. 2016 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, or any successor stock incentive plans. On the Effective Date, the Company shall promptly grant Employee a stock option for 10,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.001 per share, at an exercise price of $63.00 per share, which option award: will vest in equal annual installments of one-third, or 3,333 shares, 3,333 shares and 3,334 shares on each of the first, second and third anniversaries, respectively, of the grant date; will, to the extent legally permissible, be issued as an incentive stock option; and, will be subject to the other terms and conditions set forth in the definitive option award agreement granting such option.

 

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(d) Vacation and Personal Days. Employee shall be entitled to 25 days of paid personal and vacation leave each year or such greater number of days as may be expressly required by the Company’s written vacation policy then in effect. Employee’s use of such leave will be subject to the Company’s prevailing vacation policies applicable to similarly situated senior executives, as such policy may be in effect from time to time.

 

(e) Other Benefits.

 

(i) Employee shall be eligible to participate in employee benefit programs available to similarly situated employees in accordance with the terms and conditions of such employee benefit programs. The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to alter, amend or discontinue any of such employee benefit programs at any time.

 

(ii) Employee agrees to adhere to the terms of any employee handbook, policy or procedures which the Company may promulgate and make available to Employee, including via email or intranet access.

 

(iii) The Company shall provide Employee use of a Company-owned automobile, which automobile shall be serviced and maintained at the Company’s sole cost and expense.

 

(f) Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Employee for all reasonable expenses incurred by Employee in the course of performing Employee’s duties under this Agreement and that are consistent with the Company’s policies in effect at that time with respect to travel, entertainment and other business expenses; provided, however, that: (i) such expenditures are of a nature qualifying them as proper deductions on the federal and state income tax returns of the Company; (ii) Employee furnishes to the Company adequate records and other documentary evidence required by federal and state statutes and regulations issued by the appropriate taxing authorities for the substantiation of each such expenditure as an income tax deduction; and (iii) such expenditures otherwise comply with the Company’s requirements with respect to reporting and documentation of such reimbursable expenses.

 

(g) Applicable Withholdings. Employee’s compensation will be subject to all withholdings and deductions required by law and will be payable in accordance with the Company’s normal periodic payroll practices.

 

4. Effective Date and Term. The Employee’s employment with the Company will continue under the terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement until August 31, 2020 and the Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect without any amendments thereto through such date. The Employment Agreement shall be deemed to be amended, restated and replaced by this Agreement on September 1, 2020 (the “Effective Date”). The term of Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall, unless earlier terminated as set forth herein, end on December 31, 2023 (the “Term”). If Employee is still employed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement as of the date that is six (6) months prior to the end of the Term, Employee and the Company hereby agree to negotiate, in good faith, through the end of the Term an extension to the Term or another employment agreement having terms mutually acceptable to the Company and Employee.

 

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5. Incapacity or Death During Employment. Both Employee and the Company acknowledge and agree that, pursuant to this Agreement, Employee will assume a significant position with the Company which will require Employee’s constant attention and that Employee’s regular presence at the Company’s facilities is an essential function of Employee’s position. Therefore, if Employee is unable to perform Employee’s job duties and responsibilities with or without a reasonable accommodation or is not present at work for more than ninety (90) consecutive days, the Company may terminate the employment of Employee upon written notice. Upon such a termination for incapacity in accordance with the preceding sentence, or in the event of termination resulting from the death of Employee, all obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall terminate other than unpaid Base Salary earned by Employee up to the date of termination, accrued but unused vacation and reimbursement of approved business expenses incurred by Employee prior to such termination subject to and in accordance with Section 3(f) above.

 

6. Termination of Employment.

 

(a) Right to Terminate. Subject to the provisions of this Section 6, prior to the expiration of the Term, Employee may terminate Employee’s employment hereunder and agrees to provide the Company with at least 90 days’ notice in the event of the employee’s resignation. Similarly, subject to the provisions of this Section 6, prior to the expiration of the Term, the Company may terminate Employee’s employment hereunder either “With Cause” or “Without Cause” (as such terms are hereinafter defined). If Employee is still employed upon expiration of the Term, Employee will not be entitled to any separation or additional pay under this Agreement if Employee’s employment ends upon or after expiration of the Term.

 

(b) Termination With Cause. If, during the Term of this Agreement, the Company terminates Employee’s employment hereunder With Cause, or Employee’s employment terminates for any of the reasons enumerated in Section 5 above, or Employee resigns, all obligations of the Company to provide compensation and benefits under this Agreement shall immediately cease upon such termination, and Employee shall have no claim or right against the Company for damages or other sums. The Company’s election to terminate Employee’s employment With Cause shall be without prejudice to any remedy the Company may have against Employee for the breach or non-performance of any of the provisions of this Agreement, or for any non-contractual liabilities.

 

(c) Termination Without Cause; Voluntary.

 

(i) If, during the Term of this Agreement, the Company terminates Employee’s employment Without Cause, subject to the provisions of Section 6(d), the Company shall be obligated to continue to pay Employee’s Base Salary in effect as of the date of termination for twelve (12) months following the date Employee’s employment is terminated, in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices and subject to applicable federal and state withholding taxes.

 

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(ii) If, during the Term of this Agreement, the Company terminates Employee’s employment Without Cause, in connection with a Change in Control, or within 12 months following a Change in Control, subject to the provisions of Section 6(d), the Company shall be obligated to continue to pay Employee’s Base Salary in effect as of the date of termination for twenty four (24) months following the date Employee’s employment is terminated, in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices and subject to applicable federal and state withholding taxes.

 

(iii) If, during the Term of this Agreement, Employee voluntarily terminates Employee’s employment, subject to the provisions of Section 6(d), the Company may elect, in its sole discretion, to pay Employee the same severance payments described in Section 6(c)(i), above, as if Employee had been terminated Without Cause.

 

(d) Conditions to Severance Payments. The payments described in Section 6(c) above are expressly contingent and conditioned upon (i) Employee’s execution of a standard separation and general release agreement, in a written form acceptable to the Company, containing a release of any and all claims by Employee against the Company, whether such claims are actual or potential, or known or unknown (the “Release”); and (ii) Employee’s compliance with the restrictive covenants and all post-termination obligations to which Employee is subject, including, but not limited to, the obligations set forth in Section 7 of this Agreement, and in that certain Confidentiality and Assignment Agreement executed by Employee in favor of the Company attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Employee Assignment Agreement”). The Company retains the right, in good faith, to terminate the initiation or continuation of payments described in Section 6(c) (as well as to pursue any other remedies available at law or in equity) if it obtains evidence that Employee breached Employee’s obligations under any of the post-employment covenants set forth in this Agreement or in the Employee Assignment Agreement, or it is determined that Employee engaged in conduct which would have justified termination With Cause. Further, Company may, in its sole discretion, waive Employee’s compliance with the restrictive covenants contained in Section 7 of this Agreement, by delivering written notice of such waiver to Employee, and upon delivery of such written waiver Company shall not be obligated to make any payments or further payments, as the case may be, to Employee pursuant to Section 6(c)(i) above.

 

(e) Cooperation.  Following the expiration and/or termination of this Agreement for any reason, Employee shall provide his reasonable cooperation in connection with any action or proceeding (or any appeal from any action or proceeding) which relates to events occurring during Employee’s employment hereunder; provided the Company shall reimburse Employee for Employee’s reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith and such cooperation shall not unreasonably burden Employee or unreasonably interfere with any subsequent employment that Employee may undertake.

 

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(f) Parachute Payments. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement or any other Company plan, arrangement or agreement (“Company Arrangement”), in the event that any payment or benefit by the Company or otherwise to or for the benefit of Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (all such payments and benefits, including the payments and benefits under this Section 6 above, being hereinafter referred to as the “Total Payments”), would be subject (in whole or in part) to the excise tax (the “Excise Tax”) imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), then the Total Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the minimum extent necessary to avoid the imposition of the Excise Tax on the Total Payments. Any such reduction shall be made by the Company in its sole discretion consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”). Any determination required under this Section 6(f), including whether any payments or benefits are parachute payments, shall be made by the Company in its sole discretion. Employee shall provide the Company with such information and documents as the Company may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 6(f). The Company’s determinations shall be final and binding on the Company and the Employee. In the event it is later determined that to implement the objective and intent of this Section 6(f), (i) a greater reduction in the Total Payments should have been made, the excess amount shall be returned promptly by Employee to the Company or (ii) a lesser reduction in the Total Payments should have been made, the excess amount shall be paid or provided promptly by the Company to Employee, except to the extent the Company reasonably determines would result in imposition of an excise tax under Section 409A.

 

(g) As used in this Agreement:

 

(i) “With Cause” means the termination of employment resulting from:

 

(A) Employee’s violation of or failure to adhere to any of the material provisions, restrictions or covenants of this Agreement or the Employee Assignment Agreement, provided Employee has received written notice from the Company of such violation and been given thirty days in which to cure such violation (if curable), such cure period shall involve Employee’s provision of a written plan to cure the circumstances forming the basis of the termination decision which the Company shall in good faith accept or reject;

 

(B) the commission by Employee of any act of fraud or embezzlement against the Company or any of its affiliates;

 

(C) conduct that is grossly negligent or willful and deliberate on Employee’s part and that is (or would reasonably be expected to be) materially detrimental to the Company or any of its Affiliates;

 

(D) Employee’s conviction of, or entry of a plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or a crime of moral turpitude;

 

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(E) a failure of Employee to adhere in any material respect to the written policies and procedures established from time to time by the Company, including, but not limited to, any code of business conduct and ethics, and which failure is (or would reasonably be expected to be) materially detrimental to the Company or any of its Affiliates;

 

(F) A violation by the Employee of the Company’s Substance Abuse Policy;

 

(G) Employee’s violation of the Company’s policies prohibiting unlawful employment discrimination, retaliation or harassment, including sexual harassment which includes but is not limited to engaging in or aiding and abetting any act of employment discrimination, retaliation or harassment including sexual harassment;

 

(H) Employee’s violation of any contractual, statutory, or fiduciary duty owed by Employee to the Company or any of its affiliates; or

 

(I) Employee’s failure to cooperate in good faith with a governmental or internal investigation of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates, or their directors, officers or employees, if the Company has reasonably requested Employee’s cooperation.

 

(ii) “Without Cause” means the termination of employment by the Company other than resulting from any reason enumerated in Section 6(g)(i) above or Section 5 of this Agreement.

 

7. Confidentiality; Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation. For purposes of this Section 7, all references to the Company shall be deemed to include the Company’s and its Subsidiaries, whether now existing or hereafter established or acquired. In consideration for the compensation and benefits provided to Employee pursuant to this Agreement, Employee agrees with the provisions of this Section 7.

 

(a) Confidentiality. Employee acknowledges that as a result of his retention by the Company, Employee has and will continue to have knowledge of, and access to, proprietary and confidential information of the Company including, without limitation, research and development plans and results, software, databases, technology, inventions, trade secrets, technical information, know-how, plans, specifications, methods of operations, product and service information, product and service availability, pricing information (including pricing strategies), financial, business and marketing information and plans, and the identity of customers, clients and suppliers (collectively, the “Confidential Information”), and that the Confidential Information, even though it may be contributed, developed or acquired by the Employee, constitutes valuable, special and unique assets of the Company developed at great expense which are the exclusive property of the Company. Accordingly, Employee shall not, at any time, either during or subsequent to the Term of this Agreement, use, reveal, report, publish, transfer or otherwise disclose to any person, corporation, or other entity, any of the Confidential Information without the prior written consent of the Company, except to responsible officers and employees of the Company and other responsible persons who are in a contractual or fiduciary relationship with the Company and who have a need for such Confidential Information for purposes in the best interests of the Company, and except for such Confidential Information which is or becomes of general public knowledge from authorized sources other than by or through Employee. Employee acknowledges that the Company would not enter into this Agreement without the assurance that all the Confidential Information will be used for the exclusive benefit of the Company.

 

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(b) Noncompetition. In partial consideration of, and subject to, the Company’s payment of the amounts described in Section 6(c)(i) above and as an inducement to the Company entering into this Agreement, Employee accordingly covenants and agrees that, during Employee’s employment with and service as an employee to the Company and its Business Affiliates as provided in this Agreement, and for a period of twelve (12) months following any termination of such employment, except if severance is being paid in accordance with Section 6(c)(ii) in which case the period shall be 24 months (the “Noncompete Period”), Employee shall not for Employee’s own behalf or on behalf of any Person (other than the Company or any of its Business Affiliates), directly or indirectly (either individually or as an agent, advisor, partner, joint venturer, trustee, shareholder, officer, manager, investor, director, consultant, employee or in any other capacity):

 

(i) engage in any Competitive Activity within the Prohibited Territory; or

 

(ii) assist others in engaging in any Competitive Activity within the Prohibited Territory;

 

provided, however, that nothing in this Section 7 shall restrict Employee from the passive ownership of two percent (2%) or less of the publicly traded securities of any entity.

 

(c) Nonsolicitation. In partial consideration of, and subject to, the Company’s payment of the amounts described in Section 6(c)(i) above and as an inducement to the Company entering into this Agreement, Employee accordingly covenants and agrees that unless specifically authorized by the Board of Directors in writing, during the Noncompete Period, Employee shall not:

 

(i) solicit, encourage, support or cause any employee or consultant of the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof to leave the employment of the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof;

 

(ii) solicit, encourage, support or cause any supplier of goods, services or property (including intangible or other intellectual property) to the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof, or any licensor or licensee of the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof, to not do business with, to discontinue doing business with, or to materially reduce all or any part of such supplier’s or licensor’s or licensee’s business with the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof;

 

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(iii) solicit any Customer for the purposes of offering or providing any product or service of the type provided or conducted by the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof during the Noncompete Period; or

 

(iv) solicit or encourage any Customer to terminate, curtail or otherwise limit its business relationship with the Company or any Business Affiliate thereof.

 

(d) Remedies. The restrictions set forth in this Section 7 are considered by the Parties to be fair and reasonable. Employee acknowledges that the restrictions contained in this Section 7 will not prevent him from earning a livelihood. Employee further acknowledges that the Company would be irreparably harmed and that monetary damages would not provide an adequate remedy in the event of a breach of the provisions of this Section 7. Accordingly, Employee agrees that, in addition to any other remedies available to the Company, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive and other equitable relief to secure the enforcement of these provisions. In connection with seeking any such equitable remedy, including, but not limited to, an injunction or specific performance, the Company shall not be required to post a bond as a condition to obtaining such remedy. In any such litigation, the prevailing party shall be entitled to receive an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. If any provisions of this Section 7 relating to the time period, scope of activities or geographic area of restrictions is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to exceed the maximum permissible time period, scope of activities or geographic area, the maximum time period, scope of activities or geographic area, as the case may be, shall be reduced to the maximum which such court deems enforceable. If any provisions of this Section 7 other than those described in the preceding sentence are adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, the invalid or unenforceable provisions shall be deemed amended (with respect only to the jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made) in such manner as to render them enforceable and to effectuate as nearly as possible the original intentions and agreement of the parties. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting a Party from pursuing other remedies available to it for such breach or threatened breach. Employee also agrees that the Company may disclose this Agreement to any Person that, at any time during Employee’s employment with the Company or during the period the restrictive covenants set forth herein or in the Employee Assignment Agreement are in effect, employs or considers employing Employee.

 

8. Corporate Opportunities. During Employee’s employment with the Company, Employee shall bring all investment or business opportunities to the Company of which the Employee is aware and which Employee believes are, or would reasonably be, within the scope and objectives of the business of the Company and its Business Affiliates. If Employee is engaged in or associated with the planning or implementing of any project, program or venture involving the Company or its Business Affiliates and any third parties, all rights in such project, program or venture shall belong exclusively to the Company (or the third party, to the extent provided in any agreement between the Company and the third party). Except as formally approved in advance and in writing by the Company, Employee shall not be entitled to any interest in such project, program or venture or to any commission, finder’s fee or other compensation in connection therewith other than the salary or other compensation to be paid to Employee as provided in this Agreement.

 

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9. Nondisparagement. During Employee’s employment with the Company, and at all times thereafter, (i) Employee will not make any public statement that is disparaging about the Company, any of its Business Affiliates, any of its or their respective officers or directors, including, but not limited to, any statement that disparages the products, services, finances, financial condition, capabilities or other aspects of the business of the Company or any of its Business Affiliates and (ii) the Company will not make any public statement that is disparaging about Employee. The immediately preceding sentence shall not apply to or limit any statement made in any judicial proceeding relating to any dispute under this Agreement.

 

10. Confidentiality of Agreement. Employee agrees to keep the terms and conditions of this Agreement confidential except as may be required by law or legal proceeding, and except that Employee may discuss this Agreement with Employee’s attorney, accountant, financial adviser or members of Employee’s immediate family, provided, in all cases, that Employee shall direct each such person to keep the information confidential and not to disclose it to others. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall not be a violation of this Section 10 for Employee to disclose the terms of the covenants contained in Section 7 to any prospective employer, entity or person with whom Executive is considering engaging.

 

11. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and received (a) when delivered or sent if delivered in person, (b) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after dispatch by prepaid registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or (c) on the next Business Day if transmitted by national overnight courier, in the case of Employee, to Employee’s place of residence as currently shown on the records of the Company, or in the case of the Company, to 140 Industrial Boulevard, Bainbridge, Georgia 39817, Attention: Board of Directors.

 

12. Amendment; Waiver. No change or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or binding unless signed by both the Company and Employee. No waiver of any provisions of this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the Party against whom the waiver is sought to be enforced. A valid waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be limited to the instance received in such writing and, unless otherwise expressly stated, shall not be effective as a continuing waiver or repeal of such provision.

 

13. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia applicable to contracts made and to be wholly performed within that State without regard to its conflict of laws provisions that could cause the application of the laws of another state or jurisdiction.

 

14. Employee Representations. Employee warrants that he is free to execute this Agreement and the Employee Assignment Agreement, and that he has no agreements or commitments that will prevent or interfere with the performance of the services required of Employee hereunder, including but not limited to agreements related to previous employment containing confidentiality or noncompetition covenants. Employee further represents and warrants that he is not presently nor has he ever been the subject of or a party to any charge, complaint, government agency investigation or proceeding, disciplinary action, arbitration or litigation involving a claim of employment discrimination, retaliation or harassment, including sexual harassment.

 

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15. Representation. The Parties waive the application of any law, regulation, holding or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in the Agreement will be construed against the Party drafting such agreement. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual agreement, and this Agreement shall not be deemed to have been prepared by any single Party.

 

16. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefits of the Parties and their respective successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives; provided, however, that (i) Employee may not assign or delegate any of Employee’s rights, obligations, title or interest in or under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company and any purported assignment of such right, obligation, title or interest without such consent shall be null and void and (ii) the Company may not assign or delegate any of its obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Employee and any purported assignment of such obligation without such consent shall be null and void.

 

17. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the validity of the other provisions of this Agreement shall not be impaired. If any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed invalid as to its scope, then notwithstanding such invalidity, that provision shall be deemed valid to the fullest extent permitted by law, and the Parties agree that, if any court makes such a determination, it shall have the power to reduce the duration, scope or area of such provisions and to delete specific words and phrases by “blue penciling” and, in its reduced or blue-penciled form, such provisions shall then be enforceable as allowed by law.

 

18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Employee with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the Parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

 

19. Facsimiles and Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Any signature delivered by a facsimile machine or by electronic transmission shall be binding to the same extent as an original signature page with regard to this Agreement. A Party that delivers a signature page in this manner agrees to later deliver an original counterpart signature page to the other Parties.

 

20. Section 409A.

 

(a) General. The parties to this Agreement intend that the Agreement complies with Section 409A, where applicable, and this Agreement shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with that intention. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 409A, no payment hereunder shall be accelerated or deferred unless such acceleration or deferral would not result in additional tax or interest pursuant to Section 409A.

 

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(b) Separation from Service. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement that is considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A and is designated under this Agreement as payable upon Employee’s termination of employment shall be payable only upon Employee’s “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A (a “Separation from Service”).

 

(c) Specified Employee. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Employee is deemed by the Company at the time of Employee’s Separation from Service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Employee is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A, such portion of Employee’s benefits shall not be provided to Employee prior to the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of Employee’s Separation from Service with the Company or (B) the date of Employee’s death. Upon the first business day following the expiration of the applicable Section 409A period, all payments deferred pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be paid in a lump sum to Employee (or Employee’s estate or beneficiaries), and any remaining payments due to Employee under this Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.

 

(d) Expense Reimbursements. To the extent that any reimbursements under this Agreement are subject to Section 409A, any such reimbursements payable to Employee shall be paid to Employee no later than December 31st of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred; provided, that Employee submits Employee’s reimbursement request promptly following the date the expense is incurred, the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, other than medical expenses referred to in Section 105(b) of the Code, and Employee’s right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

(e) Installments. Employee’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement, including without limitation any continuation salary payments that are payable on Company payroll dates, shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment as permitted under Section 409A.

 

(f) Release. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, to the extent that any payments due under this Agreement as a result of Employee’s termination of employment are subject to Employee’s execution and delivery of a Release, in any case where Employee’s date of termination and Release Expiration Date (as defined below) fall in two separate taxable years, any payments required to be made to Employee that are conditioned on the Release and are treated as nonqualified deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A shall be made in the later taxable year. For purposes hereof, “Release Expiration Date” shall mean the date that is twenty-one (21) days following the date upon which the Company timely delivers the Release to Employee, or, in the event that Employee’s termination of employment is “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967), the date that is forty-five (45) days following such delivery date. To the extent that any payments of nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) due under this Agreement as a result of Employee’s termination of employment are delayed pursuant to this Section 9(m)(v), such amounts shall be paid in a lump sum on the first payroll period to occur in the subsequent taxable year.

 

21. Survival. The Parties acknowledge that the provisions of this Agreement which by their terms extend beyond termination shall survive in accordance with the terms thereof, including Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 16 through 21 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

  

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

  COMPANY:
   
  MEREDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Stephen E. Croskrey
     
  Name:  Stephen E. Croskrey
     
  Title: CEO
     
  EMPLOYEE:
   
  /s/ Phillip Van Trump
  phillip van trump

 

[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1

 

DEFINITIONS

 

(a) “Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person.

 

(b) “Business Affiliate” means the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, companies which are deemed to be Affiliates solely due to the control of such entity by a shareholder of the Company (including portfolio companies in which a shareholder of the Company holds an investment) shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of the Company.

 

(c) “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which the national or state banks located in the State of Georgia are authorized to be closed.

 

(d) “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following after the Effective Date:

 

i. the date any entity or person shall have become the beneficial owner of, or shall have obtained voting control over, more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting stock;

 

ii. the date of the consummation of (A) a merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company (or similar transaction involving the Company), in which the holders of the stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the transaction do not have voting control over more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting securities of the surviving corporation immediately after such transaction, or (B) the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company; or

 

iii. the date there shall have been a change in a majority of the Board within a 12-month period unless the nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders of each new Director was approved by the vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board (or a committee of the Board, if nominations are approved by a Board committee rather than the Board) then still in office who were in office at the beginning of the 12-month period; provided, however, that notwithstanding any of the foregoing, any business combination with the Company pursuant to an acquisition agreement (including without limitation any merger agreement or purchase agreement) executed at any time prior to December 31, 2020 shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control.

 

Schedule 1, Pg. 1

 

 

(e) “Competitive Activity” means the design, development, manufacturing, production, marketing, distribution and/or sale or provision of, or the provision of consulting services related to, products or services that are substantially similar to, identical to, or are otherwise competitive with those offered by the Company during the twelve (12) month period prior to the termination date of Employee’s employment hereunder, including, without limitation, the design, development, manufacturing, production, marketing, distribution and/or sale or provision of, or the provision of consulting services related to, (i) PHA, Levan or other products that are compostable and/or biodegradable substitutes for non-biodegradable plastics and (ii) the reactive extrusion of PHA, Levan or other products that are compostable and/or biodegradable substitutes for non-biodegradable plastics.

 

(f) “control” “controlling” “controlled” means, when used with respect to any specified Person, the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

(g) “Customer” means any Person that is now, or during the Noncompete Period becomes, a customer of the Company or any Business Affiliate with whom Employee had a business relationship.

 

(h) “Levan” means levan polysaccharide.

 

(i) “Person” means an individual (including Employee), a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization or a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

(j) PHA” means polyhydroxyalkanoate.

 

(k) “Prohibited Territory” means North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa.

 

(l) “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person of which (or in which) such specified Person will, at the time, directly or indirectly through one or more subsidiaries, (a) own at least 50% of the outstanding capital stock or equity interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other similar governing body, (b) hold at least 50% of the interests in the capital or profits, (c) hold at least 50% of the beneficial interest (in the case of any such Person that is a trust or estate), or (d) be a general partner (in the case of a partnership) or a managing member (in the case of a limited liability company). 

 

Schedule 1, Pg. 2

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Employee Assignment Agreement

(see attached)

 

 

Ex. A, Page 1

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.10

 

WARRANT SALE AND SUPPORT Agreement

 

This WARRANT SALE AND SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 2, 2020, between Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sponsor”), Valfund Plastics, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (“Valfund Plastics”) and Michael Ashton Hudson (“Hudson”), James H. Dahl (“Dahl”) and Andrew F. Cates (“Cates”, and together with Hudson and Dahl, the “Company Shareholders”). Sponsor, Valfund Plastics and the Company Shareholders are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, Sponsor owns 6,000,000 warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase 6,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”).

 

WHEREAS, Sponsor, as representative for certain purposes described in the Merger Agreement (as defined below), Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Sponsor (“Merger Sub”), Meridian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a/ Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), and John A. Dowdy, jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”) are discussing entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (or such other definitive agreement relating to a business combination, the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged (the “Merger”) with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, the Company Shareholders are the record or beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which meaning will apply for all purposes of this Agreement whenever the term “beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” is used) of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, of the Company set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Shares”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, the Company Shareholders are the sole members of Valfund Plastics.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Sponsor’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, Valfund Plastics and the Company Shareholders have agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Valfund Plastics’ and the Company Shareholders’ willingness to enter into this Agreement, Sponsor has agreed to sell to Valfund Plastics 3,000,000 Warrants (the “Subject Warrants).

 

 

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Sale and Purchase of the Subject Warrants. On the terms and subject to the conditions contained in this Agreement, at the Closing (as defined below) and subject to the closing of the Merger Agreement, Sponsor shall sell to Valfund Plastics, and Valfund Plastics shall purchase from Sponsor, all of Sponsor’s right, title, and interest in the Subject Warrants, free and clear of any lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities laws), for an aggregate purchase price of $30,000 in cash (the “Purchase Price”).

 

Section 2. Closing.

 

(a) The consummation of the transactions contemplated by Section 1 of this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall take place at the same location and time as, and subject to, the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the “Closing Date.”

 

(b) At the Closing, Valfund Plastics shall pay to Sponsor the Purchase Price by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account Sponsor designates in writing to Valfund Plastics at least three (3) business days prior to the Closing Date.

 

(c) At the Closing, Sponsor shall deliver to Valfund Plastics a certificate representing the Subject Warrants duly signed by Live Oak.

 

Section 3. Attendance at Shareholders Meeting; Voting of Shares.

 

(a) Upon the request of the Company or Live Oak, each of the Company Shareholders shall execute and deliver to the Company, or cause to be executed and delivered to the Company, the Written Consent in the form attached to the Merger Agreement, voting all Shares beneficially owned by them in favor of adopting and approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the GBCC and the Organizational Documents of the Company.

 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, at any and every meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent or resolution of the Shareholders of the Company, each of the Company Shareholders shall, unless otherwise directed in writing by Live Oak or Sponsor:

 

(i) appear (in person or by proxy) at any such meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(ii) cause the Shares to be counted at any such meeting as present for purposes of calculating a quorum; and

 

(iii) cause the Shares to be voted (A) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement and approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn the meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement and approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement if (but only if) there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement on the date on which such meeting is held, (C) against any Competing Transaction, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could result in a breach of, inaccuracy in, or failure to perform any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or of the Company Shareholders contained in this Agreement or that could prevent, delay, or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or the satisfaction of Sponsor’s, Live Oak’s, Merger Sub’s, or the Company’s conditions to closing contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

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(c) Any shares of capital stock of the Company that a Company Shareholders acquires after the date of this Agreement, including by reason of any stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar transaction, shall be deemed to be Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shares on the date of this Agreement.

 

(d) VALFUND PLASTICS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GRANTS TO AND APPOINTS SPONSOR AS VALFUND PLASTICS’ PROXY AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT (WITH FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION AND RESUBSTITUTION), FOR AND IN THE NAME, PLACE AND STEAD OF VALFUND PLASTICS (IN VALFUND PLASTICS’ CAPACITY AS A BENEFICIAL OR RECORD HOLDER OF THE SUBJECT SHARES), TO REPRESENT, VOTE AND OTHERWISE ACT (BY VOTING AT ANY MEETING OF COMPANY STOCKHOLDERS, BY WRITTEN CONSENT IN LIEU THEREOF OR OTHERWISE) WITH RESPECT TO THE SHARES OWNED OR HELD (BENEFICIALLY OR OF RECORD) BY VALFUND PLASTICS REGARDING THE MATTERS REFERRED TO IN SECTION 3(b), TO THE SAME EXTENT AND WITH THE SAME EFFECT AS SUCH VALFUND PLASTICS MIGHT OR COULD DO UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, RULES AND REGULATIONS. THE PROXY GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION 3(d) IS COUPLED WITH AN INTEREST AND SHALL BE IRREVOCABLE. VALFUND PLASTICS WILL TAKE SUCH FURTHER ACTION AND WILL EXECUTE SUCH OTHER INSTRUMENTS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE INTENT OF THIS PROXY. VALFUND PLASTICS HEREBY REVOKES ANY AND ALL PREVIOUS PROXIES OR POWERS OF ATTORNEY GRANTED WITH RESPECT TO ANY SHARES THAT MAY HAVE HERETOFORE BEEN APPOINTED OR GRANTED WITH RESPECT TO THE MATTERS REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION 3, AND NO SUBSEQUENT PROXY (WHETHER REVOCABLE OR IRREVOCABLE) OR POWER OF ATTORNEY SHALL BE GIVEN BY SUCH VALFUND PLASTICS, EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY ANY ELECTION FORM OR LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IN CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THIS PROXY SHALL TERMINATE UPON TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS TERMS.

 

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Section 4. Representations and Warranties of Sponsor. Sponsor represents and warrants to Valfund Plastics and the Company Shareholders as follows:

 

(a) Sponsor is validly existing and in good standing as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware. Sponsor has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Sponsor of this Agreement and the consummation by Sponsor of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Sponsor. Sponsor has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligations of Sponsor, enforceable against Sponsor in accordance with its terms, subject to the imitations on enforcement and other remedies imposed by or arising under or in connection with applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium, and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect or general principles of equity (including concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith, and fair dealing with respect to those jurisdictions that recognize such concepts).

 

(b) Sponsor owns, beneficially and of record, and has good and valid title to the Subject Warrants, free and clear of any lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities laws).

 

(c) The execution, delivery, and performance by Sponsor of this Agreement, and the consummation by Sponsor of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any consent of or with any governmental authority, other than (i) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Sponsor of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Valfund Plastics or any of its affiliates.

 

(d) The execution, delivery, and performance by Sponsor of this Agreement, and the consummation by Sponsor of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (i) any law or order applicable to or binding on Sponsor or any of Sponsor’s properties or assets, including the Subject Warrants, (ii) any contract to which Sponsor is a party or by which Sponsor or any of Sponsor’s properties or assets, including the Subject Warrants, is bound, or (iii) or any of the organizational documents of Sponsor, except, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Sponsor of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e) There are no proceedings pending or, to Sponsor’s knowledge, threatened by or against sponsor or any of its affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Sponsor, would prevent or delay the consummation by Sponsor of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Section 5. Representations and Warranties of Valfund Plastics and the Company Shareholders. Valfund Plastics and the Company Shareholders, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to Sponsor as follows:

 

(a) Valfund Plastics is validly existing and in good standing as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Florida. Valfund Plastics has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance by Valfund Plastics of this Agreement and the consummation by Valfund Plastics of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been validly authorized by all necessary action by Valfund Plastics. Valfund Plastics has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Valfund Plastics, enforceable against Valfund Plastics in accordance with its terms, subject to the imitations on enforcement and other remedies imposed by or arising under or in connection with applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium, and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect or general principles of equity (including concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith, and fair dealing with respect to those jurisdictions that recognize such concepts).

 

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(b) Each of the Company Shareholders has the requisite capacity to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each Company Shareholder has validly executed and delivered this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of each Company Shareholder, enforceable against such Company Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the imitations on enforcement and other remedies imposed by or arising under or in connection with applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium, and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect or general principles of equity (including concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith, and fair dealing with respect to those jurisdictions that recognize such concepts).

 

(c) Each Company Shareholder owns, directly or indirectly, and has good and valid title to the Shares, free and clear of any lien (other than restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable securities laws). There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, convertible securities, or other agreements obligating any Company Shareholder to transfer or sell or redeem any of the Shares. Except for this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, stockholder agreements, proxies, or other agreements or understandings in effect to which any Company Shareholder is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Shares.

 

(d) The execution, delivery, and performance by Valfund Plastics of this Agreement, and the consummation by Valfund Plastics of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not require any consent of or with any governmental authority, other than (i) any consent the failure of which to be obtained would not prevent or delay the consummation by Valfund Plastics of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) any consent that is required as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Sponsor or any of its affiliates.

 

(e) The execution, delivery, and performance by Valfund Plastics and the Company Shareholders of this Agreement, and the consummation by Valfund Plastics and the Company Shareholders of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, do not and will not violate, conflict with, result in a breach, cancellation, or termination of, constitute a default under, or result in a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing under (i) any law or order applicable to or binding on Valfund Plastics, any Company Shareholder or any of Valfund Plastics’ or any Company Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shares, (ii) any contract to which Valfund Plastics or any Company Shareholder is a party or by which Valfund Plastics, any Company Shareholder or any of Valfund Plastics’ or any Company Shareholder’s properties or assets, including the Shares, is bound, or (iii) or any of the organizational documents of Valfund Plastics, except, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), where such violation, conflict, breach, cancellation, termination, or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or delay the consummation by Valfund Plastics or any Company Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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(f) There are no proceedings pending or, to Valfund Plastics’ or any Company Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened by or against Valfund Plastics or any Company Shareholder or any of their respective affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that, if determined adversely to Valfund Plastics or any Company Shareholder, would prevent or delay the consummation by Valfund Plastics or any Company Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Each Company Shareholder has received and reviewed the Merger Agreement and this Agreement and has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands, accepts, and agrees to comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement. Each Company Shareholder acknowledges that Sponsor and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon the Company Shareholders’ execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.

 

Section 6. Additional Agreements Relating to the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

(a) From the date of this Agreement until the effective time of the Merger, without the prior written consent of Sponsor, no Company Shareholder shall, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), or otherwise dispose of, or incur any lien on, any of the Shares, (ii) deposit any of the Shares into a voting trust, enter into any voting agreement, stockholder agreement, or other agreement or understanding with respect to any of the Shares, or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto, (iii) enter into any Contract, option, or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law), or other disposition of, transfer of any interest in, or the voting of any of the Shares, or (iv) agree to do, approve, or authorize any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Each Company Shareholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect (and agrees to cause not to be asserted and perfected), any appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any of the Shares in connection with the Merger.

 

(c) From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, no Company Shareholder shall, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any other person relating to a Competing Transaction, (ii) participate in or continue any activities, discussions, or negotiations regarding a Competing Transaction, or (iii) provide information regarding the Company or the Business to, or enter into or agree to enter into any Contract with, any Person, other than Sponsor and its representatives, in connection with a possible Competing Transaction with such Person. Each Company Shareholder shall, and shall cause its representatives to, immediately cease any existing activities, discussions, and negotiations with any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Each Company Shareholder shall immediately advise Sponsor orally and in writing of the receipt by such Company Shareholder or any of its Representatives of any oral or written communication, proposal, offer, or inquiry from any other person regarding a Competing Transaction, including the identity of the person making the same and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer.

 

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(d) No Company Shareholder will make any press release or other public disclosure or announcement related to or regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, its or their contents, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement without the written Consent of Sponsor, in any case, as to the form, content, and timing and manner of distribution or publication of such press release or other public disclosure. Each Company Shareholder shall hold confidential the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement.

 

Section 7. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if (i) the Merger Agreement is not signed on or before 5:00 p.m. on October 15, 2020 or (ii) the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (i) Section 6(e), this Section 8, Section 9, and Section 10 will survive such termination and (ii) no such termination shall relieve Valfund Plastics or any Company Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by Valfund Plastics or such Company Shareholder, as the case may be, prior to such termination.

 

Section 8. Remedies. Each of Valfund Plastics the Company Shareholders acknowledges that (a) money damages would be an insufficient remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Valfund Plastics or any Company Shareholder, (b) any such breach would cause Sponsor irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Sponsor will be entitled to equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by Valfund Plastics or any Company Shareholder. None of Valfund Plastics or any Company Shareholder will contest the appropriateness of an injunction or specific performance as a remedy for a breach of this Agreement. If litigation relating to this Agreement occurs, the non-prevailing Party shall reimburse the prevailing Party for its reasonable expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred in connection with such litigation.

 

Section 9. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) The Parties may amend or modify or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by all Parties.

 

(b) Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided however that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Sponsor or Merger Sub, to:

Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC

774A Walker Road

Great Falls, Virginia 22066

Attention: Gary Wunderlich

E-mail: gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

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

Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

If to Valfund Plastics or a Company Shareholder, to:

9995 Gate Parkway, Suite 330
Jacksonville, FL 32233

Attention: Ashton Hudson
Email: ashton@rockcreekcapital.com

 

(c) No failure or delay by Sponsor in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Sponsor’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Sponsor’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Sponsor’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Sponsor.

 

(d) This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No Party may, by operation of law or otherwise, assign this Agreement or any of its obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s written consent, except that Sponsor may, without the consent of Valfund Plastics or any Company Shareholder, assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Sponsor to which Sponsor assigns its rights under the Merger Agreement.

 

(e) This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer on any other person any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) Upon the request of Sponsor, Valfund Plastics and/or a Company Shareholder shall execute and deliver such further documents and other instruments as may be reasonably requested by Sponsor in order to evidence and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

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(h) This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, written or oral, between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

(i) The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of the terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any rule of legal interpretation to the effect that any ambiguity is to be resolved against the drafting Party will not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j) This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law rules and any other law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(k) Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 9(b) will be effective service of process for any action or proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such action or proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(l) EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (B) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (C) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (D) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9(l).

 

(m) This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  LIVE OAK SPONSOR PARTNERS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Managing Member
     
     
  By: /s/ Gary K. Wunderlich, Jr.
  Name: Gary K. Wunderlich, Jr.
  Title: Managing Member

 

[Signature page to Warrant Sale and Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  Valfund Plastics, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Matt Uselton
  Name: Matt Uselton
  Title: Manager
     
  /s/ Michael Ashton Hudson
  Name: Michael Ashton Hudson
     
  /s/ James H. Dahl
  Name: James H. Dahl
     
  /s/ Andrew F. Cates
  Name: Andrew F. Cates

 

[Signature page to Warrant Sale and Support Agreement]

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.11

 

NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT

 

This Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, by and between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”), and Michael Smith, an individual (the “Restricted Party”). Live Oak and the Restricted Party are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as representative of Live Oak, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak;

 

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party is a shareholder of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party will receive a material economic benefit from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party has obtained extensive and valuable knowledge, trade and other confidential information of the Business; and

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, the Restricted Party has agreed to enter into this Agreement effective upon the consummation thereof.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the amounts to be paid by Live Oak to the Restricted Party under and pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Covenant Not to Compete or Solicit.

 

(a) The Restricted Party hereby acknowledges and recognizes the highly competitive nature of the business in which the parties engage. The Restricted Party covenants and agrees that, during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the third (3rd) anniversary of the date hereof (the “Restricted Period”), the Restricted Party shall not directly or indirectly:

 

(i) own, manage, operate, control, have any interest in, financial or otherwise, participate in, consult or perform services for, render services in any form to any Person in, or otherwise carry on, whether as principal, agent, independent contractor, consultant, partner, manager, member, executive, employee, representative or licensor or otherwise, any business that is competitive with the Business in any geographic area throughout the world in which the Company and any of its Subsidiaries has conducted any aspects of the Business during the 12-month period prior to the date hereof (a “Competing Business”) (it being acknowledged by the Restricted Party that the Business has been conducted or is proposed to be conducted throughout such geographic areas and such geographic restriction is reasonable and necessary to protect the value and goodwill of the Business). “Business” means the business of researching, developing, manufacturing, marketing, distributing and selling biodegradable bio-plastic replacements for traditional petroleum-based plastics;

 

 

 

 

(ii) (A) solicit, attempt to solicit, assist in soliciting, directly or indirectly, individually (other than on behalf of Live Oak and its Subsidiaries) or on behalf of a Competing Business, any customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of Live Oak and its Subsidiaries, or induce or encourage, or attempt to induce or encourage, any customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of the Live Oak and its Subsidiaries, in each such case to cease doing business with Live Oak and its Subsidiaries or (B) in any way interfere with the relationship between Live Oak and its Subsidiaries and any current customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of Live Oak and any of its Subsidiaries; or

 

(iii) (A) solicit or recruit, or attempt to solicit or recruit, any officer, employee, representative, or agent of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries who has been hired or engaged by Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) to leave the employ of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) hire any such individual.

 

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) nothing in Section 1(a)(i) shall prohibit the Restricted Party from being a passive owner of less than five percent (5%) of the outstanding Equity Interests of any Person that is publicly traded, so long as the Restricted Party has no active participation in the business of such Person and (ii) nothing in Section 1(a)(iii) shall prohibit the Restricted Party from (A) making general employment solicitations, not specifically directed at employees of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries, and hiring any individuals who respond to such solicitations, or (B) soliciting, recruiting, or hiring any individual who has not been employed by the Business for at least six (6) months, so long as the Restricted Party did not have any contact with such individual in violation of Section 1(a)(iii) prior to the end of such individual’s employment with Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 2. Confidentiality Obligation. Following the Closing, the Restricted Party shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, keep confidential, not use and not disclose to any Person any confidential or proprietary information relating to the Company and the Business conducted by Live Oak and its Subsidiaries (“Confidential Information”), except to the extent such Confidential Information is required to be disclosed by applicable Law, in which case the Restricted Party shall (i) to the extent permitted by applicable Law, provide Live Oak with prompt written notice of such requirement so that Live Oak may seek, at its sole cost and expense, an appropriate protective order or other remedy or waive compliance, in whole or in part, with this Section 2, (ii) cooperate with Live Oak, at Live Oak’s sole cost and expense, to obtain such protective order or other remedy, (iii) disclose only the portion of that information the Restricted Party is advised by its counsel is legally required to be disclosed, and (iv) use its commercially reasonable efforts to preserve the confidentiality of all information so disclosed.

 

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Section 3. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) this Section 3, Section 7, and Section 10 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by the Restricted Party prior to such termination.

 

Section 4. Reasonableness of Covenants. The Restricted Party acknowledges that he or she is sophisticated in business and that the restrictions and remedies set forth in this Agreement do not create an undue hardship and will not prevent him or her from earning a livelihood. The Restricted Party acknowledges that the covenants set forth herein are necessary for the reasonable, proper, and necessary protection of Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) and their legitimate business interests. Such legitimate business interests include (but are not limited to) trade secrets, valuable confidential business information that may not qualify as trade secrets, substantial relationships with numerous existing and prospective vendors, suppliers or customers, and goodwill associated with the trade names of the Business and their specific marketing areas. The Restricted Party acknowledges and agrees that each and every one of the covenants set forth herein is reasonable in respect to scope, subject matter, length of time and geographic area and are intended to be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law. Before providing services, whether as a director, manager, employee, consultant, independent contractor or otherwise, to any Person during the Restricted Period, the Restricted Party shall be required to disclose the existence of this Agreement to such Person, and if requested by such Person, Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) shall be permitted to share a complete copy of this Agreement with such Person or any other Person to which the Restricted Party performs services. Each of the covenants set forth herein has a unique, substantial and immeasurable value to Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries). The Restricted Party acknowledges that Live Oak, in executing the Merger Agreement and the Related Agreements, placed significant reliance on the Restricted Party’s compliance with the covenants in this Agreement. In the event of any litigation relating to this Agreement, the prevailing Party as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order shall be entitled to seek reimbursement from the non-prevailing Party for its reasonable, documented and out-of-pocket costs and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, incurred in connection with such litigation, including any appeal therefrom.

 

Section 5. Reformation. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any covenant in this Agreement is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under applicable Law, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such covenant may be modified or amended by such court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under applicable Law, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision of this Agreement or the enforceability of this Agreement.

 

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Section 6. Tolling. In the event of any final determination by a court of competent jurisdiction of any breach of the provisions of this Agreement by the Restricted Party, the Restricted Period shall be extended by a period of time equal to the period of such breach, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the running of the Restricted Period shall be tolled and suspended for the duration of such breach and shall automatically recommence when such breach if remedied so that Live Oak shall receive the full benefit of the compliance by the Restricted Party with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that this Section 6 shall not apply to any period for which Live Oak is awarded and receives actual monetary damages for breach by the Restricted Party of any breach of the provisions of this Agreement with respect to which this Section 6 applies.

 

Section 7. Remedies; Equitable Relief. The Restricted Party agrees that this Agreement shall be enforced independently of any obligations between Live Oak and the Company under the Merger Agreement and the Related Agreements, and that the existence of any claim or defense under such other agreements shall not affect the enforceability of the provisions of this Agreement or the remedies provided herein. The Restricted Party acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient or inadequate remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by it, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without showing of actual damages or posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by the Restricted Party, and the exercise of one right or remedy shall not be deemed a waiver of any other right or remedy. The exercise of any right or remedy will be without prejudice to the right to exercise any other right or remedy provided in this Agreement, by law or in equity.

 

Section 8. Representations and Warranties. Each Party represents and warrants to the other Party that: (a) it, he or she has all necessary right, title and authority to enter into this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; (b) this Agreement constitutes valid and binding obligations of such Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and limitations on the availability of equitable remedies; and (c) the execution and delivery by such Party of this Agreement and the performance of and compliance with the terms hereof by such Party does not and will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (ii) constitute a default under, (iii) result in the creation of any lien, security interest, charge, or encumbrance upon such Party’s assets pursuant to, (iv) give any third party the right to modify, terminate, or accelerate any obligation under, (v) result in a violation of, or (vi) require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption, or other action by or notice to any court or administrative or governmental body or any Law that such Party is subject to, or pursuant to any material agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which such Party or any of its Affiliates is subject.

 

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Section 9. Acknowledgment of Voluntary Agreement. The Restricted Party has entered into this Agreement freely and without coercion. The Restricted Party has been advised by Live Oak to consult with counsel of the Restricted Party’s choice with regard to the execution of this Agreement and the Restricted Party’s covenants hereunder. The Restricted Party has had an adequate opportunity to consult with counsel and such other legal, financial, technical or other experts as the Restricted Party deems necessary or desirable and either so consulted or freely determined in the Restricted Party’s own discretion not to so consult with such counsel or other experts. The Restricted Party understands that Live Oak and its Affiliates have been advised by counsel, and the Restricted Party has read this Agreement and fully and completely understands this Agreement and each of the Restricted Party’s representations, warranties, covenants and other agreements hereunder. This Agreement shall be interpreted and construed as having been drafted jointly by the Restricted Party and Live Oak and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto by virtue of the authorship of any or all of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

Section 10. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed between the parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, facsimile number, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066

Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich

Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy, (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Mayer Brown LLP

71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

and

 

Kane Kessler, P.C.

666 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Robert L. Lawrence
Email: rlawrence@kanekessler.com

 

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If to the Restricted Party, to the address set forth on the signature page hereto, with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Michael Smith

[redacted]

 

or to such other individual or address, facsimile number, or email address as a Party may designate for itself by notice given in accordance with this Section 10(b).

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Binding Effect; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the exclusive benefit of the Parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to, nor shall it, confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. The Restricted Party acknowledges and agrees that (i) this Agreement is and shall be binding against it, him or her from and after such execution, and (ii) the Restricted Party’s agreements and liabilities and obligations hereunder are those of the Restricted Party and for the benefit of Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries). Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the Parties without the prior written consent of the other Party; provided that Live Oak may assign this Agreement in whole or in part to any of its Affiliates or to any Person that becomes a successor in interest (by purchase of assets or equity, or by merger or otherwise) to all or any portion of Live Oak or its assets. Each of Live Oak’s Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) will have the right to enforce all of the Restricted Party’s covenants under this Agreement as if a party hereto and shall be express third party beneficiaries hereof.

 

(e) Further Assurances. From time to time, as and when reasonably requested by Live Oak, the Restricted Party shall execute and deliver all such documents and instruments, and shall take all such further or other actions, as shall be reasonably necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent of this Agreement.

 

(f) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

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(g) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of, or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of Law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(h) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 10(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(i) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 10(i).

 

(j) Counterparts; Delivery by Electronic Transmission. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

(k) Definitional Provisions and Interpretation. The captions used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed part of this Agreement or be given any effect in interpreting this Agreement. The use of the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender or the singular or plural form of words in this Agreement shall not limit any provision of this Agreement. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and the parties intend that no rule of strict construction will be applied against any Person. The use of the word “including” or “include” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation and will in all cases mean “including, without limitation” or “include, without limitation,” respectively. The use of “or” is not intended to be exclusive unless expressly indicated otherwise. Underlined references to Sections, clauses, Exhibits or Schedules shall refer to those portions of this Agreement. The use of the terms “hereunder,” “hereof,” “hereto,” and words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section, paragraph, or clause of this Agreement.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  RESTRICTED PARTY:
   
  /s/ Michael Smith
  Name:  Michael Smith
   
  Address for Notice: [redacted]
  Telephone No.: [redacted]
  Facsimile No.: none
  Email Address: [redacted]

 

[Signature Page to Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.12

 

NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT

 

This Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, by and between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”), and Scott Tuten, an individual (the “Restricted Party”). Live Oak and the Restricted Party are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as representative of Live Oak, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak;

 

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party is a shareholder of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party will receive a material economic benefit from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party has obtained extensive and valuable knowledge, trade and other confidential information of the Business; and

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, the Restricted Party has agreed to enter into this Agreement effective upon the consummation thereof.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the amounts to be paid by Live Oak to the Restricted Party under and pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Covenant Not to Compete or Solicit.

 

(a) The Restricted Party hereby acknowledges and recognizes the highly competitive nature of the business in which the parties engage. The Restricted Party covenants and agrees that, during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the third (3rd) anniversary of the date hereof (the “Restricted Period”), the Restricted Party shall not directly or indirectly:

 

(i) own, manage, operate, control, have any interest in, financial or otherwise, participate in, consult or perform services for, render services in any form to any Person in, or otherwise carry on, whether as principal, agent, independent contractor, consultant, partner, manager, member, executive, employee, representative or licensor or otherwise, any business that is competitive with the Business in any geographic area throughout the world in which the Company and any of its Subsidiaries has conducted any aspects of the Business during the 12-month period prior to the date hereof (a “Competing Business”) (it being acknowledged by the Restricted Party that the Business has been conducted or is proposed to be conducted throughout such geographic areas and such geographic restriction is reasonable and necessary to protect the value and goodwill of the Business). “Business” means the business of researching, developing, manufacturing, marketing, distributing and selling biodegradable bio-plastic replacements for traditional petroleum-based plastics;

 

 

 

 

(ii) (A) solicit, attempt to solicit, assist in soliciting, directly or indirectly, individually (other than on behalf of Live Oak and its Subsidiaries) or on behalf of a Competing Business, any customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of Live Oak and its Subsidiaries, or induce or encourage, or attempt to induce or encourage, any customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of the Live Oak and its Subsidiaries, in each such case to cease doing business with Live Oak and its Subsidiaries or (B) in any way interfere with the relationship between Live Oak and its Subsidiaries and any current customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of Live Oak and any of its Subsidiaries; or

 

(iii) (A) solicit or recruit, or attempt to solicit or recruit, any officer, employee, representative, or agent of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries who has been hired or engaged by Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) to leave the employ of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) hire any such individual.

 

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) nothing in Section 1(a)(i) shall prohibit the Restricted Party from being a passive owner of less than five percent (5%) of the outstanding Equity Interests of any Person that is publicly traded, so long as the Restricted Party has no active participation in the business of such Person and (ii) nothing in Section 1(a)(iii) shall prohibit the Restricted Party from (A) making general employment solicitations, not specifically directed at employees of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries, and hiring any individuals who respond to such solicitations, or (B) soliciting, recruiting, or hiring any individual who has not been employed by the Business for at least six (6) months, so long as the Restricted Party did not have any contact with such individual in violation of Section 1(a)(iii) prior to the end of such individual’s employment with Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 2. Confidentiality Obligation. Following the Closing, the Restricted Party shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, keep confidential, not use and not disclose to any Person any confidential or proprietary information relating to the Company and the Business conducted by Live Oak and its Subsidiaries (“Confidential Information”), except to the extent such Confidential Information is required to be disclosed by applicable Law, in which case the Restricted Party shall (i) to the extent permitted by applicable Law, provide Live Oak with prompt written notice of such requirement so that Live Oak may seek, at its sole cost and expense, an appropriate protective order or other remedy or waive compliance, in whole or in part, with this Section 2, (ii) cooperate with Live Oak, at Live Oak’s sole cost and expense, to obtain such protective order or other remedy, (iii) disclose only the portion of that information the Restricted Party is advised by its counsel is legally required to be disclosed, and (iv) use its commercially reasonable efforts to preserve the confidentiality of all information so disclosed.

 

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Section 3. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) this Section 3, Section 7, and Section 10 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by the Restricted Party prior to such termination.

 

Section 4. Reasonableness of Covenants. The Restricted Party acknowledges that he or she is sophisticated in business and that the restrictions and remedies set forth in this Agreement do not create an undue hardship and will not prevent him or her from earning a livelihood. The Restricted Party acknowledges that the covenants set forth herein are necessary for the reasonable, proper, and necessary protection of Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) and their legitimate business interests. Such legitimate business interests include (but are not limited to) trade secrets, valuable confidential business information that may not qualify as trade secrets, substantial relationships with numerous existing and prospective vendors, suppliers or customers, and goodwill associated with the trade names of the Business and their specific marketing areas. The Restricted Party acknowledges and agrees that each and every one of the covenants set forth herein is reasonable in respect to scope, subject matter, length of time and geographic area and are intended to be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law. Before providing services, whether as a director, manager, employee, consultant, independent contractor or otherwise, to any Person during the Restricted Period, the Restricted Party shall be required to disclose the existence of this Agreement to such Person, and if requested by such Person, Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) shall be permitted to share a complete copy of this Agreement with such Person or any other Person to which the Restricted Party performs services. Each of the covenants set forth herein has a unique, substantial and immeasurable value to Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries). The Restricted Party acknowledges that Live Oak, in executing the Merger Agreement and the Related Agreements, placed significant reliance on the Restricted Party’s compliance with the covenants in this Agreement. In the event of any litigation relating to this Agreement, the prevailing Party as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order shall be entitled to seek reimbursement from the non-prevailing Party for its reasonable, documented and out-of-pocket costs and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, incurred in connection with such litigation, including any appeal therefrom.

 

Section 5. Reformation. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any covenant in this Agreement is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under applicable Law, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such covenant may be modified or amended by such court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under applicable Law, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision of this Agreement or the enforceability of this Agreement.

 

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Section 6. Tolling. In the event of any final determination by a court of competent jurisdiction of any breach of the provisions of this Agreement by the Restricted Party, the Restricted Period shall be extended by a period of time equal to the period of such breach, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the running of the Restricted Period shall be tolled and suspended for the duration of such breach and shall automatically recommence when such breach if remedied so that Live Oak shall receive the full benefit of the compliance by the Restricted Party with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that this Section 6 shall not apply to any period for which Live Oak is awarded and receives actual monetary damages for breach by the Restricted Party of any breach of the provisions of this Agreement with respect to which this Section 6 applies.

 

Section 7. Remedies; Equitable Relief. The Restricted Party agrees that this Agreement shall be enforced independently of any obligations between Live Oak and the Company under the Merger Agreement and the Related Agreements, and that the existence of any claim or defense under such other agreements shall not affect the enforceability of the provisions of this Agreement or the remedies provided herein. The Restricted Party acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient or inadequate remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by it, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without showing of actual damages or posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by the Restricted Party, and the exercise of one right or remedy shall not be deemed a waiver of any other right or remedy. The exercise of any right or remedy will be without prejudice to the right to exercise any other right or remedy provided in this Agreement, by law or in equity.

 

Section 8. Representations and Warranties. Each Party represents and warrants to the other Party that: (a) it, he or she has all necessary right, title and authority to enter into this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; (b) this Agreement constitutes valid and binding obligations of such Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and limitations on the availability of equitable remedies; and (c) the execution and delivery by such Party of this Agreement and the performance of and compliance with the terms hereof by such Party does not and will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (ii) constitute a default under, (iii) result in the creation of any lien, security interest, charge, or encumbrance upon such Party’s assets pursuant to, (iv) give any third party the right to modify, terminate, or accelerate any obligation under, (v) result in a violation of, or (vi) require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption, or other action by or notice to any court or administrative or governmental body or any Law that such Party is subject to, or pursuant to any material agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which such Party or any of its Affiliates is subject.

 

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Section 9. Acknowledgment of Voluntary Agreement. The Restricted Party has entered into this Agreement freely and without coercion. The Restricted Party has been advised by Live Oak to consult with counsel of the Restricted Party’s choice with regard to the execution of this Agreement and the Restricted Party’s covenants hereunder. The Restricted Party has had an adequate opportunity to consult with counsel and such other legal, financial, technical or other experts as the Restricted Party deems necessary or desirable and either so consulted or freely determined in the Restricted Party’s own discretion not to so consult with such counsel or other experts. The Restricted Party understands that Live Oak and its Affiliates have been advised by counsel, and the Restricted Party has read this Agreement and fully and completely understands this Agreement and each of the Restricted Party’s representations, warranties, covenants and other agreements hereunder. This Agreement shall be interpreted and construed as having been drafted jointly by the Restricted Party and Live Oak and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto by virtue of the authorship of any or all of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

Section 10. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed between the parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, facsimile number, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066

Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich

Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy, (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Mayer Brown LLP

71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

and

 

Kane Kessler, P.C.

666 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Robert L. Lawrence
Email: rlawrence@kanekessler.com

 

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If to the Restricted Party, to the address set forth on the signature page hereto, with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Scott Tuten

[redacted]

 

or to such other individual or address, facsimile number, or email address as a Party may designate for itself by notice given in accordance with this Section 10(b).

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Binding Effect; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the exclusive benefit of the Parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to, nor shall it, confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. The Restricted Party acknowledges and agrees that (i) this Agreement is and shall be binding against it, him or her from and after such execution, and (ii) the Restricted Party’s agreements and liabilities and obligations hereunder are those of the Restricted Party and for the benefit of Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries). Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the Parties without the prior written consent of the other Party; provided that Live Oak may assign this Agreement in whole or in part to any of its Affiliates or to any Person that becomes a successor in interest (by purchase of assets or equity, or by merger or otherwise) to all or any portion of Live Oak or its assets. Each of Live Oak’s Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) will have the right to enforce all of the Restricted Party’s covenants under this Agreement as if a party hereto and shall be express third party beneficiaries hereof.

 

(e) Further Assurances. From time to time, as and when reasonably requested by Live Oak, the Restricted Party shall execute and deliver all such documents and instruments, and shall take all such further or other actions, as shall be reasonably necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent of this Agreement.

 

(f) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

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(g) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of, or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of Law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(h) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 10(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(i) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 10(i).

 

(j) Counterparts; Delivery by Electronic Transmission. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

(k) Definitional Provisions and Interpretation. The captions used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed part of this Agreement or be given any effect in interpreting this Agreement. The use of the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender or the singular or plural form of words in this Agreement shall not limit any provision of this Agreement. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and the parties intend that no rule of strict construction will be applied against any Person. The use of the word “including” or “include” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation and will in all cases mean “including, without limitation” or “include, without limitation,” respectively. The use of “or” is not intended to be exclusive unless expressly indicated otherwise. Underlined references to Sections, clauses, Exhibits or Schedules shall refer to those portions of this Agreement. The use of the terms “hereunder,” “hereof,” “hereto,” and words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section, paragraph, or clause of this Agreement.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  RESTRICTED PARTY:
   
  /s/ Scott Tuten
  Name:  Scott Tuten
   
  Address for Notice: [redacted]
  Telephone No.: [redacted]
  Facsimile No.: none
  Email Address: [redacted]

 

[Signature Page to Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.13

 

NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT

 

This Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, by and between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”), and Phillip Van Trump, an individual (the “Restricted Party”). Live Oak and the Restricted Party are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as representative of Live Oak, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak;

 

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party is a shareholder of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party will receive a material economic benefit from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party has obtained extensive and valuable knowledge, trade and other confidential information of the Business; and

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, the Restricted Party has agreed to enter into this Agreement effective upon the consummation thereof.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the amounts to be paid by Live Oak to the Restricted Party under and pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Covenant Not to Compete or Solicit.

 

(a) The Restricted Party hereby acknowledges and recognizes the highly competitive nature of the business in which the parties engage. The Restricted Party covenants and agrees that, during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the third (3rd) anniversary of the date hereof (the “Restricted Period”), the Restricted Party shall not directly or indirectly:

 

(i) own, manage, operate, control, have any interest in, financial or otherwise, participate in, consult or perform services for, render services in any form to any Person in, or otherwise carry on, whether as principal, agent, independent contractor, consultant, partner, manager, member, executive, employee, representative or licensor or otherwise, any business that is competitive with the Business in any geographic area throughout the world in which the Company and any of its Subsidiaries has conducted any aspects of the Business during the 12-month period prior to the date hereof (a “Competing Business”) (it being acknowledged by the Restricted Party that the Business has been conducted or is proposed to be conducted throughout such geographic areas and such geographic restriction is reasonable and necessary to protect the value and goodwill of the Business). “Business” means the business of researching, developing, manufacturing, marketing, distributing and selling biodegradable bio-plastic replacements for traditional petroleum-based plastics;

 

 

 

 

(ii) (A) solicit, attempt to solicit, assist in soliciting, directly or indirectly, individually (other than on behalf of Live Oak and its Subsidiaries) or on behalf of a Competing Business, any customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of Live Oak and its Subsidiaries, or induce or encourage, or attempt to induce or encourage, any customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of the Live Oak and its Subsidiaries, in each such case to cease doing business with Live Oak and its Subsidiaries or (B) in any way interfere with the relationship between Live Oak and its Subsidiaries and any current customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of Live Oak and any of its Subsidiaries; or

 

(iii) (A) solicit or recruit, or attempt to solicit or recruit, any officer, employee, representative, or agent of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries who has been hired or engaged by Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) to leave the employ of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) hire any such individual.

 

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) nothing in Section 1(a)(i) shall prohibit the Restricted Party from being a passive owner of less than five percent (5%) of the outstanding Equity Interests of any Person that is publicly traded, so long as the Restricted Party has no active participation in the business of such Person and (ii) nothing in Section 1(a)(iii) shall prohibit the Restricted Party from (A) making general employment solicitations, not specifically directed at employees of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries, and hiring any individuals who respond to such solicitations, or (B) soliciting, recruiting, or hiring any individual who has not been employed by the Business for at least six (6) months, so long as the Restricted Party did not have any contact with such individual in violation of Section 1(a)(iii) prior to the end of such individual’s employment with Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 2. Confidentiality Obligation. Following the Closing, the Restricted Party shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, keep confidential, not use and not disclose to any Person any confidential or proprietary information relating to the Company and the Business conducted by Live Oak and its Subsidiaries (“Confidential Information”), except to the extent such Confidential Information is required to be disclosed by applicable Law, in which case the Restricted Party shall (i) to the extent permitted by applicable Law, provide Live Oak with prompt written notice of such requirement so that Live Oak may seek, at its sole cost and expense, an appropriate protective order or other remedy or waive compliance, in whole or in part, with this Section 2, (ii) cooperate with Live Oak, at Live Oak’s sole cost and expense, to obtain such protective order or other remedy, (iii) disclose only the portion of that information the Restricted Party is advised by its counsel is legally required to be disclosed, and (iv) use its commercially reasonable efforts to preserve the confidentiality of all information so disclosed.

 

2

 

 

Section 3. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) this Section 3, Section 7, and Section 10 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by the Restricted Party prior to such termination.

 

Section 4. Reasonableness of Covenants. The Restricted Party acknowledges that he or she is sophisticated in business and that the restrictions and remedies set forth in this Agreement do not create an undue hardship and will not prevent him or her from earning a livelihood. The Restricted Party acknowledges that the covenants set forth herein are necessary for the reasonable, proper, and necessary protection of Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) and their legitimate business interests. Such legitimate business interests include (but are not limited to) trade secrets, valuable confidential business information that may not qualify as trade secrets, substantial relationships with numerous existing and prospective vendors, suppliers or customers, and goodwill associated with the trade names of the Business and their specific marketing areas. The Restricted Party acknowledges and agrees that each and every one of the covenants set forth herein is reasonable in respect to scope, subject matter, length of time and geographic area and are intended to be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law. Before providing services, whether as a director, manager, employee, consultant, independent contractor or otherwise, to any Person during the Restricted Period, the Restricted Party shall be required to disclose the existence of this Agreement to such Person, and if requested by such Person, Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) shall be permitted to share a complete copy of this Agreement with such Person or any other Person to which the Restricted Party performs services. Each of the covenants set forth herein has a unique, substantial and immeasurable value to Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries). The Restricted Party acknowledges that Live Oak, in executing the Merger Agreement and the Related Agreements, placed significant reliance on the Restricted Party’s compliance with the covenants in this Agreement. In the event of any litigation relating to this Agreement, the prevailing Party as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order shall be entitled to seek reimbursement from the non-prevailing Party for its reasonable, documented and out-of-pocket costs and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, incurred in connection with such litigation, including any appeal therefrom.

 

Section 5. Reformation. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any covenant in this Agreement is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under applicable Law, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such covenant may be modified or amended by such court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under applicable Law, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision of this Agreement or the enforceability of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Section 6. Tolling. In the event of any final determination by a court of competent jurisdiction of any breach of the provisions of this Agreement by the Restricted Party, the Restricted Period shall be extended by a period of time equal to the period of such breach, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the running of the Restricted Period shall be tolled and suspended for the duration of such breach and shall automatically recommence when such breach if remedied so that Live Oak shall receive the full benefit of the compliance by the Restricted Party with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that this Section 6 shall not apply to any period for which Live Oak is awarded and receives actual monetary damages for breach by the Restricted Party of any breach of the provisions of this Agreement with respect to which this Section 6 applies.

 

Section 7. Remedies; Equitable Relief. The Restricted Party agrees that this Agreement shall be enforced independently of any obligations between Live Oak and the Company under the Merger Agreement and the Related Agreements, and that the existence of any claim or defense under such other agreements shall not affect the enforceability of the provisions of this Agreement or the remedies provided herein. The Restricted Party acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient or inadequate remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by it, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without showing of actual damages or posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by the Restricted Party, and the exercise of one right or remedy shall not be deemed a waiver of any other right or remedy. The exercise of any right or remedy will be without prejudice to the right to exercise any other right or remedy provided in this Agreement, by law or in equity.

 

Section 8. Representations and Warranties. Each Party represents and warrants to the other Party that: (a) it, he or she has all necessary right, title and authority to enter into this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; (b) this Agreement constitutes valid and binding obligations of such Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and limitations on the availability of equitable remedies; and (c) the execution and delivery by such Party of this Agreement and the performance of and compliance with the terms hereof by such Party does not and will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (ii) constitute a default under, (iii) result in the creation of any lien, security interest, charge, or encumbrance upon such Party’s assets pursuant to, (iv) give any third party the right to modify, terminate, or accelerate any obligation under, (v) result in a violation of, or (vi) require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption, or other action by or notice to any court or administrative or governmental body or any Law that such Party is subject to, or pursuant to any material agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which such Party or any of its Affiliates is subject.

 

4

 

 

Section 9. Acknowledgment of Voluntary Agreement. The Restricted Party has entered into this Agreement freely and without coercion. The Restricted Party has been advised by Live Oak to consult with counsel of the Restricted Party’s choice with regard to the execution of this Agreement and the Restricted Party’s covenants hereunder. The Restricted Party has had an adequate opportunity to consult with counsel and such other legal, financial, technical or other experts as the Restricted Party deems necessary or desirable and either so consulted or freely determined in the Restricted Party’s own discretion not to so consult with such counsel or other experts. The Restricted Party understands that Live Oak and its Affiliates have been advised by counsel, and the Restricted Party has read this Agreement and fully and completely understands this Agreement and each of the Restricted Party’s representations, warranties, covenants and other agreements hereunder. This Agreement shall be interpreted and construed as having been drafted jointly by the Restricted Party and Live Oak and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto by virtue of the authorship of any or all of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

Section 10. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed between the parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, facsimile number, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066

Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich

Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy, (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Mayer Brown LLP

71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

and

 

Kane Kessler, P.C.

666 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Robert L. Lawrence
Email: rlawrence@kanekessler.com

 

5

 

 

If to the Restricted Party, to the address set forth on the signature page hereto, with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Phillip Van Trump

[redacted]

 

or to such other individual or address, facsimile number, or email address as a Party may designate for itself by notice given in accordance with this Section 10(b).

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Binding Effect; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the exclusive benefit of the Parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to, nor shall it, confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. The Restricted Party acknowledges and agrees that (i) this Agreement is and shall be binding against it, him or her from and after such execution, and (ii) the Restricted Party’s agreements and liabilities and obligations hereunder are those of the Restricted Party and for the benefit of Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries). Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the Parties without the prior written consent of the other Party; provided that Live Oak may assign this Agreement in whole or in part to any of its Affiliates or to any Person that becomes a successor in interest (by purchase of assets or equity, or by merger or otherwise) to all or any portion of Live Oak or its assets. Each of Live Oak’s Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) will have the right to enforce all of the Restricted Party’s covenants under this Agreement as if a party hereto and shall be express third party beneficiaries hereof.

 

(e) Further Assurances. From time to time, as and when reasonably requested by Live Oak, the Restricted Party shall execute and deliver all such documents and instruments, and shall take all such further or other actions, as shall be reasonably necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent of this Agreement.

 

(f) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

6

 

 

(g) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of, or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of Law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(h) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 10(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(i) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 10(i).

 

(j) Counterparts; Delivery by Electronic Transmission. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

(k) Definitional Provisions and Interpretation. The captions used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed part of this Agreement or be given any effect in interpreting this Agreement. The use of the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender or the singular or plural form of words in this Agreement shall not limit any provision of this Agreement. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and the parties intend that no rule of strict construction will be applied against any Person. The use of the word “including” or “include” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation and will in all cases mean “including, without limitation” or “include, without limitation,” respectively. The use of “or” is not intended to be exclusive unless expressly indicated otherwise. Underlined references to Sections, clauses, Exhibits or Schedules shall refer to those portions of this Agreement. The use of the terms “hereunder,” “hereof,” “hereto,” and words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section, paragraph, or clause of this Agreement.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  RESTRICTED PARTY:
   
  /s/ Phillip Van Trump
  Name:  Phillip Van Trump
   
  Address for Notice: [redacted]
  Telephone No.: [redacted]
  Facsimile No.: None
  Email Address: [redacted]

 

[Signature Page to Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.14

 

NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT

 

This Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, by and between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”), and Stuart Pratt, an individual (the “Restricted Party”). Live Oak and the Restricted Party are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as representative of Live Oak, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak;

 

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party is a shareholder of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party will receive a material economic benefit from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party has obtained extensive and valuable knowledge, trade and other confidential information of the Business; and

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, the Restricted Party has agreed to enter into this Agreement effective upon the consummation thereof.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the amounts to be paid by Live Oak to the Restricted Party under and pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Covenant Not to Compete or Solicit.

 

(a) The Restricted Party hereby acknowledges and recognizes the highly competitive nature of the business in which the parties engage. The Restricted Party covenants and agrees that, during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the third (3rd) anniversary of the date hereof (the “Restricted Period”), the Restricted Party shall not directly or indirectly:

 

(i) own, manage, operate, control, have any interest in, financial or otherwise, participate in, consult or perform services for, render services in any form to any Person in, or otherwise carry on, whether as principal, agent, independent contractor, consultant, partner, manager, member, executive, employee, representative or licensor or otherwise, any business that is competitive with the Business in any geographic area throughout the world in which the Company and any of its Subsidiaries has conducted any aspects of the Business during the 12-month period prior to the date hereof (a “Competing Business”) (it being acknowledged by the Restricted Party that the Business has been conducted or is proposed to be conducted throughout such geographic areas and such geographic restriction is reasonable and necessary to protect the value and goodwill of the Business). “Business” means the business of researching, developing, manufacturing, marketing, distributing and selling biodegradable bio-plastic replacements for traditional petroleum-based plastics;

 

 

 

 

(ii) (A) solicit, attempt to solicit, assist in soliciting, directly or indirectly, individually (other than on behalf of Live Oak and its Subsidiaries) or on behalf of a Competing Business, any customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of Live Oak and its Subsidiaries, or induce or encourage, or attempt to induce or encourage, any customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of the Live Oak and its Subsidiaries, in each such case to cease doing business with Live Oak and its Subsidiaries or (B) in any way interfere with the relationship between Live Oak and its Subsidiaries and any current customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of Live Oak and any of its Subsidiaries; or

 

(iii) (A) solicit or recruit, or attempt to solicit or recruit, any officer, employee, representative, or agent of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries who has been hired or engaged by Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) to leave the employ of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) hire any such individual.

 

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) nothing in Section 1(a)(i) shall prohibit the Restricted Party from being a passive owner of less than five percent (5%) of the outstanding Equity Interests of any Person that is publicly traded, so long as the Restricted Party has no active participation in the business of such Person and (ii) nothing in Section 1(a)(iii) shall prohibit the Restricted Party from (A) making general employment solicitations, not specifically directed at employees of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries, and hiring any individuals who respond to such solicitations, or (B) soliciting, recruiting, or hiring any individual who has not been employed by the Business for at least six (6) months, so long as the Restricted Party did not have any contact with such individual in violation of Section 1(a)(iii) prior to the end of such individual’s employment with Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 2. Confidentiality Obligation. Following the Closing, the Restricted Party shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, keep confidential, not use and not disclose to any Person any confidential or proprietary information relating to the Company and the Business conducted by Live Oak and its Subsidiaries (“Confidential Information”), except to the extent such Confidential Information is required to be disclosed by applicable Law, in which case the Restricted Party shall (i) to the extent permitted by applicable Law, provide Live Oak with prompt written notice of such requirement so that Live Oak may seek, at its sole cost and expense, an appropriate protective order or other remedy or waive compliance, in whole or in part, with this Section 2, (ii) cooperate with Live Oak, at Live Oak’s sole cost and expense, to obtain such protective order or other remedy, (iii) disclose only the portion of that information the Restricted Party is advised by its counsel is legally required to be disclosed, and (iv) use its commercially reasonable efforts to preserve the confidentiality of all information so disclosed.

 

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Section 3. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) this Section 3, Section 7, and Section 10 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by the Restricted Party prior to such termination.

 

Section 4. Reasonableness of Covenants. The Restricted Party acknowledges that he or she is sophisticated in business and that the restrictions and remedies set forth in this Agreement do not create an undue hardship and will not prevent him or her from earning a livelihood. The Restricted Party acknowledges that the covenants set forth herein are necessary for the reasonable, proper, and necessary protection of Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) and their legitimate business interests. Such legitimate business interests include (but are not limited to) trade secrets, valuable confidential business information that may not qualify as trade secrets, substantial relationships with numerous existing and prospective vendors, suppliers or customers, and goodwill associated with the trade names of the Business and their specific marketing areas. The Restricted Party acknowledges and agrees that each and every one of the covenants set forth herein is reasonable in respect to scope, subject matter, length of time and geographic area and are intended to be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law. Before providing services, whether as a director, manager, employee, consultant, independent contractor or otherwise, to any Person during the Restricted Period, the Restricted Party shall be required to disclose the existence of this Agreement to such Person, and if requested by such Person, Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) shall be permitted to share a complete copy of this Agreement with such Person or any other Person to which the Restricted Party performs services. Each of the covenants set forth herein has a unique, substantial and immeasurable value to Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries). The Restricted Party acknowledges that Live Oak, in executing the Merger Agreement and the Related Agreements, placed significant reliance on the Restricted Party’s compliance with the covenants in this Agreement. In the event of any litigation relating to this Agreement, the prevailing Party as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order shall be entitled to seek reimbursement from the non-prevailing Party for its reasonable, documented and out-of-pocket costs and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, incurred in connection with such litigation, including any appeal therefrom.

 

Section 5. Reformation. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any covenant in this Agreement is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under applicable Law, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such covenant may be modified or amended by such court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under applicable Law, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision of this Agreement or the enforceability of this Agreement.

 

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Section 6. Tolling. In the event of any final determination by a court of competent jurisdiction of any breach of the provisions of this Agreement by the Restricted Party, the Restricted Period shall be extended by a period of time equal to the period of such breach, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the running of the Restricted Period shall be tolled and suspended for the duration of such breach and shall automatically recommence when such breach if remedied so that Live Oak shall receive the full benefit of the compliance by the Restricted Party with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that this Section 6 shall not apply to any period for which Live Oak is awarded and receives actual monetary damages for breach by the Restricted Party of any breach of the provisions of this Agreement with respect to which this Section 6 applies.

 

Section 7. Remedies; Equitable Relief. The Restricted Party agrees that this Agreement shall be enforced independently of any obligations between Live Oak and the Company under the Merger Agreement and the Related Agreements, and that the existence of any claim or defense under such other agreements shall not affect the enforceability of the provisions of this Agreement or the remedies provided herein. The Restricted Party acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient or inadequate remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by it, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without showing of actual damages or posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by the Restricted Party, and the exercise of one right or remedy shall not be deemed a waiver of any other right or remedy. The exercise of any right or remedy will be without prejudice to the right to exercise any other right or remedy provided in this Agreement, by law or in equity.

 

Section 8. Representations and Warranties. Each Party represents and warrants to the other Party that: (a) it, he or she has all necessary right, title and authority to enter into this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; (b) this Agreement constitutes valid and binding obligations of such Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and limitations on the availability of equitable remedies; and (c) the execution and delivery by such Party of this Agreement and the performance of and compliance with the terms hereof by such Party does not and will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (ii) constitute a default under, (iii) result in the creation of any lien, security interest, charge, or encumbrance upon such Party’s assets pursuant to, (iv) give any third party the right to modify, terminate, or accelerate any obligation under, (v) result in a violation of, or (vi) require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption, or other action by or notice to any court or administrative or governmental body or any Law that such Party is subject to, or pursuant to any material agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which such Party or any of its Affiliates is subject.

 

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Section 9. Acknowledgment of Voluntary Agreement. The Restricted Party has entered into this Agreement freely and without coercion. The Restricted Party has been advised by Live Oak to consult with counsel of the Restricted Party’s choice with regard to the execution of this Agreement and the Restricted Party’s covenants hereunder. The Restricted Party has had an adequate opportunity to consult with counsel and such other legal, financial, technical or other experts as the Restricted Party deems necessary or desirable and either so consulted or freely determined in the Restricted Party’s own discretion not to so consult with such counsel or other experts. The Restricted Party understands that Live Oak and its Affiliates have been advised by counsel, and the Restricted Party has read this Agreement and fully and completely understands this Agreement and each of the Restricted Party’s representations, warranties, covenants and other agreements hereunder. This Agreement shall be interpreted and construed as having been drafted jointly by the Restricted Party and Live Oak and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto by virtue of the authorship of any or all of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

Section 10. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed between the parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, facsimile number, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066

Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich

Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy, (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Mayer Brown LLP

71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

and

 

Kane Kessler, P.C.

666 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Robert L. Lawrence
Email: rlawrence@kanekessler.com

 

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If to the Restricted Party, to the address set forth on the signature page hereto, with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Stuart Pratt

[redacted]

 

or to such other individual or address, facsimile number, or email address as a Party may designate for itself by notice given in accordance with this Section 10(b).

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Binding Effect; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the exclusive benefit of the Parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to, nor shall it, confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. The Restricted Party acknowledges and agrees that (i) this Agreement is and shall be binding against it, him or her from and after such execution, and (ii) the Restricted Party’s agreements and liabilities and obligations hereunder are those of the Restricted Party and for the benefit of Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries). Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the Parties without the prior written consent of the other Party; provided that Live Oak may assign this Agreement in whole or in part to any of its Affiliates or to any Person that becomes a successor in interest (by purchase of assets or equity, or by merger or otherwise) to all or any portion of Live Oak or its assets. Each of Live Oak’s Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) will have the right to enforce all of the Restricted Party’s covenants under this Agreement as if a party hereto and shall be express third party beneficiaries hereof.

 

(e) Further Assurances. From time to time, as and when reasonably requested by Live Oak, the Restricted Party shall execute and deliver all such documents and instruments, and shall take all such further or other actions, as shall be reasonably necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent of this Agreement.

 

(f) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

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(g) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of, or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of Law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(h) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 10(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(i) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 10(i).

 

(j) Counterparts; Delivery by Electronic Transmission. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

(k) Definitional Provisions and Interpretation. The captions used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed part of this Agreement or be given any effect in interpreting this Agreement. The use of the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender or the singular or plural form of words in this Agreement shall not limit any provision of this Agreement. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and the parties intend that no rule of strict construction will be applied against any Person. The use of the word “including” or “include” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation and will in all cases mean “including, without limitation” or “include, without limitation,” respectively. The use of “or” is not intended to be exclusive unless expressly indicated otherwise. Underlined references to Sections, clauses, Exhibits or Schedules shall refer to those portions of this Agreement. The use of the terms “hereunder,” “hereof,” “hereto,” and words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section, paragraph, or clause of this Agreement.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  RESTRICTED PARTY:
   
  /s/ Stuart Pratt
  Name:  Stuart Pratt
   
  Address for Notice: [redacted]
  Telephone No.: [redacted]
  Facsimile No.: N/A
  Email Address: [redacted]

 

[Signature Page to Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.15

 

NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT

 

This Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, by and between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”), and Stephen Croskrey, an individual (the “Restricted Party”). Live Oak and the Restricted Party are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as representative of Live Oak, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak;

 

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party is a shareholder of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party will receive a material economic benefit from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party has obtained extensive and valuable knowledge, trade and other confidential information of the Business; and

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, the Restricted Party has agreed to enter into this Agreement effective upon the consummation thereof.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the amounts to be paid by Live Oak to the Restricted Party under and pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Covenant Not to Compete or Solicit.

 

(a) The Restricted Party hereby acknowledges and recognizes the highly competitive nature of the business in which the parties engage. The Restricted Party covenants and agrees that, during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the third (3rd) anniversary of the date hereof (the “Restricted Period”), the Restricted Party shall not directly or indirectly:

 

(i) own, manage, operate, control, have any interest in, financial or otherwise, participate in, consult or perform services for, render services in any form to any Person in, or otherwise carry on, whether as principal, agent, independent contractor, consultant, partner, manager, member, executive, employee, representative or licensor or otherwise, any business that is competitive with the Business in any geographic area throughout the world in which the Company and any of its Subsidiaries has conducted any aspects of the Business during the 12-month period prior to the date hereof (a “Competing Business”) (it being acknowledged by the Restricted Party that the Business has been conducted or is proposed to be conducted throughout such geographic areas and such geographic restriction is reasonable and necessary to protect the value and goodwill of the Business). “Business” means the business of researching, developing, manufacturing, marketing, distributing and selling biodegradable bio-plastic replacements for traditional petroleum-based plastics;

 

 

 

 

(ii) (A) solicit, attempt to solicit, assist in soliciting, directly or indirectly, individually (other than on behalf of Live Oak and its Subsidiaries) or on behalf of a Competing Business, any customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of Live Oak and its Subsidiaries, or induce or encourage, or attempt to induce or encourage, any customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of the Live Oak and its Subsidiaries, in each such case to cease doing business with Live Oak and its Subsidiaries or (B) in any way interfere with the relationship between Live Oak and its Subsidiaries and any current customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of Live Oak and any of its Subsidiaries; or

 

(iii) (A) solicit or recruit, or attempt to solicit or recruit, any officer, employee, representative, or agent of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries who has been hired or engaged by Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) to leave the employ of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) hire any such individual.

 

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) nothing in Section 1(a)(i) shall prohibit the Restricted Party from being a passive owner of less than five percent (5%) of the outstanding Equity Interests of any Person that is publicly traded, so long as the Restricted Party has no active participation in the business of such Person and (ii) nothing in Section 1(a)(iii) shall prohibit the Restricted Party from (A) making general employment solicitations, not specifically directed at employees of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries, and hiring any individuals who respond to such solicitations, or (B) soliciting, recruiting, or hiring any individual who has not been employed by the Business for at least six (6) months, so long as the Restricted Party did not have any contact with such individual in violation of Section 1(a)(iii) prior to the end of such individual’s employment with Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 2. Confidentiality Obligation. Following the Closing, the Restricted Party shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, keep confidential, not use and not disclose to any Person any confidential or proprietary information relating to the Company and the Business conducted by Live Oak and its Subsidiaries (“Confidential Information”), except to the extent such Confidential Information is required to be disclosed by applicable Law, in which case the Restricted Party shall (i) to the extent permitted by applicable Law, provide Live Oak with prompt written notice of such requirement so that Live Oak may seek, at its sole cost and expense, an appropriate protective order or other remedy or waive compliance, in whole or in part, with this Section 2, (ii) cooperate with Live Oak, at Live Oak’s sole cost and expense, to obtain such protective order or other remedy, (iii) disclose only the portion of that information the Restricted Party is advised by its counsel is legally required to be disclosed, and (iv) use its commercially reasonable efforts to preserve the confidentiality of all information so disclosed.

 

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Section 3. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) this Section 3, Section 7, and Section 10 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by the Restricted Party prior to such termination.

 

Section 4. Reasonableness of Covenants. The Restricted Party acknowledges that he or she is sophisticated in business and that the restrictions and remedies set forth in this Agreement do not create an undue hardship and will not prevent him or her from earning a livelihood. The Restricted Party acknowledges that the covenants set forth herein are necessary for the reasonable, proper, and necessary protection of Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) and their legitimate business interests. Such legitimate business interests include (but are not limited to) trade secrets, valuable confidential business information that may not qualify as trade secrets, substantial relationships with numerous existing and prospective vendors, suppliers or customers, and goodwill associated with the trade names of the Business and their specific marketing areas. The Restricted Party acknowledges and agrees that each and every one of the covenants set forth herein is reasonable in respect to scope, subject matter, length of time and geographic area and are intended to be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law. Before providing services, whether as a director, manager, employee, consultant, independent contractor or otherwise, to any Person during the Restricted Period, the Restricted Party shall be required to disclose the existence of this Agreement to such Person, and if requested by such Person, Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) shall be permitted to share a complete copy of this Agreement with such Person or any other Person to which the Restricted Party performs services. Each of the covenants set forth herein has a unique, substantial and immeasurable value to Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries). The Restricted Party acknowledges that Live Oak, in executing the Merger Agreement and the Related Agreements, placed significant reliance on the Restricted Party’s compliance with the covenants in this Agreement. In the event of any litigation relating to this Agreement, the prevailing Party as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order shall be entitled to seek reimbursement from the non-prevailing Party for its reasonable, documented and out-of-pocket costs and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, incurred in connection with such litigation, including any appeal therefrom.

 

Section 5. Reformation. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any covenant in this Agreement is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under applicable Law, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such covenant may be modified or amended by such court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under applicable Law, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision of this Agreement or the enforceability of this Agreement.

 

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Section 6. Tolling. In the event of any final determination by a court of competent jurisdiction of any breach of the provisions of this Agreement by the Restricted Party, the Restricted Period shall be extended by a period of time equal to the period of such breach, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the running of the Restricted Period shall be tolled and suspended for the duration of such breach and shall automatically recommence when such breach if remedied so that Live Oak shall receive the full benefit of the compliance by the Restricted Party with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that this Section 6 shall not apply to any period for which Live Oak is awarded and receives actual monetary damages for breach by the Restricted Party of any breach of the provisions of this Agreement with respect to which this Section 6 applies.

 

Section 7. Remedies; Equitable Relief. The Restricted Party agrees that this Agreement shall be enforced independently of any obligations between Live Oak and the Company under the Merger Agreement and the Related Agreements, and that the existence of any claim or defense under such other agreements shall not affect the enforceability of the provisions of this Agreement or the remedies provided herein. The Restricted Party acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient or inadequate remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by it, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without showing of actual damages or posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by the Restricted Party, and the exercise of one right or remedy shall not be deemed a waiver of any other right or remedy. The exercise of any right or remedy will be without prejudice to the right to exercise any other right or remedy provided in this Agreement, by law or in equity.

 

Section 8. Representations and Warranties. Each Party represents and warrants to the other Party that: (a) it, he or she has all necessary right, title and authority to enter into this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; (b) this Agreement constitutes valid and binding obligations of such Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and limitations on the availability of equitable remedies; and (c) the execution and delivery by such Party of this Agreement and the performance of and compliance with the terms hereof by such Party does not and will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (ii) constitute a default under, (iii) result in the creation of any lien, security interest, charge, or encumbrance upon such Party’s assets pursuant to, (iv) give any third party the right to modify, terminate, or accelerate any obligation under, (v) result in a violation of, or (vi) require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption, or other action by or notice to any court or administrative or governmental body or any Law that such Party is subject to, or pursuant to any material agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which such Party or any of its Affiliates is subject.

 

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Section 9. Acknowledgment of Voluntary Agreement. The Restricted Party has entered into this Agreement freely and without coercion. The Restricted Party has been advised by Live Oak to consult with counsel of the Restricted Party’s choice with regard to the execution of this Agreement and the Restricted Party’s covenants hereunder. The Restricted Party has had an adequate opportunity to consult with counsel and such other legal, financial, technical or other experts as the Restricted Party deems necessary or desirable and either so consulted or freely determined in the Restricted Party’s own discretion not to so consult with such counsel or other experts. The Restricted Party understands that Live Oak and its Affiliates have been advised by counsel, and the Restricted Party has read this Agreement and fully and completely understands this Agreement and each of the Restricted Party’s representations, warranties, covenants and other agreements hereunder. This Agreement shall be interpreted and construed as having been drafted jointly by the Restricted Party and Live Oak and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto by virtue of the authorship of any or all of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

Section 10. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed between the parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, facsimile number, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066

Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich

Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy, (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Mayer Brown LLP

71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

and

 

Kane Kessler, P.C.

666 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Robert L. Lawrence
Email: rlawrence@kanekessler.com

 

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If to the Restricted Party, to the address set forth on the signature page hereto, with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Stephen Croskrey

[redacted]

 

or to such other individual or address, facsimile number, or email address as a Party may designate for itself by notice given in accordance with this Section 10(b).

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Binding Effect; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the exclusive benefit of the Parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to, nor shall it, confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. The Restricted Party acknowledges and agrees that (i) this Agreement is and shall be binding against it, him or her from and after such execution, and (ii) the Restricted Party’s agreements and liabilities and obligations hereunder are those of the Restricted Party and for the benefit of Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries). Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the Parties without the prior written consent of the other Party; provided that Live Oak may assign this Agreement in whole or in part to any of its Affiliates or to any Person that becomes a successor in interest (by purchase of assets or equity, or by merger or otherwise) to all or any portion of Live Oak or its assets. Each of Live Oak’s Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) will have the right to enforce all of the Restricted Party’s covenants under this Agreement as if a party hereto and shall be express third party beneficiaries hereof.

 

(e) Further Assurances. From time to time, as and when reasonably requested by Live Oak, the Restricted Party shall execute and deliver all such documents and instruments, and shall take all such further or other actions, as shall be reasonably necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent of this Agreement.

 

(f) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

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(g) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of, or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of Law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(h) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 10(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(i) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 10(i).

 

(j) Counterparts; Delivery by Electronic Transmission. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

(k) Definitional Provisions and Interpretation. The captions used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed part of this Agreement or be given any effect in interpreting this Agreement. The use of the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender or the singular or plural form of words in this Agreement shall not limit any provision of this Agreement. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and the parties intend that no rule of strict construction will be applied against any Person. The use of the word “including” or “include” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation and will in all cases mean “including, without limitation” or “include, without limitation,” respectively. The use of “or” is not intended to be exclusive unless expressly indicated otherwise. Underlined references to Sections, clauses, Exhibits or Schedules shall refer to those portions of this Agreement. The use of the terms “hereunder,” “hereof,” “hereto,” and words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section, paragraph, or clause of this Agreement.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  RESTRICTED PARTY:
   
  /s/ Stephen Croskrey
  Name:  Stephen Croskrey
   
  Address for Notice: [redacted]
  Telephone No.: [redacted]
  Facsimile No.: None
  Email Address: [redacted]

 

[Signature Page to Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.16

 

NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT

 

This Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 3, 2020, by and between Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Live Oak”), and John A. Dowdy, III, an individual (the “Restricted Party”). Live Oak and the Restricted Party are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Live Oak, Green Merger Corp., a Georgia corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak (“Merger Sub”), Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. (d/b/a Danimer Scientific), a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), Live Oak Sponsor Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as representative of Live Oak, and John A. Dowdy, Jr., as representative of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholder Representative”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Live Oak;

 

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party is a shareholder of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party will receive a material economic benefit from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Restricted Party has obtained extensive and valuable knowledge, trade and other confidential information of the Business; and

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to and in consideration of Live Oak’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and having reviewed the Merger Agreement and the terms of the proposed Merger, the Restricted Party has agreed to enter into this Agreement effective upon the consummation thereof.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the amounts to be paid by Live Oak to the Restricted Party under and pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Covenant Not to Compete or Solicit.

 

(a) The Restricted Party hereby acknowledges and recognizes the highly competitive nature of the business in which the parties engage. The Restricted Party covenants and agrees that, during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the third (3rd) anniversary of the date hereof (the “Restricted Period”), the Restricted Party shall not directly or indirectly:

 

(i) own, manage, operate, control, have any interest in, financial or otherwise, participate in, consult or perform services for, render services in any form to any Person in, or otherwise carry on, whether as principal, agent, independent contractor, consultant, partner, manager, member, executive, employee, representative or licensor or otherwise, any business that is competitive with the Business in any geographic area throughout the world in which the Company and any of its Subsidiaries has conducted any aspects of the Business during the 12-month period prior to the date hereof (a “Competing Business”) (it being acknowledged by the Restricted Party that the Business has been conducted or is proposed to be conducted throughout such geographic areas and such geographic restriction is reasonable and necessary to protect the value and goodwill of the Business). “Business” means the business of researching, developing, manufacturing, marketing, distributing and selling biodegradable bio-plastic replacements for traditional petroleum-based plastics;

 

 

 

 

(ii) (A) solicit, attempt to solicit, assist in soliciting, directly or indirectly, individually (other than on behalf of Live Oak and its Subsidiaries) or on behalf of a Competing Business, any customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of Live Oak and its Subsidiaries, or induce or encourage, or attempt to induce or encourage, any customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of the Live Oak and its Subsidiaries, in each such case to cease doing business with Live Oak and its Subsidiaries or (B) in any way interfere with the relationship between Live Oak and its Subsidiaries and any current customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, licensee, or other business relation of Live Oak and any of its Subsidiaries; or

 

(iii) (A) solicit or recruit, or attempt to solicit or recruit, any officer, employee, representative, or agent of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries who has been hired or engaged by Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) to leave the employ of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) hire any such individual.

 

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) nothing in Section 1(a)(i) shall prohibit the Restricted Party from being a passive owner of less than five percent (5%) of the outstanding Equity Interests of any Person that is publicly traded, so long as the Restricted Party has no active participation in the business of such Person and (ii) nothing in Section 1(a)(iii) shall prohibit the Restricted Party from (A) making general employment solicitations, not specifically directed at employees of Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries, and hiring any individuals who respond to such solicitations, or (B) soliciting, recruiting, or hiring any individual who has not been employed by the Business for at least six (6) months, so long as the Restricted Party did not have any contact with such individual in violation of Section 1(a)(iii) prior to the end of such individual’s employment with Live Oak or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 2. Confidentiality Obligation. Following the Closing, the Restricted Party shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, keep confidential, not use and not disclose to any Person any confidential or proprietary information relating to the Company and the Business conducted by Live Oak and its Subsidiaries (“Confidential Information”), except to the extent such Confidential Information is required to be disclosed by applicable Law, in which case the Restricted Party shall (i) to the extent permitted by applicable Law, provide Live Oak with prompt written notice of such requirement so that Live Oak may seek, at its sole cost and expense, an appropriate protective order or other remedy or waive compliance, in whole or in part, with this Section 2, (ii) cooperate with Live Oak, at Live Oak’s sole cost and expense, to obtain such protective order or other remedy, (iii) disclose only the portion of that information the Restricted Party is advised by its counsel is legally required to be disclosed, and (iv) use its commercially reasonable efforts to preserve the confidentiality of all information so disclosed.

 

2

 

 

Section 3. Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that (a) this Section 3, Section 7, and Section 10 will survive such termination and (b) no such termination shall relieve Shareholder from Liability for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional or willful breach of this Agreement by the Restricted Party prior to such termination.

 

Section 4. Reasonableness of Covenants. The Restricted Party acknowledges that he or she is sophisticated in business and that the restrictions and remedies set forth in this Agreement do not create an undue hardship and will not prevent him or her from earning a livelihood. The Restricted Party acknowledges that the covenants set forth herein are necessary for the reasonable, proper, and necessary protection of Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) and their legitimate business interests. Such legitimate business interests include (but are not limited to) trade secrets, valuable confidential business information that may not qualify as trade secrets, substantial relationships with numerous existing and prospective vendors, suppliers or customers, and goodwill associated with the trade names of the Business and their specific marketing areas. The Restricted Party acknowledges and agrees that each and every one of the covenants set forth herein is reasonable in respect to scope, subject matter, length of time and geographic area and are intended to be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law. Before providing services, whether as a director, manager, employee, consultant, independent contractor or otherwise, to any Person during the Restricted Period, the Restricted Party shall be required to disclose the existence of this Agreement to such Person, and if requested by such Person, Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) shall be permitted to share a complete copy of this Agreement with such Person or any other Person to which the Restricted Party performs services. Each of the covenants set forth herein has a unique, substantial and immeasurable value to Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries). The Restricted Party acknowledges that Live Oak, in executing the Merger Agreement and the Related Agreements, placed significant reliance on the Restricted Party’s compliance with the covenants in this Agreement. In the event of any litigation relating to this Agreement, the prevailing Party as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order shall be entitled to seek reimbursement from the non-prevailing Party for its reasonable, documented and out-of-pocket costs and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, incurred in connection with such litigation, including any appeal therefrom.

 

Section 5. Reformation. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any covenant in this Agreement is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under applicable Law, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such covenant may be modified or amended by such court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under applicable Law, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision of this Agreement or the enforceability of this Agreement.

 

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Section 6. Tolling. In the event of any final determination by a court of competent jurisdiction of any breach of the provisions of this Agreement by the Restricted Party, the Restricted Period shall be extended by a period of time equal to the period of such breach, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the running of the Restricted Period shall be tolled and suspended for the duration of such breach and shall automatically recommence when such breach if remedied so that Live Oak shall receive the full benefit of the compliance by the Restricted Party with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that this Section 6 shall not apply to any period for which Live Oak is awarded and receives actual monetary damages for breach by the Restricted Party of any breach of the provisions of this Agreement with respect to which this Section 6 applies.

 

Section 7. Remedies; Equitable Relief. The Restricted Party agrees that this Agreement shall be enforced independently of any obligations between Live Oak and the Company under the Merger Agreement and the Related Agreements, and that the existence of any claim or defense under such other agreements shall not affect the enforceability of the provisions of this Agreement or the remedies provided herein. The Restricted Party acknowledges that (a) money damages may be an insufficient or inadequate remedy for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by it, (b) any such breach may cause Live Oak irreparable harm, and (c) in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, Live Oak will be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of injunction, specific performance, or otherwise, without showing of actual damages or posting any bond or other undertaking, for any actual or threatened breach of this Agreement by the Restricted Party, and the exercise of one right or remedy shall not be deemed a waiver of any other right or remedy. The exercise of any right or remedy will be without prejudice to the right to exercise any other right or remedy provided in this Agreement, by law or in equity.

 

Section 8. Representations and Warranties. Each Party represents and warrants to the other Party that: (a) it, he or she has all necessary right, title and authority to enter into this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; (b) this Agreement constitutes valid and binding obligations of such Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and limitations on the availability of equitable remedies; and (c) the execution and delivery by such Party of this Agreement and the performance of and compliance with the terms hereof by such Party does not and will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (ii) constitute a default under, (iii) result in the creation of any lien, security interest, charge, or encumbrance upon such Party’s assets pursuant to, (iv) give any third party the right to modify, terminate, or accelerate any obligation under, (v) result in a violation of, or (vi) require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption, or other action by or notice to any court or administrative or governmental body or any Law that such Party is subject to, or pursuant to any material agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which such Party or any of its Affiliates is subject.

 

4

 

 

Section 9. Acknowledgment of Voluntary Agreement. The Restricted Party has entered into this Agreement freely and without coercion. The Restricted Party has been advised by Live Oak to consult with counsel of the Restricted Party’s choice with regard to the execution of this Agreement and the Restricted Party’s covenants hereunder. The Restricted Party has had an adequate opportunity to consult with counsel and such other legal, financial, technical or other experts as the Restricted Party deems necessary or desirable and either so consulted or freely determined in the Restricted Party’s own discretion not to so consult with such counsel or other experts. The Restricted Party understands that Live Oak and its Affiliates have been advised by counsel, and the Restricted Party has read this Agreement and fully and completely understands this Agreement and each of the Restricted Party’s representations, warranties, covenants and other agreements hereunder. This Agreement shall be interpreted and construed as having been drafted jointly by the Restricted Party and Live Oak and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto by virtue of the authorship of any or all of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

Section 10. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Amendments. The Parties may amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement only by a written agreement signed between the parties.

 

(b) Notices. Any notice, request, instruction, or other communication to be given under this Agreement by a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to the other Party (i) when delivered, if delivered in person or by overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (ii) when sent, if sent via email, provided, however, that no undeliverable message is received by the sender, or (iii) when received, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the address, facsimile number, or email address of such Party set forth below and marked to the attention of the designated individual:

 

If to Live Oak, to:

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.
774A Walker Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066

Attention: Rick Hendrix; Gary Wunderlich

Email: rhendrix@liveoakmp.com; gwunderlich@liveoakmp.com

 

with a copy, (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Mayer Brown LLP

71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Edward S. Best
Email: ebest@mayerbrown.com

 

and

 

Kane Kessler, P.C.

666 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Robert L. Lawrence
Email: rlawrence@kanekessler.com

 

5

 

 

If to the Restricted Party, to the address set forth on the signature page hereto, with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

John A. Dowdy, III

[redacted]

 

or to such other individual or address, facsimile number, or email address as a Party may designate for itself by notice given in accordance with this Section 10(b).

 

(c) Waivers. No failure or delay by Live Oak in enforcing any of its rights under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of Live Oak’s rights will be deemed to preclude any other or further exercise of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement. No waiver of any of Live Oak’s rights under this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Live Oak.

 

(d) Binding Effect; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the exclusive benefit of the Parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to, nor shall it, confer on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. The Restricted Party acknowledges and agrees that (i) this Agreement is and shall be binding against it, him or her from and after such execution, and (ii) the Restricted Party’s agreements and liabilities and obligations hereunder are those of the Restricted Party and for the benefit of Live Oak and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries). Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the Parties without the prior written consent of the other Party; provided that Live Oak may assign this Agreement in whole or in part to any of its Affiliates or to any Person that becomes a successor in interest (by purchase of assets or equity, or by merger or otherwise) to all or any portion of Live Oak or its assets. Each of Live Oak’s Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) will have the right to enforce all of the Restricted Party’s covenants under this Agreement as if a party hereto and shall be express third party beneficiaries hereof.

 

(e) Further Assurances. From time to time, as and when reasonably requested by Live Oak, the Restricted Party shall execute and deliver all such documents and instruments, and shall take all such further or other actions, as shall be reasonably necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent of this Agreement.

 

(f) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, (i) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend or modify this Agreement to replace such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision giving effect to the Parties’ intent to the maximum extent permitted by Law.

 

6

 

 

(g) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action that are based on, arise out of, or relate to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of Law rules and any other Law that would cause the application of the Laws (including the statute of limitations) of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(h) Jurisdiction, Service, and Venue. Each Party agrees: (i) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts seated in New York County, New York (and any appellate courts thereof) (such courts, including appellate courts therefrom, the “Specified Courts”) for any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement only in the Specified Courts; (iii) that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such Party’s address set forth in Section 10(b) will be effective service of process for any Proceeding brought against such Party in any of the Specified Courts; (iv) to waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the Specified Courts; and (v) to waive and not to plead or claim that any such Proceeding brought in any of the Specified Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(i) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 10(i).

 

(j) Counterparts; Delivery by Electronic Transmission. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

(k) Definitional Provisions and Interpretation. The captions used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed part of this Agreement or be given any effect in interpreting this Agreement. The use of the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender or the singular or plural form of words in this Agreement shall not limit any provision of this Agreement. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and the parties intend that no rule of strict construction will be applied against any Person. The use of the word “including” or “include” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation and will in all cases mean “including, without limitation” or “include, without limitation,” respectively. The use of “or” is not intended to be exclusive unless expressly indicated otherwise. Underlined references to Sections, clauses, Exhibits or Schedules shall refer to those portions of this Agreement. The use of the terms “hereunder,” “hereof,” “hereto,” and words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section, paragraph, or clause of this Agreement.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  LIVE OAK ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Richard J. Hendrix
  Name:  Richard J. Hendrix
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  RESTRICTED PARTY:
   
  /s/ John A Dowdy, III
  Name:  John A. Dowdy, III
   
  Address for Notice: [redacted]
  Telephone No.: [redacted]
  Facsimile No.: none
  Email Address: [redacted]

 

[Signature Page to Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.17

 

LOAN AGREEMENT

 

This LOAN AGREEMENT is made and entered into by and among CARVER DEVELOPMENT CDE VI, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company (the “Carver Lender”), ST CDE LXII, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company (the “ST Lender”, and together with Carver Lender, each a “Lender”, and collectively, the “Lenders”), and DANIMER SCIENTIFIC MANUFACTURING, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”), as of April 25, 2019 (the “Effective Date”).

 

W-I-T-N-E-S-S-E-T-H

 

For valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions. The following terms shall have the following definitions for purposes of this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents:

 

1.1. “Accounts” has the meaning set forth in the UCC.

 

1.2. “Advance” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

 

1.3. “Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any other Person: (a) that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person; (b) that directly or indirectly beneficially owns or holds ten percent (10%) or more of any class of voting stock or membership interests (units) of such Person; or (c) ten percent (10%) or more of the voting stock or membership interests (units) of which is directly or indirectly beneficially owned or held by the Person in question. The term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise; provided, however, in no event shall the Lenders be deemed an Affiliate of the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries.

 

1.4. “Allocatees” means, collectively, the Carver Allocatee and the ST Allocatee.

 

1.5. “Allocation Agreement” means, collectively, the Carver Allocation Agreement and the ST Allocation Agreement.

 

1.6. “Anti-Terrorism Laws” means all laws relating to terrorism or money laundering, including, without limitation, the Executive Order and the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by the USA Patriot Act.

 

1.7. “Applicable Law” means the constitutions, statutes, codes, ordinances, rules, regulations, orders, decisions, judgments, and decrees of Governmental Authorities of the State of Georgia and other Governmental Authorities having jurisdiction over the Borrower or the Collateral.

 

 

 

 

1.8. “Assignment of Equipment Contracts” means that certain Assignment of Equipment Contracts, dated as of the Effective Date, by Borrower in favor of Lenders.

 

1.9. “Average Value” means the average cost Basis of Borrower’s owned property and the reasonable value of its leased property during a Taxable Year.

 

1.10. “Baker Tilly” means Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP, an Illinois limited liability partnership.

 

1.11. “Bankruptcy Code” means the United States Bankruptcy Code or like provision of law.

 

1.12. “Basis” means the unadjusted basis, as determined for federal income tax purposes.

 

1.13. “Books and Records” means all books, records, files, correspondence, books of account and ledgers, all electronically recorded data, computer programs and records, customer lists, vendor lists, invoices, orders, and other accounting materials, together with the file cabinets or other receptacles and containers for any of the foregoing, that may relate to the Collateral.

 

1.14. “Borrower” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Loan Agreement.

 

1.15. “Business” means Borrower’s trade or business that consists solely of the leasehold ownership, equipping and operation of the Project.

 

1.16. “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to close, in Savannah, Georgia or Atlanta, Georgia.

 

1.17. “Carver Allocatee” means Carver Financial Corporation, a Georgia corporation.

 

1.18. “Carver Allocation Agreement” means that certain Allocation Agreement with respect to the Tax Credits awarded to Carver Allocatee pursuant to the 2017 Round of New Markets Tax Credits Allocation Authority, with an effective date of May 7, 2018, as amended on September 20, 2018, by and among the CDFI Fund, Carver Allocatee, and certain subsidiaries of Carver Allocatee, including Carver Lender, as further amended from time to time.

 

1.19. “Carver Bank” means Carver State Bank, a Georgia banking corporation.

 

1.20. “Carver Loan A” means the loan in the original principal amount of $4,901,400 made by Carver Lender to Borrower pursuant to this Loan Agreement and shall include the principal, accrued interest, and Fees and Expenses related thereto.

 

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1.21. “Carver Loan B” means the loan in the original principal amount of $2,098,600 made by Carver Lender to Borrower pursuant to this Loan Agreement and shall include the principal, accrued interest, and Fees and Expenses related thereto.

 

1.22. “Carver Reserve Account” means that certain deposit account number 146605 in Borrower's name at Carver Bank.

 

1.23. “Carver Reserve Account Pledge and Control Agreement” means that certain Account Pledge and Control Agreement (Carver Reserve Account) dated as of the Effective Date, by and between Borrower, Carver Lender, and Carver Bank, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

1.24. “Casualty” means any act or occurrence of any kind or nature that results in material damage, loss or destruction to the Collateral that will have a material adverse effect on Borrower’s ability to repay the Loans.

 

1.25. “CDFI Fund” means the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund of the United States Department of Treasury, or any successor agency charged with oversight responsibility for the New Markets Tax Credit program.

 

1.26. “Census Tract” means census tract number 13087970300 for the 2011-2015 American Community Survey.

 

1.27. “Change in Control” means the shareholders of Borrower as of the Effective Date collectively shall cease to own, beneficially and of record, directly or indirectly (including economic interests associated therewith) at least a majority of the shareholder interests of Borrower.

 

1.28. “Chattel Paper” has the meaning set forth in the UCC.

 

1.29. “Closing Flow of Funds Memorandum” means that certain Funds Flow Memorandum among the Borrower, the Lenders, the Investment Fund, and certain other parties thereto, dated as of the Effective Date.

 

1.30. “Collateral” means, with respect to Borrower, Borrower’s UCC Collateral, and all other security of Borrower for Borrower’s Obligations granted pursuant to the Loan Documents, as well as all additions, accessions, and substitutions thereto or therefor, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and all proceeds thereof, including, but not limited to, that certain equipment identified in Exhibit A to the Equipment Purchase Agreement.

 

1.31. “Collectibles” means any work of art, any rug or antique, any metal or gem, any stamp or coin, any alcoholic beverage, any musical instrument, or any historical object (documents, clothes, etc.), or as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 408(m)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, other than Collectibles that are held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business.

 

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1.32. “Community Benefits Agreement” means that certain Community Benefits Agreement dated as of the Effective Date, by and between Lenders and Borrower.

 

1.33. “Compliance Period” means the period beginning on the date the Investment Fund made the first “qualified equity investment” (as defined in Section 45D of the Internal Revenue Code) in a Lender and ending seven (7) years from the date of which the Investment Fund makes the last “qualified equity investment” in a Lender.

 

1.34. “Covered Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.21.

 

1.35. “Debt” means and refers to the total of all obligations of a Person, whether current or long-term, which in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles would be included as liabilities upon the Financial Reports of a Person at the date as of which Debt is to be determined, and shall also include (i) all capital lease obligations whether for equipment or real property and (ii) all guarantees, endorsements (other than for collection of instruments in the ordinary course of business), or other arrangements whereby responsibility is assumed for the obligations of others, whether by agreement to purchase or otherwise acquire the obligations of others, including any agreement contingent or otherwise to furnish funds through the purchase of goods, supplies, or services for the purposes of payment of the obligations of others; provided however, obligations of a Person relating to accounts payable of the Person which were incurred in the ordinary course of business shall not be included in this definition of Debt.

 

1.36. “Default Proceeds” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.5.

 

1.37. “Default Rate” means the lesser of (i) an amount of interest equal to five percent (5%) in excess of the Interest Rate, or (ii) the Highest Rate.

 

1.38. “Disbursement” means disbursements by or on behalf of Borrower from the Disbursement Account for Project Costs.

 

1.39. “Disbursement Account” means that certain deposit account number 1000214573056 in Borrower's name at ST Bank, into which a portion of the proceeds of the Loans will be deposited and from which Disbursements will be made.

 

1.40. “Disbursement Account Control Agreement” means that certain Depository Account Control Agreement (Disbursement Account) dated as of the Effective Date, by and among Borrower, the Lenders, and ST Bank, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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1.41. “Disbursement Account Pledge Agreement” means that certain Assignment and Pledge of Deposit Account (Disbursement Account) dated as of the Effective Date, by and between Borrower, the Lenders, and ST Bank, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

1.42. “Disbursing Agreement” means that certain Disbursing Agreement, dated on or about the Effective Date, by and among Borrower, Lenders, and ST Bank, as may be amended from time to time.

 

1.43. “DSH” means Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

1.44. “Environmental Indemnity Agreement” means that certain Environmental Indemnity Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date, entered into by Borrower and Guarantor in favor of the Lenders regarding the indemnification of the Lenders for environmental conditions on the Real Property.

 

1.45. “Equipment” has the meaning set forth in the UCC.

 

1.46. “Equipment Purchase Agreement” means that certain Equipment Purchase Agreement between Borrower and Guarantor dated as of April [__], 2019.

 

1.47. “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

1.48. “Event of Default” means those acts, omissions, conditions, occurrences, happenings and events referred to in Section 7 of this Loan Agreement.

 

1.49. “Executive Order” means Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing, effective September 23, 2001, including the Annex thereto, as amended from time to time.

 

1.50. “Fees and Expenses” means reasonable and documented: (a) late fees; (b) origination fees, if any; (c) expenses relating to curing the title of the Lenders, Borrower or any other Person to the Collateral; (d) closing fees and expenses; (e) appraisal fees; (f) title and Lien searches; (g) all expenses relating to the perfection of the Liens of the Lenders in and to the Collateral; (h) all expenses relating to the preservation and protection of the Liens of the Lenders in and to the Collateral; (i) recording fees; (j) recording taxes; (k) all expenses actually incurred relating to maintaining the priority of the Liens of the Lenders; (1) all expenses incurred or paid by the Lenders while the Collateral shall be in the possession of the Lenders; (m) attorneys’ fees and third party costs incurred or paid by the Lenders or the Investment Fund during the negotiation, execution, preparation, closing, satisfaction or disposition of this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents; (n) attorneys’ fees and third party costs incurred or paid by the Lenders to enforce, interpret, or modify any provision of this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents; (o) attorneys’ fees incurred or paid by the Lenders if the Lenders shall file or commence any Litigation to protect their rights or to enforce any provision of this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents; (p) accounting fees; (q) travel expenses; (r) other fees and expenses identified in this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents (including those fees described in Section 2.5 of this Loan Agreement); (s) fees imposed by the CDFI Fund on Lenders or Allocatees, as applicable, in connection with their Allocation Agreements; (t) expenses incurred or paid by the Lenders on behalf of Borrower; (u) third-party expenses associated with the Loans in addition to or in excess of the amounts shown in the Financial Projections for the Lenders’ annual audits, the preparation of annual and interim financial statements, the preparation of tax returns and the preparation and submission of compliance reports to the CDFI Fund, if applicable, for each calendar year through and including the calendar year of disposition of the Loans by the Lenders (including, such costs incurred by the Lenders or the Investment Fund in the succeeding year with respect to the year of disposition) but only to the extent directly attributable to the Loans; and (v) Lenders Fees and Expenses.

 

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1.51. “Fee and Services Agreement” means that certain Fee and Services Agreement (Loan Servicing and Compliance), dated as of the Effective Date, by and among, Borrower, Baker Tilly, and VAF.

 

1.52. “Financial Projections” means the financial projections, prepared by Baker Tilly, marked final and dated as of the Effective Date.

 

1.53. “Financial Reports” means all of the financial statements, balance sheets, income statements, statements of owners’ equity, and statements of cash flow and all other documents delivered by, or on behalf of, Borrower to the Lenders.

 

1.54. “Financing Statement” means, collectively, the UCC-1 financing statements to be filed and recorded pursuant to this Loan Agreement to perfect the Liens of the Lenders in all or part of the UCC Collateral of Borrower.

 

1.55. “Fund Expenses” means extraordinary out-of-pocket costs and expenses actually incurred by or on behalf of the Investment Fund on account of or in connection with the Loans, including amounts required to pay (i) costs incurred in connection with the enforcement, collection or “workout” of the Loans and/or to make protective advances in connection with the Loans and/or the sale, acquisition, operation, and disposition of any collateral for any such Loans, (ii) costs incurred in connection with the reinvestment of any amounts received by a Lender which are required to be reinvested under Section 45D of the Internal Revenue Code, including costs and expenses of third parties incurred in connection with identifying, performing due diligence with respect to, documenting and/or consummating any investment by such Lender, (iii) costs incurred in any litigation or other judicial or administrative proceeding to which a Lender or the Investment Fund may be subject (except disputes between a Lender and the Investment Fund or its investor member, which such dispute does not relate to any act or omission of the Borrower or Guarantor in violation of the Loan Documents), (iv) legal and accounting fees and expenses incurred in connection with the amendment, administration, enforcement, and collection of the Loans, but exclusive of fees for bookkeeping, accounting, audit and tax preparation, and other similar services relating to the affairs of the Investment Fund, and (v) income, franchise or withholding taxes incurred in connection with Lender’s Loans and the Investment Fund’s investment in the Lenders.

 

1.56. “General Intangibles” has the meaning set forth in the UCC.

 

1.57. “Governmental Authority” means any executive, legislative, and judicial body, and any agency, department, board, commission, council, court, tribunal, official, or other entity exercising governmental or quasi-governmental powers, of the United States of America, the State of Georgia, and any other nation, state, county, parish, city, community, town, borough, village, district or other jurisdiction having jurisdiction over a Party or the Collateral.

 

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1.58. “Governmental Authorization” means any permit, franchise, certificate, registration, or license issued, granted, given or otherwise made available by or under the authority of any Governmental Authority or pursuant to any Applicable Law.

 

1.59. “Ground Lease” means that certain Sublease between Guarantor, as sublessor, and Borrower, as sublessee, dated as of March 13, 2019.

 

1.60. “Guarantor” means Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., a Georgia corporation.

 

1.61. “Guaranty” means that certain Payment Guaranty dated as of the Effective Date, by Guarantor in favor of the Lenders.

 

1.62. “Hazardous Materials” has the meaning set forth in the Environmental Indemnity Agreement.

 

1.63. “Hazardous Waste Law” has the meaning set forth in the Environmental Indemnity Agreement.

 

1.64. “Highest Rate” means the highest rate of interest that may be charged pursuant to the laws of the State of Georgia.

 

1.65. “Improvements” means the commercial demonstration plant and all other improvements, equipment, and fixtures located or to be located at the Leased Space.

 

1.66. “Interest Rate” means with respect to each of the Loans, the rate set in the applicable Promissory Note, or the Highest Rate, whichever shall be less. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Lenders may increase the Interest Rate on the outstanding and unpaid principal amount of the Loans in default to an amount equal to the Default Rate, until the Obligations shall be paid in full.

 

1.67. “Internal Revenue Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor thereto.

 

1.68. “Inventory” has the meaning set forth in the UCC.

 

1.69. “Investment Fund” means Danimer Bainbridge Investment Fund, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company, as the investor member of the Lenders.

 

1.70. “Investor” means SunTrust Community Capital, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company, and its successors and assigns, as the sole member of the Investment Fund.

 

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1.71. “Leased Space” means the portion of the Real Property leased to Borrower pursuant to the Ground Lease, further described on Exhibit F attached hereto and incorporated herein for all purposes.

 

1.72. “Leases” means any and all leases, subleases, licenses and other agreements now or hereafter entered into granting to any Person the right to occupy any portion of the Project between Borrower or any of Borrower’s subtenants, as lessor, and a Tenant, as lessee.

 

1.73. “Lenders” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Loan Agreement.

 

1.74. “Lenders Fees and Expenses” are the fees and expenses described in Section 2.5.

 

1.75. “Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lease, conditional sale or title retention agreement, hypothecation, right of way, easement, encroachment, servitude, charge, claim, option, right of first option, right of first refusal, equitable interest, community or marital property interest, dower or curtesy, and any other legal or equitable lien or restriction on use of any nature or character whatsoever.

 

1.76. “Litigation” means any pending or threatened lawsuit, action, cause of action, claim for relief, mediation, arbitration, governmental investigation, audit, contest or other legal proceeding of any nature or character whatsoever.

 

1.77. “Loan Agreement” means this agreement.

 

1.78. “Loan Documents” means this Loan Agreement, the Schedules and Exhibits to this Loan Agreement, the Promissory Notes, the Carver Reserve Account Pledge and Control Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Environmental Indemnity Agreement, the Financing Statement, the Guaranty, Disbursing Agreement, the Disbursement Account Pledge Agreement, the Disbursement Account Control Agreement, the Reimbursement and Compliance Agreement, the Community Benefits Agreement, the ST Reserve Account Control Agreement, the ST Reserve Account Pledge Agreement, the Assignment of Equipment Contracts, the Negative Pledge, and all other documents that may be made, executed, acknowledged, delivered, filed, or recorded in connection with this Loan Agreement or the Loans.

 

1.79. “Loans” means, collectively, Carver Loan A, ST Loan A, Carver Loan B, and ST Loan B.

 

1.80. “Low-Income Community” shall have the same meaning as set forth in Section 45D of the Internal Revenue Code and Section 1.45D-1 of the Treasury Regulations.

 

1.81. “Material Adverse Change” means: (a) a material adverse change in the operation or prospect of the business, properties, assets, revenues, expenses, or financial condition of Borrower; or (b) a material impairment of the ability of Borrower to comply with the provisions of this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents.

 

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1.82. “Material Contract” means each contract material to conducting the business of Borrower to which Borrower is a party, including, but not limited to, the Tolling Agreement, R&D Agreement, the PHA Agreement, and the Equipment Purchase Agreement.

 

1.83. “Maturity Date” means [September 30, 2048].

 

1.84. “Meredian Bioplastics” means Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation.

 

1.85. “Negative Pledge” means that certain Memorandum of Negative Pledge, dated as of the Effective Date, by and between Borrower and Lenders.

 

1.86. “NMTC Control” means “control” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.45D-1(d)(6)(ii)(B) as the direct or indirect ownership (based on value) or control (based on voting or “management rights”) of more than fifty percent (50%) of an entity. For this purpose, the term “management rights” means the power to influence the management policies or investment decisions of the entity.

 

1.87. “NMTC Program Requirements” means, collectively, the provisions of Section 45D of the Internal Revenue Code, the Treasury Regulations and related published rulings issued by the Internal Revenue Service, and guidance, rules or procedures published by the CDFI Fund, and the Allocation Agreements.

 

1.88. “NMTC Recapture Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.30.2.

 

1.89. “Nonqualified Financial Property” means cash, cash equivalents, debt, stock, partnership interests, limited liability company interests, options, futures contracts, forward contacts, warrants, notional principal contracts, annuities, and other similar property as described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.45D-1(d)(4)(i)(E); provided, however, Nonqualified Financial Property shall not include (1) reasonable amounts of working capital held in cash, cash equivalents, or debt instruments with a term of eighteen (18) months or less, or (2) “debt instruments” described in Section 1221(a)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. For purposes of this definition, the proceeds of a capital or equity investment or loan by the Lenders that will be expended for construction of real property within twelve (12) months after the date the investments or loan is made shall be treated as a reasonable amount of working capital.

 

1.90. “Obligations” means collectively: (a) the prompt and complete payment of the principal and accrued interest of the Loans and Fees and Expenses as and when required pursuant to this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents and any and all extensions, modifications, amendments, substitutions, replacements, and renewals thereof; (b) the prompt and complete performance of each and every obligation of Borrower pursuant to this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents; (c) the payment of each indebtedness and the performance of each obligation of Borrower to the Lenders whether now existing or hereafter arising, voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation of law or otherwise, joint or several, primary or subordinate, absolute or contingent, or liquidated or un-liquidated.

 

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1.91. “OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the U.S. Treasury Department and shall be deemed to include any successor agency thereof.

 

1.92. “Party” means the Lenders or Borrower.

 

1.93. “Permitted Liens” means (i) Project Leases and the Liens granted by Borrower to the Lenders in connection with the Loans, (ii) encumbrances arising by law, including mechanics’, materialmen’s, workers’, repairmen’s, warehousemen’s, carriers’ or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business for amounts not yet due or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are being maintained, (iii) liens for unpaid Taxes contested in good faith and for which Borrower has established adequate reserves with respect to the contested claim, (iv) purchase money Liens granted by Borrower and limited in each case to the property purchased with the proceeds of such purchase money indebtedness and the proceeds thereof; and (v) zoning restrictions, easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, and other similar encumbrances affecting real property that do not in any case materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto for its intended purposes or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of Borrower or which individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

1.94. “Person” means any entity, corporation, company, association, limited liability company, joint venture, joint stock company, partnership, trust, organization, individual (including personal representatives, executors, and heirs of a deceased individual), Governmental Authority, trustee, and receiver, or liquidator.

 

1.95. “PHA Agreement” means that certain PHA Production Agreement between Borrower and DSH dated as of April [__], 2019.

 

1.96. “Prohibited Person” means any of the following:

 

(a) a Person that is listed in the Annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, the Executive Order;

 

(b) a Person owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, any Person that is listed in the Annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, the Executive Order;

 

(c) a Person whom the Lenders are prohibited from dealing or otherwise engaging in any transaction by any Anti-Terrorism Law;

 

(d) a Person who or that commits, threatens, or conspires to commit or supports “terrorism,” as defined in the Executive Order; or

 

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(e) a Person that is named as a “specially designated national and blocked person” on the most current list published by OFAC at its official web site or any replacement website or other replacement official publication of such list.

 

1.97. “Project” means (a) the (i) equipping and operating by Borrower of a commercial demonstration plant (“CDP”), which includes the manufacture of polyhydroxyalkanoate resins, (ii) operating by Borrower of an extruder to process materials into final formulations, and (iii) providing by Borrower of testing and product development services through its research and development department, in each case to be purchased by DSH, for itself or on behalf of any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, (b) the purchase or reimbursement by Borrower from Guarantor of certain equipment for use in the CDP, and (c) the purchase by Borrower from Meredian Bioplastics of raw materials inventory, all of which will be located within the premises located at 140 Industrial Boulevard, Bainbridge, GA, 39817, to be subleased by Guarantor to Borrower.

 

1.98. “Project Costs” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5.

 

1.99. “Project Leases” means, collectively, the Store Ground Lease and the Ground Lease.

 

1.100. “Promissory Notes” means the promissory notes evidencing the Loans.

 

1.101. “Property” means any and all of Borrower’ property or assets, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.

 

1.102. “QALICB” means a “qualified active low-income community business” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.45D-1(d)(4).

 

1.103. “QEI” means a capital contribution made by the Investment Fund to a Lender that constitutes a “qualified equity investment” as such term is defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.45D-1(c).

 

1.104. “QLICI” means a “qualified low-income community investment” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.45D-1(d)

 

1.105. “Qualified Business” means any trade or business except (a) the rental of (i) Residential Rental Property, or (ii) real property unless there are substantial improvements located on the real property; (b) any trade or business consisting predominantly of the development or holding of intangibles for sale or license or the rental of real property to a Tenant for such use; (c) any trade or business consisting of the operation of any private or commercial golf course, country club, massage parlor, hot tub facility, suntan facility, racetrack or other facility used for gambling, or any store the principal business of which is the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption off premises; or (d) any trade or business the principal activity of which is farming (within the meaning of Section 2032A(e)(5)(A) or (B) of the Internal Revenue Code).

 

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1.106. “R&D Agreement” means that certain Research and Development Services Agreement between Borrower and DSH dated as of April [__], 2019.

 

1.107. “Real Property” means that certain building and related real property located at 140 Industrial Boulevard, Bainbridge, Georgia, further described on Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein for all purposes.

 

1.108. “Residential Rental Property” shall have the meaning given in Section 168(e)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, and includes any building or structure if eighty percent (80%) or more of the gross rental income from such building or structure for the taxable year is rental income from “dwelling units.” For such purpose, a “dwelling unit” means a house or apartment used to provide living accommodations in a building or structure, but does not include a unit in a hotel, motel, or other establishment more than one half (1/2) of the units in which are used on a transient basis. If any portion of the building or structure is occupied by the taxpayer, the gross rental income for such building or structure includes the rental value of the portion so occupied.

 

1.109. “Security Agreement” means the Security Agreement executed and delivered by the Borrower to Lenders pursuant to this Loan Agreement.

 

1.110. “ST Allocatee” means SunTrust Community Development Enterprises, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company.

 

1.111. “ST Allocation Agreement” means that certain Allocation Agreement with respect to the Tax Credits awarded to ST Allocatee pursuant to the 2017 Round of New Markets Tax Credits Allocation Authority, with an effective date of May 18, 2018, by and among the CDFI Fund, ST Allocatee, and certain subsidiaries of ST Allocatee, including ST Lender, as amended from time to time.

 

1.112. “ST Bank” means SunTrust Bank, a Georgia banking corporation.

 

1.113. “ST Lender Expenses” means all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of ST Lender in excess of the expenses reflected as expenses or obligations of ST Lender in the Financial Projections, including, but not limited to out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by ST Lender or Investment Fund in connection with any modification to the Loan Documents requested by Borrower, and costs and expenses incurred by a third-party workout specialist hired by Lenders in the event of a default by Borrower under the Loan Documents.

 

1.114. “ST Loan A” means the loan in the original principal amount of $1,360,400 made by ST Lender to Borrower pursuant to this Loan Agreement and shall include the principal, accrued interest, and Fees and Expenses related thereto.

 

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1.115. “ST Loan B” means the loan in the original principal amount of $639,600 made by ST Lender to Borrower pursuant to this Loan Agreement and shall include the principal, accrued interest, and Fees and Expenses related thereto.

 

1.116. “ST Reserve Account” means that certain deposit account number 1000214573064 in Borrower's name at ST Bank.

 

1.117. “ST Reserve Account Control Agreement” means that certain Depository Account Control Agreement (ST Reserve Account) dated as of the Effective Date, by and between Borrower, ST Lender, and ST Bank, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

1.118. “ST Reserve Account Pledge Agreement” means that certain Assignment and Pledge of Deposit Account (ST Reserve Account) dated as of the Effective Date, by and between Borrower, ST Lender, and ST Bank, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

1.119. “Store Ground Lease” means that certain Master Lease Agreement between Store Capital Acquisitions, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as lessor, and Guarantor, as lessee dated as of December 14, 2018.

 

1.120. “Tangible Property” means any interest in any kind of tangible property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed.

 

1.121. “Tax” or “Taxes” means all federal, state, local and foreign taxes, and other assessments of a similar nature (whether imposed directly or through withholding) including, but not limited to, income, excise, property, ad valorem, sales, use (or any similar taxes), occupation, gains, transfer, conveyance, franchise, payroll, employment, value-added, withholding, Social Security, business license fees, customs, duties and other taxes, assessments, charges, or other fees imposed by a Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax, or penalties applicable thereto.

 

1.122. “Tax Credits” means the federal “new markets tax credit” allowed pursuant to Section 45D of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

1.123. “Tax Return” or “Tax Returns” means any federal, state, local or foreign return, declaration, statement, report, schedule, form, information return, or claim for refund relating to Taxes, including any amendment thereof.

 

1.124. “Taxable Year” means Borrower’s taxable year for federal income tax purposes, which ends on December 31.

 

1.125. “Tenant” means any Person who may now or hereafter hold a leasehold interest in the Leased Space leased by Borrower.

 

1.126. “Tenant Qualified Business” means any trade or business of a Tenant except (i) any trade or business consisting of the rental of Residential Rental Property, or (ii) the operation of any private or commercial golf course, country club, massage parlor, hot tub facility, suntan facility, race track or other facility used for gambling, any store the principal business of which is the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption off premises.

 

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1.127. “Tolling Agreement” means that certain Toll Processing Agreement, dated as of April [___], 2019, by and between Borrower and DSH.

 

1.128. “Treasury Regulations” means and includes any proposed, temporary, and/or final regulations promulgated from time to time under the Internal Revenue Code.

 

1.129. “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of Georgia, or to the extent that by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the perfection or priority of Lenders’ security interest in the Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of Georgia, the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in such other jurisdiction.

 

1.130. “UCC Collateral” means the Accounts, Books and Records, Chattel Paper, Equipment, General Intangibles, Inventory, all other property described in the Security Agreement, and all additions, accessions, substitutions, and replacements thereto, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower and all proceeds thereof.

 

1.131. “USA Patriot Act” shall mean the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Pub. L. No. 107 56, 115 Stat. 272 (2001), as amended from time to time.

 

1.132. “VAF” means The Valued Advisor Fund, LLC, an Illinois limited liability company.

 

The above definitions shall apply to all uses of the above terms including the singular, plural, and possessive, and the past, present, and future tense.

 

2. Loans. In reliance upon the representations, warranties, and covenants of Borrower and subject to the provisions of this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents, the Lenders shall make loans to Borrower as follows:

 

2.1. Loans.

 

2.1.1. Carver Loan A. The original principal amount of Carver Loan A shall be Four Million Nine Hundred One Thousand Four Hundred and 00/100 U.S. Dollars ($4,901,400.00).

 

2.1.2. Carver Loan B. The original principal amount of Carver Loan B shall be Two Million Ninety-Eight Thousand Six Hundred and 00/100 U.S. Dollars ($2,098,600.00).

 

2.1.3. ST Loan A. The original principal amount of ST Loan A shall be One Million Three Hundred Sixty Thousand Four Hundred and 00/100 U.S. Dollars ($1,360,400.00).

 

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2.1.4. ST Loan B. The original principal amount of ST Loan B shall be Six Hundred Thirty-Nine Thousand Six Hundred and 00/100 U.S. Dollars ($639,600.00).

 

2.1.5. Interest. The outstanding and unpaid principal shall bear interest at the Interest Rate beginning on the Effective Date and continuing until the outstanding and unpaid principal and Fees and Expenses shall be paid in full. Interest shall be calculated on the basis of a year consisting of three hundred sixty (360) days based on thirty (30) day months. In no event shall the interest rate charged under the Loans exceed the Highest Rate. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Lenders may increase the Interest Rate on the outstanding and unpaid principal to an amount equal to the Default Rate, until the Obligations shall be paid in full.

 

2.1.6. Late Charges. If any payment of interest, principal, Fees and Expenses, or other amounts due and owing under the Loan Documents are not paid within ten (10) days after the same shall be due, Borrower shall pay a late charge of five percent (5%) of the late payment; provided, however, that no late charges shall be imposed in excess of amounts allowed under Applicable Law.

 

2.2. Single Advance. Subject to the provisions of this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents, the Loans shall be disbursed to Borrower in a single advance (the “Advance”) on the Effective Date and deposited into the Disbursement Account, the Carver Reserve Account, and the ST Reserve Account, and used to pay related transaction costs in accordance with the Closing Flow of Funds Memorandum. Disbursements from the Disbursement Account will be made in accordance with the terms of the Disbursing Agreement.

 

2.3. Payment. Principal shall be payable, and interest shall accrue and be payable, for the period of time outstanding, in accordance with the terms of the Promissory Notes. Payments of accrued interest and principal on each Loan hereunder shall be made on such dates, and in such manner, as are set forth in the Promissory Note evidencing such Loan.

 

2.4. Prepayments.

 

(a) Borrower shall not be entitled to prepay the Promissory Notes, in whole or in part, at any time during the Compliance Period. Borrower acknowledges that this provision comprises a material basis for the Loans and Lenders would not extend the Loans to Borrower absent this prohibition. Borrower further acknowledges that the period during which Borrower is prohibited from prepaying the Loans is derived from the NMTC Program Requirements, and that such period is reasonable and acceptable to Borrower.

 

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(b) Following the expiration of the Compliance Period, Borrower may prepay any, each and/or all of the Promissory Notes at any time, in whole or in part, upon at least ten (10) calendar days’ prior written notice to the Lenders. Upon an acceleration of the maturity of the Loans or on or before the end of the Compliance Period, the Lenders shall not be obligated to accept any such tender of payment. If Borrower prepays all or any portion of the Loans in violation of this Loan Agreement, Borrower shall also pay to the Lenders any and all sums necessary to compensate the Lenders for all reasonable costs, expenses, claims, penalties and liabilities (including any liability incurred by the Lenders or their affiliates in any tax credit indemnity agreement for inability of such Lenders to reinvest the proceeds in another transaction) incurred by the Lenders by virtue of the repayment or prepayment of funds, and for the documentation and closing of any reinvestment loan or loans to a replacement borrower (or borrowers) that is a QALICB acceptable to the Lenders.

 

2.5. Fees and Expenses. The Loans shall be without any cost whatsoever to the Lenders. Borrower shall pay all reasonable and necessary fees, charges, costs and expenses, regardless of whether the same were anticipated by Borrower or the Lenders, incurred in connection with (A) the making, disbursement, and administration of the Loans, and (B) satisfying the conditions of the Loan Documents. Without limitation of the foregoing, among the Fees and Expenses Borrower shall pay when due are:

 

2.5.1. Lenders Fees and Expenses.

 

2.5.1.1. Borrower shall pay on demand Carver Lender’s Expenses, as such term is defined in the operating agreement of Carver Lender. Borrower will be responsible for paying and shall pay upon demand all reasonable third-party expenses incurred by Carver Lender in connection with this investment, including the cost of maintaining the organizational status of Carver Lender, the evaluation of the transaction (which are anticipated to be paid at closing), any corporate filing fees, any annual fees payable by Carver Lender to the CDFI Fund related to this transaction, all Carver Lender’s costs incurred as contemplated herein, including any monitoring or compliance fees that the CDFI Fund may charge, and third party fees and expenses incurred outside of the ordinary course of business, such as the exercise of remedies in the case of a default under the Loan Documents.

 

2.5.1.2. Borrower has established the Carver Reserve Account at Carver Bank and shall deposit $315,000 in the Carver Reserve Account on the date hereof. Withdrawals from the Carver Reserve Account shall be used solely to pay a portion of interest due on the Carver Loans in the amounts set forth in, and pursuant to, this Agreement, the Carver Reserve Account Pledge and Control Agreement, and the Financial Projections.

 

2.5.1.3. On the Effective Date, Borrower shall pay a (i) placement and administration fee to Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, Inc., a Georgia nonprofit corporation, in the amount of $140,000, (ii) structuring fee to Baker Tilly in the amount of $122,500, and (iii) audit and tax expense reimbursement in the amount of $10,000 to Carver Lender.

 

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2.5.1.4. Pursuant to the Fee and Services Agreement, commencing as of Effective Date and continuing through the seventh anniversary of the Effective Date, Borrower shall pay to VAF an annual loan servicing fee in the amount of $17,500 (prorated for any partial year) at the time set forth therein.

 

2.5.1.5. Borrower has established the ST Reserve Account at ST Bank and shall deposit $35,000 in the ST Reserve Account on the date hereof. No withdrawals shall be made from the ST Reserve Account except with ST Lender’s prior written consent and in accordance with the ST Reserve Account Control Agreement to pay a portion of the interest on the ST Loan A and the ST Loan B in the amount of $1,250 per quarter (prorated for partial quarters) during the Compliance Period.

 

2.5.1.6. In addition to the payments reflected above, Borrower shall also pay or reimburse ST Lender on demand for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred or paid by ST Lender in connection with the administration of the Loans, including reasonable costs of collection, attorneys’ and paralegals’ fees and costs, to the extent such costs and expenses are outside the scope of the services provided by ST Lender in connection with the fees described in Section 2.5.1.5. In addition to the foregoing, Borrower shall pay or reimburse to ST Lender all reasonable fees, charges, costs and expenses required to satisfy (A) the covenants and conditions of the Loan Documents, (B) ST Lender Expenses, and (C) Fund Expenses. Such payment and/or reimbursement shall be made within ten (10) Business Days following written notice from Lenders setting forth the amount thereof and the basis on which such amount was determined.

 

2.5.2. If (i) adequate funds are not available in the Carver Reserve Account or the ST Reserve Account, as applicable, to pay any Fees and Expenses in accordance with the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and (ii) such Fees and Expenses shall not have been paid by or on behalf of Borrower within thirty (30) days after notice, the Lenders may, in addition to any other rights or remedies, either: (i) pay the Fees and Expenses and charge Borrower interest at the Interest Rate on the amount thereof until paid in full; or (ii) without further notice to or consent from Borrower, the Lenders may cause a Disbursement to be made from the Disbursement Account to the extent any funds on deposit therein have not yet been disbursed, in such amount necessary to pay the Fees and Expenses owed by Borrower.

 

2.6. Promissory Notes. The Loans shall be evidenced by the Promissory Notes in forms approved by the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion.

 

2.7. Purpose of Loans. The proceeds of the Loans shall be used only to pay Project Costs.

 

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3. Collateral. As security for the prompt and complete payment of Borrower’s Obligations as well as any future advances, Borrower shall provide, or cause to be provided, to the Lenders the Collateral as follows:

 

3.1. Collateral. Borrower shall execute and deliver the Security Agreement, the Disbursement Account Pledge Agreement, the Carver Reserve Account Pledge and Control Agreement, the ST Reserve Account Control Agreement, and the ST Reserve Account Pledge Agreement in forms approved by the Lenders in their sole discretion granting to the Lenders a first priority, continuing Lien in and to the Disbursement Account, Carver Reserve Account, ST Reserve Account, and all other Collateral of Borrower and all proceeds from the sale, assignment, rental, lease, exchange, transfer, or other disposition of any of the Collateral of Borrower, but for the Permitted Liens.

 

3.2. Proceeds. As further security, Borrower hereby grants to the Lenders a Lien on all proceeds from the sale, assignment, rental, lease, exchange, transfer, or other disposition of any of the Collateral owned by Borrower.

 

3.3. Additional Security. So long as the Loans are outstanding, the Collateral of Borrower shall remain as security for the payment of Borrower’s Obligations, whether now existing or hereafter incurred by future advances or otherwise, and whether known or unknown as of the Effective Date.

 

4. Manner of Disbursement. Disbursement of the Loan proceeds shall be governed by the terms of the Disbursing Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, no Covered Party shall have any liability to any Person with respect to the disbursement of the Loan proceeds if done in accordance with this Loan Agreement and the Disbursing Agreement, and such disbursement shall not be deemed to be an approval or acceptance by any Covered Person of any plans, specifications, work or materials done or furnished, or equipment, inventory, or other or property purchased, with respect to the Project, or a representation by any Covered Person as to the fitness of such plans, specifications, work, materials, equipment, inventory, or property.

 

The parties acknowledge that the Loans are to be funded with monies provided by the Lenders’ investor member, and that the Lenders are under no obligation to disburse Loan proceeds unless and until all necessary preconditions to disbursement set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents shall have been satisfied to the satisfaction of the Lenders and their investor member, and that if all conditions precedent to funding are not immediately satisfied, significant time delays might occur in the funding of such monies by the Lenders. Without limiting the generality of Section 4 hereof, in no event shall the Lenders be liable to Borrower for any damages whatsoever which might result in whole or in part from any such delays in funding any Loan proceeds.

 

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5. Representations and Warranties. In order to induce the Lenders to make the Loans, Borrower hereby represents and warrants as of the Effective Date and throughout the term of the Loans as follows:

 

5.1. Name. The legal name of Borrower is Danimer Scientific Manufacturing, Inc. Borrower does not have any assumed names and does not conduct its business under any trade-names or fictitious names.

 

5.2. Location of Business. The principal place of business of Borrower is located at 140 Industrial Boulevard, Bainbridge, Georgia 39817 which is located in the Census Tract.

 

5.3. Incorporation; Powers. Borrower is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Borrower has all requisite power and authority to own its assets, to operate the business of Borrower as now conducted and proposed to be conducted, to enter into this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents, and to perform its obligations in this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents. Borrower is qualified and in good standing in the State of Georgia and each other jurisdiction wherever necessary for the ownership of the assets and properties of Borrower and the operation of the business of Borrower except in jurisdictions where the failure to be qualified and in good standing has not and shall not cause a Material Adverse Change.

 

5.4. Binding Obligation. The execution, delivery, and performance of this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents have been authorized by Borrower. All required action has been taken by Borrower to authorize the execution and delivery of this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents and to authorize the performance by Borrower of its respective obligations in this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents. This Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligations of Borrower, and if applicable, Guarantor, and are enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, or other similar laws generally affecting the rights of creditors, by general principles of equity, and by the exercise of judicial discretion.

 

5.5. Purpose. Subject to the terms of the Disbursing Agreement and the Reimbursement and Compliance Agreement, Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Loans solely (i) to pay or reimburse costs directly incurred in connection with the Project, including equipment acquisition, installation, and start-up costs, (ii) to pay costs of research and development activities related to the Business, (iii) to fund working capital needs of the Borrower in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Disbursing Agreement, (iv) to pay Fees and Expenses, including loan fees, transaction costs, and closing costs incurred in connection with the Loans in accordance with the Closing Flow of Funds Memorandum, and (v) as otherwise set forth in the forecasted sources and uses in the Financial Projections and approved by the Lenders (collectively, the “Project Costs”). Proceeds of the Loans may not be used for any other purpose not described in this Section 5.5.

 

5.6. No Conflict. The execution, delivery, and performance of this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents do not, and will not violate: (a) any Applicable Law; (b) to the best knowledge of Borrower, any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination, or award of any Governmental Authority; (c) the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of Borrower; or (d) any Material Contract.

 

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5.7. Consent; Licenses. Except for such consents previously procured by Borrower, the execution, delivery, and performance of this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents by Borrower do not require the consent of any Governmental Authority or other Person. All Governmental Authorizations have been or will be issued that may be necessary or desirable for the operation of the business of Borrower, and all Governmental Authorizations received or required for the existence and operation of Borrower are in good standing and have never been suspended, revoked or terminated for any reason.

 

5.8. Material Contracts. Each Material Contract is in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, or other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally, by general principles of equity, and by the exercise of judicial discretion. Borrower is not in breach or default in any material respect of any such contract or agreement, and no event has occurred or is continuing that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a breach or default of such agreement.

 

5.9. Title to Collateral. Except for Permitted Liens, Borrower has good and marketable leasehold title to the Leased Space and Improvements and good and marketable title to all Collateral, in each case free and clear of any Lien. Borrower is the sole owner or of its Collateral, and there are no outstanding options or other rights to purchase all or any part of the Collateral in favor of any Person.

 

5.10. Lien Priority. Upon the execution and delivery of this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents by Borrower and the filing or recording of the Financing Statement with the appropriate Governmental Authorities, the Lenders shall have a continuing, perfected first priority Lien in and to the Disbursement Account, Carver Reserve Account, ST Reserve Account, and the other Collateral.

 

5.11. Leased Space. Borrower represents and warrants that: (a) the Leased Space has access to an adjoining road, highway, or street, either across the Real Property or by public or private easement; (b) there are no encroachments on the boundaries of the Leased Space; (c) there are no easements or rights of way encumbering the Leased Space except those shown by the public records of the county in which the Leased Space is located and disclosed on the title report provided to the Lenders prior to the Effective Date; (d) all bills for services performed or materials furnished at the Leased Space have been paid in full, and there are no mechanic or materialmen Liens against the Leased Space or Improvements; (e) there are no unrecorded Liens affecting the Leased Space or Improvements; all Liens, except for the Permitted Liens, affecting the Leased Space or Improvements, if any, shall be satisfied in full and releases thereof shall be delivered on or prior to the Effective Date; (f) the use of the Leased Space intended by Borrower does not violate any zoning or building code; (g) the Improvements do not and shall not lie within any setback area required by Applicable Law; (h) the Improvements do not and shall not lie within any one hundred (100) year flood zone as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency; (i) no Person has acquired any rights to the Leased Space by adverse possession or prescription; and (j) there are no public or private restrictive covenants, servitude, or agreements prohibiting, limiting, or impairing any use of the Leased Space or Improvements except as may be set forth in the title report provided to the Lenders prior to the Effective Date.

 

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5.12. Environmental Condition. The Real Property is not in violation of any Hazardous Waste Law. No Hazardous Materials are currently being stored, made, or used on the Real Property, except in strict compliance with Hazardous Waste Law.

 

5.13. Liabilities. As of the Effective Date, Borrower does not have any fixed or contingent liabilities, except the Loans, the Obligations and other liabilities to Lenders, the obligations or other liabilities to the Investment Fund or Investor arising under the Loan Documents and that certain QALICB Indemnification Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date, by Borrower and Guarantor for the benefit of ST Bank.

 

5.14. Solvency. Borrower is now solvent and has never in the past been the subject of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation proceeding or any other similar proceeding. Borrower (i) is able to pay its debts as they mature and become due and payable; (ii) has capital sufficient to carry on its business; (iii) execution of, and performance under, the Loan Documents will not cause Borrower to be insolvent; and (iv) does not contemplate filing a petition in bankruptcy or for an arrangement or reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code, nor is there any threatened or actual bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding against Borrower. The reasonable salable value of Borrower’s assets exceeds the aggregate amount of Borrower’s debts and liabilities, whether actual or contingent.

 

5.15. Tax Returns. All Tax Returns required to be filed by Borrower have been filed or will be filed when due with the appropriate Governmental Authorities, taking into account all extensions thereof. All such Tax Returns are accurate and complete in all material respects. All Taxes payable by Borrower have been paid when due. No issues are pending with any Governmental Authority in connection with any Tax Returns which might cause a Material Adverse Change. To the extent required by Applicable Law, all Taxes have been withheld or collected by Borrower. There is no Tax deficiency or assessment claimed or proposed to be claimed against Borrower, any Person with which Borrower is required by applicable law to file a Tax Return, or the Collateral by any Governmental Authority which has not been paid, settled, or adequately reserved for by Borrower. Borrower has not received any claim by a Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction in which Borrower does not file a Tax Return that it is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction. Borrower does not know of any proposed special property tax assessment with respect to Borrower’s property.

 

5.16. Material Adverse Changes. Borrower has not suffered any one or more changes which, alone or in the aggregate, has had or is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

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5.17. Compliance with Laws. Borrower is, and shall remain, in compliance in all respects with Applicable Law.

 

5.18. Litigation. There is no pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened Litigation involving the Collateral or Borrower. Borrower is not subject to any order, judgment, or decree, or any other legal restriction, that materially adversely affects Borrower.

 

5.19. Disclosure. All documents and information provided by Borrower to the Lenders are complete and accurate in all material respects. No statement made or document delivered by Borrower in connection with this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents contains any inaccurate or incomplete statement of a material fact or omits a material fact necessary to make the statements in this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents, not misleading in light of the circumstances in which the statement was made or the document delivered. There is no fact known to Borrower which has not been disclosed to the Lenders in writing and which, so far as Borrower can now foresee, is reasonably likely to cause a Material Adverse Change.

 

5.20. Financial Reports. The Financial Reports delivered to the Lenders prior to the Effective Date accurately and completely present the financial condition of Borrower as of the date of such Financial Report in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in all material respects, and in the period commencing on the date of the most recently delivered Financial Report and ending on the Effective Date, there have been no changes in the financial condition of Borrower, which would constitute a Material Adverse Change.

 

5.21. Tax Credits. Borrower hereby represents and warrants to Lenders as follows:

 

5.21.1. Borrower is engaged solely in the ownership, operation, development, management, and equipping of the Project on the Leased Space, and it will not own, operate, develop, lease or manage any asset or property other than necessary for the ownership, operation, development, management, and equipping of the Project on the Leased Space.

 

5.21.2. Borrower is a QALICB and each disbursement of the Loan is a QLICI.

 

5.21.3. With respect to the current Taxable Year of Borrower, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total gross income of Borrower is derived from the active conduct of its trade or business within the Census Tract.

 

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5.21.4. With respect to the current Taxable Year of Borrower, at least fifty percent (50%) of the use of the Tangible Property of Borrower (whether owned or leased) is within the Census Tract. For purposes of this representation, the percentage of Tangible Property owned or leased by Borrower during the Taxable Year and used in the Census Tract shall be determined based on a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the Average Value of the Tangible Property used by Borrower within the Census Tract, and (ii) the denominator of which is the Average Value of all of the Tangible Property owned or leased by Borrower and used by Borrower during the Taxable Year. Borrower has provided a true, correct and complete list of Tangible Property owned or leased by Borrower and a description of where such property is used by Borrower. If any property is used outside of the Census Tract, Borrower shall provide the cost Basis of all property owned by Borrower and the estimated value of any leased property and the Basis of such estimate and the business hours of usage of the property of the Borrower within and outside the Census Tract. Borrower shall retain records of the foregoing throughout the term of the Loan.

 

5.21.5. With respect to the current Taxable Year, at least forty percent (40%) of the services performed for Borrower by its employees will be within the Census Tract. For purposes of this representation, this percentage is determined based on a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the total amount paid by Borrower for employee services performed in the Census Tract during the Taxable Year, and (ii) the denominator of which is the total amount paid by Borrower for employee services during the Taxable Year. For any year in which Borrower has employees, Borrower shall provide to Lenders (upon request) a list of employees providing services, including a general description of services provided, and if applicable compensation paid for services rendered with respect to the Project within and outside the Census Tract.

 

5.21.6. With respect to the current Taxable Year of Borrower, less than five percent (5%) of the average of the aggregate unadjusted cost Basis of the property of Borrower is attributable to Nonqualified Financial Property. Borrower has provided to Lenders a true, correct, and complete listing of any Nonqualified Financial Property owned by Borrower, including therein the unadjusted cost Basis of such property and shall maintain records thereof throughout the term of the Loan.

 

5.21.7. With respect to the current Taxable Year of Borrower, less than five percent (5%) of the average of the aggregate unadjusted cost Basis of the property of the Borrower is attributable to Collectibles.

 

5.21.8. No part of the Real Property is Residential Rental Property.

 

5.21.9. No portion of the Real Property is treated by Borrower as constituting a “qualified low-income building” under Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

5.21.10. The assumptions underlying the Financial Projections, including, without limitation, assumptions of revenue from operating the CDP, the extrusion tolling process, and its research and development services set forth therein, are reasonable in all material respects and to the best knowledge of Borrower, are accurate and complete in all material respects based on all of the facts and circumstances known to Borrower.

 

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5.21.11. Borrower has not granted to any Person a leasehold mortgage or other lien against the Leased Space (except statutory liens for labor and materials incorporated into the Improvements), except as shown in the title report of the Leased Space.

 

5.21.12. Borrower is a corporation for federal income tax purposes. Guarantor is the sole shareholder of Borrower.

 

5.21.13. Borrower has no information or knowledge tending to indicate that it might not satisfy all of the requirements of a QALICB.

 

5.21.14. Borrower has fully and accurately stated in writing to Lenders the nature of Borrower’s business and of the goods or services provided, Borrower’s primary sources of revenue, Borrower’s primary expenditures, and the location of all property of the Borrower. Borrower has no present plans or intentions to (i) change the nature of, or manner in which it conducts, its business in any way that would cause to be untrue any of the representations, warranties or covenants set out herein, (ii) move or expand its existing operations to any location outside of the Census Tract, or (iii) develop, construct or improve any property at any location outside of the Census Tract.

 

5.21.15. All information concerning Borrower or the Project known to Borrower or Guarantor, or which should have been known to Borrower or Guarantor in the exercise of reasonable care, has been disclosed by Borrower to Lenders and there are no facts or information known to Borrower or Guarantor, or which should have been known to Borrower or Guarantor in the exercise of reasonable care, which would make any of the facts or information submitted by Borrower to Lenders with respect to Borrower, the Leased Space, or the Project inaccurate, incomplete or misleading in any material respect.

 

5.21.16. Borrower has had no communications with the CDFI Fund concerning noncompliance with, or deficiencies in, reporting practices.

 

5.21.17. As further set forth on Exhibit B attached hereto, neither Borrower nor any affiliate of Borrower is presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any Federal department or agency, as such terms are defined in Executive Order 12549, nor is any such action pending or proposed.

 

5.21.18. Borrower expects to begin deriving revenues from the operation of the Project within three (3) years following the Effective Date.

 

5.21.19. The Project is located in the Census Tract and the Census Tract is within an economically distressed and underserved community characterized by a poverty rate of 26.00% and median income of 62.25% of AMI and that it is in a Non-Metropolitan County (as such term is used in the Allocation Agreement).

 

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5.21.20. Borrower is the owner of the Collateral for federal income tax purposes, and there is nothing in Borrower’s organizational documents that would cause anyone other than Borrower to be considered the owner of the Collateral for federal income tax purposes.

 

5.21.21. Borrower is not a bank, credit union or other financial institution.

 

5.21.22. Borrower reasonably expects that Borrower’s assets securing the Loans will have significant residual value upon maturity of the Obligations, and the value and/or income generated by Borrower’s assets will be sufficient to allow Borrower to timely pay all of its ongoing obligations hereunder and repay and/or refinance the outstanding principal and interest on the Loans in accordance with their terms. Borrower’s projected net revenues set forth in the Financial Projections are reasonable estimates of Borrower’s future operations.

 

5.21.23. Borrower reasonably expects that the representations made under this Section 5.21 will continue to be accurate in all material respects during the entire term of this Loan Agreement.

 

5.21.24. The representations and warranties contained in the Reimbursement and Compliance Agreement are hereby incorporated herein as though they were fully set forth in this Loan Agreement.

 

Clark Hill PLC, Leverage Law Group, LLC, and Jones Day are hereby permitted to rely on the foregoing representations for purposes of federal income tax opinions to be issued in connection with the Loans.

 

5.22. Non-Foreign Certification. Borrower is not a foreign corporation, foreign partnership, foreign trust or foreign estate (as those terms are defined in the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations). Borrower’s U.S. employer identification number is 83-2940322.

 

5.23. Anti-Terrorism Laws. Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

 

5.23.1. Borrower is not in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law;

 

5.23.2. No action, proceeding, investigation, charge, claim, report, or notice has been filed, commenced, or threatened against Borrower alleging any violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law; and

 

5.23.3. Borrower has no knowledge or notice of any fact, event, circumstance, situation, or condition which could reasonably be expected to result in:

 

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5.23.3.1. any action, proceeding, investigation, charge, claim, report, or notice being filed, commenced, or threatened against it alleging any violation of, or failure to comply with, any Anti-Terrorism Law; or

 

5.23.3.2. the imposition of any civil or criminal penalty against Borrower for any failure to so comply.

 

5.24. Prohibited Person. Neither Borrower nor its respective beneficial owners is a Prohibited Person, and Borrower has provided the Lenders with sufficient information (including names, addresses and, where applicable, jurisdiction of formation or organization) to reasonably permit the Lenders to verify the foregoing representation. Borrower does not:

 

5.24.1. conduct any business or engage in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods, or services to or for the benefit of any Prohibited Person;

 

5.24.2. deal in, or otherwise engage in any transaction relating to, any property or interests in property blocked under the Executive Order; or

 

5.24.3. engage in or conspire to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law.

 

5.25. Use and Management of Business & Equipment. There is (a) no default under this Loan Agreement or the other Loan Documents or (b) under any document to which Borrower is a party which relates to the ownership, occupancy, use, equipping, development, construction or management, as applicable, of the Business, Leased Space or Improvements, nor any condition which would constitute a default or an Event of Default under said documents.

 

5.26. Condemnation. No condemnation of any portion of the Leased Space or Improvements or relocation of any roadways abutting the Leased Space or Improvements, and no proceeding to deny access to the Leased Space or Improvements from any point or planned point of access to the Leased Space or Improvements, has commenced or, to the best of Borrower’s knowledge, is contemplated by any Governmental Authority.

 

5.27. Access. The Business and Improvements has or will have adequate water, gas and/or electrical supply, and other required public utilities, adequate parking, fire and police protection, and means of access between the Business, Improvements and public highways; none of the foregoing will be foreseeably delayed or impeded by virtue of any requirements under any Applicable Laws.

 

5.28. Margin Stock. The Loans are not being made for the purpose of purchasing or carrying “margin stock” within the meaning of Regulation G, T, U or X issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and Borrower agrees to execute all instruments necessary to comply with all the requirements of Regulation U of the Federal Reserve System.

 

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5.29. ERISA. As of the Effective Date and throughout the term of the Loan: (a) Borrower is not and will not be (i) an “employee benefit plan,” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, (ii) a “governmental plan” within the meaning of Section 3(32) of ERISA, or (iii) a “plan” within the meaning of Section 4975(e) of the Internal Revenue Code; (b) the assets of Borrower do not and will not constitute “plan assets” within the meaning of the United States Department of Labor Regulations set forth in Section 2510.3-101 of Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations; (c) transactions by or with Borrower are not and will not be subject to state statutes applicable to Borrower regulating investments of fiduciaries with respect to governmental plans; and (d) Borrower will not engage in any transaction that would cause any obligation or any action taken or to be taken hereunder (or the exercise by the Lenders of any of their rights under any of the Loan Documents) to be a non-exempt (under a statutory or administrative class exemption) prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code. Borrower agrees to deliver to the Lenders such certifications or other evidence of compliance with the provisions of this Section 5.31 as the Lenders may from time to time request.

 

5.30. Borrower Acknowledgement. Borrower acknowledges, represents and warrants that it understands the nature and structure of the transactions relating to the financing of the Business, the Leased Space and Improvements; that it is familiar with the provisions of all of the documents and instruments relating to such financing to which it is a party or of which it is a beneficiary; that it understands the risks inherent in such transactions; and that it has not relied on the Lenders for any guidance or expertise in analyzing the financial or other consequences of the transactions contemplated by this Loan Agreement.

 

5.31. Project Leases. There are no leases on or affecting the Leased Space other than Project Leases. No “event of default” has occurred under the Project Leases and the Project Leases are in full force and effect as of the Effective Date. Borrower has delivered true, correct and complete copies of the Project Leases to Lenders.

 

6. Covenants. In addition to the obligations of Borrower stated elsewhere in this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents, until the Obligations shall be paid in full, Borrower promises, covenants, and agrees as follows:

 

6.1. Change of Name. Borrower shall not, without the prior written consent of the Lenders, change its name or adopt any trade-name, fictitious name, or assumed name beyond its established name in Section 5.1.

 

6.2. State and Good Standing of Incorporation. Borrower shall not change the jurisdiction of incorporation of Borrower. Borrower shall maintain its good standing and existence as a corporation in its jurisdiction of incorporation.

 

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6.3. Financial Reports. Borrower shall keep and maintain complete, accurate and separate books and records sufficient to permit the preparation of financial statements therefrom in accordance with GAAP. Borrower shall keep and maintain its books and records, including recorded date of any kind and regardless of the medium of recording, for a period of forty-two (42) months from the last day of the year in which the Compliance Period ends. The Lenders and their duly authorized representatives shall have the right to examine and copy such records and books of account at reasonable times during normal business hours upon reasonable notice to the extent necessary to satisfy either their reporting obligations or any NMTC Program Requirements. Until the Obligations shall be paid in full, Borrower shall deliver to the Lenders the following (when applicable, all financial statements shall be prepared on a consolidated basis):

 

6.3.1. On or before each May 15, August 15, November 15, and February 15 for the quarters ending March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31, respectively, (i) comparative balance sheets as of the end of such quarter and prior year for Borrower, (ii) comparative statements of income QTD and YTD and prior year QTD and YTD including current year variance to budget for Borrower, (iii) comparative statements of cash flows QTD and YTD and prior year QTD and YTD for Borrower, certified as true and correct by Borrower and in a form reasonably acceptable to Lenders in all respects, (iv) bank statements of reserve accounts for each of the months in such quarter, and (v) a “No Event of Default” Certificate in the form set forth as Exhibit E attached hereto.

 

6.3.2. On or before each April 30, audited financial statements (balance sheet, income statement and cash flows) of the Borrower for the prior Taxable Year, including the 2018 Taxable Year.

 

6.3.3. As soon as available, but no later than April 30 of each year, Tax Returns of the Borrower for the prior Taxable Year.

 

6.3.4. On or before each November 1, the annual operating budget for the Borrower for the following calendar year, which shall be satisfactory to the Lenders in both form and substance. Such budget shall provide for adequate debt service coverage of the required debt service payments of the Promissory Notes and include a summary of actual financial results for the prior year (which actual results may be a reasonable estimate for the final quarter of the prior year).

 

6.3.5. Within five (5) Business Days of request by a Lender, all information reasonably requested by a Lender (A) to complete any reporting to such Lender's members in connection with the New Markets Tax Credits resulting from the Loans, (B) in connection with such Lender's NMTC reporting requirements, including those to the CDFI Fund's Awards Management Information System and in connection with any audits, and (C) in connection with any application to be made by such Lender to the CDFI Fund for additional allocations of New Markets Tax Credit authority.

 

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6.3.6. All balance sheets and other financial reports referred to above will be in such detail as Lenders may reasonably request and will conform to generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis, except only for such changes in accounting principles or practice with which the independent certified public accountants concur. To the extent that any reports, returns, certifications, or any other information required herein to be provided to Lenders are not satisfactory to Lenders in their reasonable discretion to ensure Borrower’s compliance with the applicable laws relating to the New Markets Tax Credit program to avoid any recapture (as such term is defined in Section 45D(g) of the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.45D 1(e)), Lenders may require Borrower to utilize a national accounting firm specializing in the tax credit industry as approved by Lenders.

 

6.3.7. If the last date to deliver any information, report, or notice required by this Section 6.3 falls on any day other than a Business Day, the information, report, or notice shall be delivered by the previous Business Day.

 

6.3.8. Such other information respecting the business, properties, condition, financial or otherwise, or operations of the Borrower, or any of the Borrower’s subsidiaries as the Lenders may from time to time reasonably request, including without limitation any reports or other information required to ensure the Borrower’s compliance with the New Market Tax Credit program.

 

6.3.9. In the event that the reports or information provided for in this Agreement are, at any time, not provided within the time periods specified, Borrower may be obligated in the sole discretion of Lenders to pay Lenders the sum of fifty dollars ($50) per calendar day, as liquidated damages, for each calendar day after the date such report is due pursuant to this Loan Agreement until the date upon which such report or other information is provided.

 

6.4. Compliance Certificate. On or before January 15 and July 15 of each year during the Compliance Period, the QALICB Certification in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, as required by Section 6.24.29 hereof.

 

6.5. Auditor Letters. Promptly on receipt thereof, Borrower shall deliver to the Lenders any additional reports, management letters or other detailed information concerning significant aspects of Borrower’s operations and financial affairs given to Borrower by its independent accounting firms.

 

6.6. Payment of Taxes. Borrower shall file all Tax Returns required by Applicable Law. All Taxes shall be paid when due; provided however, as long as no Lien shall be imposed on the Collateral other than Permitted Liens, Borrower may refrain from paying any Tax if Borrower contests, in good faith, the validity or amount thereof, and have set aside adequate reserves with respect thereto, approved by the Lenders. Within thirty (30) days of the filing of any Tax Return, Borrower shall deliver an accurate and complete copy of each state or federal income Tax Return to the Lenders. Such returns shall reflect the characterization of the Loans as the indebtedness of Borrower. At the Lenders’ request, copies of on-time paid taxes, including real estate and personal property tax bills, if any, or other evidence of payment in full of, or exemption from, any taxes, including real estate and personal property taxes, if any.

 

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6.7. Existence. Borrower shall take all actions necessary or desirable to preserve, renew, and maintain in full force and effect, the existence, rights, contracts, Governmental Authorizations of Borrower to the extent necessary or desirable for the lawful proper operation of the Business of Borrower.

 

6.8. Fundamental Changes. Without the prior written consent of the Lenders, in the Lenders’ sole discretion, Borrower shall not: (a) become a party to any merger, consolidation, dissolution, or liquidation; (b) sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of Borrower; (c) acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any other Person; (d) acquire the securities of any other Person; (e) amend or modify the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of Borrower; or (f) establish a subsidiary.

 

6.9. Maintenance of Business; Property; Assets. (a) Borrower shall be engaged only in the Business, which shall be conducted in substantially the manner as is proposed on the Effective Date. Borrower shall not make any significant change in the Business and shall not enter into or engage in any line of business substantially different from the Business. Borrower shall continuously operate, maintain and engage in the Business, (b) Borrower shall preserve and maintain its properties and assets used or useful in the operation of the Business of Borrower in good working order and condition and shall make all repairs, replacements, and improvements thereto as necessary or desirable for the proper operation of the Business of Borrower.

 

6.10. Liens; Additional Indebtedness. Without the prior written consent of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion, Borrower shall not grant, suffer, or permit any Lien on any of the Collateral or the Leased Space, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation of law or otherwise, other than Permitted Liens. Borrower shall not incur, without the prior written consent of the Lenders, any indebtedness (whether personal or nonrecourse, secured or unsecured) except for: (i) the Loans; and (ii) customary trade payables due within sixty (60) days after they are incurred.

 

6.11. Disposition of Collateral. Without the prior written consent of the Lenders, in their sole discretion, Borrower shall not sell, assign, lease, exchange, or transfer any of its rights in the Collateral, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation of law or otherwise; provided, that property that is obsolete, worn out, or no longer used in or useful to the Business may be sold, leased or removed in the ordinary course of business to the extent that Borrower acquires replacement property of similar value, and provided that the Lenders continue to have a perfected security interest in any such replacement property.

 

6.12. Collateral. Borrower shall take any and all actions necessary or desirable to preserve, protect, and enforce the Liens of the Lenders in the Collateral and the perfection and priority thereof against any and all adverse claims.

 

6.13. Observance of Agreements. Borrower shall observe and perform all of the material terms and conditions of all Material Contracts, and shall provide copies of any notices of default thereunder sent or received by Borrower to the Lenders, and Borrower shall diligently protect and enforce its rights under all such agreements in a manner consistent with prudent business judgment, including, but not limited to enforcing each Material Contract.

 

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6.14. Licenses. Borrower shall take all necessary or desirable actions to maintain in good standing all Governmental Authorizations that may be necessary or desirable for the proper operation of the Business of Borrower.

 

6.15. Insurance.

 

6.15.1. Insurance Policies. Borrower shall procure and maintain insurance policies and meet the other insurance requirements as set forth on Exhibit D attached hereto. Borrower shall insure the Collateral for the full insurable value thereof against loss or damage by fire, theft, explosion, sprinklers, collision (in the case of motor vehicles) and such other risks as are customarily insured against by Persons engaged in businesses similar to that of Borrower, with such companies, in such amounts, with such deductibles, as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Lenders, with such policies of insurance naming the Lenders as an additional insured. In addition, Borrower shall assist the Lenders in obtaining a Standard Flood Hazard Determination required by the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, 42 U.S.C. §4001 et seq. If all or any part of the Leased Space lies within any flood hazard area, Borrower shall maintain flood insurance in an amount customarily maintained by Persons engaged in similar businesses as Borrower. Insurance bills, inclusive of invoices for insurance premiums for the Leased Space and Improvements shall be paid before the due date thereof.

 

All insurance policies required by this Loan Agreement shall provide that any losses shall be payable to the Lenders notwithstanding (A) any act, failure to act or negligence of or violation of warranties, declarations or conditions contained in such policy by any named insured, (B) the occupation or use of the Project for purposes more hazardous than permitted by the terms thereof, (C) any foreclosure or other action or proceeding taken by the Lenders pursuant to any provision of the Loan Documents, or (D) any change in title to or ownership of the Leased Space or Improvements. The Borrower shall provide the Lenders with evidence of insurance evidencing compliance with the foregoing as and when requested by the Lenders.

 

6.15.2 Casualty. Borrower agrees to notify the Lenders immediately in writing of any material Casualty to the Project, whether or not such fire, Casualty or accident is covered by insurance. Borrower further agrees to notify promptly Borrower’s insurance company and to submit an appropriate claim and proof of claim to the insurance company if the Project is damaged or destroyed by fire or other Casualty.

 

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6.15.3 Use of Insurance Proceeds. Subject to the provisions of the Store Ground Lease with respect to the proceeds of insurance on the Real Property, promptly after receipt of any payment of proceeds of any insurance required to be maintained pursuant to this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents, Borrower shall, subject to Section 6.15.1, either as directed by the Lenders: (a) apply an amount equal to such proceeds to the prepayment of the Obligations; or (b) apply such amount of the proceeds as necessary to cause the Collateral to be repaired and restored to its condition prior to the loss, damage, or injury and apply any remaining amount of the proceeds to the prepayment of the Obligations. If Borrower shall fail to maintain the insurance required by this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents, the Lenders may, but shall not be obligated to, procure such insurance, and Borrower shall pay all Fees and Expenses incurred or paid by the Lenders in connection with maintaining any such insurance.

 

6.15.4 Failure to Maintain Insurance. Unless Borrower provides the Lenders with evidence satisfactory to the Lenders of the insurance coverage required by this Loan Agreement, or if Borrower fails to maintain insurance in accordance with this Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Lenders may, but need not, upon fifteen (15) calendar days’ notice to Borrower, purchase insurance at Borrower’s expense to protect the Lenders’ interests in the Collateral. This insurance may, but need not, protect Borrower’s interest in the Collateral. Borrower or the Lenders (as appropriate) may later cancel any insurance purchased by the Lenders, but only after the Lenders receives satisfactory evidence that Borrower has obtained insurance as required by this Loan Agreement. If the Lenders purchases insurance hereunder, Borrower will be responsible for the costs of that insurance, including any charges imposed by the Lenders in connection with the placement of insurance, until the effective date of the cancellation or expiration of such insurance. The costs of the insurance may, at the Lenders’ discretion, be added to Borrower’s total principal obligation owing to the Lenders, and in any event shall be secured by the liens on the Collateral created by the Loan Documents. It is understood and agreed that the costs of insurance obtained by the Lenders may be more than the costs of insurance Borrower may be able to obtain on its own.

 

6.16. Compliance With Laws. Borrower shall comply with the requirements of all Applicable Laws. Borrower may contest any such Applicable Law in good faith and by appropriate Litigation as long as Borrower shall have set aside adequate reserves sufficient to pay any liability arising from the failure to comply with such Applicable Law, such amount as reasonably approved by the Lenders.

 

6.17. Litigation. Borrower shall promptly notify Lenders in writing of any Litigation commenced by or against the Borrower or involving the Collateral where the underlying claim is in excess of $100,000.

 

6.18. Opinion Letter. As of the Effective Date, Borrower shall have delivered to the Lenders an opinion letter from an attorney or law firm in good standing, licensed to practice law, and approved by the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion, certifying, among other things: (a) Borrower has been lawfully incorporated; (b) all necessary or desirable actions have been taken by the shareholders or board of directors of Borrower for the authorization of the execution and delivery of this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents; and (c) this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents are binding contracts on Borrower, except to the extent enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, or other similar laws generally affecting the rights of creditors, by general principles of equity, and by the exercise of judicial discretion.

 

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6.19. Lenders Liability. The provisions of this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents shall not be deemed to indicate that the Lenders shall be in control of Borrower or that the Lenders shall be otherwise closely-connected to Borrower. If Borrower shall develop any perception that the Lenders shall have taken any action or shall have engaged in any conduct in a wrongful or unlawful manner, Borrower shall notify the Lenders in writing no later than ten (10) days of developing the perception.

 

6.20. Offset. If Borrower shall have any claim whatsoever against the Lenders, Borrower shall not offset the claim against any payment on the Obligations or any other amount owed to the Lenders by Borrower.

 

6.21. Indemnification. Borrower shall indemnify the Lenders, their direct and indirect members, and their respective officers, directors, shareholders, managers, affiliates, agents, attorneys and employees, and their successors and assigns of each of the foregoing (each, a “Covered Party” and collectively, the “Covered Parties”) from and against any and all claims, losses, and liabilities, including but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising from any Event of Default, breach, or failure to comply with any provision of this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents (without regard to fault or intent of Borrower), including any breach of any representations, warranties and covenants set forth in this Loan Agreement, or otherwise arising from the Obligations, this Loan Agreement, and the Loan Documents, except claims, losses, or liabilities resulting from the gross negligence, fraud, breach of covenant in this Loan Agreement, or willful misconduct of a Covered Party. The indemnification provided for in this Section 6.21 shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations for the maximum period allowed by Applicable Law.

 

6.22. Performance by the Lenders. If Borrower shall fail to perform any of its obligations pursuant to this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents, the Lenders may perform or cause the performance of such obligation, and Borrower shall pay the Fees and Expenses incurred by the Lenders in connection therewith, plus interest at the Default Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Loan Agreement shall obligate the Lenders to perform any of the obligations of Borrower pursuant to this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents.

 

6.23. Material Adverse Changes. Borrower shall notify the Lenders of any one or more changes which, alone or in the aggregate, has had or is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

6.24. Tax Credits. Throughout the term of the Loans, Borrower covenants and agrees with the Tax Credit covenants set forth in this Section 6.24.

 

6.24.1. Borrower shall engage solely in the ownership, development, operation and management of the Project, which is and shall remain a Qualified Business, and no other activity.

 

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6.24.2. Borrower shall not do or fail to do anything to jeopardize its status as a QALICB or the status of the Loans as a QLICI.

 

6.24.3. With respect to each Taxable Year during the term of the Loans, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total gross income of Borrower will be derived from the active conduct of its trade or business within the Census Tract.

 

6.24.4. With respect to each Taxable Year during the term of the Loans, at least fifty percent (50%) of the use of the Tangible Property of Borrower (whether owned or leased) will be within the Census Tract (for purposes of this covenant, the percentage of Tangible Property owned or leased by Borrower during the Taxable Year in the Census Tract shall be determined based on a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the Average Value of the Tangible Property used by Borrower within the Census Tract, and (ii) the denominator of which is the Average Value of all of the Tangible Property owned or leased by Borrower and used by Borrower during the Taxable Year); provided, however, that for each Taxable Year in which Borrower has no employees, at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the use of the Tangible Property of Borrower (whether owned or leased) will be within the Census Tract. Borrower shall provide to Lenders (upon request) a true, correct and complete list of Tangible Property owned or leased by Borrower and a description of where such property is used by Borrower. If any of the property of the Borrower is used outside of the Census Tract, Borrower shall provide to Lenders (upon request) the cost Basis of all property owned by Borrower and the estimated value of any leased property and the basis of such estimate and the business hours of usage of the property of the Borrower within and outside the Census Tract. Borrower shall retain records of the foregoing throughout the term of the Loans.

 

6.24.5. With respect to each Taxable Year during the term of the Loans in which Borrower has an employee providing services, at least forty percent (40%) of the services performed for Borrower by its employees will be within the Census Tract. For purposes of this representation, this percentage is determined based on a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the total amount paid by Borrower for employee services performed in the Census Tract during the Taxable Year, and (ii) the denominator of which is the total amount paid by Borrower for employee services during the Taxable Year. For any year in which Borrower has employees, Borrower shall provide to Lenders (upon request) a list of the employees providing services, including a general description of services provided, and if applicable compensation paid for services rendered with respect to the Project within and outside the Census Tract. Borrower shall retain records of the foregoing throughout the term of the Loans.

 

6.24.6. With respect to each Taxable Year during the term of the Loans, less than five percent (5%) of the average of the aggregate of the unadjusted cost Basis of the property of Borrower shall be attributable to Nonqualified Financial Property. Borrower shall provide to Lenders (upon request) a true, correct, and complete listing of any Nonqualified Financial Property owned by Borrower, including therein the unadjusted Basis of such property, and shall maintain records thereof throughout the term of the Loans.

 

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6.24.7. With respect to each Taxable Year during the term of the Loans, less than five percent (5%) of the average of the aggregate unadjusted cost Basis of the property of the Borrower shall be attributable to Collectibles. Borrower shall provide to Lenders (upon request) a true, correct, and complete listing of any Collectibles owned by Borrower, including therein the unadjusted Basis of such property, and shall maintain records thereof throughout the term of the Loans.

 

6.24.8. At no time during the term of the Loans shall any of the property of the Borrower be used as, or converted into, Residential Rental Property.

 

6.24.9. With respect to each Taxable Year during the term of the Loans, the ownership, operation, development, leasing and management of the Project shall constitute a Qualified Business.

 

6.24.10. With respect to each Taxable Year during the term of the Loans, the trade or business of each tenant or subtenant, if any, shall consist solely of a Tenant Qualified Business.

 

6.24.11. With respect to each Taxable Year during the term of the Loans, no portion of the Real Property will constitute a “qualified low-income building” under Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

6.24.12. Borrower is and shall continue to be a corporation for federal income tax purposes during the term of the Loans and shall file all returns consistent therewith.

 

6.24.13. Borrower shall promptly notify Lenders of any risk of noncompliance herewith.

 

6.24.14. Borrower agrees it will not, without Lenders’ prior written consent, enter into any Lease. In no event shall any Leases, amendments or subleases be entered into that would (i) cause Borrower to violate Section 6.24.8 hereof; (ii) cause Borrower to violate Section 6.24.10 hereof; or (iii) constitute a transfer of the ownership of the Leased Space for federal income tax purposes.

 

6.24.15. Borrower shall not permit a change in control or ownership of interests in Borrower which would result in the Investor or Lenders having NMTC Control of Borrower.

 

6.24.16. Borrower shall provide all information, reports and statements reasonably requested by Lenders for purposes of Lenders’ reporting requirements pursuant to the Allocation Agreements to monitor compliance with Section 45D of the Internal Revenue Code, and to measure the community benefit of the Project. Borrower shall provide to Lenders copies of all rent rolls, Leases, and subleases, modifications, amendments, renewals and extensions of such Leases, together with information as to the Tenant, the Tenant’s business, and the Lease term, promptly after such documents become available, if any.

 

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6.24.17. Borrower shall provide to Lenders such information and sign such documents as are necessary for Lenders and the Investor to make timely, accurate and complete submissions of (i) federal and state income tax returns, (ii) reports to governmental agencies, and (iii) any other reports required to be delivered to Lenders and the Investor or their members.

 

6.24.18. Borrower shall promptly supply Lenders with any reports, records, statements, documents or other information reasonably requested by Lenders in connection with responding to any request by the CDFI Fund and the U.S. Department of Treasury, including any request pursuant to the Allocation Agreements (e.g., financial and activity reports, records, statements, documents and other information for purposes of ensuring compliance herewith) as may be required to comply with the NMTC Program Requirements, and shall promptly cooperate with Lenders to enable Lenders to comply with all of the requirements of the Allocation Agreements. In connection therewith, Borrower shall maintain records of:

 

6.24.18.1. if applicable, the activities and services performed by employees and the administration of their employment (including where their services are performed and, in instances where such employees also perform services for persons or entities other than Borrower, the allocation of their time between Borrower and any such other person or entity) that are sufficient to establish compliance with the requirements hereof;

 

6.24.18.2. the amount of its total gross income, including the location or locations from which such gross income is derived, that are sufficient to establish compliance with the requirements hereof;

 

6.24.18.3. the average values and locations of its tangible personal property that are sufficient to establish compliance with the requirements hereof; and

 

6.24.18.4. the unadjusted bases of its property generally and in particular, any collectibles and any nonqualified financial property it may own, that are sufficient to establish compliance with the requirements hereof.

 

6.24.19. Borrower shall make all such records available to Lenders for inspection and copying from time to time (at Borrower’s expense) as Lenders may request.

 

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6.24.20. Borrower shall provide Lenders with all information requested by Lenders (i) to complete any reporting to their members in connection with the Tax Credits resulting from the Loans, and (ii) in connection with Lenders’ reports and audits, including those made by the CDFI Fund’s Awards Management Information System.

 

6.24.21. Borrower shall maintain its funds and other assets separate from those of any other Person and shall not participate in a cash management system with any other Person unless any funds of Borrower which are maintained or deposited in such cash management system can at all times be identified as funds owned by Borrower. Borrower shall maintain all of its books, records, financial statements and bank accounts separate from those of its affiliates and any other Person. Borrower’s assets shall not be listed as assets on the financial statement of any other Person, and Borrower shall have its own separate financial statement. Any parent entity of Borrower shall include all income, gain, loss deduction and credits of Borrower in its tax returns. Borrower does not currently guarantee and shall not guarantee or become obligated for the debts of any other Person or pledge its assets for the benefit of any Person and does not and shall not hold itself out as being responsible for the debts or obligations of any other Person. Borrower shall not acquire obligations or securities of its affiliates.

 

6.24.22. Borrower shall only use the Loans proceeds in connection with the Project and shall not use the Loans proceeds in connection with any other property or business of Borrower (no permission for the ownership or operation of any such other property or business being implied).

 

6.24.23. Borrower shall prepare all required federal, state or local income tax returns or reports in a manner consistent with Borrower’s ownership of the entire Project, including any portion of the Project leased by Borrower to any other Person.

 

6.24.24. Borrower shall collaborate with Lenders with respect to the response to be made to any ninety (90) day notice of noncompliance and ability to cure the provisions hereof provided by the CDFI Fund to Lenders pursuant to the Allocation Agreements.

 

6.24.25. Borrower shall cooperate with Lenders in seeking any waiver or extension sought by Lenders with respect to a NMTC Recapture Event (regardless of whether or not Borrower has violated any covenants provided herein or failed to act as directed by Lenders), pursuant to Section 1.45D-1(e)(5) of the Treasury Regulations.

 

6.24.26. Borrower shall not by its action or inaction cause a NMTC Recapture Event.

 

6.24.27. Borrower shall not discontinue conducting business, shall not relocate, expand or materially change the nature of its business, and shall not materially change the manner in which its business activities are conducted, other than changes in the nature of its business or the manner in which it conducts its business that do not cause such business to cease to be a Qualified Business of Borrower or to cease to continue as a QALICB, and that do not cause the Loans to cease to constitute a QLICI (as determined by Lenders in their good faith judgment and based upon the advice of counsel) and which are otherwise permitted hereunder.

 

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6.24.28. Borrower shall utilize all proceeds of the Loans within twelve (12) months of the date hereof.

 

6.24.29. On or before January 15 and July 15 of each year during the Compliance Period, Borrower shall deliver to Lenders a certification in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C; in addition, within thirty (30) days of receiving a request from Lenders, Borrower shall deliver to Lenders a certification in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C with respect to the period specified by Lenders.

 

6.24.30. Borrower will treat the Loans as indebtedness for all purposes, and will not take any positions contrary to such treatment.

 

6.24.31. Borrower will treat each Lease as a lease for all purposes, and will not take any position contrary to such treatment.

 

6.24.32. The covenants contained in the Reimbursement and Compliance Agreement are hereby incorporated herein as though they were fully set forth in this Loan Agreement.

 

Clark Hill PLC, Leverage Law Group, LLC, and Jones Day are hereby permitted to rely on the foregoing covenants for purposes of federal income tax opinions to be issued in connection with the Loans.

 

6.25. Obligation to Furnish Evidence. In the event of any audit regarding the status or qualification of the Lenders or their affiliates as community development entities, the compliance by the Lenders or their affiliates with the Allocation Agreements or NMTC Program Requirements, the entitlement of any investor to Tax Credits, the qualification of the Census Tract as a Low-Income Community, the status of the Loans as a QLICI, the status of Borrower as a QALICB, or any other matter that involves the facts addressed in any representation and warranty contained in Section 5.21 hereof and any covenant contained in Section 6.24 hereof, Borrower shall promptly deliver or provide such reports, documents, or other evidence as reasonably requested by the Lenders, including (but not limited to) the following: tax returns, balance sheets, income statements, statements of cash flows, trial balances, general ledgers, business plans, financial projections, lease agreements, by-laws, certificates of formation, payroll records, bank statements, management or operating agreements, agreement, contracts, and invoices or purchase orders.

 

6.26. Filings. Borrower shall comply with all state and federal statutory and regulatory provisions applicable to such entity, including the filing of tax returns, reports and other information.

 

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6.27. Anti-Terrorism Laws.

 

6.27.1. Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that Borrower will not: (i) conduct any business or engage in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods, or services to or for the benefit of any Prohibited Person; (ii) deal in, or otherwise engage in any transaction relating to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to the Executive Order or any other Anti-Terrorism Law; or (iii) engage in, or conspire to engage in, any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law.

 

6.27.2. There shall not be any changes in the direct or indirect ownership of Borrower without the prior written consent of the Lenders which may be withheld in their sole discretion.

 

6.27.3. Borrower agrees to deliver to the Lenders promptly (but in any event within ten (10) Business Days of the Lenders’ written request) any certification or other evidence requested from time to time by the Lenders in their reasonable discretion, confirming Borrower’s compliance with the foregoing covenants.

 

6.28. Inspection. The books, contracts, records, documents and other papers relating to the Borrower shall at all times be maintained in reasonable condition, and shall be subject to examination, inspection and copying by the Lenders and their agents and representatives at reasonable times during normal business hours upon reasonable notice as the Lenders reasonably require.

 

6.29. Notification By Borrower. Borrower shall promptly give notice to the Lenders of the occurrence of any circumstances which after the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute an Event of Default.

 

6.30. Additional Reports. Within five (5) days of Borrower obtaining knowledge thereof, Borrower shall furnish to the Lenders a report executed by an authorized agent of Borrower with respect to:

 

6.30.1. Event of Default. Occurrence of any act, event, condition or omission which constitutes an Event of Default, together with a written statement of any remedial or curative actions that have been proposed in order to cure or remedy such default, and any action already taken with respect thereto;

 

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6.30.2. Recapture Event. Occurrence of any act, event, condition or omission which constitutes, or which after notice or lapse of time or both, would cause a loss, reduction, recapture, or disallowance of the Tax Credits (a “NMTC Recapture Event”), together with a written statement of any actions which have been proposed in order to cure or remedy such default, and any action already taken with respect thereto;

 

6.30.3. Adverse Proceedings. Existence or change in status of any pending or threatened litigation or administrative proceedings or investigations against or affecting Borrower or Guarantor, which, if determined adversely to Borrower or Guarantor, would have a material adverse effect upon Borrower, Guarantor, the ability of either to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents, the Project, or the Collateral for the Loans;

 

6.30.4. Financial Change. A material adverse change in the financial condition of Borrower or Guarantor;

 

6.30.5. Tax Communication. Receipt of any material communication from any taxing authority by Borrower concerning Tax Credits;

 

6.30.6. Material Information. Any other material information reasonably requested by the Lenders regarding the Loans and Collateral; or

 

6.30.7. Insurance Certificates. Prior to the expiration or termination of the current policy, notice of any renewal or replacement of any insurance policy required under Section 6.15 of this Loan Agreement, in the form of a copy of the policy, or an endorsement or certificate thereof, indicating the dates of coverage.

 

6.30.8. Lease Default. Receipt of any notices of default under the Project Leases.

 

6.31. Distributions. Borrower shall not make distributions to its shareholders if such distributions would leave the Borrower unable to maintain adequate capitalization, cash flow, or reserves or would adversely affect the repayment ability of the Borrower of the Debt.

 

7. Default. The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default” pursuant to this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents:

 

7.1. Non-Payment. Borrower shall fail to make any payment of the Obligations when due and payable and such failure shall continue for ten (10) days after written notice from the Lenders setting forth such payment default and the failure of Borrower to cure such default within such ten (10) day period.

 

7.2. Prepayment. Borrower makes any prepayment of the Loans, except as may be permitted under the Promissory Notes.

 

7.3. Breach. Borrower fails to comply with or perform any material term, provision, covenant, obligation, or agreement contained herein or in any other Loan Document and, excluding a breach of covenants pursuant to Section 6.24, such default is not remedied within thirty (30) days after written notice of such default is given to Borrower from the Lenders; provided, however, if such default is not reasonably susceptible of being cured within such thirty (30) day period and Borrower is diligently continuing to pursue the cure of such default at all times after such thirty (30) day period then Borrower shall have a reasonable time thereafter in which to cure such default.

 

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7.4. Judgments and Attachments. Any judgment or attachment shall be rendered against the Collateral or Borrower in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), and shall not be stayed, appealed, or satisfied within thirty (30) days after being rendered.

 

7.5. Non-Payment of Tax or Liability. Borrower shall fail to pay any tax, assessment, or other liability in excess of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) when due, except when such tax, assessment, or other liability shall be contested in good faith as set forth in this Loan Agreement.

 

7.6. Transfer. All or any part of the Collateral shall be voluntarily or involuntarily, assigned, sold, conveyed, or transferred without the Lenders’ prior approval.

 

7.7. Insurance. Borrower shall fail to maintain any insurance required by this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents.

 

7.8. License. Any Governmental Authorization required by this Loan Agreement shall be suspended, revoked, or terminated for any reason.

 

7.9. Appointment of Receiver; Orders. A receiver shall be appointed for the Collateral or Borrower, or an order, judgment, or decree is entered by any court of competent jurisdiction on the application of a creditor appointing a receiver, trustee, or liquidator of Borrower, the Property or all or substantially all of the other assets of the Borrower.

 

7.10. Assignment for Benefit. Borrower shall make any assignment for the benefit of creditors.

 

7.11. Dissolution. The dissolution, termination of existence, merger, or consolidation of Borrower shall have occurred.

 

7.12. Bankruptcy. Borrower shall file a voluntary petition of bankruptcy or an involuntary petition shall be filed against Borrower, which is not dismissed within sixty (60) days.

 

7.13. Insolvency. Borrower becomes insolvent.

 

7.14. Failure of Security. Subject to the Permitted Liens, the loss or impairment of (i) Lenders’ liens or security interest in the Collateral; or (ii) the priority of Lenders’ lien or security interest in the Collateral to the extent such loss of priority was caused by the action or inaction of Borrower or any Affiliates of Borrower.

 

7.15. Default under Other Agreements. Any event that results in the occurrence of a default under or the acceleration of the maturity of any present or future indebtedness of Borrower in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) (including Lenders) under any contract, promissory note, mortgage, deed of trust, security agreement, indenture, lease, or other agreement which is not cured within any applicable grace or cure periods.

 

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7.16. Change in Control. A Change in Control shall have occurred, without the prior written consent of Lenders, which may be withheld in their sole discretion.

 

7.17. Representations and Warranties. At any time any material representation or warranty of Borrower set forth in this Loan Agreement or in any of the other Loan Documents, including the application for the Loan or in any report, certificate, financial statement, document, or other instrument delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Loan Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, shall prove to have been false or incorrect in any material respect upon the date when made or deemed to be made or repeated.

 

7.18. Assignment. If Borrower assigns this Loan Agreement, the Advance to be made hereunder, any Disbursement to be made hereunder, or any interest in any of the foregoing, or if the Borrower’s leasehold interest in the Leased Space be conveyed, assigned, mortgaged, pledged, or encumbered in any way other than as herein provided without the prior written consent of the Lenders.

 

7.19. Tax Credits. If any violation of any of the representations and warranties in Section 5.21 hereof or the covenants set forth in Section 6.24 hereof shall have occurred.

 

7.20. Foreclosure. If any other holder of a mortgage or other lien or encumbrance on the Collateral of Borrower, or any part thereof or interest therein, institutes foreclosure or other proceedings for the enforcement of its remedies thereunder, which foreclosure or other proceedings are not discharged (without affecting such Collateral) or bonded, provided that this Section 7.20 shall not be construed to imply that the Lenders consents to any lien or encumbrance.

 

7.21. Encumbrance. The Borrower encumbers or permits the encumbrance of all or any part of the Collateral other than as may be expressly permitted in the Loan Documents.

 

7.22. Invalidity or Unenforceability of Security Interests. A determination by a court of competent jurisdiction that the security interests granted herein or in any other Loan Document against the Collateral are invalid, unenforceable, or not perfected.

 

7.23. Adverse Title or Possessory Interests. The acquisition by any Person of any legal, beneficial, or possessory interest in any portion of the Collateral other than the Permitted Liens, or otherwise as expressly permitted by the Loan Documents.

 

7.24. Ground Lease. The occurrence of any default under the Project Leases and the continuation of such default beyond any applicable cure or grace period set forth therein, or the termination of the Ground Lease, without Lenders’ prior written consent.

 

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7.25. Material Contract. The occurrence of any default under a Material Contract and the continuation of such default beyond any applicable cure or grace period set forth therein, or the termination a Material Contract, without Lenders’ prior written consent.

 

8. Remedies. Upon both an Event of Default and the failure of Borrower to cure the default upon the expiration of any time afforded to cure the Event of Default, the Lenders may in their sole and absolute discretion exercise any one or more of the following remedies, without further notice to or consent from Borrower:

 

8.1. Termination; Acceleration. The Lenders may immediately terminate this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents by notice to Borrower and declare the unpaid balance of the Obligations to be immediately due and payable.

 

8.2. Legal Action. The Lenders may commence Litigation against Borrower to recover the unpaid balance of the amount due pursuant to this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents.

 

8.3. Loan Documents. The Lenders may exercise any one or more remedies permitted pursuant to the Loan Documents.

 

8.4. Possession or Control. The Lenders may take immediate possession or control of any or all of the Collateral wherever the Collateral may be found to the extent set forth in the Security Agreement and to the extent permitted by Applicable Law.

 

8.5. Sale. The Lenders may sell all or any of the Collateral at private or public sale in such manner and under such circumstances as the Lenders may determine in their sole and absolute discretion to the extent set forth in the Security Agreement. All demands of performance, advertisements, notices of sale or retention, manner of sale, as well as the presence of the Collateral at any sale, and the constructive possession of the Collateral by the Person conducting any sale are hereby waived by Borrower. In the event any of the Collateral shall be sold at private sale, any price which the Lenders in good faith believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, shall be acceptable, and the sale shall be deemed to be commercially reasonable in all respects, notwithstanding the possibility that a substantially higher price for the Collateral might have been realized at a public sale. Borrower acknowledges that a ready market may not exist for the Collateral and that any sale of the Collateral for a price substantially less than its fair market value minus liabilities may be commercially reasonable in view of the difficulties that may be encountered in attempting to sell the Collateral.

 

8.6. Other Remedies. The Lenders may exercise any one or more remedies available under the UCC or Applicable Law.

 

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9. Conditions to Loans. The obligations of the Lenders pursuant to this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents including any obligation to advance the proceeds of the Loans to, or on behalf of, Borrower shall be subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions as of the Effective Date, in addition to any conditions precedent set forth elsewhere in this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents:

 

9.1. Loan Documents. Borrower shall have executed and delivered all of the Loan Documents.

 

9.2. Fees and Expenses. The Lenders shall have received an amount equal to the Fees and Expenses incurred prior to or at the closing of this Loan Agreement as presented by the Lenders to Borrower on the Closing Flow of Funds Memorandum.

 

9.3. Insurance Policies. The Lenders shall have received and approved copies of all insurance policies (or certificates), along with all required endorsements and certificates thereto, as required by this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents.

 

9.4. Other Documents. The Lenders shall have received all of the other documents referred to in this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents.

 

9.5. Financial Projections. Borrower shall cause to be delivered to the Lenders the Financial Projections in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Lenders.

 

9.6. Opinions of Counsel. Borrower shall deliver to the Lenders an opinion of counsel regarding federal income tax matters in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Lenders.

 

10. Intercreditor Provisions.

 

10.1. Powers. Each Lender shall have and may exercise such powers under the Loan Documents as are specifically delegated to such Lender, if any, by the terms of each such Loan Document, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.

 

10.2. Exercise of Remedies.

 

10.2.1. Collateral. Irrespective of whether any Event of Default shall have occurred under the terms of the Loan Documents, so long as any obligations of Borrower to any Lender under the Loan Documents remain unpaid Carver Lender shall have the right to enforce any of its rights with respect to the Carver Reserve Account and ST Lender shall have the right to enforce any of its rights with respect to the ST Reserve Account.

 

10.2.2. Notice of Event of Default. Each Lender shall use commercially reasonable efforts to advise the other Lender promptly of any Event of Default of which such Lender has actual knowledge under the Loan Documents, and shall provide supporting documentation reasonably requested by the other Lender. No Lender shall issue a notice of an Event of Default to Borrower without the prior written consent of the other Lender. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Lender is permitted to engage in routine collection activities, such as sending out payment delinquency notices (with copies to the other Lender) and making telephonic collection calls to Borrower in the ordinary course of servicing its respective Loans, without the consent of the other Lender.

 

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10.2.3. Remedies.

 

10.2.3.1. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default for which a notice was issued to Borrower in accordance with Section 10.2.2 of this Loan Agreement (excluding routine collection matters), the Lender that issued such notice shall propose a remedial action plan to the other Lender in writing (which may be provided exclusively by e-mail) (a “Proposed Remedial Action Plan”). Each Lender shall provide written comments (which may be submitted exclusively by e-mail) to a Proposed Remedial Action Plan to the other Lender within ten (10) Business Days of receipt thereof. The Lenders agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to reach unanimous consent with respect to a Proposed Remedial Action Plan. In the event that the Lenders do not agree to a Proposed Remedial Action Plan within thirty (30) calendar days of each Lender’s receipt thereof, such plan shall be deemed rejected. In the event that such a plan is rejected, the Lenders agree to work in good faith to develop a new Proposed Remedial Action Plan.

 

10.2.3.2. Any consent requested of any Lender under Section 10 hereof shall be deemed given only upon receipt of affirmative written consent from such Lender (which may be provided by e-mail). If any Lender fails to provide such affirmative written consent within ten (10) Business Days following receipt of a Proposed Remedial Action Plan, such Lender shall be deemed to have rejected such plan.

 

10.2.3.3. A Proposed Remedial Action Plan approved in accordance with this Section 10.2.3 shall be referred to herein as an “Approved Remedial Action Plan.” Upon such approval, the Lenders shall, by unanimous election, authorize any one of them (in such capacity, the “Lead Lender”) to pursue such Approved Remedial Action Plan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Lead Lender shall have no obligation to implement an Approved Remedial Action Plan until the Section 10 Expenses have been provided for in accordance with Section 10.2.8 of this Loan Agreement, unless otherwise agreed by the other Lender in writing.

 

10.2.4. Consents Generally. Each Lender shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide notice to the other Lender (which may be provided exclusively by e-mail) in the event that such Lender has actual knowledge of a matter that requires the approval or consent of the Lenders pursuant to the Loan Documents (unless it appears that the other Lender has received notice of such matters).

 

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10.2.5. Limitation of Liability.

 

10.2.5.1. Neither the Lead Lender nor any of its members, managers, directors, officers, employees, attorneys, agents, Affiliates, successors or assigns shall be liable or responsible in any manner whatsoever to any of the Lender, Borrower, or any other Person in connection with the Lead Lender’s role as the Lead Lender except for the Lead Lender’s own gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud in performing its duties hereunder. The Lead Lender shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Section 10 or any of the Loan Documents in accordance with the consent of the other Lender, including, without limitation, the implementation of an Approved Remedial Action Plan. This Section 10.2.5 shall survive the termination of this Section 10 only to the extent such obligations arise from actions taken or omissions made by the Lead Lender prior to the termination of this Section 10.

 

10.2.5.2. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, none of the Lead Lender’s members, managers, directors, officers, employees, attorneys, agents, Affiliates, successors or assigns shall have any personal liability in connection with the Lead Lender’s obligations hereunder.

 

10.2.6. Reliance on Communications. The Lead Lender shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, communication, signature, resolution, representation, notice, consent, instruction, direction, certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, facsimile, telex or telephone message, e-mail message, statement or other document or conversation believed by it in its reasonable discretion to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper responsible officers or other authorized parties of the other Lender or Borrower, as applicable, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the other Lender), independent accountants and other experts selected by the Lead Lender.

 

10.2.7. Reporting. Each Lender may specifically enforce Borrower’s reporting obligations pursuant to the Loan Documents, and collect any penalties with respect thereto without the consent of the other Lender.

 

10.2.8. Expenses. Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the Lead Lender and the other Lender for any actual third party out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, disbursements and court costs prior to trial, at trial and on appeal) incurred in enforcing the Lenders’ rights under the Loan Documents pursuant to this Section 10 (collectively, the “Section 10 Expenses”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Section 10 Expenses will be incurred by the Lead Lender prior to the availability of funds from Borrower, the Lenders shall use commercially reasonable efforts to identify a source of funds to pay such Section 10 Expenses. This Section 10.2.8 shall survive the termination of this Section 10.

 

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10.3. Payments. The Lenders agree that any payments made by Borrower (excluding any payments made to Carver Lender from funds held in, or withdrawn from, the Carver Reserve Account and any payments made to ST Lender from funds held in, or withdrawn from, the ST Reserve Account) shall be applied in accordance with the Promissory Notes, first to the Lenders’ fees, costs, and expenses which are reimbursable under the terms of the Promissory Notes or any Loan Document, if any, second to accrued and unpaid interest, and then to unpaid principal.

 

10.4. Repayment Priority Prior to Default. Prior to the occurrence of a default or event of default under the Loan and the continuation thereof beyond any applicable cure period provided in the applicable Loan Documents, Lenders shall be entitled to collect and retain amounts due and payable by Borrower under the Loan Documents on a pari passu basis in proportion to the percentage of the total Loan amount that their respective promissory notes comprise.

 

10.5. Repayment Priority Following Default. Lenders covenant and agree that upon the occurrence of any default or event of default under the Loan and the continuation thereof beyond any applicable cure period provided in the applicable Loan Documents, and during the continuation of any default or event of default under the Loan, all sums actually received by any Lender (net of any actual costs of collection) from (i) Borrower or (ii) net foreclosure proceeds from the sale of Collateral (after payment of all costs and expenses of enforcement, collection, and sale), excluding however any proceeds of the Carver Reserve Account or the ST Reserve Account (collectively, the “Default Proceeds”), shall be allocated and shared among Lenders based upon the following subsections:

 

10.5.1. Default Proceeds. All Default Proceeds shall be allocated and delivered:

 

10.5.1.1. first, to ST Lender until the total outstanding indebtedness under the ST Loan has been repaid in full;

 

10.5.1.2. second, to Carver Lender until the total outstanding indebtedness under the Carver Loan has been repaid in full; and

 

10.5.1.3. finally, all remaining amounts, if any, shall be paid to Borrower.

 

As used herein, “total outstanding indebtedness” shall mean the principal amount and all accrued by unpaid interest outstanding under a Loan, including without limitation all unpaid fees, protective advances, expenses to be reimbursed, and all other amounts due under the respective Loan Documents as of the date the event of default is declared (the “Default Date”).

 

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10.5.2. Cure and Subsequent Default. In the event all declared defaults and events of default are subsequently cured (as respectively determined by Lenders in their reasonable discretion), all payments thereafter, while no default or event of default shall exist, shall be made according to the terms of Section 10.1 above. In the event a later default or event of default is declared by any Lender (the date of which declaration shall then be the “Default Date”), all Default Proceeds shall be allocated and delivered according to subsection 10.5.1 above.

 

10.5.3. Curative Deliveries. In the event any Lender receives any sum in excess of such party’s share according to this Agreement, such party shall promptly remit to the party entitled thereto such sum as may be necessary to comply with the provisions hereof. Upon request by any Lender, the other Lender shall account for all advances and payments received by such Lender.

 

10.6. Obligations Absolute. The provisions of this Section 10 are solely for the purpose of (a) defining the relative rights of the Lenders with respect to the priority of payment of the various obligations of Borrower to each of them and (b) the right of each Lender to exercise rights and remedies as a creditor of Borrower. As between Borrower and the holders of any of the Promissory Notes, nothing in this Section 10 shall impact the obligations of Borrower, which are unconditional and absolute, to pay to the holders thereof the principal and interest thereon and any other liabilities pursuant to the Loan Documents, all in accordance with their respective terms. Borrower shall have no right to enforce the terms of this Section 10 against any Lender.

 

11. Approvals and Consents in Writing. All matters that are subject to the approval, consent, or direction of the Lenders, such approvals, consents, or directions shall be sought and obtained from the Lenders in writing.

 

12. General Provisions.

 

12.1. Schedules and Exhibits. All Schedules to this Loan Agreement and all Exhibits to the Loan Documents as supplemented, modified, or amended from time to time, are hereby incorporated into this Loan Agreement as though they were fully set forth in this Loan Agreement.

 

12.2. Governing Law. This Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the State of Georgia without regard to the choice of law provisions thereof and applicable federal laws.

 

12.3. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. The rights and remedies expressed in this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights and remedies otherwise available to the Lenders.

 

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12.4. Assignment; Assumption. This Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents shall not be assigned or otherwise transferred by Borrower or assumed by any other Person. Any purported assignment, transfer, or assumption of this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents shall not release Borrower of any of the obligations of Borrower pursuant to this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents. The Lenders may assign, participate, or transfer all or any part of the Loans, this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents without notice to or the consent from Borrower. In connection with any assignment, participation and transfer by the Lenders, Borrower hereby consents to the disclosure of information pertaining to the Obligations to prospective assignees, participants, and transferees.

 

12.5. Further Assurances. Upon request by the Lenders, Borrower shall execute and deliver such other documents and take such further actions as may be reasonably requested to carry out the provisions of this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents.

 

12.6. Modification; Waiver. This Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents may be modified, amended, or waived only by a written agreement signed by the Party to be bound by the modification, amendment, or waiver. The course of dealing among the Parties shall not modify or amend this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents in any respect. Any delay by the Lenders in the exercise of any of their rights pursuant to this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents shall not be construed as a waiver or release of any of the provisions of this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents. A waiver by the Lenders of a breach of any provision of this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents or any waiver by the Lenders of an Event of Default shall not: (a) operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or Event of Default; (b) limit or restrict any right or remedy otherwise available to the Lenders; or (c) operate or be construed as a waiver of compliance by the Lenders as to any other provision of this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents.

 

12.7. Binding Effect and Benefit. This Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon and enforceable by the heirs, successors, and assigns of the Parties.

 

12.8. Notice. All notices, requests, demands, and other communications permitted or required by this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents shall be in writing, and (a) delivered in person; (b) sent by express mail or other overnight delivery service providing receipt of delivery; (c) mailed by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, restricted delivery to the relevant party; or (d) electronic communication, whether by email, telegram or telecopier, together with confirmation of transmission (and in the case of email, confirmation of actual receipt by the intended recipient). All such notices and other communications shall be sent to the following addresses, unless changed by the receiving Party or otherwise known to the sending Party:

 

If to Carver Lender:

 

Carver Development CDE VI, LLC

c/o Carver State Bank

701 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard

Savannah, Georgia 31401

Attention: Robert E. James, II

Email: RJamesii@carverstatebank.com

 

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With copies to:

 

Leverage Law Group, LLC

4501 College Boulevard, Suite 280

Leawood, KS 66211

Attn: Neal Johnson

Email: neal.johnson@leveragelaw.com

 

and:

 

Danimer Bainbridge Investment Fund, LLC

c/o SunTrust Community Capital, LLC

303 Peachtree Street N.E., Suite 2200

Mail Code GA-ATL-0243

Atlanta, GA 30308

Attention: Christopher Leutzinger

Email: chris.leutzinger@suntrust.com

 

and:

 

SunTrust Community Capital, LLC

303 Peachtree Street N.E., Suite 2200

Mail Code GA-ATL-0243

Atlanta, GA 30308

Attention: Christopher Leutzinger

Email: chris.leutzinger@suntrust.com

 

and:

 

Jones Day

100 High Street, 21st Floor

Boston, MA 02110

Attention: Douglas Banghart, Esq.

Email: dbanghart@jonesday.com

 

If to ST Lender:

 

ST CDE LXII, LLC

303 Peachtree Street N.E., Suite 2200

Mail Code GA-ATL-0243

Atlanta, GA 30308

Attention: Christopher Leutzinger

Email: chris.leutzinger@suntrust.com

 

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With copies to:

 

Jones Day

100 High Street, 21st Floor

Boston, MA 02110

Attention: Douglas Banghart, Esq.

Email: dbanghart@jonesday.com

 

and:

 

Danimer Bainbridge Investment Fund, LLC

c/o SunTrust Community Capital, LLC

303 Peachtree Street N.E., Suite 2200

Mail Code GA-ATL-0243

Atlanta, GA 30308

Attention: Christopher Leutzinger

Email: chris.leutzinger@suntrust.com

 

and:

 

SunTrust Community Capital, LLC

303 Peachtree Street N.E., Suite 2200

Mail Code GA-ATL-0243

Atlanta, GA 30308

Attention: Christopher Leutzinger

Email: chris.leutzinger@suntrust.com

 

and:

 

Jones Day

100 High Street, 21st Floor

Boston, MA 02110

Attention: Douglas Banghart, Esq.

Email: dbanghart@jonesday.com

 

If to Borrower:

 

Danimer Scientific Manufacturing, Inc.

c/o Meredian Holdings Group, Inc.

140 Industrial Boulevard

Bainbridge, GA, 39817

Attn: John A Dowdy, III

Email: jad@danimer.com

 

51

 

 

With a copy to:

 

Thompson Hine LLP

Two Alliance Center

3560 Lenox Road NE, Suite 1600

Atlanta, Georgia 30326-4266

Attn: Sherman Golden

Facsimile: 404.541.2905

Email: Sherman.Golden@thompsonhine.com

 

12.9. Business Day. If any provision of this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents requires the performance of an obligation on a date that is not a Business Day, the performance by a Party may be postponed until the next Business Day.

 

12.10. Time for Performance. Time shall be of the essence.

 

12.11. Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as provided in this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents, the Parties do not intend to create any rights for the benefit of any third party.

 

12.12. Counterparts. This Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents may be executed in one or more counterparts. Each counterpart of this Loan Agreement shall be deemed a duplicate original of this Loan Agreement, and all counterparts, when collected together, shall constitute the original of this Loan Agreement. A counterpart may be a full copy of this Loan Agreement or a signature page from a full copy of this Loan Agreement. Delivery of such executed counterpart by facsimile, emailed .pdf or other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart.

 

12.13. Conflict in Documents. To the extent there may be a conflict between the provisions of this Loan Agreement and any of the Loan Documents, the provisions of this Loan Agreement shall prevail.

 

12.14. Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made by Borrower in this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents shall survive the making of the Loans, and shall continue in full force and effect until the Obligations shall be paid in full.

 

12.15. Severability. Each provision of this Loan Agreement shall be severable from all other provisions of this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents. Each provision of the Loan Documents shall be severable from all other provisions of this Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents. If any Governmental Authority shall determine, during or at the conclusion of any Litigation, that any provision of this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents shall be invalid or unenforceable, the provision shall be deemed modified only to the extent necessary to render it valid and enforceable, and all remaining provisions of this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect.

 

52

 

 

12.16. Interpretation. This Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents shall be interpreted as though the Parties participated equally in their preparation and negotiation. The Parties assume joint responsibility for the form and composition of each provision of this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents. Unless the context would result in a conflict in the provisions of this Loan Agreement: (a) the gender or lack of gender of all words used in this Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents shall include the masculine, feminine, and neuter; (b) the singular shall include the plural; (c) the words “include” or “including” mean, in addition to any regularly accepted meaning, “without limitation” and “including but not limited to”; (d) references to Sections refer to Sections of this Loan Agreement; (e) references to Schedules are to the Schedules attached to or delivered with this Loan Agreement; (f) subject headings and captions are included for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Loan Agreement; (g) the definitions used herein apply to all capitalized terms; and (h) references to agreements and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, supplements and other modifications to, or replacements of, such instruments to permitted by the terms of this Loan Agreement.

 

12.17. Entire Agreement. This Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents contain the entire agreement of the Parties regarding the Loans, and no other oral or written agreements shall be binding on the Lenders. Borrower represents and warrants that Borrower has not been influenced by any Person to enter into this Loan Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, nor relied on any representation, warranty, or covenant of any Person except for those representations, warranties, and covenants set forth in this Loan Agreement.

 

12.18. Exchange of Information. Borrower agrees that the Lenders may exchange or disclose financial and other information about Borrower with or to any of the Lenders’ affiliates or other related entities and with any party that acquires a participation or other interest in all or part of the Loans.

 

12.19. Termination; Reinstatement.

 

12.19.1. This Loan Agreement shall terminate on the later of the Maturity Date or the date on which the Obligations shall be paid in full; provided that the provisions of Sections 5.21, 6.21, and 6.24 shall survive such termination.

 

12.19.2. This Loan Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against Borrower for liquidation or reorganization, should Borrower become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of any creditor or creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of Borrower’s assets, and shall continue to be effective or to be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Obligations, or any part thereof, is, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee of the Obligations, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent conveyance,” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment, or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Obligations shall be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

 

53

 

 

12.20. Publicity. During the equipping of the Project, Lenders and/or Investor may, at their option, announce and publicize the source of the financing contemplated hereunder by reasonable means and media selected by Lenders and may, at Lenders’ own cost, also erect (or request that Borrower erect) on the Leased Space, but subject to Applicable Law and Permitted Liens, a sign for display indicating Lenders and/or Investor are providing the financing for the Project. If such sign is provided, Borrower agrees (i) to provide a prominent and reasonably suitable location for the display of the sign, (ii) to cause the sign to be displayed in such place by suitable attachment of the sign to a structure on the site at Lenders’ cost, and (iii) to maintain the display of such sign for the duration of construction of the Project. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section to the contrary, Lenders and/or Investor may use media, and other Project related information, internally without consent of Borrower. In addition, Borrower hereby authorizes Lenders and Investor to reproduce and display any media (including, without limitation, photographs and illustrations) of the Project submitted to Lenders or Investor by Borrower. Borrower represents and warrants to Lenders and Investor that Borrower has obtained any and all licenses and/or permissions necessary for Borrower’s, Investor’s and Lenders’ use of such media.

 

12.21. Non-Delinquency Certification. Borrower certifies that it is not delinquent in the payment of any debt to the Lenders or any other person other than trade payables, and Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the Lenders may declare this Loan Agreement null and void if this certification is false.

 

12.22. TAX CREDIT RECAPTURE LIABILITY. BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT LENDERS ARE MAKING THE LOANS TO BORROWER CONTINGENT UPON THE QUALIFICATION THAT BORROWER IS A QALICB AND THE AVAILABILITY OF THE TAX CREDITS TO THE INVESTOR OR ITS ASSIGNS. ANY BREACH BY BORROWER OF ANY OF BORROWER’S REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES OR COVENANTS IN SECTION 5.21 OR SECTION 6.24 OF THIS LOAN AGREEMENT MAY RESULT IN LIABILITY OF BORROWER TO LENDERS, THEIR MEMBERS AND THE INVESTOR PURSUANT TO THE LOAN DOCUMENTS.

 

12.23. Non-Liability. In no event shall the Lenders (or their Affiliates) be liable to Borrower for consequential, special, punitive, incidental damages, or lost profits, whatever the nature of the breach by the Lenders or Borrower of its Obligations under this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents or in connection herewith. Borrower waives all claims for consequential, special, punitive, incidental damages, and lost profits and for all damages described in Section 12.23 hereof.

 

12.24. Lenders-Borrower Relationship. The relationship between the Lenders and Borrower is solely that of a lender and borrower, and nothing contained herein or in any of the Loan Documents shall in any manner be construed as making the parties hereto principal, agent, partners, joint venturers or any other relationship other than lender and Borrower.

 

54

 

 

12.25. Electronic Transmission of Data. The Lenders and Borrower agree that certain data related to the Loans (including confidential information, documents, applications and reports) may be transmitted electronically, including transmission over the Internet. This data may be transmitted to, received from or circulated among agents and representatives of Borrower and the Lenders and their affiliates and other Persons involved with the subject matter of this Loan Agreement. Borrower acknowledges and agrees that (a) there are risks associated with the use of electronic transmission and that the Lenders does not control the method of transmittal or service providers, (b) the Lenders has no obligation or responsibility whatsoever and assumes no duty or obligation for the security, receipt or third party interception of any such transmission, and (c) Borrower will release, hold harmless, defend and indemnify the Lenders from any claim, damage or loss, including that arising in whole or part from the Lenders’ strict liability or sole, comparative, or contributory negligence, which is related to the electronic transmission of data.

 

12.26. Forum. Borrower and the Lenders hereby irrevocably submit generally and unconditionally for themselves and in respect of Borrower’s property to the jurisdiction of any state court or any United States federal court sitting in the State of Georgia specified in the governing law section of this Loan Agreement and to the jurisdiction of any state court or any United States federal court sitting in the state in which any of the Property is located, over any Dispute, with venue in all events in a state court or U.S. federal court sitting in the State of Georgia. Borrower and the Lenders hereby irrevocably waive to the fullest extent permitted by Law, any objection to the laying of venue in any such court and any claim that any such court is an inconvenient forum. Borrower and the Lenders hereby agree and consent that, in addition to any methods of service of process provided for under applicable law, all service of process in any such suit, action or proceeding in any state court or any United States federal court sitting in the state specified in the governing law section of this Loan Agreement may be made by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, directed to Borrower or the Lenders at their address for notice set forth in this Loan Agreement, or at a subsequent address of which the Lenders or Borrower received actual notice from Borrower or the Lenders in accordance with the notice section of this Loan Agreement, and service so made shall be complete five (5) calendar days after the same shall have been so mailed.

 

12.27. Attorney’s Fees. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the terms “attorney fees” or “reasonable attorney’s fees” as used herein shall mean attorney’s fees actually incurred and shall not mean deemed statutory attorney’s fees under O.C.G.A. Section 13-1-11.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

 

55

 

 

EXECUTED and DELIVERED as of the date first written above.

 

  CARVER LENDER:
   
  Carver Development CDE VI, LLC,
  a Georgia limited liability company
     
  By: Carver Development CDE, LLC,
    a Georgia limited liability company,
    its managing member

 

    By: /s/ Robert E. James, II
    Name: Robert E. James, II
    Title: President

 

[Signatures continue on following pages]

 

Danimer – QLICI Loan Agreement Signature Page

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED and DELIVERED as of the date first written above.

 

  ST LENDER:
   
  ST CDE LXII, LLC,
  a Georgia limited liability company
     
  By: SunTrust Community Development Enterprises, LLC,
    a Georgia limited liability company,
    its manager

    By: SunTrust Community Capital, LLC,
      a Georgia limited liability company,
      its managing member

  By: /s/ Christopher Leutzinger
  Name: Christopher Leutzinger
  Title: First Vice President

[Signatures continue on following pages]

 

Danimer – QLICI Loan Agreement Signature Page

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED and DELIVERED as of the date first written above.

 

  DANIMER SCIENTIFIC MANUFACTURING, INC.,
  a Delaware corporation
   
  By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
  Name: John A. Dowdy, III
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

[End of signature pages]

 

Danimer – QLICI Loan Agreement Signature Page

 

Exhibit 10.18

 

QLICI LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

by and between

 

 

 

DANIMER SCIENTIFIC KENTUCKY, INC.,

a Delaware corporation,

as Borrower,

 

and

 

 

AMCREF FUND 51, LLC

a Louisiana limited liability company,

 

as Lender

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE 1 Definitions 3
1.1 Definitions 3
1.2 Accounting Terms 20
1.3 Computation of Time 20
ARTICLE 2 The Loans 20
2.1 Amount of Loans 20
2.2 Disbursements of Loans 20
2.3 Interest Rate; Payment Terms; Maturity; Prepayments 21
2.4 Direct Distributions to Lender 22
ARTICLE 3 Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Borrower 22
3.1 Organizational Status; Authorizations 22
3.2 No Actions 23
3.3 No Breach 23
3.4 Ownership of Property; No Liens 23
3.5 Utilities Available 23
3.6 Access 24
3.7 No Defaults 24
3.8 Financial Statements 24
3.9 Equipment 24
3.10 Leases 24
3.11 Permits 24
3.12 Environmental Matters 25
3.13 Compliance 26
3.14 Brokerage Fees 26
3.15 No Margin Stock; No Plan Assets 26
3.16 Anti-Terrorism Laws 26
3.17 New Markets Tax Credits Representations and Warranties 27
3.18 Tax Returns and Payment 33
3.19 No Assumption of Borrower’s Obligations 33
3.20 No Insolvency 33
3.21 Fees 33
3.22 Consents 33
3.23 Reimbursement Certification and Compliance Agreement 33
3.24 Senior Loan Documents 33
3.25 Lease Documents 33
ARTICLE 4 Conditions Precedent to Lender’s Obligation to Make the Advance 34
4.1 Loan Documents 34
4.2 Governing Instruments 34
4.3 Good Standing and Resolutions 34
4.4 Legal Opinions 34
4.5 Financial Statements 34
4.6 Consents 35
4.7 Survey 35

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY

 

 

4.8 Environmental Report 35
4.9 Expenditures 35
4.10 Insurance Policies 35
4.11 Governmental and Other Approvals 35
4.12 Compliance 35
4.13 No Default 35
4.14 Useful Life of Equipment 35
4.15 Material Contracts 36
4.16 Receipt of Accountant Certification 36
4.17 Investment Fund QEI 36
4.18 Taxes 36
4.19 Construction and Engineering Contracts 36
4.20 Equipment 36
4.21 Acquisition Document 36
4.22 Appraisal 36
4.23 Title 36
4.24 Community Benefits Agreements 36
4.25 Betters Rates and Terms Letter 36
4.26 Agreed Upon Procedures 36
4.27 Releases 37
4.28 Other Requirements 37
ARTICLE 5 Advances 37
5.1 Initial Advance and Withdrawal 37
5.2 Conditions Precedent to Subsequent Withdrawals 37
5.3 Application of Funds 38
5.4 Final Disbursement Certificate 38
5.5 Account Statements 38
5.6 Investor Requirements 38
ARTICLE 6 Additional Covenants of Borrower 38
6.1 Use of Loan Proceeds 38
6.2 Prohibition of Assignment 39
6.3 Comply with Requirements 39
6.4 Inspection 39
6.5 Costs and Expenses; Indemnification by Borrower 39
6.6 Insurance 41
6.7 Governmental Requirements 42
6.8 Additional Documents and Information 42
6.9 Leases, Licenses and Sale of Property 44
6.10 Financial Restrictions on Borrower 45
6.11 Encroachments 45
6.12 Collateral Liens and Encumbrances 45
6.13 Certificates 45
6.14 Use 46
6.15 Conduct of Business 46
6.16 Environmental Matters and Indemnity 46
6.17 Environmental and other Legal Notices 47

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY ii  

 

 

6.18 Litigation 47
6.19 Other Indebtedness 47
6.20 Inspection 49
6.21 Bank Accounts 50
6.22 Disbursement Account 50
6.23 Anti-Terrorism Laws 50
6.24 New Markets Tax Credits Covenants 51
6.25 Annual Reimbursements, Fees and Reserves 57
6.26 Organizational Status; Authorizations 58
6.27 Equipment 58
6.28 Compliance 58
6.29 Required Notices 59
6.30 No Plan Assets 59
6.31 Taxes 59
6.32 Organizational Documents 59
6.33 Material Contracts 60
6.34 Project Completion 60
6.35 Indemnification 60
ARTICLE 7 Events of Default and Remedies 61
7.1 Events of Default 61
7.2 Remedies 63
7.3 Lender’s Right to Complete 65
ARTICLE 8 General Conditions 66
8.1 No Waiver 66
8.2 Form Satisfactory 66
8.3 Notices 66
8.4 No Oral Amendments 68
8.5 Additional Remedies 68
8.6 No Control or Recourse 68
8.7 Security Documents 68
8.8 Usury Savings 68
8.9 Assignment by Lender 69
8.10 Additional Documents 69
8.11 Binding Effect; Continuing Agreement 69
8.12 Governing Law 69
8.13 Headings 69
8.14 Reserved 70
8.15 Duration of Agreement 70
8.16 Counterparts 70
8.17 Time is of the Essence 70
8.18 Purpose and Effect of Approval 70
8.19 Language of Agreement 70
8.20 Exchange of Information 70
8.21 Survival 70
8.22 Further Performance 70
8.23 Publicity, Photographs and Other Media 70

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY iii  

 

 

8.24 [Reserved] 71
8.25 No Third Party Beneficiary 71
8.26 Waiver of Special Damages 71
8.27 Waiver of Jury Trial 71
ARTICLE 9 Security Agreement 71
9.1 Definitions 71
9.2 Grant of Security 72
9.3 Security for Obligations 73
9.4 Borrower Remains Liable 73
9.5 Representations and Warranties 73
9.6 Further Assurances 73
9.7 Remdies 74
ARTICLE 10 Intercreditor 76
10.1 Subordination and Intercreditor Agreements 76

 

EXHIBIT A Legal Description
EXHIBIT B Form of Debarment Certification
EXHIBIT C Insurance Requirements
EXHIBIT D Form of NMTC Compliance Certification
EXHIBIT E-1 List of Equipment
EXHIBIT E-2 List of Acquired Equipment
EXHIBIT F Form of Request for Disbursement
EXHIBIT G Certificate of Final Disbursement
EXHIBIT H Permits
EXHIBIT I Operating Contracts
EXHIBIT J Form of Quarterly Disbursement Compliance Certificate

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY iv  

 

 

QLICI LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

THIS QLICI LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”), dated as of November 7, 2019, is by and among DANIMER SCIENTIFIC KENTUCKY, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”), and AMCREF FUND 51, LLC, a Louisiana limited liability company (the “Lender”).

 

R E C I T A L S

 

The following recitals are a material part of this Agreement:

 

WHEREAS, on or before the date hereof, Borrower acquired a leasehold interest in certain land and improvements located at 605 Rolling Hills Lane, Winchester, KY 40391, which includes the real property more particularly described in Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference (the “Property”). The Borrower acquired its leasehold interest in the Property for the purpose of equipping and operating a biodegradable polymer manufacturing facility (the “Project”);

 

WHEREAS, prior to the date hereof, Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and the sole stockholder of the Borrower (“Danimer Holdings”), provided a loan to the Borrower in an aggregate amount in excess of $7,146,667.21 (the “Danimer Holdings Loan”) for use on Project expenses;

 

WHEREAS, Borrower is expected to constitute a “qualified active low-income community business” (as that term is defined in Section 45D of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and Section 141.432(5) of the KY NMTC Act, as defined below) also known as a “QALICB;”

 

WHEREAS, on or about the date hereof, U.S. Bank, National Association, a national banking association (“USBNA”), made a capital contribution of $1,359,868.42 (the “State NMTC Equity”) in Twain Investment Fund 427, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company (the “Investment Fund I”); Investment Fund I used the proceeds of such State NMTC Equity, together with the proceeds of a bridge equity investment by USBNA of $5,219,078.94 (which bridge equity investment was repaid on or about the date hereof by a loan made to Investment Fund I by Danimer Holdings in the aggregate principal amount of $5,583,426.31 (the “State Leverage Loan”)), to make (i) an aggregate capital contribution of $3,289,473.68 (the “Consortium State QEI”) in Consortium America 79, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Consortium CDE”), intended to constitute a “qualified equity investment” within the meaning of the KY NMTC Act, (ii) an aggregate capital contribution of $3,289,473.68 (the “Brownfield State QEI,” and together with the Consortium State QEI, the “State QEIs”) in Brownfield Revitalization 60, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Brownfield CDE,” and together with the Consortium CDE, the “State CDEs”), intended to constitute a “qualified equity investment” within the meaning of the KY NMTC Act. In addition to the repayment of the USBNA bridge equity, the State Leverage Loan proceeds were also used to make a payment of sub-allocation fees in the amount of $164,473.68 to Consortium America Advisors, LLC and $164,473.68 to Brownfield Revitalization Advisors, LLC, and to pay a bridge equity fee in the amount of to USBNA and fund a management fee reserve in the amount of $5,400.00;

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY

 

 

WHEREAS, on or about the date hereof, the Consortium CDE used the proceeds of the Consortium State QEI to make loans in an aggregate principal amount of $3,289,473.68 (the “Consortium State QLICI Loan”) in Twain Investment Fund 428, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company (the “Investment Fund II”), and the Brownfield CDE used the proceeds of the Brownfield State QEI to make loans in an aggregate principal amount of $3,289,473.68 (the “Brownfield State QLICI Loan,” and together with the Consortium State QLICI Loan, the “State QLICI Loans”) in Investment Fund II, each intended to constitute a “qualified low-income community investment” within the meaning of the KY NMTC Act;

 

WHEREAS, on or about the date hereof, U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation, a Minnesota corporation (“USBCDC”), made a capital contribution in Investment Fund II in the amounts of $3,884,400.00 (the “Federal NMTC Equity”) and $679,934.21 (the “Additional State NMTC Equity”);

 

WHEREAS, on or about the date hereof, Investment Fund II used the proceeds of the Federal NMTC Equity and Additional State NMTC Equity, together with the proceeds of State QLICI Loans and bridge equity from USBCDC in the amount of $856,261.95 (which bridge equity was repaid on or about the date hereof from the proceeds of a loan from Danimer Holdings in an aggregate principal amount of $1,563,240.90 (the “Federal Leverage Loan”)), to make capital contributions to Lender in an aggregate amount of $12,000,000 (the “Federal/State QEI,” and together with the State QEIs, each a “QEI” and collectively the “QEIs”), all of which investment is intended to constitute a “qualified equity investment” within the meaning of Section 45D of the Code and $3,289,473.68 of which is intended to constitute a “qualified equity investment” as defined under the KY NMTC Act. In addition to the repayment of the USBCDC bridge equity, the Federal Leverage Loan proceeds were also used pay a federal structuring/management fee of $570,000 and a state structuring/management fee of $131,578.95 to AMCREF Community Capital, LLC and to fund a fund management fee reserve in the amount of $5,400.00;

 

WHEREAS, on the date hereof, and subject to this Agreement, the Lender used the entirety of the proceeds of the Federal/State QEI to make loans to the Borrower as follows (each a “Loan” and collectively the “Loans”): (i) a loan in the amount of $8,142,188.26 evidenced by the QLICI A Note (defined below), (ii) a loan in the amount of $3,309,456.48 evidenced by the QLICI B Note (defined below), and (iii) a loan in the amount of $548,355.26 evidenced by the QLICI C Note (defined below).

 

WHEREAS, each of the Loans are intended to constitute a “qualified low-income community investment” within the meaning of Section 45D(d) of the Code, and a portion of the Loans in an amount of $3,289,473.68 is intended to constitute a “qualified low-income community investment” within the meaning of the KY NMTC Act;

 

WHEREAS, as a result of the Loans, the Investment Fund II’s investments in Lender are expected to generate “new markets tax credits” pursuant to Section 45D of the Code (the “New Markets Tax Credits”), a portion of Investment Fund II’s investments in Lender are expected to generate “Kentucky New Markets Development Program tax credits” pursuant to the KY NMTC Act, and Investment Fund I’s investment in the State CDEs are expected to generate “Kentucky New Markets Development Program tax credits” pursuant to the KY NMTC Act;

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY 2  

 

 

WHEREAS, Borrower will use the Loans to (i) finance and refinance the acquisition and installation of equipment at the Facility and to fund operation of the Facility, (ii) pay certain transaction costs and expenses and (ii) repay a portion of the Danimer Holdings Loan, as more particularly described herein; and

 

WHEREAS, Lender has agreed to make the Loans to Borrower upon and subject to all of the terms, conditions, covenants and agreements of this Agreement.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements hereinafter contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1
Definitions

 

1.1 Definitions. All capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall, unless otherwise defined in the recitals or body of this Agreement, have the following meanings:

 

Account Control Agreement (AMCREF Fee Reserve Account)” means that certain Blocked Account Control Agreement (AMCREF Fee Reserve Account), by and among Borrower, Lender, and USBNA, dated as of the date of this Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Account Control Agreement (BR Fee Reserve Account)” means that certain Blocked Account Control Agreement (AMCREF Fee Reserve Account), by and among Borrower, Lender, and USBNA, dated as of the date of this Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Account Control Agreement (CA Fee Reserve Account)” means that certain Blocked Account Control Agreement (AMCREF Fee Reserve Account), by and among Borrower, Lender, and USBNA, dated as of the date of this Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Account Control Agreement (Disbursement Account)” means that certain Blocked Account Control Agreement (Disbursing Account), by and among Borrower, Lender, and USBNA, dated as of the date of this Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Account Control Agreements” means the Account Control Agreement (Disbursement Account), Account Control Agreement (AMCREF Fee Reserve Account), Account Control Agreement (CA Fee Reserve Account), and Account Control Agreement (BR Fee Reserve Account).

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY 3  

 

 

Account Pledge Agreement (AMCREF Reserve Account)” means that certain Bank Account Pledge Agreement (AMCREF Fee Reserve Account), by and between Borrower and Lender, dated as of the date of this Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Account Pledge Agreement (BR Reserve Account)” means that certain Bank Account Pledge Agreement (BR Fee Reserve Account), by and between Borrower and Lender, dated as of the date of this Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Account Pledge Agreement (CA Reserve Account)” means that certain Bank Account Pledge Agreement (CA Fee Reserve Account), by and between Borrower and Lender, dated as of the date of this Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Account Pledge Agreement (Disbursement Account)” means that certain Bank Account Pledge Agreement (Disbursing Account), by and between Borrower and Lender, dated as of the date of this Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Account Pledge Agreements” means the Account Pledge Agreement (Disbursement Account), Account Pledge Agreement (AMCREF Reserve Account), Account Pledge Agreement (BR Reserve Account) and Account Pledge Agreement (CA Reserve Account).

 

Accountants” means Novogradac & Company LLP.

 

Acquired Equipment” means any equipment acquired with the proceeds of the Loans, including, without limitation the Existing Equipment listed in Exhibit E-2 attached hereto, and any and all equipment acquired to maintain or upgrade such equipment.

 

Advance” means the advance of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans by either Lender to or for the benefit of Borrower to pay a portion of the Costs, fees and other expenses permitted hereunder as set forth in Section 6.1 hereof.

 

Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any other Person: (a) that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person; (b) that directly or indirectly beneficially owns or holds ten percent (10%) or more of any class of voting membership interests (units) of such Person; or (c) ten percent (10%) or more of the voting membership interests (units) of which is directly or indirectly beneficially owned or held by the Person in question. The term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise; provided, however, in no event shall either Lender be deemed an Affiliate of Borrower for purposes of the Loan Documents.

 

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Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble to this Agreement.

 

Allocation Agreement” means the agreement, as it may have been or may subsequently be amended, between the CDFI Fund and AMCREF Allocatee, Lender and other subsidiary allocatees allocating $70,000,000 of New Markets Tax Credits to AMCREF Allocatee pursuant to Code Section 45D(f)(2), dated effective August 7, 2019.

 

AMCREF Allocatee” means AMCREF Community Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

AMCREF Annual Reimbursements and Fees” means, collectively, an annual reimbursement for AMCREF Lender’s audit, tax and state filing fees and other reasonable third-party costs, payable to AMCREF Allocatee pursuant to Section 6.25(a) hereof.

 

AMCREF A Note” means that certain Promissory Note (AMCREF QLICI Note A), dated as of the date hereof, in the original principal amount of $8,142,188.26, executed by Borrower in favor of AMCREF Lender.

 

AMCREF B Note” means that certain Promissory Note (AMCREF QLICI Note B), dated as of the date hereof, in the original principal amount of $3,309,456.48, executed by Borrower in favor of AMCREF Lender.

 

“AMCREF C Note” means that certain Promissory Note (AMCREF QLICI Note C), dated as of the date hereof, in the original principal amount of $548,355.26, executed by Borrower in favor of AMCREF Lender.

 

AMCREF Exit Fee” means a partial principal payment on the AMCREF B Note in the amount of $30,000.00 and a partial principal payment on the AMCREF C Note in the amount of $274,178.00, payable pursuant to Section 2.3(b)(ii) below.

 

AMCREF Operating Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Lender, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Investment Fund, AMCREF Allocatee and R.E. Investment Management, LLC, a Louisiana limited liability company, as withdrawing member, as the same may be amended, assigned, restated, modified or supplemented in accordance with its terms.

 

AMCREF Reserve Account” means the “Pledged Account” as defined in the Account Pledge Agreement (AMCREF Reserve Account).

 

Anti-Terrorism Laws” means all Laws relating to terrorism or money laundering, including, without limitation, the Executive Order and the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by the USA Patriot Act.

 

Average Value” means the cost basis of Borrower’s owned property plus the reasonable value of its leased property.

 

Bank Secrecy Act” means the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, Pub. L. No. 91 508, 84 Stat. 1305 (1970), as amended from time to time.

 

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Borrower” has the meaning as set forth in the Preamble of this Agreement.

 

Borrower’s Counsel” means Thompson Hine LLP.

 

Borrower Organizational Documents” means the (i) Bylaws of the Borrower, certified to the Lender, (ii) Certificate of Incorporation of the Borrower, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on August 21, 2018, and (iii) all amendments, supplements and modifications thereto.

 

Brownfield Fee Agreement” means that certain Fee and Services Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and between Brownfield Revitalization 60, LLC, Brownfield Revitalization, LLC, Brownfield Revitalization Advisors, LLC, Investment Fund I, Borrower and Guarantor.

 

Brownfield Reserve Account” means the “Pledged Account” as defined in the Account Pledge Agreement (Brownfield Reserve Account).

 

Business” means the ownership and operation of a biodegradable resin manufacturing facility at the Property.

 

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday on which banks are authorized or required to be closed for the conduct of commercial banking business in New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Capital Leases” means, with respect to any Person, any lease which, in accordance with GAAP, is or should be capitalized on the books of such Person.

 

CDFI Fund” means the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund of the United States Department of the Treasury, or any successor agency charged with oversight responsibility for the New Markets Tax Credit program.

 

Census Tract” means census tract #21049020201, which based solely on data from the CDFI Fund is a “low-income community” as defined in Section 45D(e) of the Code (as amended by Section 221 of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004).

 

CERCLA” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986.

 

Change in Control” means any transaction or series of transactions that results in any Person owning, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting power of Borrower, or holding such other power to direct, directly or indirectly, the management and policies of Borrower, or fifty percent (50%) or more of the direct or indirect beneficial ownership of Borrower.

 

Closing Date” means the date upon which the Advance of the Loans is made.

 

Code” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

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Collateral” means all of Borrower’s right, title and interest to the Equipment, including without limitation all Acquired Equipment, all funds held in the Disbursement Account, all funds held in the Reserve Accounts, each of the items listed in Section 9.2 (a) through (g) hereof, and any other assets of Borrower encumbered pursuant to the Security Documents, whether now owned or hereafter existing.

 

Collectibles” means (a) any work of art; (b) any rug or antique; (c) any metal or gem; (d) any stamp or coin; (e) any alcoholic beverage; or (f) any other tangible personal property specified by the IRS, other than collectibles that are held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. Certain coins and bullion are not Collectibles as provided in Section 408(m)(3) of the Code.

 

Community Benefits Agreement” has the meaning given such term in Section 4.24 hereof.

 

Consortium Fee Agreement” means that certain Fee and Services Agreement dated as of the date hereof among Consortium CDE, Consortium America, LLC, Consortium America Advisors, LLC, Investment Fund I, Borrower and Guarantor.

 

Consortium Reserve Account” means the “Pledged Account” as defined in the Account Pledge Agreement (Consortium Reserve Account).

 

Construction and Engineering Contracts” means (i) the Standard form of Agreement between Owner and Contractor, cost plus a fee contract, dated July 31, 2019, between the Borrower and Precision Construction Management, LLC, and (ii) any other contract for construction, engineering or installation work to be completed at the Property in connection with the Equipment, whether now existing or hereafter entered into.

 

Contingent Obligation” means any agreement, undertaking or arrangement by which any Person guarantees, endorses or otherwise becomes or is contingently liable upon (by direct or indirect agreement, contingent or otherwise, to provide funds for payment, to supply funds to, or otherwise to invest in, a debtor, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss) the Indebtedness, obligation or any other liability of any other Person (other than by endorsements of instruments in the course of collection), or guarantees the payment of dividends or other distributions upon the shares of any other Person. The amount of any Contingent Obligations at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at the time, can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

 

Costs” means the total amount, without duplication, of (a) the amounts payable for labor, materials, equipment (including, without limitation, the Acquired Equipment), appliances, fixtures, supplies and services required or reasonably desired to render the Improvements ready and suitable for their intended use; (b) the fees and disbursements of all architects, engineers, accountants, attorneys, developers and consultants in respect of the acquisition, planning, equipping and financing of the Property; (c) interest on the Notes, including fees, expenses and reimbursements thereunder and all other sums payable to Lender pursuant to the Loan Documents or applicable Law; (d) the costs and charges payable by Borrower in connection with obtaining, closing and continuing the Loans; (e) the costs and expenses of maintaining the Property and operating the Business at the Property; and (f) any other items of cost or expense incurred by Borrower in connection with the Property set forth in the Financial Projections; provided, however, any costs or expenses incurred prior to the Closing Date must be approved by Lender to be included within “Costs” and “Costs” shall not include any reimbursements, return of capital or other payments to Danimer Holdings which are not Qualified Reimbursements.

 

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Counsel” means (i) Coats Rose, P.C., as counsel to the AMCREF Lender, (ii) Dentons US LLP, as counsel to USBNA and USBCDC, (iii) Stinson LLP, counsel to the State CDEs, and (iii) Borrower’s Counsel.

 

Danimer Holdings” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

Danimer Holdings Loan” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

Danimer Holdings Loan Documents” means the promissory note and other loan documents evidencing and governing the Danimer Holdings Loan.

 

Danimer Holdings Organizational Documents” means the (i) Danimer Holdings Operating Agreement, (ii) Certificate of Formation of Danimer Holdings, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 6, 2018, and (iii) all amendments, supplements and modifications thereto.

 

Danimer Holdings Operating Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Danimer Holdings, dated March 13, 2019, executed and agreed to by the “Members” named therein, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise supplemented from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

 

Default” means an event that, with giving of notice or passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default hereunder.

 

Default Rate” means a rate of interest per annum equal to the sum of five percent (5%) plus the rate of interest otherwise payable under the Note evidencing the applicable Loan.

 

Disbursement” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(a) hereof.

 

Disbursement Account” means the account held at USBNA that is pledged to Lender under the Account Pledge Agreement (Disbursement Account) and controlled under the Account Control Agreement (Disbursement Account).

 

Disbursement Request” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(a)(iii) hereof.

 

Dollars” and “$” mean the lawful currency of the United States.

 

Environmental Laws” means any and all Laws pertaining to health or the environment in effect in any and all jurisdictions in which Borrower is or at any time may be doing business, or where the Property is located, including, without limitation: the Clean Air Act, as amended; CERCLA; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended; OSHA; RCRA, the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended; and TSCA.

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY 8  

 

 

Environmental Report” means the Phase I Environmental Assessment, dated October 24, 2018, prepared by Partner Engineering and Science, Inc.

 

Equipment” means (i) all equipment (as such term is defined in the UCC) owned by the Borrower as of the date of this Agreement, including without limitation, all equipment listed on Exhibit E-1 and E-2 attached hereto, (ii) all Acquired Equipment, and (iii) any and all equipment acquired after the date hereof to upgrade or maintain the equipment described in (i) and (ii) above.

 

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1 hereof.

 

Executive Order” means Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing, effective September 23, 2001, as amended from time to time.

 

Existing Equipment” means the Equipment acquired by the Borrower with the proceeds of the Danimer Holdings Loan, as shown on the books and records of Borrower and Danimer Holdings and listed in Exhibit E-1 attached hereto. The portion of the Existing Equipment being refinanced with the Loans is listed in Exhibit E-2 attached hereto.

 

Facility” means, collectively, the Property, Improvements, and Equipment which are used to operate the Business.

 

Federal Leverage Loan” has the meaning given to such term in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

Federal/State QEI” has the meaning given to such term in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

Financial Projections” means the financial projections, prepared by the Accountants and certified as of the date hereof.

 

Flow of Funds Memorandum” means that certain Flow of Funds Memorandum, dated as of the date hereof, by and among Borrower, Lender, the State CDEs, USBNA, USBCDC and certain other parties.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis consistent with the accounting practices of Borrower and as consistently applied in the financial statements of Borrower, except for any change in accounting practices to the extent that, due to a promulgation of the Financial Accounting Standards Board changing or implementing any new accounting standard, Borrower either (a) is required to implement such change, or (b) for future periods will be required to and for the current period may in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles implement such change, for its financial statements to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (any such change is hereinafter referred to as a “Required GAAP Change”); provided that Borrower shall fully disclose in such financial statements any such Required GAAP Change and the effects of the Required GAAP Change on Borrower’s income, retained earnings or other accounts, as applicable.

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY 9  

 

 

Governmental Authority” means (i) any international, federal, state, parish, county or municipal government, or any political subdivision thereof, (ii) any governmental or quasi-governmental agency, authority, board, department, commission, instrumentality or public body, (iii) any court, administrative tribunal or public utility, or (iv) any official or officer of the foregoing.

 

Guarantor” means, collectively, Meridian Holdings Group, Inc., a Georgia corporation, and its successors and/or assigns, pursuant to the Guaranty and the NMTC Guaranty.

 

Guarantor Organizational Documents” means the (i) Bylaws of the Guarantor, adopted February 5, 2014, (ii) Articles of Incorporation, filed with the Georgia Secretary of State on January 13, 2014, and (iii) all amendments, supplements and modifications thereto.

 

Guaranty” means that certain Payment and Performance Guaranty, dated the date hereof, by Guarantor in favor of the Lender.

 

Hazardous Materials” means (i) crude oil, mold, radionuclides, and any hazardous or toxic substance, material, or waste, including, but not limited to, those substances, materials, and wastes listed in the United States Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101) or by the Environmental Protection Agency as hazardous substances (40 CFR Part 302) and amendments thereto and replacements therefor; and/or (ii) such substances, materials, or wastes as are regulated by RCRA, TSCA or CERCLA, and amendments thereto or orders, regulations, directions, or requirements thereunder; and/or (iii) natural gas, natural gas liquids, liquefied natural gas, or synthetic gas usable for fuel; and/or (iv) such hazardous or toxic substances, materials, or wastes that are or may become regulated under any other applicable county, municipal, state, or federal law, including, but not limited to, Environmental Laws and laws that govern worker protection and safety.

 

Improvements” means the buildings and other improvements which are placed or constructed upon, above or below, the Property.

 

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person and without duplication, (a) all indebtedness for borrowed money, including the Loans; (b) all obligations issued, undertaken or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade payables entered into in the ordinary course of business on ordinary terms); (c) all non-contingent reimbursement or payment obligations; (d) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, including obligations so evidenced or incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses; (e) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or incurred as financing, in either case with respect to property acquired by the Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or bank under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property); (f) all obligations with respect to Capital Leases; (g) all indebtedness referred to in clauses (a) through (f) above secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any lien upon or in property (including accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such indebtedness; and (h) all Contingent Obligations in respect of Indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above.

 

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Intellectual Property” means the Borrower’s rights and interest in various intangible assets, including patents, trademarks, service marks, designs, logos, indicia, tradenames, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles and/or other source and/or business identifiers and applications pertaining thereto, and licenses thereof.

 

Interest Rate” means, with respect to each Note, the applicable interest rate set forth in such Note.

 

Investment Fund” shall collectively mean Investment Fund I and Investment Fund II.

 

Investment Fund I” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

Investment Fund II” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service of the United States Department of the Treasury.

 

KY DOR” means the Kentucky Department of Revenue (and any successor agency responsible for the administration and oversight of the KY NMTCs).

 

KY NMTCs” shall mean the “Tax Credits” as defined in Section 141.432(9) of the KY NMTC Act, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

KY NMTC Act” means the Kentucky New Markets Development Program, KRS § 141.432, et seq., as the same may be amended from time to time, and any rules, regulations or guidance issued thereunder. All references herein to the KY NMTC Act shall include any corresponding provision or provisions of succeeding law and all administrative interpretations of such succeeding law.

 

Laws” means, collectively, all federal, state and local laws, statutes, codes, ordinances, orders, rules and regulations, including judicial opinions or precedential authority, in the applicable jurisdiction.

 

Leases” shall mean the Store Capital Lease, Operating sublease and any other lease, sublease, letting, license, concession or other agreement (whether now or hereafter in effect) approved by Lender pursuant to which any Person is granted a possessory interest in, or right to use or occupy, all or any portion of any space in the Property or the Improvements, including without limitation, any Permitted Lease, and every modification, amendment or other agreement relating to such lease, sublease or other agreement entered into in connection with such lease, sublease or other agreement.

 

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Lender” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble to this Agreement.

 

Leverage Lender” means Danimer Holdings.

 

Loan” or “Loans” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

Loan Documents” means this Agreement, the Notes, Account Control Agreements, Account Pledge Agreements, the Guaranty and any financing statements and all other documents, instruments and agreements which evidence, secure or are otherwise executed in connection with the Loans, including all amendments, modifications, renewals, extensions, restatements and replacements thereof.

 

Low-Income Community” means any population census tract if (a) the poverty rate for such tract is at least twenty percent (20%), (b)(i) in the case of a tract not located within a metropolitan area, the median family income for such tract does not exceed eighty percent (80%) of the statewide median family income, or (ii) in the case of a tract located within a metropolitan area, the median family income for such tract does not exceed eighty percent (80%) of the greater of statewide median family income or the metropolitan area median family income, or (c) such tract has a population of less than 2,000, is within an “empowerment zone” as defined in Section 1391 of the Code the designation of which is in effect under Section 1391 and is contiguous to one or more low-income communities (as defined under clause (a) or (b) of this definition.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent), condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower; (b) an impairment of the ability of the Borrower to materially perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party; or (c) an impairment of the rights and remedies of Lender under any Loan Document or an adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against the Borrower of any Loan Document to which it is a party.

 

Material Contract” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.7 hereof.

 

New Markets Tax Credit” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

NMTC Control” means the direct or indirect ownership (based on value) or control (based on voting or “management rights”) of more than fifty percent (50%) of an entity. For this purpose, the term “management rights” means the power to influence the management policies or investment decisions of the entity.

 

NMTC Guaranty” means, individually and collectively, that certain (i) Unconditional Guaranty of New Markets Tax Credits, Put Price and Environmental Indemnity, dated as of the date hereof and given by Borrower and Guarantor in favor of USBCDC, and (ii) Unconditional Guaranty of New Markets Tax Credits, Put Price and Environmental Indemnity, dated as of the date hereof and given by Borrower and Guarantor in favor of USBNA.

 

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NMTC Recapture Event” means recapture or disallowance of any New Markets Tax Credits or KY NMTCs attributable to the Federal/State QEI made by Investment Fund I in Lender (including, without limitation, the portion thereof funded with the State QLICI Loans), the proceeds of which were or will be used to fund the Loans or related fees, but only to the extent such recapture or disallowance is attributable to any of the following: (a) Borrower ceasing or initially failing to be a QALICB; (b) any prepayment of any Loan by Borrower in violation of the Loan Documents; (c) the failure of Lender to maintain substantially all of the Federal/State QEI invested in QLICIs attributable to a prepayment (whether voluntary or involuntary or as a result of acceleration, foreclosure or otherwise) of any Loan by Borrower in violation of the Loan Documents; (d) the failure of any Loan to constitute a QLICI at any time by reason of a violation by Borrower of any representations, warranties or covenants in the Loan Documents; (e) any event or circumstance that is the subject of a representation or warranty of Borrower herein; (f) the failure of any Tenant under any lease or sublease to conduct a Tenant Qualified Business; (g) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Documents by Borrower or Guarantor, or any willful misconduct, gross negligence or fraud by the Borrower or the Leverage Lender or by any of their Affiliates, or any other act or omission by or within the control of Borrower or the Leverage Lender or any of their Affiliates that, directly or indirectly, causes such a recapture or disallowance of New Markets Tax Credits or KY NMTCs relating to the State QEI or Federal/State QEI; and (h) any NMTC Recapture Event (as such term is defined in the NMTC Guaranty).

 

NMTC Recapture Period” means the period beginning on the date of the first QEI by Investment Fund II into Lender and ending on the seventh anniversary of the date of the last QEI made by Investment Fund II into Lender.

 

NMTC Requirements” means, collectively, all provisions of Section 45D of the Code, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and other IRS or CDFI Fund guidance and the requirements of the KY NMTC Act.

 

NMTC Use Restrictions” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.9 hereof.

 

Nonqualified Financial Property” means debt, stock, partnership interests, options, futures contracts, forward contracts, warrants, notional principal contracts, annuities, and other similar property as described in Section 1.45D-1(d)(4)(i)(E) of the Treasury Regulations; provided, however, that such term shall not include (a) reasonable amounts of working capital held in cash, cash equivalents, or debt instruments with a term of 18 months or less or (b) debt instruments described in section 1221(a)(4) of the Code. Pursuant to Section 1.45D-1(d)(4)(i)(E)(2) of the Treasury Regulations, the proceeds of an equity investment or loan by a Community Development Entity that will be expended for construction of real property within 12 months after the date the investment or loan is made are treated as a reasonable amount of working capital.

 

Note” or “Notes” have the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Note Maturity Date” means, with respect to all Notes, November 7, 2039.

 

OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the U. S. Treasury Department.

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY 13  

 

 

Operating Contracts” shall mean, without limitation, (i) the Leases, (ii) all contracts and agreements listed in Exhibit I, as amended from time to time, (iii) all contracts and agreements of the Borrower related to supply of materials, purchase agreements, sale of product or other items generated by the Borrower, or the operation and maintenance of the Facility, and (iv) all other contracts or agreements which are material to the Property, the Collateral, or the Business, including all amendments to any of the foregoing.

 

Operating Sublease” means that certain Sublease, dated March 13, 2019, between Guarantor, as sublandlord, and Borrower, as subtenant.

 

OSHA” means the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended.

 

Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b)(i) hereof.

 

Payment Schedule” means, with respect to each Note, the payment schedule attached to such Note.

 

Permits” means any permits, licenses or similar instruments issued to Borrower by a Governmental Authority in connection with construction, installation or other similar work at the Property or the operation of the Business at the Facility, including without limitation, the permits listed in Exhibit H attached hereto and any amendments, modifications or replacement thereof.

 

Permitted Liens” means:

 

(a) Liens imposed by law for Taxes that are not yet due or are being contested in compliance with Section 6.31;

 

(b) Carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like liens imposed by applicable Law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue or are being diligently contested in good faith;

 

(c) Pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations, other than any Lien imposed by ERISA;

 

(d) Deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts and leases (other than Indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e) Liens in respect of judgments that would not constitute an Event of Default hereunder;

 

(f) Easements, covenants, conditions, restrictions, building code laws, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of Borrower and such other minor title defects or survey matters that are disclosed by current surveys that have been provided to Lender prior to the date of this Agreement that, in each case, do not materially interfere with the current use of the Property or Equipment;

 

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(g) Liens in favor of the Senior Lender under the Senior Loan Documents and the Subordinate Lender under the Subordinate Loan Documents, subject to the Subordination and Intercreditor Agreements;

 

(h) Liens shown on the title report provided to the Lender prior to the date hereof;

 

(i) Liens in favor of the Lender under the Loan Documents; and

 

(j) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions relating to banker’s liens, liens in favor of securities intermediaries, rights of setoff or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or securities accounts or other funds maintained with depository institutions or securities intermediaries.

 

Person” means any individual, corporation, business trust, association, company, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, Governmental Authority, or other entity.

 

Prohibited Person” means any of the following: a Person that is listed in the Annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, the Executive Order; a Person owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, any person or entity that is listed in the Annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, the Executive Order; a Person with whom Lender is prohibited from dealing or otherwise engaging in any transaction by any Anti-Terrorism Law; a Person who or that commits, threatens, or conspires to commit or supports “terrorism,” as defined in the Executive Order; or a Person that is named as a “specially designated national and blocked person” on the most current list published by OFAC at its official web site as of the date hereof or any replacement website or other replacement official publication of such list.

 

Project” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

Property” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

Purchase Agreements” means (i) the purchase orders listed in Exhibit E-2 with the corresponding vendors identified therein, and (ii) any other purchase order, purchase agreement or similar agreement pursuant to which the Borrower has acquired or will acquire Equipment.

 

Qualified Active Low-Income Community Business” or “QALICB” means, (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.45D-1(d)(4) and the KY NMTC Act) with respect to any taxable year, a Qualified Business of which:

 

(a) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total gross income of the Qualified Business is derived from the active conduct of its trade or business within the Census Tract (or, alternatively, this requirement is considered met if the requirement under (b) or (c) below is met when 40% is replaced with 50% for purposes of such subsections of this definition);

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY 15  

 

 

(b) at least forty percent (40%) of the use of the tangible property of the Qualified Business (whether owned or leased) is within the Census Tract (for purposes of this representation, the percentage of tangible property owned or leased by the Qualified Business and used by the Qualified Business during the taxable year in the Census Tract shall be determined based on a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the Average Value of the tangible property owned or leased by the Qualified Business and used by the Qualified Business within the Census Tract during the taxable year, and (ii) the denominator of which is the Average Value of all of the tangible property owned or leased by the Qualified Business and used by the Qualified Business during the taxable year); provided, however, that for any taxable year in which the Qualified Business has no employees, at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the use of the tangible property of the Qualified Business (whether owned or leased) must be within the Census Tract;

 

(c) less than five percent (5%) of the average of the unadjusted basis of the property of the Qualified Business is attributable to Nonqualified Financial Property;

 

(d) at least forty percent (40%) of the services performed for the Qualified Business by its employees, if any, will be within the Census Tract (for purposes of this representation, this percentage is determined based on a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the total amount paid by the Qualified Business for employee services performed in the Census Tract during the taxable year, and (ii) the denominator of which is the total amount paid by the Qualified Business for employee services during the taxable year);

 

(e) less than five percent (5%) of the aggregate unadjusted basis of the Qualified Business’s property is attributable to Collectibles; and

 

(f) which otherwise meets the requirements as set forth in Section 141.432(5) of the KY NMTC Act.

 

Qualified Business” has the meaning given in Treasury Regulation Section 1.45D 1(d)(5) and includes any trade or business except (a) the rental of (i) Residential Rental Property or (ii) real property on which there are not substantial improvements; (b) any trade or business consisting predominantly of the development or holding of intangibles for sale or license or the rental of real property to a Tenant for such use; (c) any trade or business consisting of the operation of any private or commercial golf course, country club, massage parlor, hot tub facility, suntan facility, racetrack or other facility used for gambling, or any store the principal business of which is the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption off premises; (d) any trade or business the principal activity of which is farming within the meaning of Section 2032A(e)(5)(A); (e) any other trade, business or activity prohibited to be carried on by any amendment to Section 45D of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and Guidance thereto, and any other guidance published by the IRS; or (f) any business that derives or projects to derive fifteen percent (15%) or more of its annual revenue from the rental or sale of real estate, unless the business is controlled by, or under common control with, another business if the second business: (i) does not derive or project to derive fifteen percent (15%) or more of its annual revenue from the rental or sale of real estate; and (ii) is the primary tenant of the real estate leased from the first business.

 

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Qualified Equity Investment” means any equity investment in a Lender as defined in Section 45D of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.45D-1(c) if (a) such investment is acquired by the Investment Fund at its original issue (directly or through an underwriter) solely in exchange for cash; (b) substantially all of such cash is used by Lender to make QLICIs; (c) such investment is designated by Lender as a qualified equity investment in accordance with Section 45D of the Code and the KY NMTC Act; and (d) if applicable with respect to KY NMTCs, such equity investment meets the requirements of a “qualified equity investment” under the KY NMTC Act.

 

Qualified Low-Income Community Investment” or “QLICI” have the meaning set forth in Section 45D of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and Guidance, and the KY NMTC Act, and include any of the following:

 

(a) any capital or equity investment in, or loan to, any QALICB, except to the extent the recipient of such investment or loan is engaged in the rental of real property and leases the property to a lessee that is not engaged in a Tenant Qualified Business;

 

(b) the purchase of certain loans from other qualified community development entities (as described in Section 1.45D-1(d)(1)(ii) of the Treasury Regulations);

 

(c) financial counseling and other services to businesses located in, and residents of, low-income communities, and

 

(d) investments in other qualified community development entities (as described in Section 1.45D-1(d)(1)(iv) of the Treasury Regulations);

 

which meet the requirements of “qualified low-income community investment” under the KY NMTC Act.

 

Qualified Reimbursements” means a reimbursement, return of equity, loan repayment or other payment to Danimer Holdings for expenditures of Borrower incurred prior to the date hereof in connection with the Project which satisfy the following requirements: (i) the amounts paid are documented reasonable expenditures that are directly attributable to the Business, (ii) the expenditures have been incurred no more than 24 months prior to the date hereof and (iii) the expenditures were incurred by Borrower for a legitimate business purpose during the normal course of Borrower’s operations, and were similar in amount and scope when compared to expenditures by a similar entity for a similar project under similar circumstances.

 

RCRA” means the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended.

 

Reimbursement Certification and Compliance Agreement” means that Pre-Closing Cost Certification dated as of the date hereof, entered into by Borrower.

 

Reserve Accounts” means the accounts held at USBNA that are pledged to the Lender under the Account Pledge Agreements and controlled under the Account Control Agreement (Fee Reserve Accounts).

 

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Residential Rental Property” has the meaning given in Section 168(e)(2) of the Code, and includes any building or structure if eighty percent (80%) or more of the gross rental income from such building or structure for the taxable year is rental income from “dwelling units.” For such purpose, a “dwelling unit” means a house or apartment used to provide living accommodations in a building or structure, but does not include a unit in a hotel, motel, or other establishment more than one half (1/2) of the units in which are used on a transient basis. If any portion of the building or structure is occupied by the taxpayer, the gross rental income for such building or structure includes the rental value of the portion so occupied.

 

Security Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Account Control Agreements, the Account Pledge Agreements, any financing statements filed in connection with the Collateral and all other documents, instruments and agreements which secure the Borrower’s Indebtedness, including all amendments, modifications, renewals, extensions, restatements and replacements thereof.

 

Senior Lender” means White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, and any parties named as “Lenders” pursuant to the Senior Loan Agreement.

 

Senior Loans” means, collectively, all obligations, liabilities and indebtedness of every nature of Borrower and Guarantor from time-to-time owed to Senior Lender under the Senior Loan Documents.

 

Senior Loan Agreement” means that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated March 13, 2019, among Borrower, Danimer Holdings, certain of their affiliates named therein and Senior Lender.

 

Senior Loan Documents” means the Senior Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Senior Loan Agreement), and all other agreements, documents and instruments executed from time-to-time in connection therewith, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time-to-time.

 

Store Capital Lease” that certain Master Lease Agreement, dated December 14, 2018, by and between Store Capital Acquisitions, LLC and Meridian Holdings Group Inc.

 

Subordinate Lender” means Southeast Community Development Fund X, L.L.C., PIFS Sub-CDE XX, LLC, and all other parties named as “Lenders” under the Subordinate Loan Agreement.

 

Subordinate Loans” means, collectively, all obligations, liabilities and indebtedness of every nature of Borrower and Guarantor from time-to-time owed to Subordinate Lender under the Subordinate Loan Documents.

 

Subordinate Loan Agreement” that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated March 13, 2019, among Borrower, Danimer Holdings, certain of their affiliates named therein and Subordinate Lender.

 

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Subordinate Loan Documents” means the Subordinate Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Subordinate Loan Agreement), and all other agreements, documents and instruments executed from time-to-time in connection therewith, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time-to-time.

 

Subordination and Intercreditor Agreements” means the (i) Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement, made and entered into as of the date hereof, by and among Lender, Senior Lender, Borrower, and Guarantor, and (ii) Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement, made and entered into as of the date hereof, by and among Lender, Senior Lender, Subordinate Lender, Borrower, and Guarantor.

 

Survey” means that certain survey of the Property prepared by Blew & Associates, P.A., and provided to Lender by Borrower.

 

Tenant” means any Person who holds a leasehold or subleasehold interest in the Property or other the real property owned or lease by Borrower.

 

Tenant Excluded Business” means any trade or business, either as a principal or an ancillary business, that is an excluded business under Section 1.45D-1(d)(5)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations, including, without limitation, any one or more of the following: (a) the rental of Residential Rental Property, (b) the operation of any private or commercial golf course, country club, massage parlor, hot tub facility, suntan facility, racetrack or other facility used for gambling, or any store the principal activity of which is the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption off premises, or (c) any business that derives or projects to derive fifteen percent (15%) or more of its annual revenue from the rental or sale of real estate.

 

Tenant Qualified Business” means, as relates to Section 1.45D-1(d)(5) of the Treasury Regulations, any trade or business except any Tenant Excluded Business.

 

Title Report” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.23 hereof.

 

Treasury Regulations” means any temporary and/or final regulations promulgated under the Code.

 

Treasury Regulations and Guidance” means any proposed, temporary and/or final regulations promulgated under the Code and any guidance, rule or procedure published by the CDFI Fund.

 

TSCA” means the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, as amended.

 

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in force in the State of Louisiana, or any other Uniform Commercial Code of any state applicable to the Collateral and the security interests created hereby.

 

USA Patriot Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Pub. L. No. 107 56, 115 Stat. 272 (2001), as amended from time to time.

 

USBCDC” shall have the meaning given to such term in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

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USBNA” shall have the meaning given to such term in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

1.2 Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP or such other accounting method as Lender may previously approve in writing in their sole discretion.

 

1.3 Computation of Time. In this Agreement, in the computation of a period of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the word “to” means “to but excluding.”

 

ARTICLE 2
The Loans

 

2.1 Amount of Loans. On the basis of the representations, warranties and covenants of Borrower contained herein and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, on the Closing Date, Lender agrees to lend to Borrower loans in the aggregate principal amount Twelve Million and No/100 Dollars ($12,000,000.00), the proceeds of which shall be used in accordance with Section 6.1 hereof. The Advance of the Loans shall be evidenced by the Notes.

 

2.2 Disbursements of Loans. Lender shall advance its Loans to Borrower on the Closing Date following the satisfaction of all of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4 hereof. Borrower shall pay all reasonable and documented fees, costs and expenses relating to the Advance, unless otherwise agreed by Lender with respect to its own fees, costs and expenses; provided that Borrower hereby acknowledges that all fees, costs and expenses included on the Flow of Funds Memorandum are reasonable. On the Closing Date, all proceeds from the Loans will be deposited into a Borrower operating account and disbursed in accordance with this Section 2.2 and the Flow of Funds Memorandum, with all remaining amounts after deposits to reserves and payment of the fees and expenses described below being deposited into the Disbursement Account. On or about the Closing Date, subject to the requirements set forth in this Agreement:

 

(i) $7,146,667.21 will be disbursed in accordance with the terms of the Flow of Funds Memorandum and used by the Borrower to repay a portion of the Danimer Holdings Loan which was used to acquire and install the Existing Equipment in accordance with and pursuant to the Reimbursement Certification and Compliance Agreement and which Costs are Qualified Reimbursements;

 

(ii) $259,000 will be disbursed to the Reserve Accounts, as shown in the Flow of Funds Memorandum, to be used by Borrower to pay the audit and tax reimbursement to the Lender described in Section 6.25(a) of this Agreement and other amounts as described in Section 6.25(a); and

 

(iii) $37,000 will be disbursed to pay (1) annual tax and audit reimbursements to Lender in an aggregate amount of $17,000, (2) an annual audit and tax reimbursement and asset management fee to the Consortium CDE in an amount of $10,000, and (3) an annual audit and tax reimbursement and asset management fee to the Brownfield CDE in an amount of $10,000;

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY 20  

 

 

(iv) [$618,769] will be disbursed to pay Costs incurred in connection with the closing of the Loan in accordance with the terms of the Flow of Funds Memorandum.

 

All other proceeds of the Loans will be disbursed to the Disbursement Account and may be withdrawn and used by Borrower for the payment of Costs in accordance with Section 5.2 and the other provisions of this Agreement.

 

2.3 Interest Rate; Payment Terms; Maturity; Prepayments.

 

(a) Interest Rate, Taxes, Etc. The outstanding principal amount under the Notes shall bear interest at the Interest Rate. After and during the continuation of any Event of Default hereunder, interest on all principal amounts outstanding under the Notes shall accrue at the Default Rate. All interest payable under the Notes shall be computed as set forth therein. All interest payable hereunder and in the other Loan Documents shall be computed on the basis of a 90-day quarter and a 360-day year. In connection with the Disbursements of the Loans, Lender is authorized to rely on the any Disbursement Requests which Lender believes in its good faith judgment to emanate from a properly authorized representative of Borrower, whether or not that is in fact the case. In the event that after the date hereof any Governmental Authority subjects Lender to any new or additional charge, fee, withholding or tax of any kind with respect to any Loans or changes the method of taxation of such Loans, so long as lender provides documentation reasonably evidencing such charge, fee or tax, Borrower shall, within ten (10) Business Days of Lender’s written demand on Borrower, pay to Lender such additional actual amounts as will compensate Lender for such cost of lost income resulting therefrom as reasonably determined and documented by Lender.

 

(b) Payment Terms.

 

(i) From and after the Closing Date until the Note Maturity Date, interest on the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Loans shall be payable to the applicable holder of each Note on each day (each, a “Payment Date”) as set forth in the applicable Payment Schedule. If any Payment Date is not a Business Day, the Payment Date shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day to occur after such Payment Date. If requested by Borrower, or in the event Borrower does not timely pay interest on the applicable Payment Date, Lender shall have the authority, but not the obligation, to charge the quarterly interest due to it under the Notes held by Lender and to treat the same as an additional principal advance of the applicable Loan by Lender.

 

(ii) Loan payments with respect to each Note shall be as set forth in the applicable Note and shall include, but not be limited to, the payment of the AMCREF Exit Fee on November 7, 2026.

 

(c) Maturity. The entire outstanding principal balance under the Notes, plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, shall become due and payable on the Note Maturity Date.

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY 21  

 

 

(d) Prepayments. The Notes may not be prepaid in whole or in part at any time prior to the end of the NMTC Recapture Period. Borrower acknowledges that the Loans evidenced by the Notes are part of an integrated financing structure made pursuant to the NMTC Requirements, which require that funds remain invested during the applicable compliance period thereunder. As a result, prepayments under the Notes could have impacts on the financing structure that could materially affect the economic relationships and benefits to Lender and others intended by that structure and could also create additional compliance risks under Section 45D of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and Guidance, and the KY NMTC Act. Accordingly, Borrower acknowledges that the prepayment prohibition period set forth herein has been specifically bargained for by Lender and Borrower, and is reasonable in duration and effect. Borrower further acknowledges that Lender would not make the Loans evidenced by the Notes without such prepayment restriction. Therefore, Borrower consents to the remedies of specific performance and of injunction and other equitable remedies for a breach or prospective breach of this Section 2.3(d).

 

2.4 Direct Distributions to Lender. At Lender’s sole option, Lender may (but shall have no obligation to) make Disbursements directly to itself to pay (i) interest due under any Note held by Lender and (ii) inspection fees and other reasonable expenses, charges, costs and fees incurred by or payable to Lender pursuant to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, whether or not Borrower’s representations and warranties herein are true and correct in all material respects, Borrower has included such amounts in any Disbursement Request or any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. Lender shall provide notice to Borrower of any such payments within thirty (30) days thereof, provided that any failure to provide such notice shall not affect in any manner the rights of the Lender hereunder or impose any liability on Lender.

 

ARTICLE 3
Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Borrower

 

To induce Lender to enter into this Agreement, and to disburse the proceeds of the Loans to Borrower, Borrower represents, warrants and covenants to Lender as follows:

 

3.1 Organizational Status; Authorizations.

 

(a) Borrower is duly formed, validly existing and in good standing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware and duly qualified as a foreign corporation in good standing in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, with full power and authority to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. Borrower has full power and authority to execute, deliver and perform all of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and such execution, delivery and performance have been duly authorized by all requisite action on the part of Borrower. Borrower is duly authorized to own and operate the Property, Improvements and Business, to enter into the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and to pledge and assign and grant liens and security interests as contemplated by the Loan Documents. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the provisions contained herein and therein are and will be the valid and legally enforceable obligations of Borrower in accordance with their terms. Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws.

 

(b) Guarantor is duly formed, validly existing and in good standing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Georgia with full power and authority to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. Guarantor has full power and authority to execute, deliver and perform all of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and such execution, delivery and performance have been duly authorized by all requisite action on the part of Guarantor. The Loan Documents to which Guarantor is a party and the provisions contained therein are and will be the valid and legally enforceable obligations of Guarantor in accordance with their terms. Guarantor is in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws.

 

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(c) Danimer Holdings is duly formed, validly existing and in good standing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware, with full power and authority to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. Borrower has (and had as of execution) full power and authority to execute, deliver and perform the documents evidencing the State Leverage Loan and Federal Leverage Loan, the Danimer Holdings Loan Documents and the Reimbursement Certification and Compliance Agreement, and such execution, delivery and performance have been duly authorized by all requisite action on the part of Borrower, and such agreements and the provisions contained therein are and will be the valid and legally enforceable obligations of Danimer Holdings in accordance with their terms. Danimer Holdings is in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws.

 

3.2 No Actions. There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the best of Borrower’s current, actual knowledge, after due inquiry and investigation, threatened against or affecting Borrower, Guarantor, the Property, the Improvements or the Collateral, or involving the validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents, at law or in equity, or before or by a Governmental Authority, and, to the best of Borrower’s current, actual knowledge, after due inquiry and investigation, neither Borrower or Guarantor is in default with respect to any material order, writ, injunction, decree or demand of any court or any Governmental Authority.

 

3.3 No Breach. The consummation of the transactions hereby contemplated and performance of this Agreement will not result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, any deed to secure debt, mortgage, deed of trust, indenture, security agreement, lease, bank loan or credit agreement, contract, articles of incorporation, bylaws, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement, licensing agreement, patent or trademark agreement, or other instrument to which Borrower is a party or by which Borrower may be bound or affected, including, without limitation, any Material Contract and the Permits.

 

3.4 Ownership of Property; No Liens. Guarantor owns a leasehold interest in, and Borrower owns a sub-leasehold interest, in the Property and Improvements, Borrower owns good and marketable title to the Collateral, and the Property, the Improvements and the Collateral are free and clear of all liens, claims, charges and encumbrances of every type or nature, except for the Permitted Liens and, solely with respect to the Property and Improvements, liens or encumbrances which could not, including after any foreclosure thereupon, affect the Borrower’s ability to continue to operate the Business at the Property (or, for any time when this representation is made after the date hereof, liens or encumbrances which are permitted pursuant to Section 6.9 of this Agreement, if any). The Property on which the Facility is located and to be used for the Business is not located in an area designated by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as a special flood hazard area.

 

3.5 Utilities Available. All utility services necessary for the operation of the Property and Improvements are or will be available, including water supply, storm and sanitary sewer facilities, electric and telephone facilities, and Borrower has the right to connect to all of such utility services, subject only to normal restrictions.

 

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3.6 Access. All roads necessary for ingress and egress to the Property and Improvements and for the full utilization of the Property and Improvements for the Business have been installed and completed and comply with applicable Laws.

 

3.7 No Defaults. There is no default or event of default and the Borrower is not in default under any of the following (each, together with any amendments thereto, a “Material Contract”): (i) the Borrower Organizational Documents, (ii) the Guarantor Organization Documents, (iii) any Operating Contracts, (iv) the Construction and Engineering Contracts and Purchase Agreements, (v) the Senior Loan Documents, (vi) the Subordinate Loan Documents, or (vii) any other material agreement or contract to which Borrower is a party that involves payments of more than $100,000 per year. Borrower does not have knowledge of any facts that with the passage of time or delivery of notice would give rise to a default or an event of default under any Material Contracts. Borrower has delivered to Lender a true and correct copy of all Material Contracts. There is no default or event of default under the Danimer Holdings Loan Documents or the Reimbursement Certification and Compliance Agreement by any party thereto.

 

3.8 Financial Statements. In regards to any financial statements heretofore delivered to Lender with respect to Borrower, Borrower represents that the same are true and correct in all material respects and fairly present the respective financial condition of Borrower as of the date thereof and the respective results of operations of Borrower for the periods therein. No Material Adverse Effect has occurred in the financial condition of Borrower reflected in the financial statements most recently delivered to Lender since the date thereof, and no additional borrowings have been made by Borrower since the date thereof other than borrowing contemplated hereby or approved by Lender.

 

3.9 Equipment. A true and complete list of all Equipment valued in excess of $100,000 owned by Borrower as of the Closing Date is attached hereto as Exhibit E-1, a trued and complete list of all Acquired Equipment as of the Closing Date is attached hereto as Exhibit E-2, and all such equipment is part of the Collateral and subject to the security interest granted to Lender pursuant to Article 9 of this Agreement and free from any lien or encumbrance other than Permitted Liens. Upon Borrower’s purchase of any Equipment, including, without limitation, Acquired Equipment, such equipment will be part of the Collateral and subject to the security interest granted to Lender pursuant to Article 9 of this Agreement and free from any lien or encumbrance other than liens created under the Loan Documents or Permitted Liens.

 

3.10 Leases. Other than the Store Capital Lease and Operating Sublease, Borrower represents that there are no leases or subleases on or affecting the Property. Borrower represents that there are no leases or subleases on or affecting the Collateral.

 

3.11 Permits. Borrower has obtained all Permits necessary to construct and operate the Project and has provided copies of all such Permits to the Lender. All Permits issued in connection with the construction and operation of the Project are issued in the Borrower’s name or for the benefit of the Borrower and are currently in effect and not expired or suspended. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all consents, licenses and permits and all other authorizations or approvals required to complete (i) the acquisition or use of any Equipment, (ii) any construction at the Property or Facility related to any Equipment, and (iii) the operation of the Business at the Property, have been obtained prior to the commencement of any such construction.

 

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3.12 Environmental Matters.

 

(a) To Borrower’s knowledge after due inquiry and investigation: (i) the Property, Improvements and the operations conducted thereon by Borrower or, to Borrower’s actual knowledge, any prior owner or operator thereof do not violate, and have not violated, any applicable law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, order or determination of any Governmental Authority or any restrictive covenant or deed restriction (recorded or otherwise), including, without limitation, all applicable zoning ordinances and building codes, flood disaster laws and Environmental Laws and regulations; (ii) the Property, Improvements and the operations conducted thereon by Borrower or, to Borrower’s actual knowledge, any prior owner or operator thereof, including without limitation, the operation of any Equipment, are not in violation of, or have not been in violation of or subject to, any existing, pending or threatened action, suit, investigation, inquiry or proceeding by any Governmental Authority or to any remedial obligations in either case arising under any Environmental Laws; (iii) all notices, permits, licenses or similar authorizations, if any, required to be obtained or filed in connection with the operation or use of the Property, Improvements or Equipment by Borrower, including, without limitation, past or present treatment, storage, disposal or release of a Hazardous Material into the environment, have been or will be duly obtained or filed; (iv) all Hazardous Materials and solid wastes generated at the Property shall be transported, treated and disposed of only by carriers that are in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws and only at treatment, storage and disposal facilities maintaining valid permits under applicable Environmental Laws, where required, and any other Environmental Laws, which carriers and facilities are operating in compliance with such permits to Borrower’s actual knowledge; (v) Borrower has no material contingent liability in connection with any release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials or solid wastes into the environment from the Property; and (vi) the use which Borrower makes or intends to make of the Property, Improvements and Equipment will not result in the unlawful or unauthorized disposal or other release of any Hazardous Materials or solid wastes on or to the Property. The terms “release” and “threatened release” shall have the meanings specified in CERCLA, and the terms “solid waste” and “disposal” (or “disposed”) shall have the meanings specified in RCRA; provided, however, in the event either CERCLA or RCRA is amended so as to broaden such meanings, then such broadened meanings shall apply subsequent to the effective date of such amendment; and provided further that, to the extent the laws of any state in which any of the Property is located establish a meaning for “release,” “threatened release,” “solid waste” or “disposal” which is broader than that specified in either CERCLA or RCRA, such broader meaning shall apply with regard to the Property.

 

(b) Borrower is in compliance with all federal, state and local Environmental Laws applicable to the Property, Improvements and the Equipment, and all intended uses thereof by Borrower, other than immaterial non-compliance which could not have a Material Adverse Effect, and has not been cited for any violation of any federal, state or local Environmental Laws applicable to the Property and there has been no “release or threatened release of a hazardous substance” (as defined by CERCLA) or any other release, emission or discharge into the environment of any hazardous or toxic substance, pollutant or other materials from the Property other than as permitted under the applicable Environmental Law.

 

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3.13 Compliance. The Borrower’s use of the Property, Improvements and Collateral, operating of the Business at the Property and operation of the Facility does not violate (a) any Laws (including subdivision, zoning, and building Laws), or (b) any building permits, restrictions of record or agreements affecting the Property or any part thereof. Neither the zoning authorizations, approvals or variances nor any other right to construct or to use the Property is to any extent dependent upon any real property other than the Property. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all consents, licenses and Permits and all other authorizations or approvals required to complete (i) construction of the Facility, (ii) the acquisition or use of any Equipment, (iii) operation of the Business at the Property, and (iv) any construction at the Property related to any Equipment, have been obtained or will be obtained prior to the commencement of any such construction. All Laws relating to the operation of the Property, Improvements and Equipment have been complied with, other than immaterial non-compliance which could not have a Material Adverse Effect. To the best of Borrower’s current, actual knowledge, after due inquiry and investigation, none of the Improvements encroach upon any property line, building line, setback line, side yard line or any recorded or visible easement (or other easement of which Borrower is aware or has reason to believe may exist) with respect to the Property, and the use of the Property, Improvements and any Equipment complies with all material requirements of governmental authorities and any restrictive covenants to which the Property may be subject. To the best of Borrower’s knowledge, after due inquiry and investigation, the ownership of and license by the Borrower of any Intellectual Property complies with all Laws. Neither Borrower nor any Affiliate of Borrower is in default of or aware of any circumstance which could reasonably be anticipated to cause a default under any Material Contract.

 

3.14 Brokerage Fees. No brokerage fees or commissions are payable by Borrower or its Affiliates to any Person in connection with this Agreement or the Loans to be disbursed hereunder.

 

3.15 No Margin Stock; No Plan Assets. No portion of the Loans are being made for the purpose of purchasing or carrying “margin stock” within the meaning of Regulation G, T, U or X issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and Borrower agrees to execute all instruments necessary to comply with all the requirements of Regulation U of the Federal Reserve System, as at any time amended. Borrower is not a party in interest to any plan defined or regulated under ERISA, and the assets of Borrower are not “plan assets” of any employee benefit plan covered by ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

 

3.16 Anti-Terrorism Laws. Borrower represents and warrants to Lender that:

 

(a) Borrower is not in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Laws.

 

(b) No action, proceeding, investigation, charge, claim, report, or notice has been filed, commenced, or threatened against Borrower alleging any violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law.

 

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(c) Borrower has no knowledge or notice of any fact, event, circumstance, situation, or condition which could reasonably be expected to result in:

 

(i) any action, proceeding, investigation, charge, claim, report, or notice being filed, commenced, or threatened against it alleging any violation of, or failure to comply with, any Anti-Terrorism Law; or

 

(ii) the imposition of any civil or criminal penalty against Borrower for any failure to so comply.

 

(d) Borrower is not a Prohibited Person and Borrower has provided Lender with sufficient information (including names, addresses and, where applicable, jurisdiction of formation or incorporation) to reasonably permit Lender to verify the foregoing representation.

 

(e) Borrower does not:

 

(i) conduct any business or engage in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods, or services to or for the benefit of any Prohibited Person;

 

(ii) deal in, or otherwise engages in any transaction relating to, any property or interests in property blocked under the Executive Order; or

 

(iii) engage in or conspires to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law.

 

3.17 New Markets Tax Credits Representations and Warranties. Borrower (i) represents and warrants to Lender and its members that, as of the date hereof, the following are true and correct and (ii) after due inquiry and diligence, expects that, throughout the NMTC Recapture Period, the following will remain true and correct:

 

(a) Borrower is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and is a corporation for purposes of federal tax law. Borrower is qualified to transact business in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and has made all applicable filings related thereto. Borrower shall cause the proceeds of the Loans to be expended solely in connection with the Business as permitted under Sections 2.2 and 6.22 hereof;

 

(b) Borrower has provided Lender with written notice of all (i) termination, defaults or failures of compliance with respect any Material Contract or applicable Law or other material financial or contractual obligation of Borrower; (ii) IRS proceedings regarding the Property, the Improvements, the Collateral, or Borrower; (iii) litigation, criminal action or administrative proceedings against Borrower; or (iv) communications from any other lender or Governmental Authority which is not in the ordinary course of business;

 

(c) Borrower has no information or knowledge tending to indicate that Borrower might not satisfy all of the requirements of a QALICB;

 

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(d) Borrower currently qualifies as a QALICB and will maintain throughout the term of the Loans the status of Borrower as a QALICB;

 

(e) Borrower engages solely in a Qualified Business and Borrower shall limit the license or sale of intangibles to the extent necessary to ensure that such licenses or sales do not constitute the predominate business of the Borrower;

 

(f) Borrower has not entered into, and will not enter into, any lease or sublease with respect to the Property to any Tenant whose business does not constitute a Tenant Qualified Business;

 

(g) with respect to the Advance made pursuant to this Agreement, Borrower shall only apply the proceeds of such Advance to expenditures of the Business and Borrower reasonably expects to expend the proceeds of such Advance within one (1) year of the date of such Advance;

 

(h) with respect to the current taxable year, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total gross income of the Borrower is and will be derived from the active conduct of a Qualified Business within the Census Tract;

 

(i) with respect to the current taxable year, at least fifty percent (50%) of the use of the tangible property by the Borrower (whether owned or leased) is and will be within the Census Tract (for purposes of this representation, the percentage of tangible property owned or leased by Borrower during the taxable year in the Census Tract shall be determined based on a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the Average Value of the tangible property owned or leased by Borrower within the Census Tract during the taxable year, and (ii) the denominator of which is the Average Value of all of the tangible property owned or leased by Borrower during the taxable year); provided, however, that for any taxable year in which the Borrower has no employees, at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the use of the tangible property of Borrower (whether owned or leased) will be within the Census Tract. Borrower has provided Lender with a true, correct and complete list of tangible property owned or leased by Borrower and a description of where such property is used by Borrower. If any property is used by Borrower outside of a Low-Income Community, Borrower shall provide the cost basis of all property owned by Borrower, the estimated value of any leased property and the basis of such estimate, and the business hours of usage of Borrower’s property within and without the Low-Income Community. Borrower shall retain records of the foregoing throughout the term of the Loans;

 

(j) with respect to the current taxable year, less than five percent (5%) of the average of the unadjusted basis of the property of the Borrower is and will be attributable to Nonqualified Financial Property. Borrower has provided to Lender a true, correct, and complete listing of any Nonqualified Financial Property owned by Borrower, including the unadjusted basis of such property. Borrower shall maintain records thereof throughout the term of the Loans;

 

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(k) with respect to the current taxable year, at least forty percent (40%) of the services performed for the Borrower by its employees, if any, are and will be within the Census Tract (for purposes of this representation, this percentage is determined based on a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the total amount paid by Borrower for employee services performed in the Census Tract during the taxable year, and (ii) the denominator of which is the total amount paid by Borrower for employee services during the taxable year). If Borrower has any employees, Borrower has provided to Lender a true, correct and complete list of such employees providing services for the Borrower that includes a general description of services provided and the location where services were performed, and, if applicable, compensation paid for services rendered within and without the Census Tract. Borrower shall retain records of the foregoing and update the Lender of changes thereto throughout the term of the Loans.

 

(l) with respect to the current taxable year, less than five percent (5%) of the aggregate unadjusted basis of property in the Business is and will be attributable to Collectibles, and Borrower has provided Lender a true and correct listing of any Collectibles, including therein, the unadjusted basis of such property;

 

(m) the Property does not constitute Residential Rental Property and at no time shall the Property be used as, or converted into, Residential Rental Property;

 

(n) neither Borrower nor any Person that could be deemed a “participant” or a “principal” thereof within the meaning of 29 CFR §§ 98.980 and 98.995, respectively, is presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any Federal department or agency, as such terms are defined in Executive Order 12549, nor is any such action pending or proposed. Borrower shall, simultaneously with execution and delivery of this Agreement, execute and deliver to Lender a certification in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B to further evidence this representation and warranty;

 

(o) no portion of the Property constitutes a “qualified low-income building” under Section 42 of the Code;

 

(p) Borrower does not have or use low-income housing tax credits, as described in Section 42 of the Code;

 

(q) Borrower is not, and will not be, a bank, credit union or other financial institution;

 

(r) Borrower has no present plans or intentions to (i) change the nature of, or manner in which it conducts the Business, including, but not limited to, increasing the amount of revenues generated by Borrower from the sale or license of intangibles so that the revenue generated from such sales or licenses exceeds the revenue generated from any other revenue generating activity; (ii) move or expand the Business to a new address or operate any other business at any location other than the Property; (iii) reduce the percentage of gross income derived from the active conduct of the Business within any Low-Income Community below fifty percent (50%); (iv) change the percentage of employees services performed for the Borrower in any Low-Income Community; (v) reduce the percentage of use of tangible property of the Borrower in any Low-Income Community below fifty percent (50%) (or below eighty-five percent (85%) in any taxable year in which Borrower has no employees); (vi) maintain Collectibles not held primarily for sale in the ordinary course of business at five percent (5%) or more of the aggregate unadjusted cost bases of assets in the Business; (vii) maintain Nonqualified Financial Property at five percent (5%) or more of the aggregate unadjusted cost bases of assets in the Business; (viii) enter into leases or subleases with any Tenant that is not a Tenant Qualified Business; (ix) operate any business other than the Business; or (x) take any other action that any way that would cause to be untrue any of the representations, warranties or covenants set out in this Agreement;

 

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(s) Borrower is corporation federal income tax purposes;

 

(t) Borrower has fully and accurately stated in writing to Lender the nature of its business and of the goods or services provided, its primary sources of revenue, its primary expenditures;

 

(u) Borrower has had no communications with the CDFI Fund concerning noncompliance with, or deficiencies in, reporting practices;

 

(v) Borrower expects to generate revenues in the Business within three (3) years beginning on the date hereof and specifically intends and expects to generate a profit from operations on the Property;

 

(w) Borrower has not taken or failed to take, and shall not take or fail to take, any action, which would result in USBCDC, USBNA, the Investment Fund, Lender, or any of their respective Affiliates having NMTC Control of Borrower or the Business;

 

(x) Borrower has established separate bank accounts, and does not and shall not commingle its assets with the assets of any Person. Borrower’s assets are not listed as assets on the books and records of any other Person, except to the extent that such assets are consolidated with another Person’s assets for financial reporting purposes. Borrower does not and shall not possess or use assets of any other Person, and does not and shall not permit any other Person to possess or use its assets, unless in either case such assets are rented, leased, or otherwise provided for use on an arms-length basis pursuant to a lease or services agreement or similar agreement with such Person;

 

(y) there have been no irregularities or illegal acts by Borrower or its Affiliates that would have a Material Adverse Effect, there has been no fraud involving management or employees of Borrower or its Affiliates who have significant roles in the internal control structure of Borrower; fraud involving other employees of Borrower or its Affiliates that could have a material effect on the matter described in this Section; or communications from the CDFI Fund or other regulatory agencies concerning noncompliance with, or deficiencies in, financial reporting practices by Borrower that could have a material effect on the matter described in this Section;

 

(z) Borrower maintains, and will maintain throughout the term of this Agreement, a complete set of books and records separate from that of any other Person and in accordance with this Agreement and the terms of Section 1.45D-1(d)(4)(iii) the Treasury Regulations;

 

(aa) to the best of Borrower’s knowledge, the Financial Projections fairly present the reasonably anticipated results of the operations of the Property, and the assumptions utilized therein are true, accurate and complete;

 

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(bb) Borrower expects that it will have sufficient sources of funds to equip, construct and operate the Property, Equipment and Improvements and to service the Loans;

 

(cc) Borrower has not knowingly entered into this Agreement, or any other agreements or understandings (whether written or oral) with a principal purpose of entering into a transaction or series of transactions (a) to achieve a result that is inconsistent with Section 45D of Code, and the NMTC Requirements, and/or (b) to avoid or evade federal income tax;

 

(dd) Borrower will treat the Loans as Indebtedness for all purposes, and will not take any positions contrary to such treatment;

 

(ee) the Property is located in the Census Tract, and the Census Tract is a Low-Income Community that is characterized by at least one of items (i) — (v) below, or at least two of items (vi) — (xvi) below:

 

(i) Poverty rate greater than 30 percent;

 

(ii) If located within a non-metropolitan area, median family income does not exceed 60 percent of statewide median family income or if located with a metropolitan area, median family income does not exceed 60 percent of the greater of statewide median family income or the metropolitan area median family income;

 

(iii) Unemployment rates at least 1.5 times the national average;

 

(iv) Located in a county not contained with a Metropolitan Statistical Area, as pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3504(e) and 31 U.S.C. 104(d) and Executive Order 10253 (3 C.F.R. Part 1949-1953 Comp., p 758), as amended, with respect to the 2010 Census and as made available by the CDFI Fund;

 

(v) If the Property is serving Targeted Populations as permitted by the IRS and CDFI Fund guidance, (a) Borrower is 60% owned by low-income persons; or (b) at least 60% of employees are low-income persons; or (c) at least 60% of gross income is derived from sales, rentals, services or other transactions to customers who are low-income persons;

 

(vi) One of the following: (a) poverty greater than 25%; or (b) if located within a non-Metropolitan Area, median family income does not exceed 70% of the statewide median family income, or, if located within a Metropolitan Area, median family income does not exceed 70% of the greater of the statewide median family income or the Metropolitan Area median family income; or (c) unemployment rates at least 1.25 times the national average;

 

(vii) U.S. Small Business Administration designated HUB Zones, to the extent that the Loans will be used to support businesses that obtain HUB Zone certification from the Small Business Administration;

 

(viii) Brownfield sites as defined under 42 U.S.C. 9601(39);

 

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(ix) Areas encompassed by a HOPE VI redevelopment plan;

 

(x) Federally designated as Native American or Alaskan Native areas, Hawaiian Homelands;

 

(xi) Areas designated as distressed by the Appalachian Regional Commission or Delta Regional Authority;

 

(xii) Colonias areas as designated by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development;

 

(xiii) Federally designated medically underserved areas, to the extent that QLICI activities will support health related activities;

 

(xiv) Federally designated Promise Zones, Impacted Coal Counties, base realignment and closure areas, State enterprise zone programs, or other similar state/local programs targeted towards particularly economically distressed communities;

 

(xv) Located in a county for which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has (a) issued a “major disaster declaration”; and (b) made a determination that such County is eligible for both “individual and public assistance;” provided that the initial project investment was made within 36 months of the disaster declaration; or

 

(xvi) A Food Desert, which must either be: (a) a census tract determined to be a Food Desert by the USDA, as identified in USDA’s Food Desert Locator Tool; or (b) a census tract that qualifies as a Low-Income Community and has been identified as having low access to supermarket or grocery store through a methodology that has been adopted for use by another governmental or philanthropic healthy food initiative, to the extent activities financed by the Loans will increase access to healthy food.

 

(ff) The sole activities of Borrower are, and will continue to be, the leasehold ownership, development and operation of the Property and the conduct of the Business and related activities on the Property, which constitute a Qualified Business. The predominate business activity of Borrower is and will continue to be the Business and is not, and will not be, the development, management or leasing of real estate. Borrower does not derive nor does it project to derive any income from the rental or sale of real estate;

 

(gg) All of the facts or information submitted by Borrower to Lender with respect to Borrower or the Property or Equipment were accurate and complete in all material respects when submitted and remain accurate and complete as of the date hereof;

 

(hh) Borrower has disclosed to the Lender all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No report, financial statement, certificate or other information furnished (whether in writing or orally) by or on behalf of Borrower to Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (in each case, as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time; and

 

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(ii) All payments pursuant to the Reimbursement Certification and Compliance Agreement are Qualified Reimbursements and were costs incurred by Borrower.

 

3.18 Tax Returns and Payment. Borrower has filed all federal, state, local and other income and other tax returns that are required to be filed and has paid all taxes that have become due and payable pursuant to such returns and all other taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges upon Borrower and upon its properties, income and franchises that have become due and payable by Borrower. There is no asserted or assessed (or to the knowledge of Borrower, proposed) tax deficiency against Borrower, the Property, the Improvements or the Collateral.

 

3.19 No Assumption of Borrower’s Obligations. Borrower expressly understands and agrees that Lender does not assume any duties or obligations of Borrower arising out of any Note or any other Loan Document.

 

3.20 No Insolvency. No bankruptcy, attachment, execution proceeding, assignment for the benefit of creditors, insolvency, receivership, or other, similar proceedings with respect to Borrower is pending or, to Borrower’s current, actual knowledge, threatened. As of the date hereof, Borrower is sufficiently capitalized to perform all of its duties and obligations.

 

3.21 Fees. Borrower has paid all fees described in this Agreement due on or before the date hereof.

 

3.22 Consents. All consents necessary to the Loans and transactions contemplated in connection therewith have been obtained (including, but not limited to, consents and approvals of Senior Lender, Subordinate Lender and those consents required under all Material Contracts).

 

3.23 Reimbursement Certification and Compliance Agreement. All certifications, representations and warranties of Borrower, MHG and Leverage Lender set forth in the Reimbursement Certification and Compliance Agreement are incorporated herein by this reference.

 

3.24 Senior and Subordinate Loan Documents. Borrower represents and warrants that the Senior Loan Documents and Subordinate Loan Documents delivered to Lender prior to the date hereof are all the documents that govern the Senior Loan and Subordinate Loan outstanding as of the date hereof. The Senior Loan Documents and Subordinate Loan Documents shall not be amended without the prior written consent of Lender.

 

3.25 Lease Documents. Borrower represents and warrants that the Store Capital Lease and the Operating Sublease delivered to the Lender prior to the date hereof are all the documents that govern the interest of Borrower and its affiliates in the Property and Improvements. The Leases shall not be amended without the prior written consent of Lender.

 

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ARTICLE 4
Conditions Precedent to Lender’s Obligation to Make the Advance

 

Lender shall not be obligated to make the Advance of the Loans under this Agreement, unless the following conditions precedent shall have been satisfied:

 

4.1 Loan Documents. Lender shall have received each of the Loan Documents duly executed by Borrower and all other applicable parties, all in form and substance acceptable to Lender.

 

4.2 Governing Instruments. Lender shall have received a copy of the Borrower Organizational Documents, Danimer Holding Organizational Documents and Guarantor Organizational Documents, including all amendments, a certificate of incumbency and authority of Borrower, Guarantor and Danimer Holdings as to the incumbency and signature of each representative of Borrower, Guarantor and Danimer Holdings that has executed any document on behalf of Guarantor and Danimer Holdings in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and such other documents, instruments, agreements and certificates as Lender may reasonably request.

 

4.3 Good Standing and Resolutions. With respect to Borrower, Lender shall have received (i) a Certificate of Good Standing from the Secretary of the State of Delaware; (ii) a qualification to do business from the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Kentucky; (iii) certified resolutions authorizing the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents in form and content acceptable to Lender; and (iv) such other documents, instruments and certificates as Lender may reasonably request. With respect to Guarantor, Lender shall have received (i) a Certificate of Good Standing from the Secretary of the State of Georgia; (ii) certified resolutions authorizing the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents in form and content acceptable to Lender; and (iv) such other documents, instruments and certificates as Lender may reasonably request. With respect to Danimer Holdings, Lender shall have received (i) a Certificate of Good Standing from the Secretary of the State of Delaware; (ii) certified resolutions authorizing the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents in form and content acceptable to Lender; and (iii) such other documents, instruments and certificates as Lender may reasonably request.

 

4.4 Legal Opinions. There shall have been delivered by Borrower’s Counsel legal opinions regarding federal income tax, compliance with state laws, due authority and other matters in form and content reasonably acceptable to Lender, the State CDEs, USBNA, USBCDC and each of their counsel.

 

4.5 Financial Statements. Lender shall have received and approved copies of current financial statements and other financial information with respect to Borrower and Guarantor, as requested by Lender.

 

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4.6 Consents. Lender shall have received all necessary consents and approvals required by, and any applicable modifications to, the Senior Loan Documents, the Subordinate Loan Documents, the Store Capital Lease, the Construction and Engineering Contracts, and the Purchase Agreements authorizing the applicable transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents in form and content acceptable to Lender.

 

4.7 Survey. Lender shall have received and approved the Survey.

 

4.8 Environmental Report. Lender shall have received and approved the Environmental Report. The Environmental Report shall, at a minimum, (a) disclose any existing or potential Hazardous Materials contamination at the Property and physical conditions that may result in such contamination; (b) include the results of all sampling or monitoring to confirm the extent of existing or potential Hazardous Materials contamination at the Project, including the results of leak detection tests for each underground storage tank located at the Property, if any; (c) describe response actions appropriate to remedy any existing or potential Hazardous Materials contamination, and report the estimated cost of any such appropriate response; (d) confirm that any prior removal of Hazardous Materials from the Property was completed in accordance with applicable Environmental Laws; and (e) confirm whether or not the Property is located in a wetlands district.

 

4.9 Expenditures. Lender shall have received documentation satisfactory to Lender and Counsel regarding prior expenditures in the aggregate amount of $7,146,667.21 for Qualified Reimbursements and the Reimbursement Certification and Compliance Agreement. All prior expenditures are costs incurred by Borrower for the Project.

 

4.10 Insurance Policies. Lender shall have received and approved certified copies of all insurance policies (or certificates), along with all required endorsements and certificates thereto, as required by this Agreement and the Loan Documents. With respect to insurance coverage required pursuant to Section 6.6, Borrower shall cause its insurer to identify the following entities as “additional insureds”: Lender, AMCREF Allocatee, Investment Fund, USBNA, USBCDC.

 

4.11 Governmental and Other Approvals. Lender shall have received copies of all authorizations and Permits currently required by the appropriate Governmental Authority or any other Person to enter into the transactions contemplated herein.

 

4.12 Compliance. Neither Borrower nor Lender shall have received any notice that claims or asserts that there has been a failure to comply with or a breach of any of the approvals or authorizations required hereunder in any material respect.

 

4.13 No Default. There shall be no default or event of default (however defined) under any of the Loan Documents, the Permits or any Material Contract.

 

4.14 Useful Life of Equipment. Evidence satisfactory to the Lender that the useful life of the Equipment (and replacements thereof) exceeds the Note Maturity Date for the Loans. To the extent the useful life of the Equipment is less than the term of the Loans, Borrower shall maintain adequate equipment replacement reserves to allow Borrower to continuously operate the Business and Borrower shall undertake all maintenance, repairs or replacements of Equipment necessary during the term of the Loans.

 

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4.15 Material Contracts. Lender shall have received a copy of all other Material Contracts.

 

4.16 Receipt of Accountant Certification. Lender shall have received compiled Financial Projections, including, without limitation, evidence satisfactory to Lender that there are sufficient sources of funds (loan, equity or otherwise) committed on the Closing Date to pay the Costs set forth on the Financial Projections, and a compilation report from the Accountants certifying that the Financial Projections for the operation of the Property accurately reflect the anticipated tax consequences to Borrower and Lender.

 

4.17 Investment Fund QEI. Investment Fund II has made multiple equity investments in Lender in the aggregate amount of $12,000,000, each of which is intended to qualify as a Qualified Equity Investment.

 

4.18 Taxes. All taxes owing by Borrower must be current as of the date hereof.

 

4.19 Construction and Engineering Contracts. Lender shall have received all Construction and Engineering Contracts entered into as of the date hereof.

 

4.20 Equipment. Lender shall have received and approved a list of all Equipment having a value equal to or greater than $100,000. Such list is attached hereto as Exhibit E-1. As of the Closing Date, Borrower does not lease or intend to lease any Equipment. Borrower will own all of the Equipment.

 

4.21 Acquisition Document. Lender has received the Acquisition Document.

 

4.22 Appraisal. Lender shall have received and approved an appraisal of the Property and the Improvements (and certain equipment existing at the Property as of April 6, 2018) satisfactory to Lender.

 

4.23 Title. The title company shall have issued a title report evidencing Borrower’s leasehold interest in the Property, free and clear of all defects and encumbrances, except such as the Lender and Counsel shall approve, and Lender shall have received a copy thereof.

 

4.24 Community Benefits Agreements. Lender shall have received an executed community benefits agreement (the “Community Benefits Agreement”).

 

4.25 Betters Rates and Terms Letter. Lender shall have received an executed better rates and terms letter.

 

4.26 Agreed Upon Procedures. Lender shall have received the Agreed Upon Procedures in a form acceptable to Lender, State CDEs, USBCDC and USBNA.

 

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4.27 Releases. If applicable, duly executed payoff letters and lien releases or other evidence satisfactory to Lender from lenders under any existing loans to Borrower or credit facilities secured by or related to the Collateral.

 

4.28 Other Requirements. Lender shall have received such additional documents, data or information with respect to the Borrower, the Property, the Improvements and Collateral as Lender may reasonably request.

 

ARTICLE 5
Advances

 

5.1 Initial Advance and Withdrawal. Subject to Article 4, the Advance of the entire principal amount of the Loans will be made by Lender in the aggregate amount of all Notes issued to Lender on the date hereof from Lender’s account to the Disbursement Account. On the date hereof, Borrower shall use a portion of the funds in the Disbursement Account in the amount and for the purposes set forth in Section 2.2(i)-(iv).

 

5.2 Conditions Precedent to Subsequent Withdrawals.

 

(a) After the date hereof, any withdrawals of funds from the Disbursement Account (a “Disbursement”) shall require the prior written approval of the Lender. Lender shall approve a Disbursement after the date hereof only upon satisfaction of the following additional conditions precedent:

 

(i) Borrower’s representations and warranties herein shall be and remain true and correct in all material respects;

 

(ii) No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document;

 

(iii) Borrower shall deliver to Lender a written disbursement request (a “Disbursement Request”) in the form provided as Exhibit F attached hereto, together with copies of all purchase agreements, installation contracts, purchase orders, invoices, receipts, bills, lien waivers and other such documentation reasonably requested by Lender and necessary to support the amounts stated in the Disbursement Request. Upon approval of a Disbursement Request, Lender shall release the requested funds from the Disbursement Account to Borrower;

 

(iv) Borrower shall provide Lender with a description of any Acquired Equipment being purchased or reimbursed with the Disbursement along with serial numbers or, if no serial number is available, other identifying information, for any Acquired Equipment having a value of $100,000 or more and take such other action reasonably requested by any Lender with respect to Acquired Equipment, and related construction, including, without limitation, any instruments or action necessary to attach or perfect Lender’s security interests in the Acquired Equipment; and

 

(v) Borrower shall provide Lender with a copy of any monthly construction progress reports delivered to Borrower since the date of the last Disbursement and any change orders to the Construction and Engineering Contracts executed after the date of the last Disbursement, if any.

 

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5.3 Application of Funds. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, Lender, in its sole discretion, may advance such amounts to satisfy any of Borrower’s obligations hereunder, and all amounts so advanced by Lender and applied shall be part of the Loans made by Lender and shall be secured by this Agreement.

 

5.4 Final Disbursement Certificate. Not more than thirty (30) days after all of the proceeds of the Loans have been withdrawn by the Borrower from the Disbursement Account, Borrower shall deliver to Lender and USBCDC a certificate in the form provided as Exhibit G.

 

5.5 Account Statements. Not later than five (5) days after the end of each calendar month, for all months after the date hereof up to and including the monthly statement showing no balance remaining in the Disbursement Account, Borrower shall provide, or cause to be provided, to Lender bank statements for the Disbursement Account.

 

5.6 Investor Requirements.

 

(a) On the first (1st) day of each calendar quarter, until all funds in the Disbursement Account have been spent, Borrower shall submit to USBCDC and Lender a Disbursement Compliance Certificate in the form of Exhibit J attached hereto, executed by Borrower.

 

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no disbursement, shall be made in the event that USBCDC provides notice to Borrower and Lender that is has not received and/or approved (i) the compliance certificates submitted pursuant to Section 5.6(a) and (b) above, or (ii) if requested, the Request for Disbursement and supporting documentation required pursuant to Section 5.2; provided, however that USBCDC shall have ten (10) Business Days to review the documentation submitted in response to USBCDC’s notice and notify Borrower and Lender of its determination regarding the adequacy of such documentation. If USBCDC fails to notify Borrower and Lender of its approval of the documentation or request additional and/or revised documentation, such failure shall be deemed to be an approval of the documentation and disbursements, shall be resumed in accordance with this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE 6
Additional Covenants of Borrower

 

Borrower (in addition to and not in derogation of its covenants contained in any of the other Loan Documents) covenants and agrees, from the date hereof and for so long as any Loan or any portion thereof is outstanding or Borrower has the right to receive any Advance under this Agreement (whether or not the conditions to receiving any Advance have been or can be fulfilled), as follows:

 

6.1 Use of Loan Proceeds. Borrower shall use all proceeds of the Loans solely as set forth in Sections 2.2 and 6.22.

 

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6.2 Prohibition of Assignment. Except for the Permitted Liens, Borrower will not convey, sell, transfer, mortgage, assign, grant a security interest in or lien upon or further encumber any Collateral or permit any Change of Control of Borrower without the prior written consent of Lender; provided, however, that a Change in Control of the Borrower shall be approved by Lender if (A) Lender and USBCDC have received and approved a legal opinion satisfactory to them confirming that (i) there has been no modification or reissuance of the QLICIs funded with the Loans, (ii) the Borrower will continue to qualify as a QALICB, (iii) the Loans will continue to qualify as QLICIs, (iv) any other legal opinions relating to the NMTC Requirements as the Lender, State CDEs and USBCDC may reasonably request, and (v) USBCDC and USBNA each receive reaffirmations and ratifications of the NMTC Guaranty or each of USBCDC and USBNA receives an Unconditional Guaranty of New Markets Tax Credits, Put Price and Environmental Indemnity on substantially the same terms as the NMTC Guaranty from guarantors approved by USBCDC and USBNA, all in USBCDC and USBNA’s sole discretion; (B) Borrower has deposited additional funds in a Lender-controlled deposit account pledged solely to Lender as security for the Loans in an amount equal to all remaining interest to be due through the end of the NMTC recapture Period plus the AMCREF Exit Fees; and (C) Borrower has paid all due and owning fees, reimbursements and indemnities owed to Lender, the State CDEs, USBNA or USBCDC. Borrower shall notify Lender promptly in writing of any (i) proposed Change in Control of Borrower, or (ii) enforcement of any Permitted Lien or other encumbrance by any party other than Lender on the Collateral or the Property or Improvements.

 

Nothing contained herein or in any other Loan Document shall prevent any Change of Control of the Guarantor.

 

6.3 Comply with Requirements. Borrower will comply with any requirement of any Governmental Authority relating to the Property, Improvements, Collateral and the operation of the Business, except where a failure to so comply does not result in and could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.4 Inspection. Upon reasonable advance notice and during normal business hours, Borrower will permit Lender and its agents and employees to enter upon the Property to inspect the Facility, and the operation thereof.

 

6.5 Costs and Expenses; Indemnification by Borrower. Borrower shall pay, or cause to be paid, on demand all reasonable costs and expenses actually incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery, filing, recording, administration (including amendments and modifications) and enforcement of the Loan Documents. In addition, but not as a limitation, Borrower will pay:

 

(a) all taxes and recording expenses, including all intangible, registration and stamp taxes, if any;

 

(b) if any, title insurance premiums, appraiser fees, and environmental audit fees;

 

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(c) reasonable fees, if any, due to brokers in connection with the Property or this Agreement (other than any broker hired by or contracted for by Lender);

 

(d) all reasonable attorneys’ fees, including, without limitation, Borrower’s, Lender’s, State CDEs’, USBNA’s and USBCDC’s counsel’s fees and expenses for services performed and sums advanced in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, plus reimbursement of all out of pocket expenses actually incurred in connection therewith;

 

(e) all reasonable fees incurred in connection with the delivery of the legal opinions;

 

(f) all reasonable fees of Lender incurred in connection with the Business, the Collateral or the Loans;

 

(g) all reasonable fees of Accountants in connection with preparation of the Financial Projections, Agreed Upon Procedures and any future financial projections required by Lender in connection with the Loans;

 

(h) any state or local taxes or other charges in the nature of corporate excise or franchise taxes and administrative filing fees imposed on the Lender as a result of the Loans or Lender’s interest in the Collateral;

 

(i) for the avoidance of doubt, all fees related to enforcement of the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees, expenditures which may be paid or incurred by or on behalf of Lender, transfer taxes, and any other costs and expenses incurred or paid in connection with any transfer or setoff of the Collateral, and all such expenditures shall be immediately due and payable and bear interest at the highest applicable Interest Rate, but in no event shall the interest rate be higher than the usury limit, and shall be secured by the Collateral;

 

(j) the AMCREF Annual Reimbursements and Fees, the fees and expenses described in the Consortium Fee Agreement, the fees and expenses described in the Brownfield Fee Agreement, and all other fees payable to the Lender in accordance with Section 6.25 of this Agreement; and

 

(k) all costs and fees incurred in connection with any lawsuit or other proceeding against Lender and/or Investment Fund in connection with the Loans, QEIs, and/or the Project, unless caused solely by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party seeking reimbursement; (ii) costs incurred in the enforcement and collection of the Loans, including any protective advances in connection therewith and/or the sale, acquisition, operation, and disposition of any collateral for any such loans and investments, (iii) costs and expenses incurred in connection with the reinvestment of amounts pursuant to New Markets Tax Credits or KY NMTC laws, regulations and requirements; (iv)  the cost of any monitoring/compliance fee assessed by the CDFI Fund; (v) any tax liabilities that may be imposed directly on Lender (other than income tax on interest paid on the Loans or fees payable to the Lender); and (vi) costs involved in any challenge or audit of any tax returns of Lender or its members or other Affiliates arising out of an actual or alleged failure of Borrower to (x) qualify as a QALICB, (y) cause the Loans to be a QLICI (including, without limitation, any prepayment of any Loan, whether voluntary or involuntary through an exercise of Lender’s remedies under the Loan Documents), or (z) comply with New Markets Tax Credits or KY NMTC laws, regulations and requirements.

 

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Borrower shall also pay, at the direction of the Lender, the auditing, tax and accounting fees, annual management fees, all out-of-pocket expenses and other operating expenses incurred with respect to the Loan by Lender, the State CDEs, USBNA, USBCDC and the Investment Fund during the term of this Agreement.

 

Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify Lender, the Investment Fund, USBNA, USBCDC, the AMCREF Allocatee and each of their managers, members, representatives and agents (each, an “Indemnified Party”) and save them harmless from and against any and all claims, actions, damages, costs, liabilities, losses and expenses, including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees (collectively, “Damages”), suffered or incurred by any Indemnified Party in connection with the Loans, the Loan Documents, the QEIs, the Collateral, the Property, the Project, the Equipment, the Improvements, the Business, Borrower, Guarantor, or any affiliate of Borrower or Guarantor or occasioned wholly or in part by any act or omission of Borrower, Guarantor or their officers, directors, partners, managers, members, agents, contractors, employees or Tenants (collectively, “Borrower Parties”), except that Borrower shall not be obligated to indemnify an Indemnified Party for such Damages that have been found by final judgement of a court of competent jurisdiction to be arising from such Indemnified Party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in case any Indemnified Party shall, without fault on its part, be made a party to any litigation commenced by or against Borrower, then Borrower shall protect and hold such Indemnified party harmless and shall pay all costs, expenses and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred or paid by such Indemnified Party in connection with such litigation. The obligations of Borrower under this paragraph of Section 6.5 shall survive the making and repayment of the Loans and the termination of this Agreement.

 

6.6 Insurance.

 

(a) Throughout the term of this Agreement, Borrower shall maintain such insurance as described in and comply with Exhibit C attached hereto. All insurance coverages required by this Agreement shall be satisfactory in all respects to Lender. Borrower shall not permit any activity to occur or condition to exist on or with respect to the Property that would wholly or partially invalidate any of the insurance thereon. The insurance proceeds of the policies required by this Section 6.6(a) shall be payable in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(b) If Borrower fails to maintain any insurance required hereunder or under the other Loan Documents or fails to provide evidence of such insurance as required hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, Lender may, but shall not be obligated to, purchase such required insurance at Borrower’s expense and without advance written notice to protect its interests in the Property. Unless Lender otherwise agrees in writing, Borrower shall pay to Lender the full costs of such insurance, together with the accrued interest thereon and the other charges in connection therewith, within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of notice.

 

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6.7 Governmental Requirements. Borrower will comply with all Environmental Laws and all land use, building, subdivision, zoning, pollution, sales practices laws, regulations and similar laws, rules, ordinances and regulations promulgated by any Governmental Authority and applicable to the Property, the Business, Improvements, Collateral and the operation thereof, except to the extent such noncompliance could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. In addition, Borrower shall comply with the provisions of all state and local zoning laws, building codes, health and safety codes and all other applicable material governmental and contractual obligations and will provide Lender with a copy of all building permits, licenses and other governmental permits received, or proof of the immediate availability of same, as and when required to authorize the construction of any improvements to the Property or use of the Equipment or otherwise in connection with the operation of the Business and the Facility.

 

6.8 Additional Documents and Information. Borrower shall maintain its books and records on an accrual basis in accordance with GAAP, and retained for such period required by law or if longer, such period recommended by the Accountants. Borrower shall provide the following reports to Lender and, upon request by the Investment Fund, to the Investment Fund, and upon request by USBCDC, to USBCDC, at Borrower’s expense:

 

(a) any reports, certificates and information reasonably required by Lender to maintain compliance with New Markets Tax Credit and KY NMTC requirements;

 

(b) upon the occurrence of any natural disaster and/or incident and/or widespread property damage or environmental threat or contamination that has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, a report of the extent of the damage to the Property, Improvements or Collateral, and the effect such damage might have on the operations of the Business;

 

(c) upon Borrower learning of any violation of any health, safety, building code, or other statute or regulation by Borrower which violation has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, a detailed statement describing such matters along with any written notices thereof received by Borrower from any federal, state, or local Governmental Authority;

 

(d) within one hundred twenty (120) days following the end of each fiscal year, annual consolidated financial statements of Guarantor, which statements shall be audited by a Certified Public Accountant acceptable to Lender (it being understood that Guarantor’s current independent auditors, Thomas Howell Ferguson, P.A., are acceptable), and shall include a consolidated balance sheet, a consolidated statement of operations, a consolidated statement of cash flows, and a consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity, as well as a balance sheet and statement of operations that presents the financial position and results of operations of the Borrower and Guarantor on a standalone basis, each certified by an officer of Borrower or Guarantor, as applicable;

 

(e) within ninety (90) days following the end of each fiscal year, unaudited financial statements of Borrower and Guarantor, which statements may be prepared internally;

 

(f) within one hundred twenty (120) days following the end of each fiscal year, a report on the equipment owned by Borrower, specifically including whether any Equipment has been purchased, decommissioned or sold since the last report, and including serial numbers or other identifying information for all Equipment having a value of $100,000 or more.

 

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(g) within thirty (30) days of filing, final filed copies of federal and state tax returns of Borrower and Guarantor, including all extensions and supporting schedules for each taxable year;

 

(h) within ten (10) days of payment of any income taxes paid by Borrower or Guarantor or any property taxes imposed on the Property or Borrower’s interest therein, Borrower shall provide Lender evidence of payment satisfactory to Lender;

 

(i) all reports and financial information required under the Guaranty;

 

(j) by May 1 and November 1 of each year, the semi-annual compliance certificate attached hereto as Exhibit D as required in accordance with Section 6.24(gg) of this Agreement;

 

(k) not later than forty-five (45) days after the end of each calendar quarter, company prepared financial statements for Borrower and Guarantor, including a respective balance sheet, profit and loss statements, a statement of operations, a statement of cash flows and a statement of change in financial position of Borrower or Guarantor, as applicable, certified by Borrower or Guarantor, as applicable;

 

(l) within thirty (30) days of the date hereof, an executed copy of the NMTC Compliance Memorandum;

 

(m) Within twelve (12) months of the date hereof, Borrower will cooperate and provide all requested documentation and information for purposes of the delivery of a third party impact report to Lender assessing the employment, environmental, community and economic impacts generated as a result of the Loans;

 

(n) on or before December 1st of each year, initial and on-going information about the Borrower’s natural disaster plans and procedures, including an annual disaster response certification memorandum;

 

(o) On or before May 1st of each year, an annual report with the information listed on the “QALICB Annual Reporting Form,” a copy of which is attached as Exhibit B to the Community Benefits Agreement and any other information required by the Community Benefits Agreement;

 

(p) within thirty (30) days of a written request (which written request period shall be waived after an Event of Default) from Lender, Borrower shall provide to Lender such other information reasonably relating to the condition or operations, financial or otherwise, of Borrower or Guarantor as Lender may from time to time request; and

 

(q) on the earlier of the date that is thirty (30) Business Days of Lender’s request or the date that the Guarantor board of directors has set for production of the next annual operating budget, the operating budget for the next fiscal year, including a projected balance sheet and an income statement, provided that if the operating budget cannot be provided within 30 days of Lender’s request therefore, Borrower will provide a forecast of such operating budget to Lender, with the final operating budget to follow.

 

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Time is of the essence respecting the requirements set forth in this Agreement, including but not limited to this Section 6.8. In addition to and not in limitation of the Lender’s remedies under this Agreement, and regardless of whether an Event of Default has occurred or been declared by Lender, (i) if the Borrower shall fail to provide any or all of the documents, financial statements, reports, or any other information or materials required pursuant to this Agreement, each in substantially completed form, to the Lender within the required time set forth in this Agreement or any other Loan Documents, which failure continues for ten (10) days after receipt of written request from Lender, the Borrower shall pay to Lender, the amount of One Hundred Dollars ($100) per day as liquidated damages until all of the requested documents or information are delivered to the Lender, and (ii) if Borrower shall fail to pay the amounts required to be paid to Lender pursuant to Section 6.25 as and when due, then the Borrower shall pay to Lender the amount of One Hundred Dollars ($100) per day as liquidated damages until the payment required by Section 6.25 has been paid in full.

 

6.9 Leases, Licenses and Sale of Property. Without the prior written consent of Lender, not to be unreasonably withheld, Borrower shall not enter into any sale, lease, sublease or license with respect to the Borrower’s interest in the Property, Improvements or the Collateral and will not permit any affiliate of Borrower to enter into any lease, sublease or license of the Property or Improvements in any manner that could cause the Borrower to lose its right to operate the Facility for the Business at the Property; (ii) cancel, terminate, abridge or otherwise modify the terms of any Lease, or accept a surrender thereof, waive the obligation of lessor or lessees thereunder to perform any obligation under such Leases, or fail to enforce any rights as lessor under any Lease, including but not limited to terminating any Lease upon a default thereunder, (iii) consent to any assignment of, or subletting of, all or any portion of the premises demised under any Lease, or (iv) cancel, terminate, abridge, release or otherwise modify any guaranty of any Lease or the terms thereof. Borrower shall provide the Lender with a copy of any proposed purchase and sale agreement for Lender’s review and approval no less than forty-five (45) calendar days prior to the anticipated execution thereof. Any sale, transfer or other disposition of the interests of Borrower or its affiliates in the Property, Improvements or Collateral or any portion thereof in violation of this Agreement shall be prohibited and shall be null and void without Lender’s prior written consent which may be granted or withheld at Lender’s sole discretion. Each commercial lease and sublease entered into after the date hereof with respect to the Property leased by the Borrower shall provide that any violation of the NMTC use restrictions in Section 45D of the Code and the Treasury Regulation promulgated thereunder or the KY NMTC Act (collectively, “NMTC Use Restrictions”), including, without limitation, any lease and sublease entered into after the date hereof with respect to such Property shall provide that engagement by any Tenant in any trade or business other than a Tenant Qualified Business shall be a material default giving rise to an immediate right of termination of the lease or sublease to the extent permitted by applicable law subject to the minimum notice requirements of applicable law. It shall not be deemed unreasonable for the Lender to withhold its consent under this Section 6.9 in the event the proposed sale, lease, sublease or license would result in the violation of the NMTC Requirements or result in a NMTC Recapture Event.

 

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6.10 Financial Restrictions on Borrower. So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower shall not make any distributions of capital, income or other assets to the extent such distributions would leave Borrower unable to maintain adequate capitalization, cash flow and reserves, including, without limitation, cash flow available for debt service of the Loans and working capital reserves, for the Business. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Borrower shall not, without Lender’s prior written approval, (a) make any distributions of capital, income or other assets to, or pay any loans payable to any Affiliate of Borrower, or to any officer, director, or member of Borrower or to any family member of them; (b) declare or make any distributions of capital or make any loans or gifts; (c) liquidate, terminate or voluntarily dissolve; or (d) invest in an Affiliate. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Borrower shall not use the proceeds of the Loan to make distributions to shareholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.1, in the event, property, cash or assets of the Borrower is required to be transferred on an intercompany basis among certain subsidiaries of or to Danimer Holdings to facilitate any payment or distribution under, or pursuant to, Article 10 of this Agreement, such transfer, distribution or payment shall be permitted.

 

6.11 Encroachments. Borrower shall not cause or permit any Improvements to be constructed on the Property which would, to the best of Borrower’s current, actual knowledge after due diligence and inquiry, cause an encroachment upon any easements, rights-of-way or adjoining properties. All Improvements currently existing on the Property are wholly within any building restriction lines, however established.

 

6.12 Collateral Liens and Encumbrances. The Collateral is and will be free and clear of all security interests and encumbrances, other than Permitted Liens. Borrower will replace obsolete Equipment with new or additional equipment to be located and used in operation of the Facility. Updated lists of Equipment, including new Acquired Equipment or replacements for any Equipment, if any, shall be provided to the Lender with the quarterly financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.8(k). In connection with this Section 6.12, Borrower agrees to keep the Equipment in good working order, repaired and/or replaced as necessary. Borrower anticipates that it will have sufficient funds available to Borrower during the term of the Loans for the purpose of maintaining and replacing Equipment as needed for the operation of the Business. The Borrower’s does not and will not use the Property directly or indirectly be used for the development, formulation, manufacture, supply, distribution or sale of omega-3 and/or omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids outside of the non-human animal health and/or non-human animal feed market and/or bio-fuels market.

 

6.13 Certificates. Borrower shall furnish to Lender, if required by any Governmental Authority, (a) a copy of the original certificate of occupancy issued by the Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Property and all other necessary consents and approvals of any governmental boards, bureaus or departments having jurisdiction over the Property; (b) all necessary certificates and approvals of the appropriate Board of Fire Underwriters or other similar body acting in and for the locality in which the Property is situated; (c) all required licenses and agreements in respect of any easements extending beyond the boundary lines of the Property; and (d) all licenses, Permits and other approvals by any Governmental Authority necessary for the Borrower’s operating of the Business and the Equipment.

 

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6.14 Use. The anticipated use to which the Property will be put will comply with all requirements of Governmental Authorities and any restrictive covenants to which the Property may be subject except for immaterial non-compliance which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Property will be used for the operation of the Business.

 

6.15 Conduct of Business.

 

(a) Borrower shall maintain in full force and effect (i) its organizational existence, and (ii) all licenses, bonds, franchises, leases, Intellectual Property, contracts and other rights necessary to the conduct of the Business, including, without limitation, all notices, permits or licenses, if any, filed or obtained with regard to compliance with Environmental Laws.

 

(b) Borrower will install and maintain equipment as required to operate the Business. Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to market and sell its products.

 

6.16 Environmental Matters and Indemnity. Borrower shall comply, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause any permitted lessees and other operators of the Property, Improvements or Collateral to comply, with all Environmental Laws. Borrower shall remediate the Property in accordance with the recommendations, if any, set forth in the Environmental Report. Without limiting and in addition to the indemnities provided pursuant to Sections 6.5 and 6.35, the Borrower will defend, indemnify and hold Lender, USBCDC and their members, directors, officers, agents and employees harmless from and against all claims, demands, causes of action, liabilities, losses, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, costs of suit, reasonable attorneys’ fees and fees of expert witnesses) arising from or in connection with (i) the presence in, on or under or the removal from the Property of any Hazardous Substances or solid wastes, or any releases or discharges of any Hazardous Substances or solid wastes on, under or from such property, (ii) any activity carried on or undertaken on or off the Property, whether prior to or during the term of this Agreement, and whether by the Borrower or any predecessor in title or any officers, employees, agents, contractors or subcontractors of Borrower or any predecessor in title, or any third persons at any time occupying or present on the Property, in connection with the handling, use, generation, manufacture, treatment, removal, storage, decontamination, clean-up, transport or disposal of any Hazardous Substances or solid wastes at any time located or present on or under the Property, or (iii) any violation of any Environmental Law, or breach of any environmental representation, warranty or covenant under the terms of this Agreement. The foregoing indemnity shall further apply to any residual contamination on or under the Property, or affecting any natural resources, and to any contamination of the Property or natural resources arising in connection with the generation, use, handling, storage, transport or disposal of any such Hazardous Substances or solid wastes, and irrespective of whether any of such activities were or will be undertaken in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, codes and ordinances; provided, however, that such indemnity shall not apply to any releases that occur following the date on which the Property is transferred, other than to an Affiliate of the Borrower, as a result of the actions of any person other than the Borrower. The terms “hazardous substance” and “release” as used in this Section shall have the meanings specified in the CERCLA, and the terms “solid waste” and “disposal” (or “disposed”) shall have the meanings specified in the RCRA; provided, in the event that the laws of the State of Kentucky establish a meaning for “hazardous substance,” “release” “solid waste” or “disposal” which is broader than that specified in either CERCLA or RCRA, such broader meaning shall apply. Lender’s receipt and review of the Environmental Report shall in no way limit, reduce or modify in any manner Borrower’s obligations and liabilities pursuant to this Section 6.16 and Borrower shall remain fully liable under this Section 6.16 regardless of any findings or suggestions in such report. The provisions of this Section shall survive the final payment of all Indebtedness owed to Lender and the termination of this Agreement and shall continue thereafter in full force and effect.

 

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6.17 Environmental and other Legal Notices. If Borrower shall receive any of the following:

 

(a) notice from any Governmental Authority that any violation of any Law or Environmental Law may have been committed or is about to be committed by Borrower or otherwise affecting the Property,

 

(b) notice that any administrative or judicial complaint or order (i) has been filed or (ii) is about to be filed against Borrower or the Property alleging violations of any Environmental Law or requiring Borrower to take any action in connection with the release or threatened release of any hazardous substances or solid wastes into the environment, or

 

(c) notice from any Governmental Authority or private party alleging that Borrower may be liable or responsible for costs associated with a response to or cleanup of a release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials or solid wastes into the environment or any damages caused thereby, including, without limitation, any notice that Borrower is a “potentially responsible party,” as defined by CERCLA,

 

then Borrower shall provide Lender with a copy of such notice within five (5) Business Days of Borrower’s receipt thereof.

 

6.18 Litigation. Borrower shall promptly advise Lender, in writing, of any action, suit or proceeding brought against it if such action, suit or proceeding seeks damages, penalties, fines, costs or expenses in excess of $50,000.

 

6.19 Other Indebtedness. Without the prior written consent of Lender and USBCDC in each instance, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, Borrower shall not:  (i) guarantee or become obligated to pay the obligations of any other Person, whether directly or indirectly, other than the Subordinate Loan, (ii) create, refinance, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, or in any manner become liable directly or indirectly with respect to any Indebtedness; provided however, Borrower shall be permitted to incur the following Indebtedness:

 

(a) the Senior Loans, the Subordinate Loans, and the Loans as well as the guarantees executed as of the date hereof in favor of USBCDC, USBNA, and/or the Lender in connection with the closing of the Loan,

 

(b) trade debt incurred in the ordinary course of business,

 

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(c) additional indebtedness in the aggregate maximum principal amount of $10,000,000 for working capital needs of the Business provided there is then no existing and continuing Event of Default hereunder;

 

(d) purchase money notes for automobiles and equipment leases provided there is then no existing and continuing Event of Default hereunder,

 

(e) any refinancing of the Senior Loans or Subordinate Loans by a Refinancing Lender, so long as:

 

(i) either (i) the payment terms of such refinancing are on the same terms or even less burdensome terms on Borrower than the terms of the Senior Loan and Subordinate Loan (which shall mean the refinance loan shall not be in a principal amount in excess of the loan it’s refinancing nor result in payments greater than those required under the loan that is then being refinanced) and Lender has received an intercreditor agreement on substantially the same terms as the Subordinate and Intercreditor Agreements, as applicable based upon the loan being refinanced, OR (ii) Borrower has satisfied the following requirements: (1) Lender received an intercreditor agreement with such lender that permits Lender and USBCDC to take actions necessary to cause Borrower to comply with all applicable NMTC Requirements without consent of any other party, (2) Borrower deposits additional funds into a Lender-controlled deposit account pledged solely to Lender as security for the Loans, in an amount equal to all remaining interest to be due through the NMTC Recapture Period plus the full amount of the AMCREF Exit Fee, (3) Borrower pays all fees, expenses and indemnities then owed to Lender, the State CDEs, USBNA or USBCDC, if any, and (4) Lender and USBCDC have each received and approved updated financial projections and a no significant modification opinion from Borrower’s legal counsel (acceptable to Lender and each of Lender’s members) that concludes such additional indebtedness will not impact the characterization of the Loans as debt, the Loans as QLICIs or the Borrower as a QALICB for federal and Kentucky state tax purposes;

 

(f) other Indebtedness only if:

 

either (i) such additional Indebtedness is not secured by the Collateral and is not senior in payment priority to the Loans, OR (ii) (1) Lender receives an intercreditor agreement with such lender that permits Lender and USBCDC to take actions necessary to cause Borrower to comply with all applicable NMTC Requirements without consent of any other party, (2) Borrower deposits additional funds into a Lender-controlled deposit account pledged solely to Lender as security for the Loans, in an amount equal to all remaining interest to be due through the NMTC Recapture Period plus the full amount of the AMCREF Exit Fee, (3) Borrower pays all fees, expenses and indemnities then owed to Lender, the State CDEs, USBNA or USBCDC, if any, (4) there is then no existing and continuing Event of Default hereunder and (5) Lender and USBCDC have each received and approved in advance updated financial projections and a no significant modification opinion from Borrower’s legal counsel (acceptable to Lender and each of Lender’s members) that concludes such additional indebtedness will not impact the characterization of the Loans as debt, the Loans as QLICIs or the Borrower as a QALICB for federal and Kentucky state tax purposes.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Borrower, Guarantor, nor any other entity will incur additional Indebtedness relative to the Facility or the Property that is incurred in connection with a transaction utilizing New Markets Tax Credits without the consent of Lender and USBCDC, in Lender’s and USBCDC’s sole and absolute discretion. Lender acknowledges that Borrower is attempting to identify up to an additional $10,000,000.00 of federal NMTC Allocation (the “Additional NMTC Allocation”) and agrees that if the Additional NMTC Allocation is identified Borrower shall be permitted to incur additional Indebtedness in connection with a transaction utilizing the Additional NMTC Allocation subject to the following requirements:  (i) Borrower provides each of Lender and USBCDC with prompt notice following the reservation of the Additional NMTC Allocation and/or execution of a term sheet or commitment letter relating to the Additional NMTC Allocation, (ii) the Additional NMTC Allocation shall not exceed $10,000,000.00 without the consent of Lender and USBCDC, each in its sole discretion; (iii) Lender shall have received and approved a But For Memorandum evidencing the Project continues to meet the but for test under NMTC Requirements, (iv) the loans made in connection with the Additional NMTC Allocation will be subordinate to the Loan with respect to payment and collateral; (v) all loan documents, including, without limitation, an intercreditor agreement among Lender and the lenders of the loans made in connection with the Additional NMTC Allocation and a community benefits agreement satisfactory to Lender, shall be subject to Lender’s and USBCDC’s review and approval prior to their execution; (vi) Lender, the State CDEs and USBCDC have each received and approved, in advance and after opportunity to review all final documents evidencing, securing or executed in connection with such Indebtedness, a no significant modification opinion from Borrower’s legal counsel (acceptable to Lender and each of Lender’s members) that concludes such additional indebtedness will not impact the characterization of the Loans as debt, the Loans as QLICIs or the Borrower as a QALICB for federal and Kentucky state tax purposes. Lender will not consent to any loans made to Borrower or any other entity in relation to the Facility in connection with the Additional NMTC Allocation unless Lender determines that it will be able to report the jobs and community impacts created by the Additional NMTC Allocation. 

 

6.20 Inspection.

 

(a) Lender, or any Person designated by Lender, shall have the right, upon reasonable prior notice and during normal business hours, to call at Borrower’s place or places of business (or any other place where the Collateral or any information relating thereto is kept or located) and coordinate a time, during reasonable business hours and without hindrance or delay by Borrower, that Lender may, (i) inspect, audit, check and make copies of and extracts from Borrower’s books, records, journals, orders, receipts, correspondence, notices, permits, licenses and other data relating to Borrower’s business or to any transactions between the parties hereto and whether such items or data are maintained in accordance with Borrower’s standard operating procedures pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) verify such matters concerning the Collateral, Business or the Loans as Lender may consider reasonable under the circumstances; and (iii) discuss the affairs, finances and business of Borrower with any officers, employees or directors of Borrower. Borrower will deliver to Lender, within five (5) Business Days of request therefor, any instruments necessary to obtain records from any Person maintaining the same.

 

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(b) Lender may inspect, upon reasonable prior notice and during normal business hours, (i) the Collateral; and (ii) such other matters, documents and information as Lender deems necessary or desirable in connection with the Loans. Such inspection may not be relied upon by Borrower or any other Person and any action or inaction of Lender following such inspection shall not indicate, on behalf of Lender, any approval or disapproval of the Property or its operation.

 

(c) Borrower shall pay on demand or within twenty (20) calendar days thereafter all expenses reasonably incurred by Lender in acquiring information pursuant to this Section 6.20.

 

6.21 Bank Accounts. Borrower shall maintain accounts with USBNA at all times during the NMTC Recapture Period, including but not limited to the Disbursement Account (until fully depleted, at which time the account may be closed) and the Reserve Accounts.

 

6.22 Disbursement Account. Borrower shall use all funds in the Disbursement Account as follows: (a) as set forth in Sections 2.2(i)-(iii), (b) to purchase and install equipment to be operated in connection with the Business, and (c) to pay Costs in connection with Business; provided, however, that the proceeds of the Loans advanced from the Lender shall not be used to pay Costs of the development (including construction of new facilities or rehabilitation/enhancement of existing facilities), acquisition, management or leasing of real estate. All funds in the Disbursement Account must be spent by Borrower in accordance with this Section 6.22 within twelve (12) months of the date hereof. Disbursement Account withdrawals are subject to the requirements set forth in Section 5.2. Control of the Disbursement Account shall be as set forth in the Account Control Agreement (Disbursement Account).

 

6.23 Anti-Terrorism Laws. Borrower covenants and agrees with Lender as follows:

 

(a) Borrower shall not:

 

(i) conduct any business or engage in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods, or services to or for the benefit of any Prohibited Person;

 

(ii) deal in, or otherwise engage in any transaction relating to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to the Executive Order or any other Anti-Terrorism Law; or

 

(iii) authorize, engage in, or conspire to engage in, any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law.

 

(b) Borrower agrees to deliver to Lender promptly (but in any event within ten (10) calendar days of Lender’s written request) any certification or other evidence requested from time to time by Lender in its reasonable discretion, confirming Borrower’s compliance with the foregoing covenants.

 

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6.24 New Markets Tax Credits Covenants. Borrower hereby covenants, agrees and certifies to Lender, the State CDEs and their members and, for opinion purposes only, Counsel, that during the term of the Loans the following shall be true and correct:

 

(a) at the written direction of Lender, Borrower shall prepare and submit, as appropriate, to the Secretary of the Treasury, the IRS or KY DOR (or any other Governmental Authority designated for such purpose), on a timely basis, any and all annual reports, information returns and other certifications and information required to avoid any NMTC Recapture Event or the imposition of penalties or interest on Lender, the State CDEs, their respective members or their respective members’ members for failure to comply with the requirements of the Code or any other applicable laws relating to the New Market Tax Credits or KY NMTCs;

 

(b) Borrower shall exercise good faith in all activities relating to the conduct of Business, including the operation and maintenance of the Property, Equipment and Improvements, and Borrower shall take no action which is not reasonably related to the achievement of the purpose of operating the Business and the Property, Equipment and Improvements in accordance with this Agreement;

 

(c) Borrower shall provide such information and sign such documents as are necessary for Lender the State CDEs, and their respective members to make timely, accurate and complete submissions of (i) federal and state income tax returns, (ii) reports to Governmental Authorities, and (iii) any other reports required to be delivered by Lender, the State CDEs, and their respective members;

 

(d) Borrower shall promptly provide Lender, the State CDEs and their respective members with notice of any written or oral notice of any (i) default or failure of compliance with respect to any other material financial, contractual or governmental obligation of Borrower; (ii) IRS or KY DOR proceeding regarding the Property or Borrower if the results of such proceeding could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) litigation or administrative proceeding against Borrower where the amount in controversy is in excess of $50,000 or any criminal action against Borrower, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of Borrower; or (iv) communication from any other lender, the Secretary of State of Delaware or Kentucky, the KY DOR, IRS, any Borrower Affiliate or any other Person which is not in the ordinary course of business and which indicates a potential Material Adverse Effect;

 

(e) Borrower is and shall be a corporation for federal income tax purposes;

 

(f) Borrower shall maintain its status as a QALICB and shall operate the Property and Improvements in a manner that satisfies, and shall continue to satisfy, all restrictions applicable to the Property and Improvements and projects generating New Markets Tax Credits and KY NMTCs;

 

(g) Borrower shall maintain the status of the Business as a Qualified Business and shall not engage in any business activity which is not a Qualified Business, including but not limited to, increasing the amount of revenues generated from the sale or license of the intangibles so that the revenue generated from such sales or licenses exceeds the revenue generated from any other revenue generating activity;

 

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(h) each Tenant under a lease or sublease with respect to the Property must constitute a Tenant Qualified Business;

 

(i) with respect to any Advance made pursuant to this Agreement, Borrower shall only apply the proceeds of such Advance to expenditures of the Business and Borrower shall expend such Advance in the Business on the Property within one (1) year of such Advance;

 

(j) with respect to any taxable year, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total gross income of the Business will be derived from the active conduct of a Qualified Business within the Census Tract;

 

(k) with respect to any taxable year, at least fifty percent (50%) of the use of Borrower’s tangible property (whether owned or leased) will be within the Census Tract (for purposes of this covenant, the percentage of tangible property owned or leased by Borrower during the taxable year in the Census Tract shall be determined based on a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the Average Value of the tangible property owned or leased by Borrower within the Census Tract during the taxable year, and (ii) the denominator of which is the Average Value of all of the tangible property owned or leased by Borrower and used by Borrower during the taxable year); provided, however, that for any taxable year in which Borrower has no employees, at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the use of the tangible property of Borrower (whether owned or leased) will be within the Census Tract. Borrower will provide Lender with a true, correct and complete list of tangible property owned or leased by Borrower and a description of where such property is used by Borrower. If any property is used by Borrower outside of a Low-Income Community, Borrower shall provide, the cost basis of all property owned by Borrower, the estimated value of any leased property and the basis of such estimate, and the business hours of usage of Borrower’s property within and without the Low-Income Community. Borrower shall retain records of the foregoing throughout the term of the Loans;

 

(l) with respect to any taxable year, less than five percent (5%) of the average of the aggregate unadjusted bases of the Borrower’s property will be attributable to Nonqualified Financial Property. Borrower will provide Lender a true, correct, and complete listing of any Nonqualified Financial Property owned by Borrower, including the unadjusted basis of such property. Borrower shall maintain records thereof throughout the term of the Loans. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary including, without limitation, Section 6.10, Borrower covenants and agrees to take any action necessary (including making distributions to its partners) to ensure that with relation to any taxable year less than 5% of the average unadjusted basis of its property will be attributable to Nonqualified Financial Property;

 

(m) with respect to any taxable year in which Borrower has one or more employees, at least forty percent (40%) of the services performed by Borrower’s employees will be within the Census Tract (for purposes of this covenant, this percentage is determined based on a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the total amount paid by Borrower for employee services performed in the Census Tract during the taxable year, and (ii) the denominator of which is the total amount paid by Borrower for employee services during the taxable year). Borrower will provide Lender a true, correct and complete list of its employees that includes a general description of services provided and the location where services were performed, and, if applicable, compensation paid for services rendered for the Borrower within and without the Low-Income Community. Borrower shall retain records of the foregoing throughout the term of the Loans;

 

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(n) with respect to any taxable year, less than five percent (5%) of the average of the aggregate unadjusted bases of Borrower’s property will be attributable to Collectibles. Borrower will provide Lender (upon request) a true, correct, and complete listing of any Collectibles owned by Borrower, including the unadjusted basis of such property. Borrower shall maintain records thereof throughout the term of the Loans;

 

(o) at no time shall the Property be used as, or converted into, Residential Rental Property;

 

(p) no portion of the Property has received or shall receive the benefit of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, as described in Section 42 of the Code;

 

(q) Borrower shall not have, or use low-income housing tax credits, as described in Section 42 of the Code;

 

(r) Borrower shall not be a bank, credit union or other financial institution;

 

(s) Borrower shall not discontinue conducting the Business or change the nature of, or manner in which it conducts, the Business in any way that would cause to be untrue any of the representations, warranties or covenants set out in this Agreement;

 

(t) Borrower shall remain a corporation for federal income tax purposes, separate and distinct from any other entity and at no time during the NMTC Recapture Period shall Borrower be an entity disregarded as separate from any other entity for federal income tax purposes;

 

(u) Borrower shall treat the Loans as indebtedness for all purposes, and shall not take any positions contrary to such treatment;

 

(v) Borrower shall promptly supply Lender with any reports, records, statements, documents or other information reasonably requested by Lender and/or the State CDEs in connection with responding to any request by the CDFI Fund and the US Department of Treasury or the KY DOR, including any request pursuant to Section 6.3 or Section 6.5 of the Allocation Agreement (e.g., financial and activity reports, records, statements, documents and other information for purposes of ensuring compliance with this Section 6.24) as may be required to comply with the New Markets Tax Credit or KY NMTCs requirements, and shall promptly cooperate with Lender and/or the State CDEs to enable Lender and/or the State CDEs (as applicable) to comply with all of the requirements of the Allocation Agreement and any applicable requirements of the KY NMTC Act and the KY DOR. In connection therewith, Borrower shall maintain records of:

 

(i) if applicable, the activities and services performed by employees and the administration of their employment (including where their services are performed) that are sufficient to establish compliance with the requirements of this Section 6.24;

 

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(ii) the amount of total gross income, including the location or locations form which such gross income is derived, that are sufficient to establish compliance with the requirements of this Section 6.24;

 

(iii) the Average Values and locations of tangible personal property of Borrower that are sufficient to establish compliance with the requirements of this Section 6.24; and

 

(iv) the unadjusted bases of the property of Borrower generally and in particular, any Collectibles and any Nonqualified Financial Property it may own, that are sufficient to establish compliance with the requirements of this Section 6.24;

 

(w) Borrower shall provide such information, reports and statements reasonably requested by Lender or any State CDE for purposes of Lender’s or such State CDE’s reporting requirements pursuant to the Allocation Agreement or KY NMTC Act, as applicable, to monitor compliance with Section 45D of the Code or the KY NMTC Act, and to measure the community benefit of the Loans;

 

(x) Borrower shall provide such information and sign such documents as are necessary for Lender, the State CDEs and the Investment Fund to make timely, accurate and complete submissions of (i) federal and state income tax returns, (ii) reports to Governmental Authorities, and (iii) any other reports required to be delivered to Lender and the Investment Fund or their members;

 

(y) Borrower shall generate revenues in the Business from the Property within three (3) years after the date hereof;

 

(z) Borrower shall not take any action, or fail to take such action, which would result in USBNA, USBCDC, the Investment Fund, Lender, and State CDEs or any of their Affiliates having NMTC Control of Borrower;

 

(aa) Borrower shall collaborate with Lender with respect to the response to be made to any 90-day notice of noncompliance and ability to cure the provisions of this Section 6.24 provided by the CDFI Fund to a Lender pursuant to Section 8.6 of the Allocation Agreement;

 

(bb) Borrower shall cooperate with Lender, the State CDEs, and their respective members, and their respective members’ members in seeking any waiver or extension sought by Lender and its respective members with respect to a NMTC Recapture Event (regardless of whether or not Borrower has violated any covenants provided herein or failed to act or not act as directed by a Lender or its respective members), pursuant to Section 1.45D-1(e)(5) of the Treasury Regulations and Rev. Proc. 2005-1, 2005-1 I.R.B. 1 or under the KY NMTC Act;

 

(cc) Borrower shall not, by its action or inaction, cause a NMTC Recapture Event and shall cooperate with Lender, their members, and their members’ members to the extent necessary to cure any such NMTC Recapture Event, as permitted by the NMTC Requirements;

 

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(dd) in the event that Lender receives a payment of, or for, capital, equity or principal which triggers the reinvestment requirements of Section 1.45D-1(d)(2) of the Treasury Regulations, Borrower shall cooperate to the extent required by Lender and its members;

 

(ee) Borrower shall be responsible for informing Lender, the State CDEs and their respective members of any failure by Borrower, whether through its actions or omissions, to comply with the duties and responsibilities set forth in this Section 6.24 of which Borrower has knowledge within ten (10) calendar days of the occurrence of such an event;

 

(ff) Borrower shall supply Lender and the State CDEs with such information as may be reasonably requested by Lender for inclusion in reports concerning the economic impact of New Markets Tax Credits or KY NMTCs, including, without limitation, information on the number of jobs created by the operation of the Property and associated payroll information.

 

(gg) Borrower shall provide Lender and the State CDEs with a semi-annual certification, in the form attached hereto and made a part of as Exhibit D, by May 1 and November 1 of each year to confirm compliance with the representations, warranties and covenants set forth in this Agreement and the Reimbursement Certification and Compliance Agreement, including in such certification the current percentages or ratios under the above paragraphs that are applicable to Borrower at such time;

 

(hh) Borrower shall maintain, or cause to be maintained, a complete and separate set of books and records for Borrower separate from the books and records of any other Person and in satisfaction of the requirements of Section 1.45D-1(d)(4)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations. Such books and records shall be maintained throughout the term of the Loans;

 

(ii) Borrower shall provide Lender with a summary report of the books and records of Borrower as required under this Agreement. Further, Borrower shall disclose such additional information to Lender as may be reasonably required to support such entries;

 

(jj) Borrower shall furnish the following financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP concerning Borrower and the Property:

 

(i) any reports and information reasonably required by Lender to maintain compliance with NMTC Requirements including those reports set forth in this Section 6.24; and

 

(ii) such other information and reports concerning the financial affairs of Borrower, the Business or the Property as required by Section 6.8 or as Lender may reasonably request.

 

(kk) Borrower shall maintain separate bank accounts, and shall not commingle the assets of Borrower with those of any Person. Borrower’s assets shall not be listed as assets on the books and records of any other Person, except to the extent that such assets are consolidated with another Person’s assets for financial reporting purposes, which shall not relieve Borrower of its obligation to maintain a complete set of books and records for Borrower. Borrower shall not possess or use assets of any other Person, and Borrower shall not permit any other Person to possess or use the assets of Borrower, unless in either case such assets are rented, leased, or otherwise provided for use on an arms-length basis pursuant to a lease or services agreement or similar agreement with such Person. Any services performed for or on behalf of Borrower by employees of any other Person shall be performed on an arms-length basis pursuant to a services agreement or similar agreement with such Person;

 

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(ll) At the written request of Lender from time to time (but not more frequently than semi-annually in the absence or the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default), Borrower shall provide to Lender, within forty-five (45) days after receipt of such request, copies of the separate books and records required to be maintained for Borrower’s business pursuant to this Section 6.24, which shall be certified as complete and accurate by a financial officer of Borrower;

 

(mm) Borrower shall not engage in any business or acquire any assets other than in connection with Borrower’s Business;

 

(nn) Borrower will keep or cause to be kept a complete set of books and records, regular books of account and such other records and data as may be necessary to support the entries on Borrower’s books of account;

 

(oo) Borrower shall permit representatives of Lender to, upon reasonable prior notice and during normal business hours, have free access to and to inspect and copy all books, records and contracts of Borrower. Any such inspection by Lender and its representatives shall be for the sole benefit and protection of the Lender, and Lender shall not have any obligation to disclose the results thereof to Borrower or to any third party;

 

(pp) Borrower shall use all of the proceeds of the Loans in connection with the operation of the Property and the conduct of the Business as set forth in this Agreement;

 

(qq) neither Borrower nor any Person that could be deemed a “participant” or a “principal” thereof within the meaning of 29 CFR §§ 98.980 and 98.995, respectively, shall be debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any Federal department or agency as such terms are defined in Executive Order 12549;

 

(rr) Borrower shall not discontinue conducting business, shall not materially change the nature of its business, and shall not materially change the manner in which its business activities are conducted, other than changes in the nature of its business or the manner in which it conducts its business that do not cause any of the Loans to cease to constitute a QLICI (as determined by Lender in their good faith judgment and based upon the advice of counsel) and which are otherwise permitted hereunder;

 

(ss) the sole business activity of Borrower is and will continue to be the Business and is not, and will not be, the development, management, sale or leasing of real estate. Without limiting the foregoing, Borrower will not derive fifteen percent (15%) or more of its annual revenue from the sale of real estate or from the rental of real estate to any business other than one that is controlled by, or under common control with Borrower, provided further that such business does not derive or project to derive 15% or more of its annual revenue from the rental or sale of real estate, and such business is the primary tenant of the real estate leased from the Borrower;

 

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(tt) the amount of reserves, receivables, assets and other items of working capital shown on the Financial Projections are and will continue to be reasonable based upon Borrower’s reasonably anticipated costs of operation; Borrower does not have outstanding, nor is it committed to make a loan with a term of eighteen (18) months to any Person; and Borrower does not have an ownership interest or an option to acquire an ownership interest of any kind in any Person; and

 

(uu) Borrower and its Affiliates shall make and collect all payments shown in any Operating Contracts (including, Leases) in accordance with Operating Contracts and as shown in the Financial Projections and shall not waive or fail to make any such payment without the prior written consent of Lender.

 

Without limiting any other rights or remedies of Lender, Borrower acknowledges and agrees that (i) the failure of any Loan to constitute a Qualified Low Income Community Investment, as well as the failure of Borrower to provide the certifications and other information that Lender may require in order to confirm and report that such Loan constitutes a Qualified Low-Income Community Investment, will have a material adverse effect on Lender, and (ii) accordingly, in the event that (A) any representation and warranty set forth in Section 3.17 shall not be true in any material respect or (B) any breach, violation, or failure to comply with any of the covenants set forth in this Section 6.24 shall occur, such breach, violation or failure to comply shall be material and shall constitute an Event of Default pursuant to Section 7.1(c) hereof. Further, in connection with the issuance of any opinion letter to be delivered by any Counsel, Borrower agrees that such Counsel may rely on the representations, warranties and covenants contained herein.

 

6.25 Annual Reimbursements, Fees and Reserves.

 

(a) Lender Interest Reserve and Tax and Audit Fees. Borrower shall deposit $119,000 on the date hereof in the AMCREF Reserve Account and amounts from such account shall be withdrawn solely in accordance with the Account Control Agreement (Fee Reserve Accounts). AMCREF Reserve Account funds shall be used only to pay to the Lender within thirty (30) days of receipt of an invoice from the Lender an annual reimbursement fee of $17,000.00 ($12,000 for federal and $5,000 for state) for each year payable to the Lender for audit, tax and state filing fees and other reasonable third-party costs incurred by the Lender, without proration for any partial years;

 

(b) Consortium and Brownfield Asset Management Fees and Accounting Fees. Borrower shall deposit (i) $70,000 on the date hereof in the Consortium Reserve Account and amounts from such account shall be withdrawn solely in accordance with the Account Control Agreement (Fee Reserve Accounts) and Consortium Fee Agreement, to pay an annual asset management fee and tax and audit reimbursement to the Consortium CDE of $10,000 for each year, not prorated for any partial year, and (ii) $70,000 on the date hereof in the Brownfield Reserve Account and amounts from such account shall be withdrawn solely in accordance with the Account Control Agreement (Fee Reserve Accounts) and Brownfield Fee Agreement, to pay an annual asset management fee and tax and audit reimbursement to the Brownfield CDE of $10,000 for each year, not prorated for any partial year;

 

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(c) Borrower’s payments to Lender and each of the State CDEs of audit and tax fees and asset management fees, if applicable, Fiscal Year 2019 will be paid at closing of the Loans pursuant to the Flow of Funds Memorandum; and

 

(d) if Borrower shall fail to pay the amounts required to be paid to the Lender pursuant to this Section 6.25 as and when due, then the Borrower shall pay to the Lender the liquidated damages as set forth in Section 6.8 until the amount outstanding has been paid in full.

 

6.26 Organizational Status; Authorizations.

 

(a) Borrower is, and will continue to be duly formed, validly existing and in good standing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware with full power and authority to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents. Borrower is and will continue to be qualified to transact business in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

 

(b) MHG is, and will continue to be duly formed, validly existing and in good standing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Georgia with full power and authority to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents.

 

(c) Danimer Holdings is, and will continue to be duly formed, validly existing and in good standing as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware with full power and authority to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents. Danimer Holdings is not required to be qualified to transact business in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

 

6.27 Equipment. All Equipment will be located and used at the Property in the operation of the Business, except for any Equipment in transit to the Property or, in transit to, or off-site at, any other location for repair, maintenance, replacements, or to effectuate a transfer permitted by this Agreement.

 

6.28 Compliance. The Borrower’s use of the Property, Improvements and Collateral and the operation of the Business will not violate (a) any Laws (including Environmental Laws and subdivision, zoning, and building Laws) except for immaterial non-compliance that could not reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect, or (b) any building permits, restrictions of record or agreements affecting the Property, Improvements or Collateral, or any part thereof. Neither the zoning authorizations, approvals or variances nor any other right to construct or to use the Property and Improvements is to any extent dependent upon any real property other than the Property. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all consents, licenses and permits and all other authorizations or approvals required to complete (i) the acquisition or use of any Equipment, and (ii) any construction at the Property related to such Equipment, have been obtained or will be obtained prior to the Closing Date or, with respect to Equipment acquired after the Closing Date, prior to the commencement of any such acquisition for which such consent, license, permit, authorization or approval is required. To the best of Borrower’s knowledge, after due inquiry and investigation, all Laws relating to the operation of the Property, Improvements and Equipment have been complied with. To the best of Borrower’s knowledge, after due inquiry and investigation, none of the Improvements encroach upon any property line, building line, setback line, side yard line or any recorded or visible easement (or other easement of which Borrower is aware or has reason to believe may exist) with respect to the Property, and the use of the Property, Improvements and any Equipment complies with all material requirements of Governmental Authorities and any restrictive covenants to which the Property may be subject. The transfer to, ownership of and license by the Borrower of any Intellectual Property current complies and will comply with all Laws.

 

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6.29 Required Notices. Promptly upon Borrower’s knowledge of the following, Borrower will provide Lender with written notice in accordance with Section 8.3 of this Agreement of any of the following, provided such notice shall be delivered within than 5 Business Days of Borrower receipt thereof: (i) all default notices with respect to any Borrower Indebtedness or Guarantor Indebtedness (with copies of such notices included), (ii) notices of reductions or elimination of benefits under any federal, state, or local program previously enjoyed by Borrower (with copies of such notices included), (iii) notice of any demand for payment or draw under any construction completion guarantee, performance bond, or letter of credit regarding Borrower or Guarantor; (iv) IRS or KY DOR proceedings regarding the Property, Borrower or any Guarantor if the results of such proceedings could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (v) litigation or administrative proceedings against Borrower where the amount in controversy is in excess of $50,000 or criminal action against Borrower, Guarantor, Danimer Holdings or any Affiliate of Borrower; (vi) any termination default, breach or event which could become a default pursuant to any Material Contract or defaults or failures of compliance with respect to any other material financial or contractual obligation of Borrower or Guarantor; or (vii) communications from any other lender or Governmental Authority or any other Person which is not in the ordinary course of business and which indicates a potential Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.30 No Plan Assets. Borrower will not be a party in interest to any plan defined or regulated under ERISA, and the assets of Borrower will not be “plan assets” of any employee benefit plan covered by ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

 

6.31 Taxes. Borrower will file all federal, state, local and other income and other tax returns that are required to be filed and pay all taxes when due and payable pursuant to such returns and all other taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges upon Borrower and upon its properties, income and franchises when due and payable by Borrower, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings being diligently conducted, for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP, as to which taxes no lien has been filed and which contest effectively suspends the collection of the contested obligation and the enforcement of any lien securing such obligation.

 

6.32 Organizational Documents. Borrower and Guarantor (and their respective managing members) shall comply with all of the terms and provisions of the Borrower Organizational Documents and the Guarantor Organization Documents. Neither the Borrower Organizational Documents nor the Guarantor Organization Documents shall be amended, restated or otherwise modified without the prior written consent of the Lender. Borrower shall not admit any new or substitute stockholders of Borrower without the prior written consent of the Lender.

 

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6.33 Material Contracts. Borrower will not cause any breach of or default under any Material Contracts and will promptly send written notice to Lender of any material breach of or default under any Material Contracts, regardless of which party has committed the breach or default. Borrower will provide copies of any new Material Contracts entered into after the date hereof or any material amendments, supplements or other modifications to existing Material Contracts.

 

6.34 Project Completion. Borrower shall acquire and install all equipment and improvements necessary to operate the Business at the Property as shown in the Financial Projections.

 

6.35 Indemnification. Without limiting and in addition to the indemnification set forth in Sections 6.5 and 6.16 above, Borrower agrees to indemnify, protect, hold harmless and defend Lender, its members (including, without limitation, the Investment Fund) and Affiliates and each of their respective directors, managers, members, officers, employees, lenders, representatives, consultants and attorneys (each, a “Covered Person” and collectively, the “Covered Persons”), from and against any and all actual losses, liabilities, suits, actions, obligations, fines, damages, judgments, penalties, claims, causes of action, charges, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’, accountants’, experts’, consultants’ fees, disbursements and court costs prior to trial, at trial and on appeal) which are imposed on, incurred or paid by, or asserted against a Covered Person by reason or on account of, or in connection with, (i) any Default or Event of Default hereunder; (ii) any breach of any representation or covenant of Borrower in any of the Loan Documents; (iii) any action or inaction of Borrower or any Affiliate thereof or any of their respective directors, managers, members, officers, employees, representatives, consultants, or attorneys; (iv) the construction or reconstruction of the Property; (v) any accident, injury, death or damage to any Person or property occurring in, on or about the Property or any street, drive, sidewalk, curb or passageway adjacent thereto; (vi) any NMTC Recapture Event and (vii) any claim arising from the operation of the Property, Equipment or any other real property owned or managed by Borrower and any business conducted by the Borrower, including without limitation, claims by or on behalf of contractors, neighbors, tenants, and community groups. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower shall not have any liability for losses, liabilities, suits, actions, obligations, fines, damages, judgments, penalties, claims, causes of action, charges, costs and expenses of a Covered Person caused by the gross negligence, fraud, or willful misconduct of or by such Covered Person as determined by a final, non-appealable judgement of a court of competent jurisdiction. In addition and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if Lender shall be made a party to any litigation commenced by or against Borrower or otherwise in connection with these Loans (other than suits between Borrower and Lender), then Borrower shall protect and hold Lender harmless and shall be obligated to pay immediately when due all costs, expenses and reasonable attorneys’ fees of Lender in connection with such litigation. The obligations of Borrower under this Section 9.35 shall survive the making and repayment of the Loans and the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE 7
Events of Default and Remedies

 

7.1 Events of Default. Each of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default” hereunder:

 

(a) if Borrower shall fail to pay any sum due and owing under any Note or if Borrower shall fail to comply with any other monetary covenant hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents when such sum or amount becomes due and payable under applicable Loan Documents and such failure shall continue beyond any applicable grace or cure period;

 

(b) if Borrower fails to comply with any non-monetary covenant made by it hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents (other than a failure which would be an Event of Default under another subparagraph of this Section 7.1) within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of written notice of such default from Lender; provided, however, that if such default results in the termination or impairment of Lender’s lien in any Collateral or a lien that has priority over Lender’s lien in Collateral, or if Borrower has committed any fraud or conversion as to any Collateral or misrepresentation as to the value or condition of any Collateral, the Lender need not provide Borrower with any notice of or right to cure such default; further provided, however, if such default is of a type that is susceptible to cure but cannot reasonably be cured within such 30 calendar day period, in Lender’s reasonable discretion, such failure will not be an Event of Default if Borrower commences to cure such default within such 30 calendar day period and thereafter diligently prosecutes such cure to completion within sixty (60) calendar days after receipt of written notice of such default from a Lender;

 

(c) if Borrower fails to comply with Section 6.24 or Section 6.25 in any manner;

 

(d) if any material representation or warranty of Borrower made herein or in any of the other Loan Documents, including the application for any Loan or any certificate submitted to Lender, shall be incorrect in any material respect when made;

 

(e) if any default or event of default shall exist under any of the Senior Loan Documents, the Subordinate Loan Documents or the Loan Documents (other than this Agreement), and such default or event of default shall continue beyond any applicable grace or cure periods;

 

(f) if Borrower fails to use the proceeds of the Loans as set forth herein;

 

(g) if the operation of the Business at the Property shall at any time be discontinued for a period of fifteen consecutive Business Days;

 

(h) if Borrower defaults beyond any applicable grace or cure period under any other Indebtedness of Borrower in excess of $100,000 and such default permits the holder thereof to accelerate such Indebtedness;

 

(i) if Borrower assigns this Agreement or any Advance to be made hereunder or any interest in either, or if the Property, Improvements or Collateral (or any portion thereof) is conveyed, assigned, mortgaged, pledged or encumbered in any way other than as herein permitted;

 

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(j) if a lien or claim of lien for the performance of work or the supply of materials be filed against any Collateral;

 

(k) if Borrower or Guarantor shall generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or if any proceeding shall be instituted by Borrower or any Guarantor seeking to adjudicate it bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, or similar official for it or for any substantial part of its property; or if any proceeding shall be instituted against Borrower or any Guarantor seeking to adjudicate it bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of its or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, or similar official for it or for any substantial part of its property and any such proceeding is not dismissed within sixty (60) calendar days after the commencement of such proceeding; or if Borrower or any Guarantor shall take any action to authorize any of the actions set forth in this subparagraph;

 

(l) if any judgment or order in excess of $50,000, that is beyond all applicable appeal periods, singly or in the aggregate, shall be rendered against Borrower and either (i) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (ii) there shall be any period of sixty (60) consecutive calendar days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise shall not be in effect; provided, however, that any such judgment or order shall not be deemed an Event of Default under this subparagraph if and for so long as (A) the amount of such judgment or order is covered by a valid and binding insurance policy covering payment thereof by a solvent and reputable insurer, and (B) such insurer has been notified of, and has not disputed the claim made for payment of, the amount of such judgment or order, or Borrower provides Lender with an acceptable bond, letter of credit or other assurances, which is satisfactory to Lender, that Borrower has the required funds to satisfy the judgment following final resolution of all matters relating to such judgment;

 

(m) if any material provision of any Loan Document shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding on Borrower or Guarantor, or Borrower or Guarantor shall so state in writing;

 

(n) a final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction, or any challenge, whether by litigation or otherwise asserted, if such challenge results in (i) an injunction or other order to halt work on the Project such that the Project could not be completed and operated as contemplated by the Financial Projections, or (ii) a claim against the validity of this Agreement, the development of the Project or any of the transactions carried out pursuant to any of them, including, without limitation, a claim that Borrower has no authority to enter into them, or that such transactions violate any federal, state or municipal constitution, charter, law, ordinance, regulation, resolution or rule, or any court order;

 

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(o) the occurrence of any NMTC Recapture Event;

 

(p) the invalidity of this Agreement or any other Loan Documents or any of the transactions carried out pursuant thereto shall have been successfully asserted and finally adjudicated, including, without limitation, a claim that Borrower or any Guarantor has no authority to enter into them, or that such transactions violate any federal, state or municipal constitution, charter, law, ordinance, regulation, resolution or rule, or any court order;

 

(q) any Change in Control of the Borrower that was not approved by Lender in accordance with the terms hereof;

 

(r) an event of default occurs under the Operating Sublease, there is a termination of the Operating Sublease, or there is an amendment or modification to the Operating Sublease without the advance written consent of the Lender; or

 

(s) if there shall occur, in the reasonable judgment of the Lender, any material adverse change in the financial condition, business, operations or prospects of Borrower.

 

7.2 Remedies.

 

(a) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, Lender, in addition to all remedies conferred upon Lender by law and by the terms of the other Loan Documents, or other documents serving as security for Borrower’s Indebtedness to Lender, may pursue any one or more of the following remedies, subject to the terms of the Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement:

 

(i) to refuse to make any additional Advances hereunder;

 

(ii) to cancel this Agreement by written notice to Borrower, in which event Lender shall be fully released and relieved of all further obligations and liabilities to Borrower hereunder;

 

(iii) to take immediate possession of the Property, as well as all other property to which title is held by Borrower as is necessary to fully complete all on-site and off-site improvements contemplated to be developed and/or constructed under this Agreement;

 

(iv) to institute appropriate proceedings to specifically enforce performance hereof (without limitation or waiver of any defense or counterclaim of Borrower relating thereto);

 

(v) to appoint a receiver as a matter of strict right without regard to the solvency of Borrower for the purpose of preserving the Collateral, preventing waste and to protect all rights accruing to Lender by virtue of this Agreement or under the Loan Documents and expressly to make any and all further improvements, whether on-site or off-site, as may be determined by Lender for the purpose of completing the Project in accordance with this Agreement. All expense incurred in connection with the appointment of said receiver, or in protecting, preserving, or improving the Collateral shall be chargeable against Borrower and shall be enforced as a lien against the Collateral;

 

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(vi) to accelerate maturity of any Note, and payment of the principal sums due thereunder with interest, advances and costs, without notice or demand to Borrower (which is hereby expressly waived) and in default of said payment or any part thereof, to exercise the power of sale, if given and available, and pursue any or all of its other rights and remedies under the Loan Documents;

 

(vii) to exercise the power of sale, if given and available, including, without limitation Lender’s right to sell the Collateral pursuant to the UCC, and all other rights set forth in Article 9;

 

(viii) to foreclose and to enforce collection of such payment by foreclosure under the Security Documents and/or other appropriate action in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the Security Documents;

 

(ix) to pursue any or all of its other rights and remedies under the Security Documents and the other Loan Documents;

 

(x) upon or after the occurrence and during the continuation of any Event of Default, Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, without notice to Borrower (any such notice being hereby waived by Borrower), to set-off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other Indebtedness at any time owing by Lender to or for the credit or the account of Borrower against any and all of the obligations of Borrower to Lender, irrespective of whether or not Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents and although such obligations may be unmatured;

 

(xi) to instruct the depository institution holding any reserve that is part of the Collateral to pay the funds in such reserve over to Lender, and to apply such funds to expenses, reimbursements, interest and principal as Lender determines in its sole discretion; and/or

 

(xii) to establish and require Borrower to pay into reserves imposed by Lender in its sole discretion.

 

(b) The rights of Lender hereunder are in addition to any other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off) which Lender may have at law or in equity.

 

(c) The remedies and rights of Lender shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any other remedies of Lender under any other provision of this Agreement or under any Loan Document or other instrument or at law or in equity. Lender shall have the absolute right to resort to any one or more or all of said remedies, none to the exclusion of the others, concurrently or successively, in such order as Lender may select. Except if Lender select the option of specific performance, Lender shall have the absolute right to refuse to disburse and to apply any balance of the funds of any Loan as a payment toward any Note to the extent not prohibited by law. No other party, whether architect, engineer, contractor, subcontractor, laborer, materialman, manufacturer or supplier, shall have any interest in any Loan funds so applied and shall not have any right to garnish, require or compel payment thereof toward discharge or satisfaction of any claim or lien which they or any of them have or may have for work performed or materials supplied to the Property or equipment manufactured for the Borrower. Any additional funds advanced by Lender pursuant to this Agreement shall be secured by the Security Documents and shall be considered a part of the Loans as though initially included therein.

 

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(d) As security for the payment and performance of all obligations of Borrower under the Loan Documents, Borrower hereby grants Lender a security interest in, a lien on, and an express contractual right to set off against all depository account balances, cash, and any other property of Borrower now or hereafter in the possession of or under the control of Lender and the right to refuse to allow withdrawals from any account. Lender may, at any time upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, setoff against any amounts outstanding under the Loans whether or not the Loans or any portion thereof is then due or has been accelerated, all without any advance or contemporaneous notice of demand of any kind to Borrower, such notice and demand being expressly waived.

 

7.3 Lender’s Right to Complete.

 

(a) Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default (and the expiration of any applicable cure period) of the character described in Section 7.1 which would give Lender the right under this Agreement to refrain from making any further Advance or Disbursement hereunder, Lender, at its sole option (whether or not it exercised any rights under Section 7.2) but without any obligation upon Lender to do so, may at any time thereafter (1) disburse the proceeds of the Loans or any part thereof, or if necessary, sums in excess of the Loans, to the general contractor, any subcontractor or any person furnishing labor or material in the construction of the Project for the account of Borrower, and the sums so paid or advanced shall for the purposes of this Agreement, be deemed to have been advanced to Borrower pursuant to the provisions hereof; and (2) take possession of the Property together with all materials, equipment and improvements thereon whether affixed to the realty or not, and Lender shall have the right but shall be under no obligation to perform any and all work and labor necessary to complete the Project substantially according to the Financial Projections and may employ watchmen or take any action it may deem necessary to protect them from depredation or injury.

 

(b) To implement and protect the rights of Lender under this Section 7.3, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, Lender shall have the authority and right to complete the Project as follows:

 

(i) to use the balance of the Loans including any funds of Borrower which may not have been advanced for the purpose of completing the Project;

 

(ii) to make such additions and changes and corrections in the Construction and Engineering Contracts as may be necessary or desirable to complete the Project in substantially the manner contemplated in the Financial Projections;

 

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(iii) to succeed to the rights of Borrower under the Construction and Engineering Contracts and the Purchase Agreements, or to make new contractual arrangements to employ the present or new contractors, subcontractors, agents, architects and inspectors as shall be required;

 

(iv) to pay, settle or compromise all existing bills and claims which may be or become liens against the Property, the Project or the Improvements or as may be necessary or desirable for completion of the Improvements or for the clearance of title;

 

(v) to execute all applications, certificates or instruments in the name of Borrower which may be required by any Governmental Authority or contract; and

 

(vi) to do any and every act which Borrower might or could do in its own behalf.

 

Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, Lender, in its name, or on behalf of Borrower, shall also have power to prosecute and defend all actions and proceedings in connection with the construction of the Project on the Property and to take such action and require such performance as it deems necessary and Borrower hereby assigns and quitclaims to Lender all sums unadvanced hereunder conditioned upon the use of said sums in trust for the completion of the Project. In addition it is agreed that Lender may, at its option upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, expend money in completing said construction and protecting and preserving the Property, which shall be over and above the total amount of the funds in the Loan fund to the maximum extent permitted by the law of the applicable jurisdiction, and said money when so expended, shall be added to the principal of the Loans and the same, together with interest thereon at the default rate specified in the Notes, shall be secured by the lien of the Loan Documents and shall be payable by Borrower on demand.

 

ARTICLE 8
General Conditions

 

The following conditions shall be applicable throughout the term of this Agreement:

 

8.1 No Waiver. Neither any Advance of the Loans hereunder nor any future advance shall constitute a waiver of any of the obligations set forth herein, nor, in the event Borrower is unable to satisfy any such condition, shall any such waiver have the effect of precluding Lender from thereafter declaring such inability to be an Event of Default hereunder.

 

8.2 Form Satisfactory. All proceedings taken in connection with the transactions provided herein, all documents required or contemplated by this Agreement, the designation of the persons responsible for the preparation and execution thereof and the form of all policies of insurance and the issuers thereof shall be reasonably satisfactory to Lender in all respects.

 

8.3 Notices. Any notice, request, demand, consent, confirmation or other communication hereunder shall be in writing and delivered (a) in person, by messenger or overnight courier, (b) by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid or (c) by electronic mail in .pdf format, to the applicable party at its email address set forth below, or at such other address as such party hereafter may designate as its address for communications hereunder by notice so given. Such notices and communications shall be deemed delivered upon receipt (or refusal to accept delivery).

 

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If to Borrower: Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc.
  605 Rolling Hills Lane
  Winchester, Kentucky 40391
  Attn: Jad Dowdy
  Facsimile: (229) 246-0764
  Telephone: (229) 254-9566
   
   
with a copy to: Thompson Hine LLP
  Two Alliance Center
  3560 Lenox Road Suite 1600
  Atlanta, Georgia 30326-4266
  Attention: Sherman Golden, Esq.
  Email: Sherman.Golden@thompsonhine.com
   
And: Meredian Holdings Group, Inc.
  140 Industrial Boulevard
  Bainbridge, GA 39817
  Attn: Jad Dowdy
   
If to AMCREF Lender: AMCREF Fund 51, LLC
  2525 Jena Street
  New Orleans, Louisiana 70115
  Attention: Clifford Kenwood and Maria Mandina
  Email: cliff@amcref.com; maria@amcref.com
   
with a copy to: Coats Rose, PC
  Canal Place
  365 Canal Street, 8th Floor
  New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
  Attention: Megan C. Riess, Esq.
  Email: mriess@coatsrose.com
   
With a copy to: U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation
  1307 Washington Avenue, Suite 300
  St. Louis, Missouri 63103
  Attn: Director of Asset Management-NMTC; Deal #26604
  Email: usbcdc.nmtc&htc@usbank.com

 

A copy of all notices sent by and among the parties pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be sent to USBCDC as follows, in accordance with the notice provisions of this Section 8.3:

 

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If to USBCDC: U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation
  1307 Washington Ave. Suite 300
  St. Louis, MO 63103
  Attn:  Director of Asset Management-NMTC; Deal #26604
  Email: usbcdc.nmtc&htc@usbank.com
   
With a copy to: Dentons US LLP
  One Metropolitan Square
  211 N. Broadway, Suite 3000
  St. Louis, MO  63102
  Attention: Jennifer Simmons, Esq.
  Email: jennifer.simmons@dentons.com

 

8.4 No Oral Amendments. Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of such change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

 

8.5 Additional Remedies. The remedies herein provided shall be in addition to and not in substitution for the rights and remedies which would otherwise be vested in Lender in any Loan Document or at law or in equity, all of which rights and remedies are specifically reserved by Lender. The remedies herein provided or otherwise available to Lender shall be cumulative and may be exercised concurrently. The failure to exercise any of the remedies herein provided shall not constitute a waiver thereof, nor shall use of any of the remedies hereby provided prevent the subsequent or concurrent resort to any other remedy or remedies. It is intended that all remedies herein provided for or otherwise available to Lender shall continue and be available to Lender until all sums due it by reason of this Agreement have been paid to it in full and all obligations incurred by it in connection with the ownership or operation of the Property, Improvements and Equipment have been fully discharged without loss or damage to Lender.

 

8.6 No Control or Recourse. Lender is not in control of Borrower or any other party with respect to the operation of the Property, Improvements, Collateral or Business. Lender shall not in any way be liable or responsible by reason of the provisions hereof, or otherwise, for the payment of any claims growing out of the operation of the Property, Improvements, Collateral or the Business.

 

8.7 Security Documents. The Security Documents shall constitute security for all monies advanced by Lender under any Note. All obligations incurred by Lender in excess of the Loans advanced or incurred by Lender pursuant to the authority of this Agreement shall constitute a lien upon the Collateral secured by the Security Documents, as applicable and recovery therefore may be had by Lender under the Security Documents, as applicable, in addition to all other remedies herein granted to Lender.

 

8.8 Usury Savings. Notwithstanding any provision herein or in any other Loan Document, the total liability of Borrower for any payments of interest or in the nature of interest shall not exceed the maximum limits imposed by the usury laws of the State of Kentucky. In the event that such payment is paid by Borrower or received by Lender, then such excess sum shall be credited as a payment of principal, unless Borrower shall notify Lender, in writing, that it elects to have such excess sum returned forthwith. Such credit or return shall not cure or waive any Event of Default under this Agreement, the Notes or any other Loan Document.

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8.9 Assignment by Lender. Lender may pledge or otherwise hypothecate or may assign, in whole or in part, or issue participating interests in and to, this Agreement and any of its rights and security hereunder, the Notes relating to the Loans made by Lender hereunder, and all of the other Loan Documents to any other Person, firm or corporation and that all of the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply to the Loans and the Notes. In the event of such assignment, it shall be deemed a compliance by Lender with this Agreement and to have been made in pursuance of this Agreement and not to be in modification hereof, and any Advance made by any such assignee shall be evidenced by the Notes, and shall be secured by this Agreement. In the case of any such transfer by Lender, whether by assignment, issuance of participations, pledge, or hypothecation, (i) Lender will provide Borrower with written notice of the assignment, issuance of participations, pledge, or hypothecation, and (ii) Borrower will accord full recognition thereto and agrees that all rights and remedies of Lender in connection with the interest so transferred shall be enforceable against Borrower by any such assignee with the same force and effect and to the same extent as the same would have been enforceable by Lender but for such transfer.

 

8.10 Additional Documents. Borrower agrees upon demand to do any act or execute any additional documents (including, without limitation, security agreements on any personalty included or to be included in the Collateral) as may be reasonably required by Lender to secure the Notes applicable to its Loans or to confirm the lien of the Security Documents, as applicable. All of said documents shall be in form and substance prepared by or acceptable to Lender.

 

8.11 Binding Effect; Continuing Agreement. The terms, conditions, covenants, agreements, powers, privileges, notices and authorizations herein contained shall extend to, be binding upon and available to the heirs, executors, administrators, successors and, to the extent permitted hereunder, the assigns of each of the respective parties hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower shall not, without the prior written consent of Lender, assign or transfer this Agreement, whether voluntarily or by operation of law. An assignment or transfer in violation of this provision shall be invalid, of no force or effect and an Event of Default hereunder. Borrower’s obligations, covenants, representations and warranties hereunder shall continue beyond the final disbursement of the Loans made hereunder for so long as Borrower has any obligations outstanding to Lender hereunder, or Lender has any lien on any property of Borrower.

 

8.12 Governing Law. This Agreement and each transaction consummated hereunder shall be deemed to be made under the internal laws of the State of Kentucky and shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of said State, without regard to the choice of law rules of that State, except to the extent that any of such laws may now or hereafter be preempted by Federal law.

 

8.13 Headings. The titles and headings of the Sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to summarize or otherwise describe, or limit, modify or expound upon the subject matter of such Sections.

 

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8.14 Reserved.

 

8.15 Duration of Agreement. Borrower’s agreements hereunder, including, without limitation, Borrower’s agreements relating to maintenance of insurance, shall remain in effect after the Loans are fully disbursed so long as any amount under any Note is outstanding or any other Security Document remains in effect; provided that any obligation of Borrower that is specifically stated to survive termination of the Loan Documents and/or repayment of the Notes shall so survive.

 

8.16 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, including electronic counterparts (such as facsimile or .pdf), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which together shall constitute one agreement binding on all parties hereto, notwithstanding that all of the parties shall not have signed the same counterpart.

 

8.17 Time is of the Essence. Time is of the essence in the performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by Borrower, and each and every term thereof.

 

8.18 Purpose and Effect of Approval. Lender’s approval of any matter in connection with the Loans is for the sole purpose of protecting Lender’s security and rights. No such approval shall result in a waiver of any default of Borrower. In no event shall Lender’s approval be a representation of any kind with regard to the matter being approved.

 

8.19 Language of Agreement. The language of this Agreement shall be construed as a whole according to its fair meaning and not strictly for or against any party.

 

8.20 Exchange of Information. Borrower agrees that Lender may exchange or disclose financial and other information about Borrower with or to any of Lender’s Affiliates or other related entities and with any party that acquires, or may acquire, a participation or other interest in all or part of the Loans.

 

8.21 Survival. The representations, warranties, acknowledgments, and agreements set forth herein shall survive the date of this Agreement.

 

8.22 Further Performance. Borrower, whenever and as often as it shall be requested by Lender, shall execute, acknowledge, and deliver, or cause to be executed, acknowledged, and delivered to Lender, such further instruments and documents, and do any and all things as may be requested, in order to carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

8.23 Publicity, Photographs and Other Media. Borrower hereby authorizes Lender to publicize its participation in the Property and to reproduce and display any media (including, without limitation, photographs and illustrations) of the Property submitted to Lender and/or USBCDC by Borrower. Lender may publicize the basic terms of the transaction and the beneficial impact that has resulted from the use of NMTCs, including when information disclosure is required by the CDFI Fund, KY DOR and future NMTC applications or the KY NMTC Act. Lender may also disclose a short transaction summary of the transaction on their websites and in targeted newsletters. Borrower represents and warrants to Lender that Borrower has obtained any and all licenses and/or permissions necessary for Borrower’s and Lender’s use of such media. Borrower hereby authorizes Lender (and its respective members) and USBCDC to reproduce and display any media (including, without limitation, photographs and illustrations) of the Property, the Improvements and/or the Project submitted to Lender (and its respective members) or USBCDC by Borrower. Borrower represents and warrants to Lender and USBCDC that Borrower has obtained any and all licenses and/or permissions necessary for Borrower’s, Lender’s (and its respective members’) and USBCDC’s use of such media. Publicity of USBCDC or Lender involvement in the transactions described in this Agreement shall require the prior written consent of USBCDC or Lender (as applicable).

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY 70  

 

 

8.24 Reserved.

 

8.25 No Third Party Beneficiary. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of Lender, Borrower, and is not for the benefit of any third party.

 

8.26 Waiver of Special Damages. TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAWS, BORROWER SHALL NOT ASSERT, AND HEREBY WAIVES, ANY CLAIM AGAINST THE LENDER, AND/OR ANY OF ITS DIRECT AND INDIRECT MEMBERS, ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES (AS OPPOSED TO DIRECT OR ACTUAL DAMAGES) ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH, OR AS A RESULT OF, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY AGREEMENT OR INSTRUMENT CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, THE TRANSACTIONS, THE LOANS OR THE USE OF THE PROCEEDS THEREOF.

 

8.27 Waiver of Jury Trial. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH OF BORROWER AND LENDER WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). IT IS AGREED AND UNDERSTOOD THAT THIS WAIVER CONSTITUTES A WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY OF ALL CLAIMS AGAINST ALL PARTIES TO SUCH ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS, INCLUDING CLAIMS AGAINST PARTIES WHO ARE NOT PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS. EACH PARTY (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTY HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 8.27.

 

ARTICLE 9
Security Agreement

 

9.1 Definitions. For purposes of this Article 9, the terms “accounts,” “instruments,” “account debtor,” “goods,” “document,” “equipment,” “general intangibles,” “inventory,” “chattel paper,” “commercial tort claims”, “electronic chattel paper”, “tangible chattel paper”, “investment property,” “deposit accounts,” “securities accounts,” “fixtures”, “software”, “farm products” “letters of credit”, “cash proceeds” and “proceeds” shall have the meanings provided in the UCC as enacted and in force at the date of this Agreement.

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY 71  

 

 

9.2 Grant of Security. Borrower hereby assigns and pledges to Lender, and grants to Lender, as additional security for the Loans, a security interest in, all of Borrower’s right, title and interest in and to the following, including those now and hereafter owned, acquired, leased or arising:

 

(a) all Equipment;

 

(b) to the extent any Equipment is or becomes Fixtures, all such Fixtures;

 

(c) all contract rights, licenses, permits, certificates, warranties, commercial tort claims, documents, software, leases, rental agreements, and instruments related to the Equipment;

 

(d) all funds held on deposit in the Disbursement Account and Reserve Accounts;

 

(e) all Inventory, all Instruments, all Farm Products, all Accounts, all Documents, all Chattel Paper including Electronic Chattel Paper and Tangible Chattel Paper, all Commercial Tort Claims, all Investment Property, all Deposit Accounts, all Securities Accounts, all General Intangibles including without limitation all Payment Intangibles and Software, all Letters of Credit and letters-of-credit rights all contracts and agreements to which Borrower is or may become a party and all of Borrower’s rights and interests therein or therefrom, together with all additions, replacements, substitutions, accessions and improvements, and all supporting obligations, profits, products and proceeds including insurance proceeds, cash proceeds, and non-cash proceeds including, but not limited to, all accounts, chattel paper, documents, instruments, general intangibles, investment property and supporting obligations relating to or arising out of any of the foregoing and all interest, dividends, income, profits, and distributions (including, without limitation, stock splits and stock dividends);

 

(f) all proceeds (as defined in the UCC) and products of, all substitutions and replacements for, and all additions, attachments and accessions to, any and all of the foregoing Collateral and, to the extent not otherwise included, all payments under insurance payable by reason of loss or damage or otherwise with respect to any such Collateral (whether or not Lender is the loss payee thereof) or under any indemnity, warranty or guaranty payable by reason of loss or damage to any of the foregoing Collateral; and

 

(g) all Borrower’s books and records and other instruments and documents of title (now in existence or hereafter coming into existence) pertaining to any of the Collateral described above.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in clauses (a) through (f) in this Section 9.2, the security interest created hereunder shall not extend to, and the term “Collateral” shall not include, any assets of the Borrower for which non-waivable Law prohibits the creation of a security therein or thereon, provided the Borrower shall promptly upon acquiring rights in such property give written notice to Lender identifying in reasonable detail any such property and shall provide to Lender such other information and property as Lender may reasonably request.

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY 72  

 

 

9.3 Security for Obligations. The Collateral and this Agreement secure the payment and performance of all of Borrower’s obligations now or hereafter owed to Lender, including but not limited to obligations under the Notes, this Agreement, and all other Loan Documents, together with all extensions, renewals and modifications thereof (no matter how evidenced and whether for payments, interest, fees, expenses or otherwise), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, now existing or hereafter arising and howsoever evidenced or acquired (collectively, “Obligations”).

 

9.4 Borrower Remains Liable. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the exercise by Lender of any of their rights hereunder shall not release Borrower from any of its duties or obligations under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral, and Lender shall not have any obligation nor liability under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral by reason of this Agreement, nor shall Lender be obligated to perform any of the obligations or duties of Borrower thereunder or to take any action to collect or enforce any claim for payment assigned hereunder.

 

9.5 Representations and Warranties. Borrower represents and warrants to Lender as follows:

 

(a) Borrower’s main place of business, location of the Equipment and the address to be inserted on all UCC-1 Financing Statements and fixture filings is 605 Rolling Hills Lane, Winchester, KY 40391. Borrower’s Federal Taxpayer I.D. No. is 83-1666371.

 

(b) Borrower owns the Collateral free and clear of any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance whatsoever, other than (i) the liens and security interests granted herein, (ii) Permitted Liens and (iii) liens for taxes, assessments or similar charges by a Governmental Authority that are not yet due and payable.

 

(c) Borrower has obtained all third party consents necessary, if any, to grant Lender a security interests in Borrower’s property, including, without limitation, all contracts, licenses, permits, certificates, leases, rental agreements, and instruments to which Borrower or its sole member is a party.

 

(d) This Agreement creates valid security interests in the Collateral described in this Article 9 securing the payment of the Obligations, and such security interests have attached and will remain perfected upon the execution hereof and the filing of financing statements in the appropriate state and county offices.

 

9.6 Further Assurances. Borrower:

 

(a) shall from time to time, at its expense, promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents (including UCC financing statements, continuation statements and amendments) and take all further action that may be necessary or desirable or that Lender may reasonably request in order to perfect and protect any security interest granted or purported to be granted hereby or described herein or to enable Lender to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to all the Collateral;

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY 73  

 

 

(b) hereby authorizes Lender to file one or more financing or continuation statements, fixture filings and amendments thereto, relative to all or any part of the Collateral, without the signature of Borrower;

 

(c) will furnish to Lender from time to time statements and schedules further identifying and describing the Collateral and such other reports in connection with the Collateral as Lender may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail including, without limitation, all updates to lists of Equipment required under this Agreement (which shall be deemed to amend or supplement Exhibit E-1 hereto without further action); and

 

(d) will maintain, in accordance with sound accounting practice, accurate records and books of account of Borrower showing, among other things, all Collateral, the proceeds of the sale or other disposition thereof and the collections therefrom; and, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, Lender shall have the right, without hindrance or delay, to inspect the Collateral and to inspect, audit, check and make extracts from the books, records, journals, orders, receipts, correspondence, and other data relating to the Collateral.

 

9.7 Remedies. In addition to, and without limiting, any rights and remedies otherwise set forth in this Agreement, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, the Lender shall have all rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC, all of which shall be cumulative. In addition and without limitation, to the greatest extent permitted by the UCC, Lender (a) may require Borrower to, and Borrower hereby agrees that it will, at its expense and upon request of Lender, assemble the Collateral and any related books and records as directed by Lender and make the same available to Lender at a place to be designated by Lender, which is reasonably convenient to both parties; (b) may sell, assign, transfer and effectively deliver all or any part of the Collateral at one or more public or private sales, through any exchange or broker (including an online exchange or broker), or by way of one or more contracts, at such prices and on such terms as Lender may deem best, for cash or on credit, without recourse to judicial proceedings and without demand, appraisement or advertisement, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower to the fullest extent permitted by law, and (c) may cause all or any part of the Collateral to be seized and sold, under writ issued in execution of a judgment obtained upon the obligations under the Loan Documents, or under any other pre- or post-judgment legal procedure. Borrower agrees that the sale or other disposition of any part of the Collateral shall not exhaust Lender’s power of sale, but sales or other dispositions may be made from time to time until all of the Collateral has been sold or disposed of or until all obligations under the Loan Documents have been paid in full. Except for any Collateral that is perishable or threatens to decline speedily in value, Lender shall give or mail to Borrower and other persons as required by law, reasonable notice of the time and place of any public sale thereof, or the time after which any private sale may be made. Borrower agrees the requirement of reasonable notice shall be met if such notice is mailed, postage-prepaid by ordinary mail addressed to Borrower at the last address Borrower has given Lender in writing, at least ten (10) Business Days before the time of the sale or disposition. All advances, costs, charges and expenses relating to the disposition of the Collateral, (including retaking, holding, insuring and preparing the Collateral for sale and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), shall become part of the obligations under the Loan Documents secured by this Agreement and shall bear interest from the date of demand at the highest, nonusurious rate of interest applicable to overdue payments of principal and interest of any of the obligations under the Loan Documents as in effect from time to time. Borrower agrees that any public sale shall be conclusively deemed to be conducted in a commercially reasonable manner if it is made consistent with the standards of similar sales of collateral by commercial banks located in Kentucky. If the proceeds from the sale or enforcement of the Collateral are insufficient to satisfy all of the obligations under the Loan Documents in full, all parties obligated thereon shall remain fully obligated for any deficiency. Borrower acknowledges the indebtedness owed under the obligations under the Loan Documents and, to the greatest extent permitted by applicable law, confesses judgment in favor of Lender for the full amount of the obligations under the Loan Documents, and agrees to enforcement by executory or other abbreviated process permitted by applicable law. Borrower waives (a) any benefit of appraisal provided by applicable law and (b) all other rights to notices, demands, appraisements and delays provided by the UCC or any other applicable laws. Borrower grants to Lender an irrevocable mandate and power of attorney (coupled with an interest) to exercise, after default, at Lender’s sole discretionary option and without any obligation to do so, all rights that Borrower has with respect to the Collateral, including, without limitation, the right to exercise all rights of inspection, deriving from Borrower’s ownership of or other interest in the Collateral. If the proceeds from the sale or enforcement of the Collateral are insufficient to satisfy all of the obligations under the Loan Documents in full, all parties obligated thereon shall remain fully obligated for any deficiency. The rights and remedies of Lender hereunder are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently, and are in addition to any rights and remedies of Lender under applicable law.

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY 74  

 

 

Without limiting any rights of Lender under this Agreement, if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Lender shall have the right to, or upon the request of Lender, Borrower shall, instruct all account debtors and other obligors liable on any accounts or other payment obligations of any kind that are a part of the Collateral to make all payments thereon either (a) directly to Lender (by instructing that such payments be remitted to a post office box which shall be in the name and under the control of Lender), or (b) as otherwise provided by applicable law. In addition to the foregoing, Borrower agrees that if any proceeds of any Collateral (including payments made in respect of accounts or other payment obligations of any kind) shall be received by Borrower while an Event of Default exists, Borrower shall promptly deliver such proceeds in the form received to Lender with all necessary endorsements. Until such proceeds are delivered to Lender, such proceeds shall be held in trust by Borrower for the benefit of Lender and shall not be commingled with any other funds or property of Borrower. All proceeds of Collateral received by Lender pursuant to this paragraph may, at the absolute discretion of Lender, (i) be applied to the obligations under the Loan Documents, or (ii) be deposited to the credit of Borrower and held as collateral for the obligations under the Loan Documents or permitted to be used by Borrower in the ordinary course of its business.

 

In the event Lender seeks to take possession of any or all of the Collateral by judicial process, to the greatest extent permitted by applicable law, Borrower hereby irrevocably waives any bonds and any surety or security relating thereto that may be required by applicable law as an incident to such possession, and waives any demand for possession prior to the commencement of any such suit or action. In granting Lender the power to enforce its rights hereunder without prior judicial process or judicial hearing, Borrower expressly waives, renounces and knowingly relinquishes, to the greatest extent permitted by applicable law, any legal right which might otherwise require Lender to enforce its rights by judicial process. Borrower recognizes and concedes that non-judicial remedies are consistent with the usage of trade, are responsive to commercial necessity and are the result of a bargain at arm’s length. Nothing herein is intended to prevent Lender from resorting to judicial process. Borrower waives any right to require Lender to proceed against any third party, exhaust any Collateral or other security for the obligations under the Loan Documents, or to have any third party joined with Borrower in any suit arising out of the obligations under the Loan Documents, or pursue any other remedy available to Lender. Borrower further waives any defense arising by reason of any disability or other defense of any third party or by reason of the cessation from any cause whatsoever of the liability of any third party.

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY 75  

 

 

ARTICLE 10

 

INTERCREDITOR

 

10.1 Subordination and Intercreditor Agreements. This Agreement is subject to the terms of the Subordination and Intercreditor Agreements in favor of White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, as agent and certain other lenders, which Subordination and Intercreditor Agreements are incorporated herein by reference. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no payment on account hereof shall be made, except in accordance with and as permitted by the terms of the Subordination and Intercreditor Agreements. Lender hereby acknowledges (or is deemed to acknowledge) that a copy of each of the Subordination and Intercreditor Agreements was delivered, or made available, to Lender. Lender hereby acknowledges that it has received and reviewed the Intercreditor and Subordination Agreements, and Lender agrees to be bound by the Subordination and Intercreditor Agreements. In the event there is a conflict or inconsistency between any Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement and any other Loan Document, the terms of such Subordination and Intercreditor Agreements shall control; provided, however, that no reference to any Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement in any Loan Document shall be construed to provide that any Loan Party is a third party beneficiary of the provisions of such Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement or that any such Loan Party may assert any rights, defenses or claims on account of such Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement or this Section 10.1, and each Loan Party agrees that nothing in the Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement is intended to or shall impair the obligation of any Loan Party to pay the obligations under this Agreement, or any other Loan Document as and when the same become due and payable in accordance with their respective terms, or to affect the relative rights of the creditors with respect to any Loan Party or, except as expressly otherwise provided in the Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement, as to any Loan Party’s obligations or such Loan Party’s properties.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

QLICI Loan and Security Agreement Danimer KY 76  

 

 

COUNTERPART SIGNATURE PAGE

 

QLICI LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has set its signature to this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  BORROWER:
   
  DANIMER SCIENTIFIC KENTUCKY, INC., a Delaware corporation
     
  By: /s/ John A. Dowdy III
    Name:  John A. Dowdy III
    Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to QLICI Loan and Security Agreement

Danimer KY

 

 

 

 

COUNTERPART SIGNATURE PAGE

 

QLICI LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has set its signature to this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  LENDER:
   
  AMCREF FUND 51, LLC, a Louisiana limited liability company
     
  By: /s/ Clifford M. Kenwood
  Name:  Clifford M. Kenwood
  Title: Authorized Representative

 

Signature Page to QLICI Loan and Security Agreement

Danimer KY

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.19

 

 

 

LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

Dated March 13, 2019

 

DANIMER SCIENTIFIC HOLDINGS, LLC,
as Borrower -- $5,499,980.00 Loan (Georgia Rural Jobs Act)

 

MEREDIAN BIOPLASTICS, INC.,
as Borrower -- $4,500,000.00 Loan (Federal New Market Tax Credits)

 

as Borrowers,

 

THE GUARANTORS FROM TO TIME PARTY HERETO,

 

and

 

SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND X, L.L.C.,
(Lender for GARJA Loan)

 

PIFS SUB-CDE XX, LLC,
(Lender for NMTC Loan)

 

and

 

THE OTHER LENDERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,

 

and

 

SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND X, L.L.C.,
as Administrative Agent for the Lenders

 

 

 

This Agreement is subject to the terms of certain Subordination Agreements in favor of White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, as agent and certain other lenders, which Subordination Agreements are incorporated herein by reference. Notwithstanding any contrary statement contained in the within Agreement, no payment on account hereof, including principal or interest, shall be made except in accordance with the terms of such Subordination Agreements. Such Subordination Agreements are referred to herein as the Danimer Bioplastics Subordination Agreement and the Meredian Bioplastics Subordination Agreement.

 

 

 

  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Article I.    
  Certain Defined Terms; Certain Rules of Construction 1
     
Section 1.01. Certain Defined Terms 1
Section 1.02. Certain Rules of Construction 26
     
Article II.    
  Credit Extensions 27
     
Section 2.01. Loans 27
Section 2.02. Interest 28
Section 2.03. Payment and Prepayments of Principal 29
Section 2.04. Equity Purchase 31
Section 2.05. Brokers and Financial Advisors 31
Section 2.06. Manner of Payments 31
Section 2.07. Increased Costs 32
Section 2.08. Payments Free of Taxes 33
Section 2.09. Sharing of Payments 34
Section 2.10. Payments Generally; Right of Administrative Agent to Make Deductions Automatically 35
Section 2.11. Replacement of Lenders 36
Section 2.12. Joint and several liability; Waivers by each Loan Party 37
Section 2.13. Administrative Loan Party 37
     
Article III.    
  The Collateral 38
     
Section 3.01. Grant of Security Interest 38
Section 3.02. Administrative Agent’s Rights Regarding the Collateral 38
Section 3.03. Grant of License to Use Intellectual Property Collateral; Additional Intellectual Property 39
Section 3.04. Authorization to File Financing Statements 40
Section 3.05. Working Capital Facility 40
     
Article IV.    
  Conditions Precedent 40
     
Section 4.01. Conditions Precedent To Effectiveness 40
     
Article V.    
  Representations and Warranties 44
     
Section 5.01. Corporate Existence and Power 44
Section 5.02. Corporate Authorization; No Contravention 44
Section 5.03. Governmental Authorization; Compliance with Laws 45
Section 5.04. Binding Effect. 46
Section 5.05. Litigation. 46
Section 5.06. No Defaults 46
Section 5.07. Employee Benefit Plans 46
Section 5.08. Use of Proceeds 46
Section 5.09. Title to Properties 47
Section 5.10. Taxes 47
Section 5.11. Financial Condition 47
Section 5.12. Environmental Matters 47
Section 5.13. Margin Regulations; Regulated Entities 48

 

i

 

 

Section 5.14. Swap Obligations 48
Section 5.15. Intellectual Property 48
Section 5.16. Equity Interests and Investment Held by Loan Parties; Equity Interests in Loan Parties 48
Section 5.17. Insurance 48
Section 5.18. Collateral and Collateral Documents 49
Section 5.19. Labor Relations 49
Section 5.20. Solvency 49
Section 5.21. Matters Relating to the Facilities 49
Section 5.22. Full Disclosure 50
Section 5.23. Interrelated businesses 50
Section 5.24. Consummation of the Dissolution 50
     
Article VI.    
  Affirmative Covenants 50
     
Section 6.01. Financial Statements 50
Section 6.02. Certificates; Other Information 52
Section 6.03. Notices 54
Section 6.04. Payment of Certain Obligations 55
Section 6.05. Preservation of Existence, Etc. 55
Section 6.06. Maintenance of Properties 56
Section 6.07. Maintenance of Insurance 56
Section 6.08. Compliance with Laws 56
Section 6.09. Books and Records 56
Section 6.10. Inspection Rights; Lender Meetings 57
Section 6.11. Use of Proceeds 57
Section 6.12. Collateral Accounts and Excluded Accounts 57
Section 6.13. Financial Covenants 57
Section 6.14. Protection of Intellectual Property Rights 58
Section 6.15. Litigation Cooperation 58
Section 6.16. ERISA Compliance 58
Section 6.17. Additional Items in Connection with the Facilities 58
Section 6.18. Board Observation Rights 58
Section 6.19. Management Team Employment Agreements 59
Section 6.20. Further Assurances 60
Section 6.21. NMTC and GARJA Compliance 60
     
Article VII.    
  Negative Covenants 60
     
Section 7.01. Liens 60
Section 7.02. Investments 62
Section 7.03. Debt 62
Section 7.04. Fundamental Changes 63
Section 7.05. Dispositions 64
Section 7.06. Restricted Payments 65
Section 7.07. Capital Expenditures 65
Section 7.08. Transactions with Affiliates 66
Section 7.09. Burdensome Agreements 66
Section 7.10. Use of Proceeds 66
Section 7.11. Certain Governmental Regulations 67
Section 7.12. Disqualified Equity Interests 67
Section 7.13. Parent as Holding Company 67

  

ii

 

    

Article VIII.    
  Events of Default and Remedies 67
     
Section 8.01. Events of Default 67
Section 8.02. Rights and Remedies 69
Section 8.03. Equity Cure Rights 72
     
Article IX.    
  Administrative Agent 74
     
Section 9.01. Appointment and Authorization of Administrative Agent 74
Section 9.02. Rights as a Lender 74
Section 9.03. Exculpatory Provisions 74
Section 9.04. Reliance by Administrative Agent 75
Section 9.05. Delegation of Duties 75
Section 9.06. Resignation of Administrative Agent 75
Section 9.07. Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders 76
Section 9.08. No Other Duties, Etc. 76
Section 9.09. Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim 76
Section 9.10. Guaranty Matters 76
Section 9.11. Collateral and Other Matters 77
     
Article X.    
  General Provisions 78
     
Section 10.01. Amendments, Etc. 78
Section 10.02. Notices; Electronic Communications 79
Section 10.03. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies 80
Section 10.04. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver 81
Section 10.05. Marshalling; Payments Set Aside 82
Section 10.06. Successors and Assigns 82
Section 10.07. Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality 85
Section 10.08. Right of Setoff 86
Section 10.09. Interest Rate Limitation 86
Section 10.10. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness 87
Section 10.11. Survival of Representations and Warranties 87
Section 10.12. Severability 87
Section 10.13. Patriot Act Notice 87
Section 10.14. Guaranty 87
Section 10.15. Time of the Essence 92
Section 10.16. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc. 92
Section 10.17. Waiver of Right to Jury Trial 93
Section 10.18. Acknowledgment Regarding Equity Raise 93
Section 10.19. Subordination Agreements 93

 

iii

 

   

SCHEDULES
   
1.01 A Schedule of Certain Material Contracts 1.01-B Schedule of QALICB Initial Collateral
2.01 Schedule of Lenders; Commitments; Percentage Shares
5.05 Schedule of Certain Litigation
5.08 Schedule of Permitted Uses of Proceeds of Loans
5.16 Schedule of Equity Interests Held by Borrowers; Equity Interests in Borrowers
5.19 Schedule of Certain Labor Issues
6.12 Schedule of Collateral Accounts and Excluded Accounts
7.01 Schedule of Certain Permitted Liens
7.03 Schedule of Certain Permitted Debt
10.02 Administrative Agent’s Office; Certain Addresses for Notices
 
EXHIBITS
   
A-1 Form of Promissory Note - GARJA Loan
A-2 Form of Promissory Note - NMTC Loan
B Form of Compliance Certificate
C Form of Notice of Borrowing
D Form of Assignment and Assumption
E Form of GARJA Statement
F Form of NMTC Statement

 

iv

 

  

LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

This Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019, is among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Danimer Holdings”), and Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian Bioplastics”; together with Danimer Holdings, each a “Borrower” and collectively, the “Borrowers”), Meredian, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian”), Danimer Scientific, L.L.C., a Georgia limited liability company “Danimer Scientific”), Danimer Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Danimer Bioplastics”), Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Danimer Kentucky”; together with Meredian, Danimer Scientific, Danimer Bioplastics and any other Person that at any time after the date hereof becomes a Guarantor, each a “Guarantor” and collectively, the “Guarantors”), the several entities from time to time party hereto as Lenders, and Southeast Community Development Fund X, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, “Administrative Agent”).

 

Recitals

 

Whereas, the Loan Parties have requested that (i) a term loan in the original principal amount of $5,499,980 (the “GARJA Loan”) pursuant to the Georgia Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act be advanced to Danimer Holdings, and (ii) a term loan in the original principal amount of $4,500,000 (the “NMTC Loan”) be advanced to Meredian Bioplastics in connection with the issuance of new markets tax credits; and

 

Whereas the GARJA Lender has agreed to make the GARJA Loan to Danimer Holdings and the NMTC Lender has agreed to make the NMTC Loan to Meredian Bioplastics, on the terms and conditions contained herein.

 

Now, Therefore, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged), the parties agree as follows:

 

AGREEMENT

 

ARTICLE I.

CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS; CERTAIN RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

 

Section 1.01. Certain Defined Terms.

 

As used herein:

 

Account Debtor” means any Person who is or may become obligated with respect to, or on account of, an Account, Chattel Paper or General Intangible (including a payment intangible (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code)).

 

Account(s)” means, as to any Person, all accounts (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), including: (a) all “accounts” (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), “payment intangibles” (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), other receivables, book debts, all other rights to payment and/or reimbursement of every kind and description, including under governmental entitlement programs, and all other forms of obligations (other than forms of obligations evidenced by Chattel Paper or Instruments) (including any such obligations that may be characterized as an account or contract right under the Uniform Commercial Code); (b) all of such Person’s rights in, to and under all purchase orders or receipts for goods or services; (c) all of such Person’s rights to any goods represented by any of the foregoing (including unpaid sellers’ rights or rescission, replevin, reclamation and stoppage in transit and rights to returned, reclaimed or repossessed goods); (d) all rights to payment due to such Person for goods or other property sold, leased, licensed, assigned or otherwise disposed of, for a policy of insurance issued or to be issued, for a secondary obligation incurred or to be incurred, for energy provided or to be provided, for the use or hire of a vessel under a charter or other contract, arising out of the use of a credit card or charge card, or for services rendered or to be rendered by such Person or in connection with any other transaction (whether or not yet earned by performance on the part of such Person); and (e) all collateral security of any kind given by any Account Debtor or any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

 

 

  

Administrative Agent” means, at any time, administrative agent for the Lending Parties under each of the Loan Documents (which, initially, shall be SECDF and, thereafter, shall include any successor appointed in accordance with Section 9.06).

 

Administrative Agent’s Office” means Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02, or such other address or account as Administrative Agent may from time to time notify Borrowers, Guarantors and each other Lending Party.

 

Administrative Loan Party” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.13.

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

 

Aggregate Commitments” means, at any time, the combined Loan Commitments of all Lenders.

 

Agreement” means this Loan and Security Agreement as amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

AgroCrush” means AgroCrush, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company.

 

AgroReco” means AgroReco Meredian, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company.

 

Anti-Terrorism Law” means, collectively: (a) the Patriot Act; (b) the Executive Order; (c) the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.); and (d) any similar Law enacted in the United States following the date of this Agreement.

 

Applicable Margin” means two and seventy-five one hundredths percent (2.75%).

 

Approved Bank” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of “Cash Equivalents” contained

herein.

 

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lending Party and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.06(b)), and accepted by Administrative Agent, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D, or in such other form as agreed to by Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion.

 

Attributable Debt” means, on any date of determination: (a) in respect of any capital lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP; and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease payments under the relevant lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease were accounted for as a capital lease.

 

Audited Closing Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated balance sheet for Parent and its Subsidiaries, including the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2017 and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, owners’ equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, including the notes thereto, together with the opinion issued thereon by the independent accountants preparing such financial statements.

 

Bankruptcy Code” means the federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 (11 U.S.C. Sections 101 et seq.).

 

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Bankruptcy Laws” means, collectively: (a) the Bankruptcy Code; and (b) all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor-relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

 

Base Rate” means, for any day, an interest rate equal to the Prime Rate, as adjusted as of each Index Adjustment Date, plus the Applicable Margin.

 

Books and Records” means, as to any Person, all of such Person’s books and records including ledgers, Tax Returns, records regarding such Person’s assets or liabilities, business operations or financial condition, and all computer programs or storage or any equipment containing such information.

 

Borrower” or “Borrowers “ has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall extend to all permitted successors and assigns of such Persons.

 

Business Day” means any day other than (i) a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized or required to be closed under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, New Orleans, Louisiana or the city and state where Administrative Agent’s Office is located, and (ii) any day that any of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or the New York Stock Exchange is closed.

 

Capital Expenditures” means, with respect to any Person, all expenditures by such Person for the acquisition or leasing of fixed or capital assets or additions to equipment (including replacements, capitalized repairs and improvements during such period) that are required to be capitalized under GAAP on a balance sheet of such Person. For purposes of this definition: (a) the purchase price of equipment that is purchased simultaneously with the trade-in of existing equipment owned by such Person thereof or with insurance proceeds shall be included in Capital Expenditures only to the extent of the gross amount of such purchase price minus the credit granted by the seller of such equipment for such equipment being traded in at such time, or the amount of such proceeds, as the case may be; and (b) an acquisition to the extent made with the proceeds of a Disposition in accordance with Section 7.05(c) shall not constitute a “Capital Expenditure.”

 

Cash Equivalents” means, as to any Person: (a) securities issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof (but only so long as the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than twelve months from the date of acquisition; (b) securities issued by any state of the United States or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than ninety (90) days from the date of acquisition and having one of the two highest ratings from either S&P or Moody’s; (c) certificates of deposit, denominated solely in Dollars, maturing within two years after the date of acquisition, issued by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or that is a U.S. Subsidiary of a foreign commercial bank; in each of the foregoing cases, solely to the extent that: (i) such commercial bank’s short-term commercial paper is rated at least A-1 or the equivalent by S&P or at least P-1 or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s (any such commercial bank, an “Approved Bank”); or (ii) the par amount of all certificates of deposit acquired from such commercial bank are fully insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; or (d) commercial paper issued by any Approved Bank (or by the parent company thereof), in each case maturing not more than two hundred seventy (270) days after the date of acquisition.

 

“Cash Taxes” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

 

CDE Facility” means either the Meredian Bioplastics CDE Facility or the Danimer Bioplastics CDE Facility and “CDE Facilities” means both such facilities.

 

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any Law; (b) any change in any Law or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority; or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein: (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law” regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

 

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Change of Control” means: (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Exchange Act and the rules of the Securities Exchange Commission thereunder), of Equity Interests in Parent (or in any Person of which Parent is a direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary) representing more than thirty five percent (35%) of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in Parent (or such Person), or (b) Persons who were (i) directors (or managers, as the case may be) of any Borrower on the date hereof, (ii) nominated by the board of directors (or managers, as the case may be) of any Borrower or (iii) appointed or elected by directors (or managers, as the case may be) that were directors (or managers, as the case may be) of any Borrower on the date hereof, or directors (or managers, as the case may be) nominated as provided in the preceding clause (ii), in each case other than any person whose initial nomination or appointment occurred as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents for the election or removal of one or more directors (or managers, as the case may be) on the board of directors (or managers, as the case may be) of any Borrower (other than any such solicitation made by the board of directors (or managers, as the case may be) of any Borrower), ceasing to occupy a majority of the seats (excluding vacant seats) on the board of directors(or managers, as the case may be) of any Borrower; or (c) the failure of Parent to own directly or indirectly, beneficially and of record, one hundred percent (100.00%) of the aggregate ordinary voting power and economic interests represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each Subsidiary, including Borrowers and Guarantors (or such lesser percentage as may be owned, directly or indirectly, as of the Effective Date or the later acquisition thereof), except where such failure occurs as a result of a transaction or circumstance otherwise expressly permitted by the Loan Documents.

 

Chattel Paper” means, as to any Person, all chattel paper (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), including electronic chattel paper (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party).

 

Claims” means, collectively, any claim or cause of action based upon or arising out of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, including contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims, and all other common law or statutory claims.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and, as applicable, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, or, if applicable, any successor Laws.

 

Collateral” means, collectively, all right, title and interest of each Loan Party that is a party hereto, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising (or in which such Loan Party has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), in, to or upon all Accounts, Chattel Paper, Collateral Accounts, commercial tort claims, Documents, Equipment, General Intangibles, Goods, Instruments, Inventory, Investment Property, Letter-of-Credit Rights, Permits, Supporting Obligations, Books and Records, real property, motor vehicles and other title vehicles, and all other assets, tangible and intangible, real and personal, of such Loan Party and all Proceeds (in whatever form or nature) of the foregoing; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, “Collateral” shall not include Excluded Property of any such Loan Party.

 

“Collateral Access Agreement” means a landlord waiver, bailee letter, or acknowledgement agreement of any lessor, warehouseman, processor, consignee, or other Person in possession of, having a Lien upon, or having rights or interests in any Collateral, in each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

 

Collateral Accounts” means all commodity accounts, deposit accounts and securities accounts (in each case, as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) of any Loan Party that is a party hereto other than the Excluded Accounts.

 

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Collateral Documents” means, collectively: (a) this Agreement; (b) each Control Agreement entered into in connection with this Agreement; (c) each Intellectual Property assignment or security agreement, each in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, entered into in connection with this Agreement; (d) each Deed of Trust; (e) any security agreement or other document similar to the documents referred to in clauses (a) through (d) of this definition executed on or after the Effective Date pursuant to the terms hereof or otherwise in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Parent Pledge Agreement once the Lien Creation Date as such term is defined therein occurs; and (f) all financing statements (or comparable documents now or hereafter filed in accordance with the Uniform Commercial Code or other comparable Law) against Borrowers or any other Loan Party that is a party hereto or any other Loan Document as debtor in favor of Administrative Agent, for the benefit of itself and each other Lending Party (or any of the foregoing), as secured party.

 

Commitment” means, as to each Lender as of any date of determination, such Lender’s Loan Commitment.

 

Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B.

 

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA” means, as of any date of determination, for any period, for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum for such period of (without duplication): (a) Consolidated Net Income; plus (b) Consolidated Interest Expense (net of interest income) to the extent included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income; plus (c) all amounts treated as expenses for depreciation and the amortization of intangibles of any kind, but in each case only to the extent included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income; plus (d) all accrued taxes on or measured by income, but in each case only to the extent included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for any period which includes the Fiscal Quarters ended on September 30, 2018 and/or December 31, 2018, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for each of such individual Fiscal Quarters will be deemed to be $838,447.65 and $3,190,123.07 respectively.

 

“Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination for the period ending on such date, subject to Section 1.02(f), the ratio of: (a) the sum (without duplication) for such period of: (i) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA; plus (ii) operating lease expense for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (“Operating Lease Expense”); minus (iii) all payments in cash for taxes on or measured by income (whether net income or gross income) made by Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (including any distributions to any holders of Equity Interests in Parent in respect of taxes for such period, if Parent is a disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes) (“Cash Taxes”); minus (iv) Unfinanced Capital Expenditures, but only to the extent expended after June 30, 2020, provided, however, that: (A) for the period ending on September 30, 2020, Unfinanced Capital Expenditures will be equal to (I) the actual amount expended for the Fiscal Quarter ending on such date, minus (II) the amount by which the aggregate amount expended by the Loan Parties during the period from January 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020, constituting Capital Expenditures, is less than $33,350,000 (but in any case such amount calculated in this clause (A)(II) shall be limited in its application, to the amount actually expended in such Fiscal Quarter set forth in clause (A)(I)), (B) for the period ending on December 31, 2020, Unfinanced Capital Expenditures will be equal to (I) the actual amount expended for the two Fiscal Quarters ending on such date, minus (II) the amount by which the aggregate amount expended by the Loan Parties during the period from January 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020, constituting Capital Expenditures, is less than $33,350,000 (but in any case such amount calculated in this clause (B)(II) shall be limited in its application, to the amount actually expended in such two Fiscal Quarters set forth in clause (B)(I)), and (C) for the period ending on March 31, 2021, Unfinanced Capital Expenditures will be the amount expended for the three Fiscal Quarters ending on such date (with the amounts relating to the Fiscal Quarters ended on September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2020 being such amounts as calculated in clauses (A) and (B) above, respectively), (D) for the period ending on June 30, 2021, Unfinanced Capital Expenditures will be the amount expended for the four Fiscal Quarters ending on such date (with the amounts relating to the Fiscal Quarters ended on September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2020 being such amounts as calculated in clauses (A) and (B) above, respectively), and (E) for the period ending on September 30, 2021, Unfinanced Capital Expenditures will be the amount expended for the four Fiscal Quarters ending on such date (with the amounts relating to the Fiscal Quarter ended on December 31, 2020 being such amount as calculated in clauses (B) above), and provided, further, that any Capital Expenditures made by the Loan Parties utilizing Specified Capital, earmarked at the time contributed to the capital of Danimer Holdings as being for the purpose of making Capital Expenditures and actually used for the purpose of making Capital Expenditures within one year following the date contributed to the capital of Danimer Holdings, will not be deemed Unfinanced Capital Expenditures for purposes of this clause (a)(iv); minus (v) Restricted Payments paid in cash by Loan Parties, other than the Solo Dart Payment (but only to the extent that such Solo Dart Payment constitutes a Restricted Payment); to (b) the sum (without duplication) for such period of: (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, excluding, however, those loan costs associated with Debt being repaid with the proceeds of the Loans hereunder or the proceeds of the loans under the White Oak Facility, that are written off as interest expense on the Effective Date (except that with respect to determination of Consolidated Interest Expense as of June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019, Consolidated Interest Expense for the two and three Fiscal Quarters then ended, respectively, will be subject to multipliers of 2 and 1.33, respectively), plus (ii) the aggregate amount of mandatory principal prepayments actually made or required to be made on the loans under the White Oak Facility under Section 2.03(c)(i) thereof (except that with respect to determination of mandatory principal prepayments of the loans under the White Oak Facility as of June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019, such payments actually made or required to be made for two and three Fiscal Quarters then ended, respectively, will be subject to multipliers of 2 and 1.33, respectively); plus (iii) Operating Lease Expense; plus (iv) all required principal payments and all principal payments made for future periods made with respect to capital leases and other Debt (other than Debt outstanding hereunder and under the White Oak Facility and Debt refinanced on the Effective Date with the proceeds of the Loans advanced hereunder or with the proceeds of the loans advanced on the Effective Date under the White Oak Facility).

 

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Consolidated Funded Debt” means, as of a particular date, for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, (a) the Outstanding Amount of loans advanced under this Agreement and the White Oak Facility, (b) any other Debt for borrowed money or letters of credit that by its terms matures more than one year after the date of determination, and (c) any such Debt maturing within one year from such date that is renewable or extendable at the option of Loan Parties or their Subsidiaries, as applicable, to a date more than one year from such date.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, as of any date of determination, for any period, for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum (without duplication) for such period of: (a) all interest, premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses in connection with borrowed money or in connection with the deferred purchase price of assets; plus (b) all payments made under interest rate Swap Contracts to the extent not included in clause (a) of this definition; minus (c) all payments received under interest rate Swap Contracts; plus (d) the portion of rent expense under capital leases that is treated as interest under GAAP.

 

Consolidated Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, subject to Section 1.02(f), the ratio of: (a) Consolidated Funded Debt as of such date; to (b) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the period consisting of the four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending on such date.

 

Consolidated Net Income” means, as of any date of determination, for any period, for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, net income (or loss) for such period, but excluding (without duplication) (a) any income of any Person if such Person is not a Subsidiary, except that Loan Parties’ direct or indirect equity in the net income of any such Person for such period shall be included in such computation of net income (or loss) up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Person during such period to Loan Parties or a Subsidiary of a Loan Party as a dividend or other distribution; and (b) net income of any Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary of that income is prohibited by operation of the terms of its Organizational Documents or any Contractual Obligations or Law applicable to such Subsidiary or by which such Subsidiary is bound.

 

Consolidated Senior Funded Debt” means, as of a particular date, for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the Outstanding Amount of the loans advanced under the White Oak Facility.

 

Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, subject to Section 1.02(f), the ratio of: (a) Consolidated Senior Funded Debt as of such date; to (b) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the period consisting of the four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending on such date, except that with respect to the determination of Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the individual Fiscal Quarters ended June 30, 2018, September 30, 2018, and December 31, 2018, will be deemed to be $1,986,302.28, $838,447.65, and $3,190,123.07, respectively.

 

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Contractual Obligation” means, as to any Person, any document or other agreement or undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

 

Contribution Agreement” means the Contribution and Assignment Agreement, dated on or about the date of this Agreement (as in effect on the Effective Date), by and between Parent and Danimer Holdings.

 

Control” means (other than when used in the terms “Change of Control” and “Control Agreement”) the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. The terms “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Person shall be deemed to be Controlled by another Person if such other Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to vote twenty-five percent (25.00%) or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors, managing general partners or the equivalent.

 

Control Agreement” means any agreement entered into among a depository institution at which a Loan Party that is a party hereto maintains a Collateral Account, such Loan Party and Administrative Agent, pursuant to which Administrative Agent obtains control (within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code) over such Collateral Account.

 

Copyright License” means, as to any Person, all rights under any written document now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party) granting the right to use any Copyright or Copyright registration.

 

Copyrights” means, as to any Person, all of the following now owned or hereafter adopted or acquired by such Person: (a) all copyrights in any original work of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression, now known or later developed, all registrations and applications for registration of any such copyrights in the United States or any other country, including registrations, recordings and applications, and supplemental registrations, recordings, and applications in the United States Copyright Office; and (b) all proceeds of the foregoing, including license royalties and proceeds of infringement suits, the right to sue for past, present and future infringements, all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world and all renewals and extensions thereof.

 

Credit Extensions” means all of the following: (a) the Loans; and (b) all Protective Advances.

 

Credit Outstandings” means, as of any date of determination, the then Outstanding Amount of all Credit Extensions and the Prepayment Fee (if any is then due and payable as of such date of determination) owing with respect thereto.

 

Cure Notice” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.03(a).Section 8.03(a)

 

Danimer Bioplastics” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall extend to all permitted successors and assigns of such Person.

 

Danimer Bioplastics CDE Facility” means the credit facility evidenced by that certain Loan and Security Agreement dated as of September 30, 2013, among Danimer Bioplastics, as borrower, Danimer Scientific, as guarantor, CCM Community Development LVI LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as lender, U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation, a Minnesota corporation, as investor, and Danimer Bioplastics Investment Fund, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, as the fund, together with its related Loan Documents under and as such term is defined therein, as amended or restated from time to time.

 

Danimer Bioplastics Subordination Agreement” means that certain Subordination Agreement of even date herewith among SECDF, as Administrative Agent and Lender, PIFS, as Lender, White Oak, as administrative agent under the White Oak Facility, and the lenders under the Danimer Bioplastics CDE Facility.

 

Danimer Holdings” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall extend to all permitted successors and assigns of such Person.

 

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Danimer Kentucky” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall extend to all permitted successors and assigns of such Person.

 

Danimer Scientific” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall extend to all permitted successors and assigns of such Person.

 

Debt” means, as to any Person as of any date of determination, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP: (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments; (b) all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial letters of credit), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments; (c) the swap termination value under all Swap Contracts or hedge contracts to which such Person is a party; (d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than liabilities or obligations under the Management Services Agreement and trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business not past due for more than sixty (60) days after the date on which such trade account payable was created); (e) indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse; (f) the amount of Attributable Debt in respect of all capital lease obligations and Synthetic Lease Obligations of such Person; (g) all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of any Disqualified Equity Interest, valued, in the case of a Disqualified Equity Interest that is a redeemable preferred interest, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; and (h) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any Debt referred to in the immediately preceding clauses (a) through (g). For all purposes hereof, the Debt of any Person shall include the Debt of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venture, unless such Debt is expressly made non-recourse to such Person.

 

Deed of Trust” means each mortgage, leasehold mortgage deed to secure debt, security deed, or deed of trust or other similar document executed and delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms hereof or otherwise in connection herewith by Borrowers, any Guarantor or any other Loan Party, as security for the Obligations, including, without limitation, that certain Deed To Secure Debt, dated on or about the date hereof, given by Danimer Bioplastics in favor of Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders, granting Administrative Agent a Lien upon the Facility located at 1301 Colquitt Drive, Bainbridge, Georgia.

 

Default” means any Event of Default or any event or condition that, with the giving of notice, the passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

Default Rate” means an interest rate equal to the sum of: (a) the Base Rate; plus (b) two percent (2%) per annum.

 

Deposit Account” means any deposit account (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code).

 

Disposition” means the sale, assignment transfer, conveyance, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person, including any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith. The term “Dispose” has a meaning correlative thereto.

 

Disqualified Equity Interest” means any Equity Interest of any Person that, by its terms (or by the terms of any Equity Interest or other security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event or circumstance, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, or requires or mandates payments or distributions in cash, on or prior to the date that is one year after the Maturity Date.

 

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Dissolution” means the dissolution, winding up, satisfaction of all obligations and cessation of existence of a limited liability company formed under the Georgia Limited Liability Company Act (the “GLLCA”), in compliance with all requirements of GLLCA Section 14-11-600 et seq., including, without limitation, the filing of a Certificate of Termination as contemplated by Section 14-11-610 of the GLLCA.

 

Documents” means, as to any Person, all documents (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), wherever located, including all bills of lading, dock warrants, dock receipts, warehouse receipts, and other documents of title, whether negotiable or non-negotiable.

 

Dollar” and “$” mean lawful money of the United States.

 

Due Diligence Certificate” means a due diligence certificate in form acceptable to Administrative Agent.

 

EBITDA Covenant Cure Amount” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.03(b)(i).

 

Effective Date” means the first date on which all of the conditions precedent in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 10.01) and the Loans are funded to the Borrowers.

 

Electronic Platform” means transmission via a secure link or other electronic system for the delivery of information (including documents) commonly utilized by Administrative Agent.

 

Eligible Assignee” means (i) before GARJA Loan and the NMTC Loan are fully advanced, any of the following: (a) any Lender; or (b) any Affiliate of any Lender; and (ii) after the GARJA Loan and the NMTC Loan are fully advanced, any Person.

 

Environmental Claims” means all claims, however asserted, by any Governmental Authority or other Person alleging Environmental Liabilities.

 

Environmental Laws” means all existing or future Laws, including requirements imposed by common law, relating to pollution, the protection of health and safety or the environment or the handling, storage use, generation, discharge or release of any materials into the environment, including those related to Hazardous Materials, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.

 

Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of any Person directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon: (a) violation of any Environmental Laws; (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials; (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials; (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment; or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

Equipment” means, as to any Person, all equipment (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), wherever located, including any and all machinery, apparatus, equipment, fittings, furniture, fixtures, motor vehicles and other tangible personal property (other than Inventory) of every kind and description, and all parts, accessories and accessions thereto and substitutions and replacements therefor.

 

Equity Cure Righthas the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.03.

 

Equity Investment” means the purchase by SECDF of 16,667 shares of common stock of Parent at a price of $60 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $1,000,020 pursuant to that certain Subscription and Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of even date herewith, between Parent and SECDF and certain other documents being delivered in connection therewith.

 

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Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.

 

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

 

ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with Parent or any Subsidiary thereof within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).

 

ERISA Event” means any of the following: (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) the incurrence by Parent or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to a withdrawal by Parent or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) the incurrence by Parent or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to a complete or partial withdrawal by Parent or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or the receipt by Parent or an ERISA Affiliate of notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Sections 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) an event or condition that constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (f) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon Parent or any ERISA Affiliate.

 

Event of Default” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.01.

 

Event of Loss” means, with respect to any property of any Loan Party, any of the following: (a) any loss, destruction or damage of such property; or (b) any actual condemnation, seizure or taking, by exercise of the power of eminent domain or otherwise, of such property, or confiscation of such property or the requisition of the use of such property.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Excluded Accounts” means, with respect to any Loan Party that is a party hereto: (a) those deposit accounts described as such on Schedule 6.12, and (b) such other deposit accounts of such Loan Party constituting a payroll account, a pension or pension reserve account, or an employee benefits account.

 

Excluded Property” means collectively, all right, title and interest of each Loan Party that is a party hereto, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising (or in which such Loan Party has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), in, to or upon:

 

(a) any rights or interest in any contract, lease, Permit, charter or license agreement covering real or personal property of any Loan Party that is a party hereto if, under the terms of such contract, lease, Permit, charter or license agreement, or applicable Law with respect thereto, the grant of a Lien therein is prohibited as a matter of law or under the terms of such contract, lease, Permit, charter or license agreement, except, in each of the foregoing cases, to the extent (i) any described prohibition or restriction is unenforceable under Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Laws, or (ii) any consent or waiver has been obtained that would permit the Lien notwithstanding the prohibition or restriction on the pledge of such asset;

 

(b) Equity Interests of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party;

 

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(c) any property now owned or hereafter acquired by any Loan Party that is a party hereto that is subject to a purchase money Lien or a capital lease permitted hereunder if the contractual obligation pursuant to which such Lien is granted (or the documentation providing for such purchase money Lien or capital lease) validly prohibits the creation by such Loan Party of a Lien thereon or expressly requires the consent of any Person other than a Loan Party or its Affiliates which consent has not been obtained as a condition to the creation of any other Lien on such property;

 

(d) any “intent to use” Trademark applications for which a statement of use has not been filed (but only until such statement is filed);

 

(e) any motor vehicles having a fair market value of less than $75,000 individually or $500,000 in the aggregate, in each case so long as and to the extent that such motor vehicles are subject to purchase money financing or capital lease obligations as a result of which the related creditor has an encumbrance noted on the Certificate of Title;

 

(f) all Excluded Accounts and all amounts deposited therein or credited thereto except to the extent any such amounts were deposited therein or credited thereto other than for the purposes for which such Excluded Accounts were established; and

 

(g) the QALICB Initial Collateral;

 

provided that: (i) “Excluded Property” shall not include any Proceeds, products, substitutions or replacements of any Excluded Property (unless such Proceeds, products, substitutions or replacements would otherwise constitute Excluded Property); and (ii) if any assets constitute “Excluded Property” as a result of the failure of the applicable Loan Party that is a party hereto to obtain consent as described in clauses (a) and (b) of this definition, such Loan Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such consent, and, upon obtaining such consent, such property shall cease to constitute “Excluded Property.”

 

Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient: (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in the Loan or Commitment pursuant to the Laws in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.08, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.08(d) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

Executive Order” means Executive Order No. 13224 of September 23, 2001 (effective September 24, 2001), Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism.

 

Existing Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 10.14(j).

 

Extraordinary Receipts” means any payments received by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries not in the ordinary course of business (and not consisting of proceeds relating to an Event of Loss or Disposition, as described in Section 2.03(c)(ii) of this Agreement) consisting of (a) proceeds of judgments, proceeds of settlements, or other consideration of any kind received in connection with any cause of action or claim, (b) indemnity payments (other than to the extent such indemnity payments are immediately payable to a Person that is not an Affiliate of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, and (c) any purchase price adjustment (other than working capital and other similar adjustments) made pursuant to any acquisition document and/or indemnification payments made pursuant to any acquisition document (other than such indemnification payments to the extent that the amounts so received are applied by a Loan Party for the purpose of replacing, repairing or restoring any assets or properties of a Loan Party, thereby satisfying the condition giving rise to the claim for indemnification, or otherwise covering any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Loan Party in obtaining such payments).

 

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Facility” or “Facilities” means and refers to those certain parcels of real property together with improvements thereon located at (i) 1301 Colquitt Drive, Bainbridge, Georgia, which is operated by and owned in fee by Danimer Bioplastics, (ii) 140 Industrial Boulevard, Bainbridge, Georgia, which is occupied by all Loan Parties other than Danimer Bioplastics pursuant to a lease in favor of Parent and a sublease in favor of such Loan Parties, and (iii) 605 Rolling Hills Lane, Winchester, Kentucky, which is occupied by Danimer Kentucky pursuant to a lease in favor of Parent and a sublease in favor of Danimer Kentucky.

 

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.

 

Financial Covenant Default” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.03.

 

Fiscal Month” means, as of any date of determination with respect to Loan Parties, each calendar month occurring during each Fiscal Year.

 

Fiscal Quarter” means, as of any date of determination with respect to Loan Parties, each calendar quarter occurring during each Fiscal Year.

 

Fiscal Year” means, as of any date of determination with respect to Loan Parties, the fiscal year of Loan Parties, which begins on January 1 and ends on December 31 in each calendar year.

 

Fixed Charge Covenant Cure Amount” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.03(b)(ii).

 

Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is not a “United States Person” (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code).

 

FRB” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.

 

GARJA” means the Georgia Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act, codified at O.C.G.A. § 33-1-25, et seq.

 

GARJA Lender” means SECDF, in its individual capacity, and any other assignee of the GARJA Loan.

 

GARJA Loan” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

GARJA Note” means the Note executed and delivered by Danimer Holdings evidencing the GARJA Loan made by the GARJA Lender, such note being substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto and otherwise in form and substance acceptable to Administrative Agent.

 

GARJA Statement” means the Georgia Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act Statement of Representations, Warranties and Covenants, dated as of even date herewith, executed by Danimer Holdings for the benefit of the GARJA Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto.

 

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General Intangibles” means, as to any Person, all general intangibles (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), including all right, title and interest that such Person may now or hereafter have under any contract, all payment intangibles (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), customer lists, licenses, Intellectual Property, interests in partnerships, joint ventures and other business associations, permits, proprietary or confidential information, inventions (whether or not patented or patentable), technical information, procedures, designs, knowledge, know-how, Software, databases, data, skill, expertise, experience, processes, models, drawings, materials, Books and Records, Goodwill (including Goodwill associated with any Intellectual Property), all rights and claims in or under insurance policies (including insurance for fire, damage, loss, and casualty, whether covering personal property, real property, tangible rights or intangible rights, all liability, life, key-person, and business interruption insurance, and all unearned premiums), uncertificated securities, choses-in-action, rights to receive tax refunds and other payments, rights to receive dividends, distributions, cash, Instruments and other property in respect of or in exchange for Equity Interests and other Investment Property, and rights of indemnification.

 

“Georgia PSA” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of Sale/Leaseback.

 

Goods” means, as to any Person, all goods (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), wherever located, including embedded software to the extent included in goods (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) and fixtures (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code).

 

Goodwill” means, as to any Person, all goodwill, trade secrets, proprietary or confidential information, technical information, procedures, formulae, quality control standards, designs, operating and training manuals, customer lists, and distribution agreements now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party).

 

Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other Person exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

 

Guarantee” means, as to any Person, any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Debt or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, whether direct or indirect: (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt or other obligation; (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Debt or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Debt or other obligation; (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Debt or other obligation; or (d) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Debt or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith. The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a correlative meaning.

 

Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 10.14(a).

 

Guarantor Subordinated Debt” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 10.14(i).

 

Guarantor Subordinated Debt Payments” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 10.14(i).

 

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Guarantors” means, collectively, the following (together with their respective successors and assigns): (a) Parent; (b) each Subsidiary of Parent that is a party hereto as a Guarantor as of the Effective Date or thereafter by joinder pursuant to Section 6.20 in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent; and (c) any other Person who, after the date hereof pursuant to the terms of any Loan Document, has executed or is required to execute: (i) as a guarantor, a Guaranty of all or any portion of the Obligations; or (ii) as a pledgor, a third party pledge agreement (or similar document) in favor of Administrative Agent or the Lending Parties with respect to all or any portion of the Obligations; each sometimes being referred to herein individually as a “Guarantor”. Further, each Borrower guarantees the repayment of the Loan advanced to the other Borrower, and thus with respect to all waivers and consents herein by any Guarantor, each Borrower is deemed to be a Guarantor with respect to, and hereby gives, such waivers and consents.

 

Guaranty” means (i) the Parent Guaranty and (ii) any guaranty or third party pledge agreement (or similar document), in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, made by a Person for the benefit of the Lending Parties or Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lending Parties and includes the Guaranty set forth in Section 10.14.

 

Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes, all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes, or pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes, solid waste and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Laws, and includes any “hazardous substance” and “hazardous waste” as such terms are defined in any Environmental Laws.

 

Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Loan Party, all liabilities of such Person under Swap Contracts entered into with any Lender or an Affiliate of any Lender in connection with all or any portion of the Loans; provided that such liabilities under any Swap Contract with an Affiliate of a Lender shall not constitute “Hedging Obligations” hereunder unless and until such liabilities are certified as such in writing to Administrative Agent by Administrative Loan Party and such Affiliate of a Lender.

 

Income Tax Purposes” means U.S. federal income and applicable state, local and foreign income and franchise tax purposes.

 

Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.

 

Indemnitees” means, collectively, each Lending Party and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons.

 

Index Adjustment Date” means (a) the Effective Date, and (b) thereafter, the first Business Day of each calendar month.

 

Information” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 10.07.

 

Instrument” means, as to any Person, all instruments (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), wherever located, including all promissory notes and other evidences of indebtedness, other than instruments that constitute, or are part of a group of writings that constitute, Chattel Paper.

 

Intellectual Property” means, as to any Person, all Copyrights, Licenses, Patents, Trademarks, inventions, designs, trade secrets and customer lists now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), wherever located.

 

Interest Payment Date” means: (a) the first Business Day of each calendar month during the term hereof commencing with the first Business Day of April, 2019; and (b) the Maturity Date.

 

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Inventory” means, as to any Person, all inventory (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), wherever located, including all inventory, merchandise, goods and other personal property that are held by or on behalf of such Person for sale or lease or are furnished or to be furnished under a contract of service or that constitute raw materials, work in process, finished goods, returned goods or materials or supplies of any kind.

 

Investment” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person in another Person, whether by means of: (a) the purchase or other acquisition of capital stock or other securities of another Person; (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or Equity Interest in, another Person, including any partnership or limited liability company interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor Guarantees Debt of such other Person; or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.

 

Investment Property” means, as to any Person, all investment property (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), wherever located.

 

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service or, as applicable, any successor agency.

 

Joinder Agreement” means an agreement (in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent) entered into by a Subsidiary of any Loan Party on or following the date hereof to join in the Guaranty set forth in Section 10.14.

 

Kentucky PSA” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of Sale/Leaseback.

 

Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local laws, statutes, treaties, rules, authorities, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or Orders, Permits and other governmental restrictions, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations, concessions, grants, franchises and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.

 

Lender” means, as of any date of determination, any Lender party to this Agreement that has a Loan Commitment or Loan Exposure owing to them at such time; sometimes being referred to herein collectively as the “Lenders”.

 

Lending Office” means, as to any Lender, such office or offices as indicated on such Lender’s signature page to this Agreement, or otherwise as a Lender may from time to time notify Administrative Loan Party and Lending Parties.

 

Lending Parties” means, collectively, Administrative Agent and Lenders, and “Lending Party” means each or any of them individually.

 

Letter-of-Credit Rights” means, as to any Person, all letter-of-credit rights (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), including rights to payment or performance under a letter of credit, whether or not such Person, as beneficiary, has demanded or is entitled to demand payment or performance thereunder.

 

Leverage Covenant Cure Amount” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.03(b)(iii).

 

Licenses” means, as to any Person, all Copyright Licenses, Patent Licenses, Trademark Licenses or other licenses of rights or interests now held or hereafter acquired by such Person.

 

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Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property).

 

Liquidity” means at any given time, the sum of (a) Qualified Cash, plus (b) Cash Equivalents.

 

Loan Amount” means (a) with respect to the GARJA Loan, Five Million Four Hundred Ninety-Nine Thousand Nine Hundred Eighty Dollars ($5,499,980) and (b) with respect to the NMTC Loan, Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,500,000).

 

Loan Commitment” means the commitment of a Lender to make a Loan to Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.01(a) in the aggregate principal amount identified on Schedule 2.01; provided that, following the making by such Lender of its Loan on the Effective Date in accordance with the provisions hereof, such commitment shall be zero.

 

Loan Documents” means, collectively, the Agreement, each Note, each Guaranty, each Collateral Document, the GARJA Statement, the NMTC Statement, the Parent Pledge Agreement, the Danimer Bioplastics Subordination Agreement, the Meredian Bioplastics Subordination Agreement, all subordination agreements respecting other Debt (if any), and all other present or future documents entered into by any Loan Party or Parent for the benefit of Lending Parties (or any of them), in connection with this Agreement.

 

Loan Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender as of any date of determination: (a) prior to the funding of the Loans, the amount of that Lender’s Loan Commitment; and (b) after the funding of the Loans, the Outstanding Amount of the Loan of that Lender.

 

Loan Parties” means, collectively, Borrowers and Guarantors (other than Parent) and “Loan Party” means each or any of them individually (other than Parent).

 

Loans” means, collectively, the GARJA Loan and the NMTC Loan, and any other loan advanced pursuant to Section 2.01(a) and “Loan” means any such loan individually.

 

Management Services Agreement” means the Management Services Agreement, dated on or about the date of this Agreement (as in effect on the Effective Date), by and among Parent and the Loan Parties, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means any of the following: (a) a material adverse change in or a material adverse effect upon (in either case, irrespective of whether occurring as a result of a specific event or circumstance or otherwise) the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Loan Parties taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment (irrespective of whether occurring as a result of a specific event or circumstance or otherwise) of the ability of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, for any of them to perform their respective obligations under the Loan Documents; or (c) except if caused by actions or inactions of any Lending Party, a material adverse effect (irrespective of whether occurring as a result of a specific event or circumstance or otherwise) upon: (i) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any Loan Document to which any Loan Party is a party against either: (A) Borrowers; or (B) Loan Parties taken as a whole; or (ii) the rights and remedies of Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party under or in respect of any Loan Document.

 

Material Contract” means, with respect to Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries: (a) each contract or agreement listed on Schedule 1.01-A; and (b) any other contract or agreement the loss of which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Maturity Date” means, subject to the provisions hereof, February 13, 2024.

 

Maximum Rate” means, at any time, the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Laws.

 

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Meredian” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall extend to all permitted successors and assigns of such Person.

 

Meredian Bioplastics” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall extend to all permitted successors and assigns of such Person.

 

Meredian Bioplastics CDE Facility” means the credit facility evidenced by that certain Loan and Security Agreement dated as of July 23, 2012, among Meredian Bioplastics, as borrower, Meredian, as guarantor, AmCREF Fund XI, LLC, a Louisiana limited liability company, Meredian/NCF Sub-CDE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Empowerment Reinvestment Fund XX, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as lenders, U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation, a Minnesota corporation, as investor, and Meredian Bioplastics Investment Fund, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, as the fund, together with its related Loan Documents under and as such term is defined therein, as amended or restated from time to time.

 

Meredian Bioplastics Subordination Agreement” means that certain Subordination Agreement of even date herewith among SECDF, as Administrative Agent and Lender, PIFS, as Lender, White Oak, as administrative agent under the White Oak Facility, and the lenders under the Meredian Bioplastics CDE Facility.

 

Money Laundering Laws” means, collectively: (a) the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5330 and 12 U.S.C. §§ 1818(s), 1820(b) and 1951-1959); and (b) the applicable money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Authority.

 

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

 

Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which any of the Loan Parties or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.

 

Negotiable Collateral” means all now owned and hereafter acquired right, title, and interest of each Loan Party that is a party hereto with respect to letters of credit, letter of credit rights, instruments, promissory notes, drafts, documents, documents of title, and Chattel Paper (including electronic Chattel Paper and tangible Chattel Paper), and all supporting obligations in respect of any of the foregoing.

 

Net Proceeds” means, in respect of any Disposition or Event of Loss, the proceeds in cash or Cash Equivalents received by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof with respect to or on account of such Disposition or Event of Loss, net of: (a) in the case of a Disposition, the direct costs of such Disposition then payable by the recipient of such proceeds, or, in the case of an Event of Loss, the direct costs of collecting insurance or other proceeds, in each case excluding amounts payable to any Loan Party or any Affiliate of any Loan Party; (b) sales and use taxes paid or payable by such recipient as a result thereof; and (c) amounts required to be applied to repay principal, interest and prepayment premiums and penalties on Debt secured by a Permitted Lien on the properties subject to such Disposition.

 

NMTC” means the New Market Tax Credit program identified in the NMTC Statement.

 

NMTC Lender” means PIFS, and any other assignee of the NMTC Loan.

 

NMTC Loan” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

NMTC Note” means the Note executed and delivered by Meredian Bioplastics evidencing the NMTC Loan made by the NMTC Lender, such note being substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 hereto and otherwise in form and substance acceptable to Administrative Agent.

 

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NMTC Statement” means the New Markets Tax Credit Statement of Representations, Warranties and Covenants, dated as of even date herewith, executed by Meredian Bioplastics for the benefit of the NMTC Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto.

 

Notes” means, collectively, the GARJA Note and the NMTC Note, and any other note evidencing a loan advanced pursuant to Section 2.01(a) substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or A-2 hereto and otherwise in form and substance acceptable to Administrative Agent, and “Note” means any such note individually.

 

Notice of Borrowing” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.01(b).

 

Obligations” means, collectively, all advances, debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of each Loan Party to any Lending Party, in each of the foregoing cases, under or in respect of any Loan Document, whether with respect to the Credit Extensions, any Prepayment Fee or otherwise (including all Hedging Obligations), whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof of any Proceeding under any Bankruptcy Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such Proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such Proceeding.

 

Observation Party” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.18(a).

 

OFAC” means the United States Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and any successor thereto.

 

Operating Account(s)” means those certain Deposit Accounts of Borrowers set forth on Schedule 6.12 and designated thereon as “operating accounts”, all of which are subject to a Control Agreement in favor of Administrative Agent.

 

Operating Lease Expense” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

 

Order” means any judgment, order, decree, writ, ruling, injunction, arbitration award or other award or other determination made or issued by any Governmental Authority or in or as a result of any Proceeding.

 

Organizational Documents” means: (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction) of such Person; (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement of such Person; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization of such Person and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with such Person’s formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such Person.

 

Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a Lien under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in the Loan or Loan Document).

 

Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a Lien under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment.

 

Outstanding Amount” means, with respect to any Loans or Protective Advances on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to prepayments or repayments of such Loans occurring on such date or the making, or prepayments or repayments, of Protective Advances, as the case may be, occurring on such date.

 

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paid in full” or “repaid in full” (or any variation thereof, such as “payment in full” or “repayment in full”) means, with respect to any Obligations, the indefeasible payment in full of such Obligations in cash (or otherwise to the written satisfaction, in such holder’s discretion, of the holder thereof), and, in the event any such Obligations are paid over time or modified pursuant to section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision of any other applicable Bankruptcy Laws), shall further mean that the holder thereof shall have received the final payment due on account of such Obligations. For purposes of the foregoing, the “holder” of any applicable Obligations shall be deemed to be the Person entitled to receipt of payment thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Obligations shall not be deemed to have been “paid in full” until all Commitments have expired or been terminated.

 

Parent” means Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., a Georgia corporation and Guarantor hereunder, which shall not be a Loan Party hereunder.

 

Parent Guaranty” means that certain Limited Recourse Guaranty, dated on or about the date hereof, given by Parent in favor of Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, secured by nonrecourse, springing pledge of 100% of the outstanding Equity Interests of Danimer Holdings owned by Parent, pursuant to the Parent Pledge Agreement.

 

Parent Pledge Agreement” means that certain Pledge Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, given by the Parent in favor of Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders, pursuant to which Parent pledges and hypothecates to Administrative Agent the Equity Interests in Danimer Holdings owned by Parent, which pledge is a springing lien pledge as provided for therein.

 

Participant” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 10.06(d).

 

Participant Register” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 10.06(d).

 

“Patent License” means, as to any Person, all rights under any written agreement now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party) granting any right with respect to any invention on which a Patent is in existence.

 

Patents” means, as to any Person, all of the following in which such Person now holds or hereafter acquires any interest: (a) all letters patent of the United States or any other country, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications for letters patent of the United States or any other country, including registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States, any State or Territory thereof, or any other country; and (b) all reissues, continuations, continuations-in-part or extensions thereof.

 

Patriot Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

 

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or, if applicable, any successor entity.

 

Pension Plan” means any “employee pension benefit plan” (as that term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by Loan Parties or any ERISA Affiliate or to which Loan Parties or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any time during the immediately preceding five plan years.

 

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Percentage Share” means, as to any Lender, (a) with respect to all payments, computations and other matters relating to the Loan Commitment or the Loan of any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the Loan Exposure of that Lender by (ii) the aggregate Loan Exposure of all Lenders, and (b) for all other purposes with respect to each Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the Loan Exposure of that Lender plus the Outstanding Amount of all Protective Advances (if any) owing to that Lender by (ii) the sum of the aggregate Loan Exposure of all Lenders plus the Outstanding Amount of all Protective Advances (if any) owing to all Lenders, in any such case as the applicable percentage may be adjusted by assignments permitted pursuant to Section 10.06. The initial Percentage Share of each Lender for purposes of each of clauses (a) and (b) of the preceding sentence is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender became a party hereto, as applicable.

 

Permit” means any permit, approval, authorization, certification, license, consent, exemption, variance, accreditation or permission required from or issued or granted by a Governmental Authority under any applicable Laws or any accrediting organization.

 

Permitted Investment” means any Investment of cash or cash equivalents by a Loan Party so long as: (a) Administrative Loan Party provides Administrative Agent notice of the proposed Investment, copies of all material agreements and pro forma and historical financial statements relating to the proposed Investment at least seven (7) days prior to the date of consummation of the proposed Investment; (b) the following conditions are satisfied: (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred or would likely result from such Investment, including, without limitation, any Default resulting from a breach of the covenants contained in the GARJA Statement or the NMTC Statement, (ii) Administrative Loan Party provides Administrative Agent evidence that after giving effect to consummation of such Investment, Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis are in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.13 on a pro forma basis, measured as of the most recently ended Fiscal Month for which Loan Parties have delivered financial statements required under Section 6.01, for the twelve Fiscal Month period then ended, and (iii) each Loan Party will remain Solvent after giving effect to such Investment; (c) a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party delivers to Administrative Agent a certificate certifying that the conditions set forth in clause (b) above are satisfied; (d) such Investment does not involve a hostile takeover or tender offer; (e) such Investment is in connection with a Related Business; (f) such Investment does not involve a Person whose business, after reasonable investigation (including, without limitation, obtaining a Phase 1 environmental site assessment report meeting the criteria of ASTM Standard Practice E1527-13 of any real property owned or operated by such Person (and if required by Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, any other or further analysis or studies of areas of concern identified in such Phase 1 to the extent permitted by the owner of such real property)) is likely to have Environmental Liability in excess of $500,000; (g) all material approvals from Governmental Authorities and other material approvals of third parties in connection with such Investment shall have been obtained and shall be in full force and effect; (h) in connection with an Investment in the Equity Interests of a Person (other than a natural person) that results in such Person becoming an 80% or more owned Subsidiary of a Loan Party, all Liens on assets of such Person or Debt of such Person shall be terminated or repaid unless permitted pursuant to the Loan Documents and, if such Person becomes an 80% or more owned Subsidiary of a Loan Party, such Person shall be joined to this Agreement as a borrower or guarantor and shall grant to Administrative Agent Liens on all of its real and personal property assets, provided, however, in all cases, whether or not such Person is or becomes an 80% or more owned Subsidiary of a Loan Party, the Equity Interests of such Person acquired by such Loan Party will be pledged and hypothecated to, and a lien shall be granted thereupon in favor of, Administrative Agent; (i) in connection with an acquisition of the assets of a Person, all Liens on such assets shall be terminated or repaid unless permitted pursuant to the Loan Documents; and (j) the aggregate amount of all such Investments in any one Fiscal Year shall not exceed $4,000,000; provided, however, that notwithstanding the limitation set forth in clause (j) above, to the extent that a Permitted Investment is made by a Loan Party utilizing Specified Capital, such Specified Capital is earmarked at the time contributed to the capital of Danimer Holdings as being for the purpose of making a Permitted Investment, and such Permitted Investment is actually made within twelve (12) months following the date contributed to the capital of Danimer Holdings, then in such event the amount in clause (j) above may be increased by the amount of such cash capital contributions.

 

Permitted Liens” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 7.01.

 

Permitted Protest” means the right of Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries to protest any Lien (other than any Lien that secures the Obligations), Taxes (other than Taxes subject to withholding or that are the subject of a United States federal tax lien), or rental payment, provided that (a) a reserve with respect to such obligation is established on its books and records in such amount as is required under GAAP, (b) any such protest is instituted promptly and prosecuted diligently by such Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, and (c) Administrative Agent is satisfied that, while any such protest is pending, there will be no impairment of the enforceability, validity, or priority of any of Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s Liens.

 

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Permitted Senior Refinancing” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Danimer Bioplastics Subordination Agreement and the Meredian Bioplastics Subordination Agreement.

 

Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

 

PIFS” means PIFS Sub-CDE XX, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company.

 

PIK Interest” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.02(b).

 

Plan” means any “employee benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) established by Loan Parties or, with respect to any such plan that is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA, any ERISA Affiliate.

 

Prepayment Fee” means in connection with any prepayment or repayment of all or any portion of the Outstanding Amount of the Loans: (a) after the first anniversary of the Effective Date but on or prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date, two percent (2.00%) of the Outstanding Amount of the Loans being, or required to be, prepaid or repaid, or (b) after the second anniversary of the Effective Date, but on or prior to the third anniversary of the Effective Date, one percent (1.00%) of the Outstanding Amount of the Loans being, or required to be, prepaid or repaid, or (c) after the third anniversary of the Effective Date, zero percent (0.00%) of the Outstanding Amount of the Loans being, or required to be, prepaid or repaid.

 

Prime Rate” means, as of any Index Adjustment Date, a rate per annum equal to the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by Administrative Agent).

 

Proceeding” means any suit, action, case, arbitration, mediation, audit, investigation, or other proceeding before or by any Governmental Authority, recognized industry trade or professional association or organization, or other Person by whose Order the parties thereto have agreed or consented to be bound.

 

Proceeds” means proceeds (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code).

 

Protective Advances” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.02(c).

 

QALICB” means Danimer Scientific Manufacturing, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent and which shall not be a Loan Party hereunder.

 

QALICB Initial Collateral” means those specific tangible personal property assets of the Loan Parties described with particularity on Schedule 1.01-B attached hereto, having an aggregate net book value not in excess of $8,000,000.

 

Qualified Cash” means unrestricted, unreserved cash and cash equivalents held in deposit accounts with financial institutions in the United States that are subject to Control Agreements granting to Administrative Agent, perfected liens and security interests therein, subject only to prior liens thereon in permitted hereunder and other statutory liens such as “bankers’ liens”.

 

Quality of Earnings Report” means that certain due diligence report evaluating the Loan Parties’ financial data, dated December 5, 2018 and prepared by Elliott Davis, LLC for the benefit of Administrative Agent, which shall be satisfactory in all respects to the Administrative Agent.

 

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Recipient” means (a) Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender or (c) any other Person entitled to payments under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document.

 

Register” means a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of Lenders and, as applicable, the Commitments of, and Credit Outstandings owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time, and the principal amount of (and interest on) Lenders’ interests in the Loans and other Obligations.

 

Related Business” means any business that is the same, similar or otherwise reasonably related, ancillary or complementary to, or a reasonable extension of, the businesses of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on the Effective Date.

 

Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, members, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates, and specifically includes, in the case of the Lending Parties, SECDF in its capacity as Administrative Agent, and Advantage Capital Group, Inc. and its affiliated funds.

 

Reportable Event” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the thirty-day notice period has been waived.

 

Required Contribution Date” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.03(b).

 

Required Lenders” means Lenders holding in excess of fifty percent (50.00%) of the aggregate Loan Exposure of all Lenders; provided, however, that if there are two or more Lenders, then “Required Lenders” must include more than one Lender.

 

Responsible Officer” means: (a) (i) with respect to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any request for any Loan, any Compliance Certificate or any other certificate or notice pertaining to any financial information required to be delivered by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries hereunder or under any other Loan Document, the chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of such Person or of the managing member or manager of such Person; and (ii) otherwise, with respect to any Loan Party that is not a natural person, the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of such Person or of the managing member or manager of such Person; and (b) with respect to any Loan Party who is a natural person, such natural person.

 

Restricted Party” means any Person listed: (a) in the Annex to the Executive Order; (b) on the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” list maintained by the OFAC; (c) in any successor list to either of the foregoing; (d) any Person that commits, threatens or conspires to commit or supports “terrorism” as defined in the Executive Order; or (e) any Person designated as the target of any Sanctions.

 

Restricted Payment” means, as to any Person: (a) any dividend or other distribution by such Person (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests of such Person; (b) any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interest; (c) any payment of principal or interest or any purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition or defeasance with respect to any Debt of such Person which is subordinated to the payment of the Obligations; (d) the acquisition for value by such Person of any Equity Interests issued by such Person or any other Person that Controls such Person; (e) any management, servicing or other similar fees payable to any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof (other than pursuant to the Management Services Agreement); and (f) any other transaction that has a similar effect as clauses (a) through (e) of this definition.

 

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a division of S&P Global Inc.

 

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Sale/Leaseback” means the transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which (i) Alltech, Inc., as seller, and Parent, as purchaser, entered into that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions, dated as of August 2, 2018, for the purchase and sale of certain real property located in Winchester, Kentucky (the “Kentucky PSA”), (ii) Parent and Meredian Bioplastics, collectively as seller, and Store Capital Acquisitions, LLC (“Store Capital”), as purchaser, entered into that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2018, for the purchase and sale of certain real property located at 140 Industrial Boulevard, Bainbridge, Georgia (the “Georgia PSA”), (iii) Parent designated Store Capital as its designee for the purposes of taking title to the real property under the Kentucky PSA, and (iv) Store Capital and Parent entered into that certain Master Lease, dated December 14, 2018, pursuant to which Parent leases the properties owned by Store Capital pursuant to the Kentucky PSA and the Georgia PSA.

 

Sanctions” means any sanctions administered or enforced by the OFAC, the United Nations Security Council or any other relevant sanctions authority.

 

SECDF” means Southeast Community Development Fund X, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Senior Indebtedness” means, collectively, any Debt evidenced by (a) the White Oak Facility, (b) the CDE Facilities, and (c) any other Debt permitted under this Agreement, if any, that is secured by a Lien senior to the Administrative Agent for the Lenders hereunder, in each case for borrowed money or letters of credit that by its terms matures more than one year after the date of determination.

 

Senior Management Team” means, with respect to Parent or any Loan Party, its chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer and any other officer exercising similar senior management duties.

 

Software” means, as to any Person, all software (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), including all computer programs and all supporting information provided in connection with a transaction related to any program.

 

Solvent” means, as to any Person at any time of determination, that: (a) the fair value of the property of such Person on a going concern basis is greater than the amount of such Person’s liabilities (including contingent liabilities), as such value is established and such liabilities are evaluated for purposes of Section 101(32) of the Bankruptcy Code and, in the alternative, for purposes of any similar state Laws applicable to such Person or any Subsidiary thereof; (b) the present fair salable value of the property of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured; (c) such Person is able to realize upon its property and pay its debts and other liabilities (including contingent liabilities) as they mature in the normal course of business; (d) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature; and (e) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute unreasonably small capital.

 

Solo Dart Payment” means the payment in the approximate amount of $4,701,824, made or to be made by Danimer Holdings, directly or indirectly, to Solo Cup Operating Corporation on behalf of Meredian Bioplastics, pursuant to a certain Settlement and Release Agreement dated October 10, 2017, representing the final payment due thereunder.

 

Specified Capital” means cash derived from the sale or issuance by Parent of new Equity Interests of Parent, the proceeds of which are contributed to the capital of Danimer Holdings after and exclusive of any equity capital raised by Parent from the sale of Equity Interests in connection with Parent’s compliance with the requirements set forth in Section 4.01(a)(xix) of this Agreement.

 

Specified Equity Contribution” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.03(b).

 

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Specified Materials” means, collectively, all materials or information provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party, as well as all documents and other written materials relating to Loan Parties (or any of them) or their respective Affiliates or any other materials or matters relating to the Loan Documents (including any amendments or waivers of the terms thereof or supplements thereto).

 

“Store Capital” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of Sale/Leaseback.

 

Subordinated Indebtedness” means, collectively, any Debt permitted under this Agreement, if any, which has been subordinated to the Obligations on terms and conditions, and pursuant to documents, satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

 

Subordination Agreements” means Danimer Bioplastics Subordination Agreement and the Meredian Bioplastics Subordination Agreement.

 

Subsidiary” of a Person means any other Person of which a majority of the Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of a Loan Party.

 

Supporting Obligations” means all supporting obligations (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), including letters of credit and guaranties issued in support of Accounts, Chattel Paper, Documents, General Intangibles, Instruments, or Investment Property.

 

Swap Contract” means: (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement; and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, that are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement including any such obligations or liabilities under any such master agreement (in each case, together with any related schedules).

 

Synthetic Lease Obligation” means the monetary obligation of a Person under either: (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease; or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

 

Taxes” means all present or future federal, state, local, county, foreign and other taxes, assessments or other government charges, including, any income, alternative or add-on minimum tax, estimated gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, value added, transfer, capital, stock, franchise, profits, license, registration, recording, documentary, intangibles, conveyancing, gains, withholding, payroll, employment, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property (real and personal), environmental or windfall profit tax, custom duty or other tax, governmental fee or other like assessment, charge, or tax of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest, penalty, addition to tax or additional amount imposed by any Governmental Authority responsible for the imposition of any such tax (domestic or foreign) whether such Tax is disputed or not.

 

Tax Return” means any report, return, declaration, claim for refund or other information or statement or schedule supplied or required to be supplied to a Governmental Authority relating to Taxes, including any schedules or attachments thereto and any amendments thereof.

 

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Testing Date” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.03(a).

 

Threshold Amount” means Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000).

 

Trademark License” means, as to any Person, all rights under any written document now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party) granting any right to use any Trademark or Trademark registration.

 

Trademarks” means, as to any Person, all of the following now owned or hereafter adopted or acquired by such Person: (a) all trademarks, trade names, corporate names, business names, trade styles, service marks, logos, other source or business identifiers, prints and labels on which any of the foregoing have appeared or appear, designs and general intangibles of like nature (whether registered or unregistered), all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, including all registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States, any State or Territory thereof, or any other country or any political subdivision thereof; (b) all reissues, extensions or renewals thereof; and (c) all Goodwill associated with or symbolized by any of the foregoing.

 

Treasury Regulations” means the temporary and final U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code.

 

Unasserted Obligations” means, at any time, Obligations consisting of obligations for Taxes, costs, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities (except for the principal of and interest on, and fees relating to, any Debt) in respect of which no claim or demand for payment has been made (or, in the case of obligations for indemnification, no notice for indemnification has been issued by the Indemnitee) at such time.

 

Unfinanced Capital Expenditures” means Capital Expenditures (a) not financed with the proceeds of any incurrence of Debt from a lender or from proceeds of an offering of Parent’s Equity Interests and (b) that are not reimbursed by a third person (excluding any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates) in the period, such expenditures are made pursuant to a written agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, Capital Expenditure made by a Loan Party utilizing revolving loans under any existing working capital facility or utilizing proceeds of Loans heretofore or hereafter provided by any of the Lenders, shall be deemed Unfinanced Capital Expenditures.

 

Unfunded Pension Liability” means the excess of a Pension Plan’s benefit liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the current value of that Pension Plan’s assets, determined in accordance with the assumptions used for funding the Pension Plan pursuant to Section 412 of the Code for the applicable plan year.

 

Uniform Commercial Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.

 

United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.

 

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.08(d)(i)(B).

 

White Oak” means White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in its capacity as administrative agent under the White Oak Facility, and any successor administrative agent thereunder.

 

White Oak Facility” means the credit facility evidenced by that certain Loan and Security Agreement dated as of even date herewith, among the Loan Parties, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and White Oak, in its capacity as administrative agent, together with its related Loan Documents under and as such term is defined therein, as amended, restated or refinanced from time to time in accordance with any Permitted Senior Refinancing.

 

Working Capital Facility” means a working capital loan facility (i) provided by a third party financial institution pursuant to a loan agreement and related documents and instruments, all in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its discretion, (ii) providing Borrowers with loans and other credit accommodations in such amounts as are acceptable to Administrative Agent in its discretion, (iii) secured only by liens and security interests in Borrowers’ Accounts, Inventory and the proceeds thereof (“WC Collateral”), which liens and security interests in the WC Collateral would be senior to the liens thereon in favor of Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, all as shall be more fully set forth in an intercreditor agreement between such working capital lender and Administrative Agent, in form and substance in all respects satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its discretion.

 

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Section 1.02. Certain Rules of Construction.

 

(a) General Rules.

 

(i) Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, the meaning of a defined term is applicable equally to the singular and plural forms thereof.

 

(ii) The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereunder” and similar words refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.

 

(iii) The word “documents” includes instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, indentures, notices and other writings, however evidenced.

 

(iv) The words “include,” “includes” and “including” are not limiting and, unless the context otherwise clearly requires, the word “or” is not exclusive.

 

(v) A “Default” or “Event of Default” hereunder referenced as “continuing” (or any variation thereof) shall (i) with respect to a Default that has not yet matured into an Event of Default, be deemed to be continuing unless and until cured within any applicable cure period set forth in this Agreement (if susceptible to cure), and (ii) with respect to an Event of Default, be deemed to be continuing unless and until waived in writing by Administrative Agent.

 

(vi) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”; the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding” and the word “through” means “to and including.”

 

(vii) Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, the words “property,” “properties,” “asset” and “assets” refer to both personal property (whether tangible or intangible) and real property.

 

(viii) As used herein, “ordinary course of business” means, in respect of any transaction involving any Loan Party, the ordinary course of business of such Loan Party, as undertaken by such Loan Party in accordance with past practices or reasonable extensions of such past practices, as applicable, or otherwise undertaken by such Loan Party in good faith and not for purposes of evading any covenant or restriction in any Loan Document.

 

(ix) Unless the context otherwise clearly requires: (A) Article, Section, subsection, clause, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement; (B) references to documents (including this Agreement) shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent such amendments and other modifications are not prohibited by the terms of any Loan Document; (C) references to any Law are to be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting the Law; and (D) or unless prohibited by the terms of any Loan Document, references to any Person shall be deemed to include such Person’s successors and assigns.

 

(b) Time References. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Pacific time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

 

(c) Captions. The captions and headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

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(d) Cumulative Nature of Certain Provisions. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents may use several different limitations, tests or measurements to regulate the same or similar matters. All such limitations, tests and measurements are cumulative and shall be performed in accordance with their respective terms.

 

(e) No Construction against any Party. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents are the result of negotiations among, and have been reviewed by counsel to, Loan Parties, Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties and are the products of all parties. Accordingly, they shall not be construed against Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party merely because of the involvement of any or all of the preceding Persons in their preparation.

 

(f) GAAP. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, all accounting terms not expressly defined herein shall be construed, and all financial computations required under this Agreement shall be made, in accordance with GAAP applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Closing Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio, financial covenant or other requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either Administrative Loan Party or Required Lenders shall so request, Administrative Agent, Lending Parties and Administrative Loan Party shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended: (i) such financial ratio, financial covenant or other requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein; and (ii) Loan Parties shall provide or cause to be provided to Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such financial ratio, financial covenant or other requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, all financial statements delivered hereunder shall be prepared, and all financial covenants contained herein shall be calculated, without giving effect to any election under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 825-10-25 - Fair Value Option (formerly known as the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159) or any other accounting principle that would result in any financial liability being set forth at an amount less than the actual outstanding principal amount thereof.

 

(g) Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by Loan Parties or any of them pursuant to the Loan Documents shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number using the common – or symmetric arithmetic – method of rounding (in other words, rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

 

(h) Documents Executed by Responsible Officers. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

 

ARTICLE II.

CREDIT EXTENSIONS

 

Section 2.01. Loans.

 

(a) Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, SECDF agrees to advance the GARJA Loan to Danimer Holdings on the Effective Date in the amount of such Lender’s Loan Commitment and PIFS agrees to advance the NMTC Loan to Meridian Bioplastics on the Effective Date in the amount of such Lender’s Loan Commitment. The GARJA Loan shall be evidenced by the GARJA Note made by Danimer Holdings and the NMTC Loan shall be evidenced by the NMTC Note made by Meredian Bioplastics.

 

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(b) Notice of Borrowing. Administrative Loan Party shall deliver on the Effective Date to Administrative Agent an irrevocable written notice in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (a “Notice of Borrowing”). The borrowing shall be for the aggregate principal amount of both the GARJA Loan and the NMTC Loan, which shall be advanced upon satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in this Agreement. Administrative Agent and Lenders may act without liability upon the basis of such Notice of Borrowing believed by Administrative Agent in good faith to be from Administrative Loan Party and Administrative Agent and Lenders shall have no duty to verify the authenticity of the signature appearing on any written Notice of Borrowing. Administrative Agent shall promptly advise the applicable Lenders of any notice given pursuant to this Section 2.01 (and the contents thereof), and of each Lender’s pro rata share of the requested Loan. Each Lender shall make its Commitment for the applicable Loan available to Administrative Agent, in immediately available funds, at Administrative Agent’s Office no later than noon on the date of the proposed Loan in the Notice of Borrowing. Upon receipt of all amounts requested in the Notice of Borrowing, Administrative Agent will make the proceeds of such Loans available to or as directed by Borrowers on the day of the proposed Loan by causing said amount, in immediately available funds, to be disbursed as specified by Administrative Loan Party in the Notice of Borrowing.

 

(c) Limit on Credit Extensions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.01, no Lender will be required or have any obligation to make any extensions of credit hereunder if a Default then exists or could reasonably be expected to result by virtue of the making thereof. No Credit Extension (or any portion thereof) that has been repaid or prepaid may be re-borrowed. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in no event shall Lenders be obligated to make to Borrowers, or Borrowers be entitled to borrow or receive from Lenders, any loans, advances or extensions of credit hereunder other than the Loans.

 

Section 2.02. Interest.

 

(a) Interest. Subject to the provisions hereof (including Section 2.02(b) and (d)), until each Loan is paid in full, each Loan shall bear interest at the Base Rate, payable in cash.

 

(b) PIK Interest. Either or both Borrowers may elect to pay up to two percent (2%) of the interest due and payable in any Fiscal Quarter under either or both Notes by adding such interest payment to the principal balance of the related Note (“PIK Interest”). PIK Interest shall compound monthly and increase the principal balance of the related Note by the amount of such PIK Interest. Borrowers shall notify Administrative Agent in writing of their election to pay PIK Interest on the first Payment Date in such Fiscal Quarter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that, and for so long as, either Subordination Agreement prohibits, as determined by Administrative Agent, the receipt of interest in cash, such interest shall automatically be paid as PIK Interest.

 

(c) Interest Payment Dates. Interest on the Loan Amount shall accrue beginning on the Effective Date and from the first calendar day of each calendar month following the Effective Date through the last day of each calendar month, and be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as may be specified herein. Subject to the provisions hereof (including Section 2.02(b) and Section 2.02(e)), Borrowers shall pay accrued and unpaid interest under Section 2.02(a) to Administrative Agent, on behalf of Lenders, for delivery to Lenders as follows: (i) on a calendar month basis in arrears on each Interest Payment Date; (ii) contemporaneously with the payment or prepayment of the principal balance of the Loans or any portion thereof on the amount so paid or prepaid in accordance with Section 2.03; and (iii) on the Maturity Date. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof both before and after judgment, and both before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

(d) Default Rate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 2.02(a), at any time that an Event of Default exists, then, unless Required Lenders otherwise agree and without affecting any of Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s rights and remedies hereunder or in respect hereof, all (or, in the sole discretion of Required Lenders, any portion) of the Obligations shall bear interest contemplated by Section 2.02(a), at the Default Rate, without notice to any Loan Party or demand by Administrative Agent.

 

(e) Compounding. Subject to the other provisions of this Section 2.02, without affecting any of Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s rights and remedies hereunder or in respect hereof, if a Loan Party shall fail to pay interest (including interest at the Default Rate) on the Loans when due, then Administrative Agent in its discretion (acting at the direction of the Required Lenders), may either declare an Event of Default hereunder (and the Loans shall be subject to the Default Rate retroactively effective as of the date such payment was due), or the amount of such unpaid interest shall be added at the Default Rate to the Outstanding Amount thereof, and thereafter bear interest at the rate then applicable to the Outstanding Amount of the Loans.

 

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Section 2.03. Payment and Prepayments of Principal.

 

Subject to the provisions hereof:

 

(a) Payment on Maturity Date. The principal of the GARJA Loan is due and payable in full on the Maturity Date. The principal of the NMTC Loan is due and payable in full on the Maturity Date. Any other Credit Outstandings and all other Obligations are also due and payable in full on the Maturity Date.

 

(b) Voluntary Prepayments of the Loans. Borrowers shall not be permitted to voluntarily prepay or repay the Loans (or any portion thereof) until after the first anniversary of the Effective Date. From and after the first (1st) anniversary of the Effective Date, Borrowers may voluntarily prepay the Outstanding Amount of the Loans in whole or in part, upon not less than thirty (30) days prior irrevocable written notice to Administrative Agent, which notice shall state the Outstanding Amount of the Loans being prepaid. Voluntary prepayments shall be in a minimum amount of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) or an integral multiple of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire Outstanding Amount of the Loans) In connection with any such voluntary prepayment, Borrowers shall pay the sum of: (i) the Outstanding Amount of the Loans being prepaid; plus (ii) the Prepayment Fee, if any, applicable thereto plus (iii) accrued unpaid interest at the rate then applicable to the Loans on the amounts prepaid in the immediately preceding clause (i), through the date of such voluntary prepayment. In connection with any such voluntary prepayment of the Loans, Borrowers acknowledge that such prepayment may result in Lenders incurring additional costs, expenses or liabilities, and that, as of the date hereof, it is difficult to ascertain the full extent of such costs, expenses or liabilities. Accordingly, Borrowers agree that the applicable Prepayment Fee payable in connection with any such voluntary prepayment represents a reasonable estimate of the costs, expenses or liabilities of Lenders in connection with any such prepayment. Without affecting any of any Lending Party’s rights and remedies hereunder or in respect hereof, if Borrowers fail to pay the Prepayment Fee when due, then the amount thereof shall thereafter bear interest until paid in full at the Default Rate. Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Lenders, shall determine which Loan to apply each prepayment of the Loans. All prepayments of the Loans made pursuant to this Section 2.03(b) shall not reduce the mandatory prepayments of the Loans otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.03(c).

 

(c) Mandatory Repayments of the Loans.

 

(i) Application of Payments. Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Lenders, shall determine which Loan to apply each repayment of the Loans.

 

(ii) Loss and Disposition Payments. In the event that Net Proceeds resulting from any (A) Event of Loss or (B) Disposition or series of Dispositions by Borrowers or any Subsidiary thereof undertaken pursuant to Section 7.05(a) or Section 7.05(h), within any Fiscal Year exceed, in the aggregate, the Threshold Amount, Borrowers shall prepay the Loans in an amount equal to the sum of: (1) 100% of such Net Proceeds that so exceed the Threshold Amount in such Fiscal Year plus (2) all accrued and unpaid interest at the rate then applicable to the Loans on the amounts in the immediately preceding clause (1) through and including the date of prepayment; except that if such Net Proceeds are received in connection with a Disposition, interest paid pursuant to this clause (2) will be paid through and including the later of the first anniversary of the Effective Date and the date of prepayment, plus (3) if an Event of Default exists and is continuing, the Prepayment Fee that would apply if such Net Proceeds were used by Borrowers to make a voluntary prepayment of the Loan pursuant to Section 2.03(b); provided that, so long as (w) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, (x) Administrative Loan Party shall have given Administrative Agent prior written notice of Borrowers’ intention to apply such monies to the costs of replacement of the properties or assets that are the subject of such Event of Loss or Disposition or the cost of purchase or construction of other assets useful in the business of Loan Parties, (y) the monies are held in a Deposit Account in which Administrative Agent has a perfected first-priority Lien, subject to any Lien in such Deposit Account that secures Senior Indebtedness, and (z) Loan Parties complete such replacement, purchase, or construction within one hundred and eighty (180) days (or three hundred and sixty-five (365) days in the case of any involuntary Disposition resulting from an Event of Loss) after the initial receipt of such monies, then the Loan Party whose assets were the subject of such Event of Loss or Disposition shall have the option to apply such monies to the costs of replacement of the assets that are the subject of such Event of Loss or Disposition or the costs of purchase or construction of other assets useful in the business of such Loan Party unless and to the extent that such applicable period shall have expired without such replacement, purchase, or construction being made or completed, in which case, any amounts remaining in the Deposit Account referred to in clause (y) above shall be paid to Administrative Agent and applied in accordance with Section 2.03(c)(ii). Nothing contained in this Section 2.03(c)(ii) shall permit Loan Parties to sell or otherwise Dispose of any assets other than in accordance with Section 7.05(a) or Section 7.05(h). In connection with any such prepayment of the Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(ii) requiring the payment of the Prepayment Fee, Borrowers acknowledge that such prepayment may result in Lenders incurring additional costs, expenses or liabilities, and that, as of the date hereof, it is difficult to ascertain the full extent of such costs, expenses or liabilities. Accordingly, Borrowers agree that the Prepayment Fee payable in connection with any such prepayment represents a reasonable estimate of the costs, expenses or liabilities of Lenders in connection with any such prepayment. Without affecting any of any Lending Party’s rights and remedies hereunder or in respect hereof, if Borrowers fail to pay the Prepayment Fee when due, then the amount thereof shall thereafter bear interest until paid in full at the Default Rate.

 

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(iii) Payments in respect of Extraordinary Receipts. Within five (5) Business Days after the date of receipt by Loan Parties of the Net Proceeds of any Extraordinary Receipts (other than the GARJA Loan and the NMTC Loan), Borrowers shall prepay the Loans in an amount equal to the sum of (A) the lesser of (1) 100% of such Net Proceeds received and (2) the Outstanding Amount of the Loans plus (B) all accrued and unpaid interest at the rate then applicable to the Loans on the amounts prepaid in the immediately preceding clause (A) through and including the later of the first anniversary of the Effective Date and the date of prepayment; plus (C) if an Event of Default exists and is continuing, the Prepayment Fee that would apply if such Net Proceeds were used by Borrowers to make a voluntary prepayment of the Loan pursuant to Section 2.03(b). In connection with any such prepayment of the Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(iii) requiring the payment of the Prepayment Fee, Borrowers acknowledge that such prepayment may result in Lenders incurring additional costs, expenses or liabilities, and that, as of the date hereof, it is difficult to ascertain the full extent of such costs, expenses or liabilities. Accordingly, Borrowers agree that the Prepayment Fee payable in connection with any such prepayment represents a reasonable estimate of the costs, expenses or liabilities of Lenders in connection with any such prepayment. Without affecting any of any Lending Party’s rights and remedies hereunder or in respect hereof, if Borrowers fail to pay the Prepayment Fee when due, then the amount thereof shall thereafter bear interest until paid in full at the Default Rate.

 

(iv) Payments in respect of Debt. Within five (5) Business Days after the date of receipt by Loan Parties of the Net Proceeds of any Debt incurred (other than Debt permitted under Section 7.03), Borrowers shall prepay the Loans in an amount equal to the sum of (A) the lesser of (1) 100% of such Net Proceeds received and (2) the Outstanding Amount of the Loans plus (B) all accrued and unpaid interest at the rate then applicable to the Loans on the amounts prepaid in the immediately preceding clause (A) through and including the later of the first anniversary of the Effective Date and the date of prepayment, plus (C) the Prepayment Fee that would apply if such Net Proceeds were used by Borrowers to make a voluntary prepayment of the Loan pursuant to Section 2.03(b). In connection with any such prepayment of the Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(iv) requiring the payment of the Prepayment Fee, Borrowers acknowledge that such prepayment may result in Lenders incurring additional costs, expenses or liabilities, and that, as of the date hereof, it is difficult to ascertain the full extent of such costs, expenses or liabilities. Accordingly, Borrowers agree that the Prepayment Fee payable in connection with any such prepayment represents a reasonable estimate of the costs, expenses or liabilities of Lenders in connection with any such prepayment. Without affecting any of any Lending Party’s rights and remedies hereunder or in respect hereof, if Borrowers fail to pay the Prepayment Fee when due, then the amount thereof shall thereafter bear interest until paid in full at the Default Rate. The provisions of this Section 2.03(c)(iv) shall not be deemed to be implied consent to any incurrence of Debt otherwise prohibited by the terms of this Agreement.

 

(v) Payments in respect of the Equity Cure. Upon receipt of any Specified Equity Contribution under Section 8.03(d), Borrowers shall repay the Loans in an amount equal to the sum of (A) the Specified Equity Contribution, plus (B) interest (at the rate then applicable to the Loans) on the amounts in the immediately preceding clause (A) through and including the date of repayment or prepayment.

 

(vi) Increase for Phase II. In the event Parent or any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof desires to obtain funding for the purpose of investment in Phase II (as such term is defined in the Subordination Agreements) in an amount exceeding the allocation provided for Phase II investment in the definition of Maximum White Oak Amount (as such term is defined in the Subordination Agreements), which may not in any event exceed $60 million, then Loan Parties shall request the prior written consent of Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, to such increase. If Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, does not consent in writing within ten (10) Business Days after written notice is given to Administrative Agent and each Lender by the Loan Parties, and the Loan Parties nevertheless desire to obtain such increase without said consent, then Loan Parties shall prepay the Loans and all other Obligations in full, without penalty or premium, prior to such increase or simultaneously with such increase from the proceeds of the advance requested. Only any prepayment as described above for the sole purpose of investment in Phase II shall be without the Prepayment Fee otherwise provided for in this Section 2.03.

 

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(d) Payments under Certain Circumstances. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, at any time that an Event of Default exists (whether by virtue of the Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) not being paid in full on the Maturity Date or as a result of the acceleration of the Obligations in accordance with the provisions thereof or otherwise) when Borrowers make or are required to make any payment or prepayment of the Loans, Borrowers agree that (without notice or demand of any kind from any Lending Party, such notice and demand being hereby expressly waived) Borrowers shall be required to pay and shall pay the sum of: (i) the Outstanding Amount of the Loans being paid or prepaid; plus (ii) the applicable Prepayment Fee; plus (iii) all accrued and unpaid interest (at the rate then applicable to the Loans) on the amounts in the immediately preceding clause (i) through and including the later of the first anniversary of the Effective Date and the date of prepayment or repayment. In connection with any such payment or prepayment of the Loans, Borrowers acknowledge that such payment or prepayment may result in Lenders incurring additional costs, expenses or liabilities, and that, as of the date hereof, it is difficult to ascertain the full extent of such costs, expenses or liabilities. Accordingly, Borrowers agree that the applicable Prepayment Fee payable in connection with any such payment or prepayment represents a reasonable estimate of the costs, expenses or liabilities of Lenders in connection with any such payment or prepayment. Without affecting any of any Lending Party’s rights and remedies hereunder or in respect hereof, if Borrowers fail to pay the applicable Prepayment Fee when due, then the amount thereof shall thereafter bear interest until paid in full at the Default Rate.

 

(e) Notice of Payments. Administrative Loan Party shall provide written notice of any payments made pursuant to Section 2.03(c) by at least 12:00 p.m. two Business Days prior to the proposed prepayment date, which notice shall state pursuant to which paragraph of Section 2.03(c) the prepayment is being made.

 

Section 2.04. Equity Purchase.

 

SECDF shall on the Effective Date consummate the Equity Investment, which common stock is the senior most equity security offered by Parent. Danimer Holdings shall deliver to SECDF a stock certificate representing such Equity Investment in escrow to be released effective upon the advance of the Loans.

 

Section 2.05. Brokers and Financial Advisors.

 

In connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, Loan Parties have not engaged any advisors (financial or otherwise), brokers or arrangers, other than Zanbato Structured Finance, accountants and legal advisors. Loan Parties hereby agree to pay, and hereby indemnify each Indemnitee from and against, all fees, costs and expenses of any advisors (financial or otherwise), brokers or arrangers engaged by or on behalf of Loan Parties in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (including the making of the Loans).

 

Section 2.06. Manner of Payments.

 

(a) Invoices. Administrative Agent agrees to provide Borrowers with an invoice setting forth the Outstanding Amount of the Loans and stating the amount of interest due on any Interest Payment Date in reasonable detail, not later than five (5) Business Days prior to such Interest Payment Date; provided that: (i) Administrative Agent shall have no liability for failing to do so; and (ii) any failure by Administrative Agent to provide any such invoice shall not affect Borrowers’ (or any other Loan Party’s) obligation to pay when due any amounts owing hereunder in accordance with the provisions hereof; and provided, further, that if the Administrative Agent has not provided Borrowers with an invoice and Borrowers have calculated the amount of interest due on any Interest Payment Date and paid such amount when due, then no Event of Default shall occur with respect to such payment if the amount so paid by Borrowers is not less than 95% of the properly calculated amount due as of such Interest Payment Date, so long as within five (5) Business Days following written notice from Administrative Agent to Borrower of the correct payment amount, any shortfall is then paid by Borrower.

 

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(b) Payments on Business Days. If any payment hereunder becomes due and payable on a day (including an Interest Payment Date) that is not a Business Day, then such due date shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day.

 

(c) Computations. All interest and fees owing hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred and sixty (360) days and calculated in each case for the actual number of days elapsed.

 

(d) Evidence of Debt. The Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by Lenders to Borrowers and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of Borrowers hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. If any conflict exists between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through Administrative Agent, Borrowers shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through Administrative Agent) a Note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loan in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loan, as applicable, and payments with respect thereto.

 

Section 2.07. Increased Costs.

 

(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender;

 

(ii) subject Administrative Agent or any Recipient to any Tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Extension made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to Administrative Agent or Recipient in respect thereof (except for any Excluded Taxes); or

 

(iii) impose on any Lender any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or the Loan made by such Lender; and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Person of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan or to increase the cost to such Lender, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount), then, upon request of such Lending Party, Borrowers shall pay to such Lending Party such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lending Party for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

(b) Capital Requirements. If any Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or such Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Credit Extensions made by such Lender to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time Borrowers shall pay to such Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section 2.07, as well as the basis for determining such amount or amounts, and delivered to Borrowers shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Borrowers shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

 

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(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.07 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation, provided that Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.07 for any reductions suffered more than nine months prior to the date that such Lender notifies Administrative Loan Party of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine-month period referred to in this subsection (d) shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

 

(e) Survival. All obligations of each Loan Party that is a party hereto under this Section 2.07 shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the payment in full of all other Obligations.

 

Section 2.08. Payments Free of Taxes.

 

(a) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party that is a party hereto under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any and all Indemnified Taxes, and all liabilities with respect thereto, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental Authority. If any Indemnified Taxes are required to be withheld after the date hereof from or in respect of any sum payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to a Recipient, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.08) such Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) Borrowers shall make such deductions, (iii) Borrowers shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance with applicable Laws, and (iv) Borrowers shall furnish to the Recipient the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof or other evidence of payment reasonably acceptable to such Recipient; provided that Borrowers shall not be required to increase such amounts payable to such Recipient with respect to any Taxes (A) that are attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with the requirements of Section 2.08(d) or (B) that are United States federal withholding taxes imposed on amounts payable to such Recipient at the time such Recipient becomes entitled to payment under this Agreement, except to the extent that the such Recipient’s assignor (if any) was entitled, at the time of assignment, to receive additional amounts from Borrower with respect to such Taxes pursuant to this paragraph.

 

(b) As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any of Borrowers to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.08, such Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

 

(c) Without duplication, each Borrower jointly and severally agrees to indemnify each Recipient for the full amount of Indemnified Taxes paid by such Recipient and any liability (including penalties, interest, and reasonable expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto.

 

(d) Each Lender and Administrative Agent, on or prior to the date of this Agreement, and from time to time thereafter if requested in writing by Borrower, shall provide Administrative Agent with (i) an IRS Form W-9 or any successor form prescribed by the IRS; or (ii) a complete and properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8ECI or W-8IMY (including all required accompanying information), as appropriate, or any successor form prescribed by the IRS (including a United States taxpayer identification number) and, to the extent applicable, any certifications and information applicable to a Foreign Lender: (A) certifying that such Person is entitled to benefits under an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party that reduces the rate of withholding tax on payments of interest; or (B) providing a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate, a form acceptable to Administrative Agent, which generally provides certification certifying that such Person is eligible for the “portfolio interest exemption”; or (C) certifying that the income receivable pursuant to this Agreement is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States. In addition, each Lender and Administrative Agent will (A) take all actions reasonably requested in good faith by Borrowers in writing that are consistent with applicable legal and regulatory restrictions to claim any available reductions or exemptions from Indemnified Taxes and (B) otherwise cooperate with Borrowers to minimize any amounts payable by Borrowers under this Section 2.08; provided that, in each case: (x) any out-of-pocket cost relating directly to such action or cooperation requested by Borrowers shall be borne by Borrowers, and Administrative Agent and each Lender shall not be required to take any action that it determines in its sole good faith discretion may be adverse in any non de minimis respect to it and not indemnified to its satisfaction; and (y) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither Administrative Agent nor Lenders will have any obligation to disclose to any Borrower or any other Person (except to a Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Laws as determined by Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) the identity of any Lender.

 

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(e) If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by Borrowers or Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Laws (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by Borrowers or Administrative Agent as may be necessary for compliance with FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this Section 2.08(e), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

(f) For purposes of this Section 2.08, Administrative Agent is a “withholding agent” for purposes of Sections 1441, et seq. and FATCA, and will provide Borrower an IRS Form W-9 or any successor form proscribed by the IRS.

 

(g) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of Borrower hereunder, the agreements and obligations of Borrower contained in this Section 2.08 shall survive the Obligations being paid in full.

 

Section 2.09. Sharing of Payments.

 

Except as may be agreed to by the Required Lenders and Administrative Agent otherwise in writing, if any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff, recoupment or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any Credit Outstandings or accrued and unpaid interest thereon resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a proportion of the Credit Outstandings or accrued and unpaid interest thereon greater than its Percentage Share (or other applicable share) thereof as provided herein, then such Lender receiving such greater proportion shall: (a) notify Administrative Agent in writing (including via email) of such fact; and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in that portion of the Credit Outstandings or accrued and unpaid interest thereon held by the other applicable Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Percentage Shares thereof; provided that: (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and (ii) the provisions of this Section 2.09 shall not be construed to apply to: (A) any payment made by Borrowers pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement; or (B) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any portion of the Credit Outstandings held by it to any assignee or participant, other than to any Loan Party (as to which the provisions of this Section 2.09 shall apply).

 

Each Loan Party that is a party hereto consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable Laws, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may, except to the extent otherwise specified in such Lender’s participation agreement, exercise against such Loan Party rights of setoff, recoupment and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Loan Party in the amount of such participation.

 

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Section 2.10. Payments Generally; Right of Administrative Agent to Make Deductions Automatically.

 

(a) Payments Generally.

 

(i) All payments to be made by any Loan Party hereunder shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by any Loan Party hereunder shall be made to Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 11:00 a.m. on the date specified herein. Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its applicable Percentage Share (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. All payments received by Administrative Agent after 11:00 a.m. may, in Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue.

 

(ii) Borrowers hereby authorize Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Required Lenders): (A) following the occurrence of a Default, to deduct all principal, interest or fees when due hereunder or under any Note from any account of Borrowers maintained with Administrative Agent; and (B) if and to the extent any payment of principal, interest or fees under this Agreement or any Note is not made when due, to deduct any such amount from any or all of the accounts of Borrowers maintained at Administrative Agent (if any). Administrative Agent agrees to provide written notice to Administrative Loan Party of any such deduction made pursuant to this Section 2.10(a)(ii) showing in reasonable detail the amounts of such deduction. Each Lender agrees to reimburse Borrowers based on its applicable Percentage Share for any amounts deducted from such accounts in excess of amount due hereunder and under any other Loan Documents.

 

(b) Clawback Rights. Unless Administrative Agent shall have received notice from Administrative Loan Party prior to the date on which any payment is due hereunder to Administrative Agent for the account of Lenders that Borrowers will not make such payment, Administrative Agent may assume that Borrowers have made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to Lenders the amount due.

 

(c) Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes available to Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to Borrowers by Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Loan set forth in Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, then Administrative Agent shall promptly return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.

 

(d) Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of Lenders hereunder to make the Loans and to make payments under Section 10.04(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan or to make any payment under Section 10.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan or to make its payments under Section 10.04(c).

 

(e) Funding Sources. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.

 

(f) Cash Management. Subject to the Lien rights securing Senior Indebtedness, Administrative Agent shall have full access to all of the Operating Account and all other Deposit Accounts of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (excluding Excluded Accounts), including (i) direct access to all information concerning such Deposit Accounts, and (ii) in Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, the institution of such automatic notifications to Administrative Agent with respect to such Deposit Accounts (or any of them) as Administrative Agent may request. All of the foregoing Deposit Accounts (other than any of the foregoing that constitute Excluded Accounts) shall be subject to Control Agreements, and each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries that is a party hereto hereby specifically grants a Lien in all such Deposit Accounts to Administrative Agent to secure the payment and performance when due of the Obligations.

 

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Section 2.11. Replacement of Lenders.

 

(a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.07 or Section 2.08, or if Borrowers are required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.08, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking the Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.07 or Section 2.08, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. Borrowers hereby agree to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

(b) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.07, or if Borrowers are required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.08, then Borrowers may, at their sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 10.06), all its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 2.07 or Section 2.08) and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) Borrowers shall have received the prior written consent of Administrative Agent which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of the Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or Borrowers (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.07 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.08, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling Borrowers to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

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Section 2.12. Joint and Several Liability; Waivers by Each Loan Party.

 

All Loans made to Borrowers shall be deemed funded to, and received by, the related Borrower. Nevertheless, each Borrower jointly and severally agrees to pay, and shall be jointly and severally liable for the payment and performance of, all Obligations, and, to such extent, each Borrower is also a Guarantor and accordingly makes each of the waivers and agrees to each of the terms set forth in Section 10.14. Borrowers and each other Loan Party acknowledges and agrees that the joint and several liability of the Loan Parties is provided as an inducement to Administrative Agent to provide the Loans and other financial accommodations to Borrowers, and that each such Loan or other financial accommodation shall be deemed to have been done or extended by Administrative Agent in consideration of, and in reliance upon, the joint and several liability of all Loan Parties. The joint and several liability of each Loan Party hereunder is absolute, unconditional and continuing, regardless of the validity or enforceability of any of the Obligations, or the fact that a Lien in any Collateral may not be enforceable or subject to equities or defenses or prior claims in favor of others, or may be invalid or defective in any way and for any reason. Each Loan Party hereby waives: (a) all notices to which such Loan Party may be entitled as a co-obligor with respect to the Obligations, including, notice of (i) acceptance of this Agreement, (ii) the making of loans or other financial accommodations under this Agreement, or the creation or existence of the Obligations, and (iii) presentment, demand, protest, notice of protest and notice of non-payment; and (b) all defenses based on (i) any modification (or series of modifications) of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents that may create a substituted contract, or that may fundamentally alter the risks imposed on such Loan Party hereunder, (ii) the release of any other Loan Party from its duties under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or the extension of the time of performance of any other duties of a Loan Party hereunder or thereunder, (iii) the taking, releasing, impairment or abandonment of any Collateral, or the settlement, release or compromise of the Obligations or any Loan Party’s liabilities with respect to all or any portion of the Obligations, or (iv) any other act (or any failure to act) that fundamentally alters the risks imposed on such Loan Party by virtue of its joint and several liability hereunder. It is the intent of each Loan Party by this paragraph to waive any and all suretyship defenses available to such Loan Party with respect to the Obligations, whether or not specifically enumerated above. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, it is the intent of the parties hereto that the joint and several nature of the liabilities of the Loan Parties, and the Liens granted by the Loan Parties to secure the Obligations, not constitute a fraudulent conveyance under Section 548 of Chapter 11 of Title II of the United States Code (11 U.S.C. § 101, et seq.), as amended, or a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under the applicable provisions of any fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar law of any state, nation or other governmental unit, as in effect from time to time. Accordingly, Administrative Agent and Loan Parties agree that if the obligations and liabilities of any Loan Party hereunder, or any Liens granted by such Loan Party securing the Obligations would, but for the application of this sentence, constitute a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable Laws, the obligations and liabilities of such Loan Party hereunder, as well as the Liens securing such obligations and liabilities, shall be valid and enforceable only to the maximum extent that would not cause such obligations, liabilities or Liens to constitute a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable Laws. Each Loan Party hereby agrees that until the full and final payment and satisfaction of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement, such Loan Party will not exercise any subrogation, contribution or other right or remedy against any other Loan Party or any security for any of the Obligations arising by reason of such Loan Party’s performance or satisfaction of its joint and several liability hereunder. In addition, each Loan Party agrees that (a) such Loan Party’s right to receive any payment of amounts due with respect to such subrogation, contribution or other rights is subordinated to the full and final payment and satisfaction of the Obligations, and (b) such Loan Party agrees not to demand, sue for or otherwise attempt to collect any such payment until the full and final payment and satisfaction of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 2.13. Administrative Loan Party.

 

Each Loan Party hereby irrevocably appoints Danimer Holdings as the borrowing agent and attorney-in-fact for each Loan Party (the “Administrative Loan Party”) which appointment shall remain in full force and effect unless and until Administrative Agent shall have received prior written notice signed by each Loan Party that such appointment has been revoked and that another Loan Party has been appointed Administrative Loan Party. Each Loan Party hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes Administrative Loan Party (a) to provide Administrative Agent with all notices with respect to Loans obtained for the benefit of any Loan Party and all other notices and instructions under this Agreement and (b) to take such action as Administrative Loan Party deems appropriate on its behalf to obtain Loans and to exercise such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto to carry out the purposes of this Agreement. It is understood that the handling of the Loans and the Collateral of Loan Parties in a combined fashion, as more fully set forth herein, is done solely as an accommodation to Loan Parties in order to utilize the collective borrowing powers of Loan Parties in the most efficient and economical manner and at their request, and that Administrative Agent shall not incur any liability to any Loan Party as a result hereof. Each Loan Party Loan Party expects to derive benefit, directly or indirectly, from the handling of Loans and the Collateral in a combined fashion since the successful operation of each Loan Party is dependent on the continued successful performance of the integrated group. To induce Administrative Agent to do so, and in consideration thereof, each Loan Party hereby jointly and severally agrees to indemnify Administrative Agent and hold it harmless against any and all liability, expense, loss or claim of damage or injury, made against Administrative Agent by any Loan Party or by any third party whosoever, arising from or incurred by reason of (a) the handling of the Collateral of Loan Parties as herein provided, (b) Administrative Agent relying on any instructions of Administrative Loan Party, or (c) any other action taken by Administrative Agent hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, except that Loan Parties will have no liability under this Section 2.13 with respect to any liability that has been finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Administrative Agent.

 

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ARTICLE III.

THE COLLATERAL

 

Section 3.01. Grant of Security Interest.

 

Each Loan Party that is a party hereto hereby grants, pledges and assigns a security interest in and Lien on the Collateral to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lending Parties, to secure the prompt payment in full and performance when due of all of the Obligations. Each Loan Party that is a party hereto represents, warrants and covenants to the Lending Parties that: (a) the Lien granted by it herein is and shall at all times continue to be a perfected, security interest in (subject to Permitted Liens having priority by operation of law and except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in any Loan Document or expressly agreed to in writing by Administrative Agent) and Lien on the Collateral (subject only to Permitted Liens); (b) it has rights in and the power to transfer each item of the Collateral upon which it purports to grant a Lien pursuant to the Loan Documents, free and clear of any and all Liens or claims of others, other than Permitted Liens; and (c) no effective security agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, financing statement (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), or other security or Lien instrument covering all or any part of the Collateral is or will be on file or of record in any public office, except those relating to Permitted Liens. If any Loan Party that is a party hereto shall acquire a commercial tort claim (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), such Loan Party shall promptly notify Administrative Agent in a writing signed by such Loan Party of the details thereof and grant to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lending Parties, a Lien therein and in the proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of this Agreement, with such writing to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, Administrative Agent’s Lien in the Collateral shall continue until all Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) are repaid in full. At such time as the Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) have been paid in full and the Lending Parties shall have received a release of all Claims from Loan Parties, Administrative Agent shall, at Borrowers’ sole cost and expense, release its Liens on the collateral the subject of all Collateral Documents.

 

Section 3.02. Administrative Agent’s Rights Regarding the Collateral.

 

(a) If an Event of Default then exists, Administrative Agent may, (i) at any time in Administrative Agent’s own name or in the name of any Loan Party that is a party hereto, communicate with Account Debtors and obligors in respect of Instruments, Chattel Paper or other Collateral to verify to Administrative Agent’s satisfaction, the existence, amount and terms of, and any other matter relating to, Accounts, Instruments, Chattel Paper or other Collateral, and (ii) without prior notice to any Loan Party that is a party hereto, notify Account Debtors or other Persons obligated on any Collateral that Administrative Agent has a Lien therein and that payments shall be made directly to Administrative Agent. Upon the request of Administrative Agent, each Loan Party that is a party hereto shall so notify such Account Debtors and other Persons. Each Loan Party that is a party hereto hereby appoints Administrative Agent or Administrative Agent’s designee as such Person’s attorney at any time an Event of Default exists, with power to endorse such Person’s name upon any notes, acceptance drafts, money orders or other evidences of payment of Collateral.

 

(b) Each Loan Party that is a party hereto shall remain liable under any evidence of Collateral to observe and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it thereunder, and neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation or liability whatsoever to any Person under any such Collateral by reason of or arising out of the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, and neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be required or obligated in any manner (i) to perform or fulfill any of the obligations of any Loan Party that is a party thereto, (ii) to make any payment or inquiry thereunder, or (iii) to take any action of any kind to collect, compromise or enforce any performance or the payment of any amounts that may have been assigned to it or to which it may be entitled at any time or times under or pursuant to any Collateral.

 

(c) In the event that any Collateral, including Proceeds, is evidenced by or consists of Negotiable Collateral, and if and to the extent that perfection or priority of Administrative Agent’s Lien is dependent on or enhanced by possession, Loan Parties, immediately upon the request of Administrative Agent, shall endorse and deliver physical possession of such Negotiable Collateral and all agreements and documents related thereto, to Administrative Agent or to a custodian to hold on behalf of Administrative Agent. Upon the request of Administrative Agent, all Negotiable Collateral shall be delivered to Administrative Agent or a custodian for the benefit of Administrative Agent, duly endorsed as follows on the back of the signature page thereof or on a separate allonge affixed thereto:

 

Pay to the order of Southeast Community Development Fund X, L.L.C., as Administrative Agent

[[Loan Parties]

By: ____________ _____

Name:

Title:  ]

 

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(d) Administrative Agent (through any of its officers, employees, or agents (which may include any Lending Party)) shall have the right, from time to time upon reasonable prior notice during regular business hours (i) to inspect and examine the Books and Records and the Collateral, (ii) during the existence of an Event of Default, to communicate directly with any and all Account Debtors to verify the existence and terms of Collateral, and (iii) to check, test, and appraise the Collateral, or any portion thereof, in order to verify Loan Parties’ financial condition or the amount, quality, value, condition of, or any other matter relating to, the Collateral, and Loan Parties shall permit any designated representative of Administrative Agent (which shall include any Lending Party) to visit and inspect any of the properties of Loan Parties to inspect and to discuss its finances and properties and Collateral, during normal business hours. Without limiting the provisions of Section 6.10, each Loan Party that is a party hereto shall, with respect to any Collateral owned, leased or otherwise controlled by it, upon reasonable prior appointment during normal business hours, will:

 

(i) provide access to such Collateral to Administrative Agent and its officers, employees and agents, as frequently as is commercially reasonable or, at any time an Event of Default exists, as frequently as Administrative Agent determines to be appropriate;

 

(ii) permit Administrative Agent or any of its officers, employees and agents to inspect, audit and make extracts and copies from all of such Loan Party’s Books and Records; and

 

(iii) permit Administrative Agent to inspect, review, evaluate and make physical verifications and appraisals of the Inventory and other Collateral in any manner and through any means that Administrative Agent considers reasonably advisable, and such Loan Party agrees to render to Administrative Agent, at Borrowers’ sole cost and expense, such clerical and other assistance as may be reasonably requested with regard thereto; provided that, if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, no advance notice (whether during normal business hours or otherwise) shall be required, the rights in this clause (d) shall extend to each Lending Party and the Lending Parties shall have access at any and all times.

 

(e) Beyond the exercise of reasonable care to assure the safe custody of Collateral in Administrative Agent’s possession and the accounting for moneys actually received by Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder, neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any duty or liability to exercise or preserve any rights, privileges or powers pertaining to the Collateral.

 

Section 3.03. Grant of License to Use Intellectual Property Collateral; Additional Intellectual Property.

 

Each Loan Party that is a party hereto hereby grants to Administrative Agent an irrevocable, non-exclusive license, exercisable upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default without payment of royalty or other compensation to such Loan Party, to use, transfer, license or sublicense any Intellectual Property now owned, licensed to, or hereafter acquired by such Loan Party, and wherever the same may be located, and including in such license access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and to all computer software and programs used for the compilation or printout thereof, and represents, promises and agrees that any such license or sublicense is not and will not be in conflict with the contractual or commercial rights of any third Person or applicable Laws; provided that such license will terminate on the date on which all Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) are paid in full; provided further that, upon the request of Administrative Agent, the applicable Loan Party will use reasonable commercial efforts to obtain from any third party a Lien in any license of Intellectual Property granted by such third party to such Loan Party. In addition, on such periodic basis as Administrative Agent shall require, Loan Parties shall: (i) provide Administrative Agent with a report of all new patentable, copyrightable, or trademarkable materials acquired or generated by each Loan Party that is a party hereto during the prior period; (ii) cause all Intellectual Property acquired or generated by each Loan Party that is a party hereto that is not already the subject of a registration with the appropriate filing office (or an application therefor diligently prosecuted) to be registered with such appropriate filing office in a manner sufficient to impart constructive notice of such Loan Party’s ownership thereof; and (iii) cause to be prepared, executed, and delivered to Administrative Agent supplemental schedules to the applicable Collateral Documents to identify such Intellectual Property as being subject to the Lien created thereunder; provided that neither Loan Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries shall register with the U.S. Copyright Office any unregistered Copyrights (whether in existence on the Effective Date or thereafter acquired, arising, or developed) unless (A) Loan Parties provide Administrative Agent with written notice of its intent to register such Copyrights not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the proposed registration, and (B) prior to such registration, the applicable Loan Party executes and delivers to Administrative Agent a copyright security agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, supplemental schedules to any existing copyright security agreement or such other documentation as Administrative Agent reasonably deems necessary in order to perfect and continue perfected Administrative Agent’s Liens on such Copyrights following such registration.

 

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Section 3.04. Authorization to File Financing Statements.

 

Each Loan Party that is a party hereto hereby authorizes Administrative Agent to file, without notice to any Loan Party that is a party hereto, financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code with all appropriate jurisdictions to perfect, maintain, preserve or protect Administrative Agent’s and Lenders’ interest or rights hereunder or any Collateral Document in the Collateral the subject hereof or thereof, including a notice that any Disposition of all or any such collateral that is not otherwise permitted hereunder, whether by any Loan Party that is a party hereto or any other Person, shall be deemed to violate the rights of Administrative Agent and Lenders hereunder and under applicable Laws. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Loan Party that is a party hereto hereby: (a) authorizes Administrative Agent to file, without notice to any such Loan Party, financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code with all appropriate jurisdictions listing all assets or all personal property of such Loan Party as the collateral covered by such financing statements; and (b) ratifies and approves the filing of any financing statements by or on behalf of Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any such Person’s predecessor(s)-in-interest) prior to the Effective Date against such Loan Party and listing the Collateral or all assets or all personal property of such Loan Party as the collateral covered by such financing statements.

 

Section 3.05. Working Capital Facility

 

Administrative Agent acknowledges that Borrowers have advised Administrative Agent of their desire to enter into a Working Capital Facility in an aggregate amount of up to $8,000,000 and agrees to evaluate such request in a commercially reasonable manner if and when made.

 

ARTICLE IV.

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

Section 4.01. Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness.

 

The obligation of each Lender to make any Loan hereunder is subject to, the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent (all Loan Documents and other documents to be delivered to Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party pursuant to this Section 4.01 shall be subject to prior approval as to form and substance (including as to results) by Lenders, with delivery by a Lender of its signature page to this Agreement evidencing such Person’s acknowledgment that the conditions set forth in this Section 4.01 have been satisfied, unless otherwise waived in writing):

 

(a) Receipt of Certain Documents and Assurances. Administrative Agent shall have had delivered to it all of the following, each of which shall be, unless otherwise specified herein or otherwise required by Lenders, originals (or facsimiles or portable document format versions thereof (in either such case, promptly followed by originals thereof), each, to the extent to be executed by a Loan Party, properly executed by a Responsible Officer of such Loan Party, each dated the Effective Date (or, in the case of certificates of governmental officials, a recent date before the Effective Date), all in sufficient number as Administrative Agent shall separately identify (including, if specified by Administrative Agent, for purposes of the distribution thereof to Administrative Agent, Lenders and Administrative Loan Party):

 

(i) counterparts of this Agreement, duly executed by each of the parties hereto;

 

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(ii) if requested by any Lender, a Note duly executed by Borrowers in favor of such Lender evidencing any Loan made by such Lender to Borrowers;

 

(iii) counterparts of each of the other Loan Documents (including all applicable Collateral Documents), duly executed by each of the parties thereto, together with, as requested by Administrative Agent:

 

(A) the GARJA Note evidencing the GARJA Loan, executed by Danimer Holdings, and the NMTC Note evidencing the NMTC Loan, executed by Meridian Bioplastics;

 

(B) all other documents, including Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, required by applicable Laws or reasonably requested by any Lending Party to be filed, registered or recorded to create or perfect the Liens intended to be created under the Collateral Documents existing on the Effective Date; and

 

(C) a Due Diligence Certificate with respect to each Loan Party, dated the Effective Date and duly executed by a Responsible Officer of the applicable Loan Party, together with results of a search of the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent) filings made and tax and judgment lien searches with respect to each of the Loan Parties in the jurisdictions required by Lenders and copies of the financing statements (or similar documents) disclosed by such searches and evidence reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent that the Liens indicated by such financing statements (or similar documents) are permitted by Section 7.01 or have been otherwise appropriately released or terminated;

 

(iv) such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates or other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party that is not a natural person as any Lending Party may reasonably require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with the Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party;

 

(v) such documents and certifications as Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, and that each Loan Party is validly existing, in good standing and qualified to engage in business in: (A) the State of its jurisdiction of organization or formation; and (B) each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(vi) a favorable opinion or opinions of counsel to Loan Parties reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, addressed to each Lending Party, as to such matters as are reasonably required by Administrative Agent with respect to Loan Parties, the Collateral and the Loan Documents;

 

(vii) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party (A) attaching copies of all of the Loan Parties’ Material Contracts, fully executed by the parties thereto, and (B) either: (1) attaching copies of all consents, licenses and approvals required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party and the validity against such Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and such consents, licenses and approvals shall be in full force and effect; or (2) stating that no such consents, licenses or approvals are so required;

 

(viii) a copy, certified by an appropriate Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party, of: (A) the financial statements of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries referred to in Section 5.11; and (B) a pro forma balance sheet of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date giving pro forma effect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents; and (C) projections prepared by management of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries of balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statement for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a Fiscal Quarter basis for the first year following the Effective Date;

 

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(ix) a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party certifying that there has been no event or circumstance since the date of the financial statements referenced in Section 5.11(a) that has had or could be reasonably expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(x) evidence that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents has been obtained and is in effect;

 

(xi) evidence that: (A) all commitments under any secured facilities not otherwise permitted under Section 7.03 have been terminated not later than the Effective Date, and all outstanding amounts thereunder paid in full; and (B) all Liens securing obligations under any secured facilities not otherwise permitted under Section 7.03 have been released and terminated not later than the Effective Date;

 

(xii) all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under “know your customer” and all Anti-Terrorism Laws, Money Laundering Laws and all “know your customer” Laws shall have been supplied to Administrative Agent and Lenders, including a duly executed W-9 tax form (or other applicable tax form) for each Loan Party;

 

(xiii) a loan policy of title insurance (together with an insured closing protection letter) insuring the Deeds of Trust, for the full amount of the Obligations, or such lesser amount as Administrative Agent may reasonably require, as a first Lien on the title of each Facility owned by Borrowers, and otherwise meeting the requirements set forth in the Deeds of Trust;

 

(xiv) an ALTA Survey of each Facility owned by any Loan Party, certified to Administrative Agent;

 

(xv) a Phase I environmental assessment report of each Facility in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent and prepared by an environmental firm acceptable to Administrative Agent;

 

(xvi) evidence of its property and/or builder’s risk insurance on Form ACORD 28, which shall name Administrative Agent and its successors and assigns, as their respective interests may appear, as mortgagee, lender loss payee on a primary, non-contributory basis;

 

(xvii) a Collateral Access Agreement for each Facility leased by any Loan Party, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, executed by each landlord of a Facility leased by any Borrower, which evidences compliance with the terms of the lease by landlord and such Borrower, including any outstanding amounts owed and commitments unsatisfied;

 

(xviii) evidence and certifications from each applicable Governmental Authority that each Facility is in compliance with all applicable zoning, land development, building, safety, fire and other Laws and that no notices of any uncorrected violations are outstanding;

 

(xix) evidence in form satisfactory to Administrative Agent that at least Fourteen Million Dollars ($14,000,000) in cash has been contributed to the equity of Parent for the benefit of the Loan Parties from third parties on terms and conditions satisfactory to Administrative Agent between September 1, 2018 and the Effective Date, including delivery to Administrative Agent of a current capitalization table (for the avoidance of doubt, the payment made by SECDF to Parent to purchase the Equity Investment shall not constitute compliance with this condition precedent);

 

(xx) evidence, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, that Loan Parties have, on a pro forma basis, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereunder on the Effective Date and the payment of all transaction costs, fees and expenses, Liquidity minus all amounts due and owing to any Loan Party’s trade creditors which are outstanding sixty (60) days or more past their due date, of not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000);

 

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(xxi) evidence, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, that the Dissolutions of AgroCrush and AgroReco have been consummated;

 

(xxii) a copy of the certificate from the State of Georgia that Danimer Holdings satisfies the program requirements under GARJA;

 

(xxiii) the GARJA Statement;

 

(xxiv) the NMTC Statement;

 

(xxv) delivery of an Independent Accountants’ Report on Applying Agreed-Upon Procedures, prepared and provided by Novogradac & Company and dated on or about the date hereof in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent;

 

(xxvi) evidence, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, that the Contracts (as defined in the Contribution Agreement) have been contributed by Parent to Danimer Holdings;

 

(xxvii) the Quality of Earnings Report, rolled forward through the last day of the most recent practicable calendar month-end preceding the Effective Date, the results of which shall be satisfactory in all respects to Administrative Agent;

 

(xxviii) evidence, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent that, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereunder on the Effective Date and the payment of all transaction costs, fees and expenses, the Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio shall not exceed 4.25:1.0 based on the pro forma last twelve months Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, as validated by the Quality of Earnings Report, with such Quality of Earnings Report, in the sole discretion of Administrative Agent, rolled forward to the trailing twelve-month period ending on the most recent practicable month-end date preceding the Effective Date;

 

(xxix) evidence satisfactory to Administrative Agent that the Sale/Leaseback has been consummated;

 

(xxx) reports from third party industry consultants acceptable to Administrative Agent including market and customer studies, a tax diligence review, an insurance risk review, appraisals of real property owned by any Loan Party, appraisals of Equipment, environmental studies (including a Phase I review, if applicable) and an employee benefits review, the results of all of which shall be satisfactory to Administrative Agent in all respects;

 

(xxxi) copies of all employment agreements for Parent’s Senior Management Team and, if applicable, each Loan Parties’ Senior Management Team (it being understood that there shall be no duplication of remuneration for any member of a Loan Party’s Senior Management Team in respect of whom remuneration is being paid to Parent under the Management Services Agreement);

 

(xxxii) a Notice of Borrowing;

 

(xxxiii) a closing/funds flow memorandum satisfactory to Administrative Agent, including a fee statement required in connection with the reporting requirements of the NMTC Lender and/or the GARJA Lender;

 

(xxxiv) delivery of the stock certificate representing the Equity Investment to Administrative Agent in escrow, to be released effective upon the funding of the GARJA Loan and the NMTC Loan; and

 

(xxxv) such other assurances, certificates, documents, consents, reports or opinions as Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party may reasonably require.

 

(b) No Material Adverse Effect. There shall have been no Material Adverse Effect since December 31, 2017.

 

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(c) Truth and Correctness of Representations and Warranties; No Default. The representations and warranties of Borrowers and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or that are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct on and as of the Effective Date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date. No Default shall then exist or shall result, or then could reasonably be expected to result, from the use of proceeds of the Loans on the Effective Date.

 

(d) Payment of Fees. Borrowers shall have paid: (i) all fees required to be paid to Administrative Agent on or before the Effective Date; and (ii) unless any Lending Party shall have agreed in writing to any delay in such payment, all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to such Lending Party and Administrative Agent to the extent invoiced prior to or on the Effective Date, plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements as shall constitute such Person’s reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be incurred by it through the closing proceedings (provided that such estimate shall not thereafter preclude a final billing by such Lending Party or Administrative Agent).

 

(e) Other Matters. Administrative Agent shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to it, such other assurances, documents or consents related to the foregoing as Administrative Agent or Required Lenders may reasonably require.

 

Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Loan Party and each Lender of the occurrence of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding on all parties hereto. For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.01 (but without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 9.04), each Lending Party that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or become satisfied with, each document or other matter required hereunder to be consented to or approved by or to be acceptable or satisfactory to a Lending Party unless Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lending Party prior to the proposed Effective Date specifying its objection thereto.

 

ARTICLE V.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Each Loan Party represents and warrants to each Lending Party that:

 

Section 5.01. Corporate Existence and Power.

 

Each of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries: (a) is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, organization or formation (subject to such changes after the date hereof as are permitted under the Loan Documents); (b) has the power and authority and all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals: (i) to own its assets and carry on its business, except to the extent that any failure to have any of the foregoing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (ii) to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which each is a party; and (c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as applicable, and is licensed and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, leasing or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license, except to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.02. Corporate authorization; no contravention.

 

The execution and delivery by each of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries (to the extent any such Subsidiary is party hereto or to any other Loan Document) of, and the performance by each of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries of its obligations under, each Loan Document to which such Person is party have been (other than in the case of Loan Parties who are natural persons) duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and do not and will not: (a) contravene the terms of any of such Person’s Organizational Documents; (b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, or require any payment to be made under: (i) any Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or affecting such Person or the properties of such Person or any Subsidiary thereof or (ii) any Order to which such Person or its property is subject; or (c) violate any Laws. Each of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries are in compliance with all Contractual Obligations referred to in clause (b)(i), except to the extent that any failure to be in compliance could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof is a party to or is bound by any Contractual Obligation, or is subject to any restriction in any Organizational Document, or any requirement of Laws, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 5.03. Governmental Authorization; Compliance with Laws.

 

(a) Governmental Authorizations. No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority is necessary or required in connection with the execution and delivery by any Loan Party of, or the performance by any Loan Party of its obligations under, any Loan Document to which it is a party other than (i) such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect or (ii) filings necessary to perfect Liens created by the Loan Documents. Each Loan Party has all material Permits required for the operation of its business and the use of the Facilities and is compliance therewith.

 

(b) Compliance with Laws. Loan Parties and each Subsidiary thereof are in compliance in all respects with the requirements of all Laws (including the Patriot Act) applicable to it or to its properties, except in such instances in which: (i) such requirement of Laws is being contested in good faith by appropriate Proceedings diligently conducted; or (ii) the failure to comply therewith, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing:

 

(A) no Loan Party that is organized in the United States: (1) is, or is controlled by or is acting on behalf of, a Restricted Party; (2) has received funds or other property from a Restricted Party; or (3) is in breach of or, to Loan Parties’ knowledge, is the subject of any action or investigation under any Anti-Terrorism Laws;

 

(B) Loan Parties and each Subsidiary thereof, and to Loan Parties’ knowledge, each other Loan Party, has taken reasonable measures to ensure compliance with the Anti-Terrorism Laws;

 

(C) the operations of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable Anti-Terrorism Laws and Money Laundering Laws and without violation of the Sanctions, and Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith; and

 

(D) neither Loan Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries (or, to the knowledge of Loan Parties, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative of Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries) is a Person currently the subject of any Sanctions, and neither Loan Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries is located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of any Sanctions. Each Loan Party represents that it will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of any Credit Extension to fund any activities of or business with any Restricted Party or in any other manner that would result in a violation by any Person (including any Person participating in the transaction, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of any Sanctions.

 

(c) Certain Actions. No Loan Party is engaged in or has engaged in any course of conduct that could reasonably be expected to subject any of their respective properties to any Lien, seizure or other forfeiture under any racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations law, whether civil or criminal, or other similar Laws.

 

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Section 5.04. Binding Effect.

 

This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document (when delivered hereunder) will have been, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto. This Agreement and each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is a party constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable Bankruptcy Laws or other Laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights or general principles of equity.

 

Section 5.05. Litigation.

 

Except as specifically disclosed on Schedule 5.05, there are no Proceedings, claims or disputes pending, or to the knowledge of Loan Parties, threatened in writing, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party that: (a) purport to affect or pertain to any Loan Document or any of the transactions contemplated thereby; or (b) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No injunction, writ, temporary restraining order or any order of any nature has been issued by any court or other Governmental Authority purporting to enjoin or restrain the execution, delivery or performance of this any Loan Document, or directing that the transactions provided for therein not be consummated as therein provided.

 

Section 5.06. No Defaults.

 

No Default exists or could reasonably be expected to result from the incurring of any Obligations by any Loan Party or from the grant and perfection of the Liens upon collateral the subject of any Loan Document in favor of Administrative Agent. No Loan Party is in default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation in any respect that, individually or together with all such defaults, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or that would, if such default had occurred after the Effective Date, create an Event of Default under Section 8.01(e).

 

Section 5.07. Employee Benefit Plans.

 

(a) Compliance with ERISA Generally. Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other applicable Laws. Each Plan which is intended to qualify under subsection 401(a) of the Code either (i) has obtained from the IRS a favorable determination letter from the IRS as to its qualified status under the Code, or the expiration of the requisite period under applicable regulations promulgated by the IRS under the Code or IRS pronouncements in which to apply for such determination letter and to make any amendments necessary to obtain a favorable determination has not occurred, or (ii) has been established under a prototype plan for which an IRS opinion letter has been obtained by the plan sponsor and is valid as to the form of the Plan for the adopting employer, and nothing has occurred that would cause the loss of such qualification.

 

(b) No Actions. There are no pending or, to the knowledge of Loan Parties, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that could result in any material liability to any of the Loan Parties.

 

(c) Certain Events. (i) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (ii) no Pension Plan has any Unfunded Pension Liability in excess of the Threshold Amount; and (iii) no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that, if such event or circumstance had occurred or arisen after the Effective Date, would create an Event of Default under Section 8.01(i).

 

Section 5.08. Use of Proceeds.

 

Borrowers shall use the proceeds of the Loans solely in accordance with Schedule 5.08.

 

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Section 5.09. Title to Properties.

 

Loan Parties and each Subsidiary thereof have good record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, or valid rights to use (including easements) all real property necessary to the ordinary conduct of their respective businesses, except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.10. Taxes.

 

Each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries have filed all material Tax Returns required to be filed, and have paid all material Taxes when due, regardless of whether shown on any Tax Return, except those which have been contested in good faith, and as to which no Lien has been filed or to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, threatened to be filed, and for which adequate reserves have been provided for in accordance with GAAP. There is no proposed tax assessment against any Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries. Each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries have made adequate provision in accordance with GAAP for all Taxes not yet due and payable. No Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party is currently a party to any tax audit or other Proceeding or controversy or knows of any proposed Tax assessment against it that is not being actively contested by such Loan Party or its Subsidiary diligently, in good faith, and by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which it has made adequate reserves in conformity with GAAP.

 

Section 5.11. Financial Condition.

 

(a) Financial Statements.

 

(i) The Audited Closing Financial Statements: (A) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; (B) fairly present the consolidated financial condition of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and its consolidated results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; and (C) show, on a consolidated basis, all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Debt.

 

(ii) The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries dated December 31, 2018, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the period ended on such date: (A) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; and (B) fairly present the consolidated financial condition of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby, subject, in the case of clauses (A) and (B), to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end audit adjustments.

 

(b) No Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of the Audited Closing Financial Statements, no Material Adverse Effect has occurred.

 

Section 5.12. Environmental Matters.

 

Loan Parties conduct in the ordinary course of business a review of the effect of existing Environmental Laws and existing Environmental Claims on its business, operations and properties (and the business, operations and properties of each of its Subsidiaries), and as a result thereof Loan Parties have reasonably concluded that compliance with Environmental Laws and resolution of Environmental Claims, individually or in the aggregate, do not, and could not reasonably be expected to, result in liabilities in excess of the Threshold Amount. Loan Parties represent that none of their operations on the 140 Industrial Boulevard, Bainbridge, Georgia, property have involved, nor have any of Loan Parties allowed, the use, generation, or storage on the 140 Industrial Boulevard, Bainbridge, Georgia, property of any hazardous substances or hazardous wastes which are identified in the Phase I Environmental Assessment Report dated October 29, 2018 and prepared by Partner Environmental, as being associated with historical operations on the Property. Loan Parties further represent that none of them have caused, contributed to or permitted, nor, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, is there any basis for any of the Loan Parties to be named as a responsible party for, the discharge or release of hazardous substances or wastes into the environment at the 140 Industrial Boulevard, Bainbridge, Georgia, property in violation of applicable Environmental Laws.

 

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Section 5.13. Margin Regulations; Regulated Entities.

 

Neither Loan Parties nor any Subsidiary thereof is engaged or will engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock. None of Loan Parties, any Subsidiary thereof or any Person controlling Loan Parties is an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Loan Parties are not subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act, any state public utilities code or any other federal or state statute or regulation limiting its ability to incur Debt.

 

Section 5.14. Swap Obligations.

 

Neither Loan Parties nor any Subsidiary thereof has incurred any outstanding obligations under any Swap Contracts, other than obligations under Swap Contracts expressly permitted hereby. Loan Parties have voluntarily entered into each Swap Contract to which it is a party based upon its own independent assessment of its consolidated assets, liabilities and commitments, in each case as an appropriate means of mitigating and managing risks associated with such matters, and has not relied on any swap counterparty or any Affiliate of any swap counterparty in determining whether to enter into any Swap Contract.

 

Section 5.15. Intellectual Property.

 

Borrowers, each Subsidiary thereof and each other Loan Party owns or is licensed or otherwise has the right to use all of the Intellectual Property and other rights that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their respective businesses, except for those the failure of which to own or license could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The use of such Intellectual Property by Borrowers and its Subsidiaries and the operation of their respective businesses do not infringe any valid and enforceable intellectual property rights of any other Person, except to the extent any such infringement could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method, substance, part or other material now employed, or now contemplated to be employed, by Borrowers or any Subsidiary thereof infringes upon any rights held by any other Person, except to the extent any such infringement could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No claim or litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or, to the knowledge of Borrowers, threatened, and no patent, invention, device, application, principle or any statute, law, rule, regulation, standard or code is pending or, to the knowledge of Borrowers, proposed, which could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.16. Equity Interests and Investment Held by Loan Parties; Equity Interests in Loan Parties.

 

As of the Effective Date: (a) Loan Parties have no Subsidiaries other than those listed on Schedule 5.16; and (b) Loan Parties hold no Equity Interests in any other Person or Investments in any other Person, other than those specifically disclosed on Schedule 5.16; and (c) the holders of all Equity Interests in Loan Parties are those listed on Schedule 5.16. All of the outstanding Equity Interests in Loan Parties and in each Subsidiary thereof have been validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

Section 5.17. Insurance.

 

The properties of each Loan Party (other than any Loan Party who is a natural person) are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies that are not Affiliates of any of the Loan Parties, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where such Loan Party or its Subsidiary operates.

 

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Section 5.18. Collateral and Collateral Documents.

 

(a) Enforceable and Perfected Security Interest. The provisions of this Agreement and each of the other Collateral Documents, when delivered, are effective to create in favor of Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lending Parties, a valid and enforceable security interest or other Lien in all right, title, and interest of each Loan Party that is a party thereto in the collateral described therein. Each such security interest or other Lien in favor of Administrative Agent, to the extent the same may be perfected by the filing of a Uniform Commercial Code financing statement or by control (within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code), has, except as otherwise expressly provided in any Collateral Document, been perfected. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in any other Loan Document, each security interest or other Lien in the Collateral described in any Loan Document, constitutes a perfected, security interest or other Lien in the subject Collateral (subject to Liens having priority by operation of law and except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in any Loan Document or expressly agreed to in writing by Administrative Agent), subject to no Liens other than Permitted Liens.

 

(b) Truth and Correctness of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties of each Loan Party in each Collateral Document are true and correct, provided that, if such representations and warranties expressly relate solely to a specified date, then such representations and warranties were true and correct as of such specified date.

 

Section 5.19. Labor Relations.

 

There are no strikes, lockouts or other material labor disputes against Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof, or to the knowledge of Loan Parties, threatened against or affecting Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof, and no significant unfair labor practice complaint is pending against Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof or, to the knowledge of Loan Parties, threatened against any of them before any Governmental Authority, in each case that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.19: (a) Loan Parties are not a party to any collective bargaining agreements or contracts; and (b) no union representation exists and, to the knowledge of Loan Parties, no union organizing activities are taking place on any of the properties owned or operated by Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries.

 

Section 5.20. Solvency.

 

Loan Parties are Solvent.

 

Section 5.21. Matters Relating to the Facilities.

 

(a) Compliance; Zoning. Loan Parties have complied with all applicable Laws and all recorded instruments affecting the Facilities. The use of the Facilities complies with all applicable Laws and Loan Parties have provided to Administrative Agent evidence of such compliance.

 

(b) Utilities. To the best of Loan Parties’ knowledge, all utility services necessary for the full development, construction, equipping and operation of the Improvements are available at no cost or expenses and at the title lines of the Facility (or, if they pass through adjoining private land, in accordance with valid public or unencumbered private easements which inure to the benefit of Loan Parties and run with the Facility) including public sanitary sewer service, storm sewers, public water, electricity, gas and telephone service. All material Permits have been obtained or are available so that the Improvements may be connected to the sanitary sewer service, which sanitary sewer service shall be available to the full extent required for the full operation of the Improvements and shall permit the discharge of sewage for the types and amounts anticipated to be produced from the Building.

 

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Section 5.22. Full Disclosure.

 

To the knowledge of Loan Parties after due inquiry of each Responsible Officer of Loan Parties, none of the representations or warranties made by any Loan Party in the Loan Documents to which it is a party as of the date such representations and warranties are made or deemed made, and none of the statements contained in any exhibit, report, statement or certificate furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party in connection with the Loan Documents (including the disclosure materials delivered by or on behalf of any Loan Party to Lending Parties (or any of the foregoing Persons) prior to the Effective Date), contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading as of the time when made or delivered; provided that, with respect to any projections and forecasts provided by Loan Parties (whether with respect of Borrowers or any other Loan Party): (a) Loan Parties represent that such projections and forecasts were prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time of the preparation thereof; and (b) Lending Parties acknowledge that such projections and forecasts are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered thereby may differ from the projected or forecasted results.

 

Section 5.23. Interrelated Businesses.

 

Borrowers and Guarantors make up a related organization of various entities constituting an overall economic and business enterprise such that any benefit from the Loans or other financial accommodations hereunder received by any one of them benefits the others. Borrowers and Guarantors render services to or for the benefit of the other Borrowers and/or Guarantors, purchase or sell and supply goods to or from or for the benefit of the others, make loans, advances and provide other financial accommodations to or for the benefit of the other Borrowers and Guarantors and provide administrative, marketing, payroll and management services to or for the benefit of the other Borrowers and Guarantors, as the case may be. Borrowers and Guarantors have the same chief executive office, certain centralized accounting and legal services and certain common officers, directors and/or managers.

 

Section 5.24. Consummation of the Dissolution.

 

(a) The Dissolutions of AgroCrush and AgroReco have been consummated.

 

(b) Administrative Loan Party has delivered, or caused to be delivered, to Administrative Agent true, correct and complete copies of the date stamped copy of the Certificate of Termination as filed with the Secretary of State of Georgia in respect of the Dissolution of AgroCrush and AgroReco.

 

ARTICLE VI.

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

So long as any Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) have not been repaid in full:

 

Section 6.01. Financial Statements.

 

Administrative Loan Party shall deliver or shall cause to be delivered to Administrative Agent, which delivery may be by electronic mail (to the email address(es) for Administrative Agent set forth in Error! Reference source not found.), for delivery by Administrative Agent to each Lender, in form and detail satisfactory to Administrative Agent and Required Lenders:

 

(a) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available, but in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each Fiscal Year commencing with the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2018, (i) a consolidating and consolidated balance sheet for Parent and its Subsidiaries, as at the end of such Fiscal Year, and the related consolidating and consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year (setting forth, in comparative form, the figures for the previous Fiscal Year), all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, such consolidating and consolidated statements to be audited and accompanied by (A) a report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent (it being understood that Parent’s current independent auditors, Thomas Howell Ferguson, P.A., are acceptable), which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit (the “Auditors’ Opinion”), and (B) management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, including Parent and its Subsidiaries’ liquidity and capital resources, and (ii) a consolidating and consolidated balance sheet for the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, as at the end of such Fiscal Year, the related consolidating and consolidated statements of income or operations, and the consolidated shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year (setting forth, in comparative form, the figures for the previous Fiscal Year), all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, such consolidated statements to be audited and included within the scope of the Auditors’ Opinion referenced in clause (A) above.

 

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(b) [Reserved.]

 

(c) Fiscal Month Financial Statements. As soon as available, but in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each Fiscal Month (including the last Fiscal Month of each Fiscal Quarter and of each Fiscal Year), (i) unaudited consolidating and consolidated balance sheets for Parent and its Subsidiaries, as at the end of such Fiscal Month, and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income or operations, shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Month and the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended (setting forth, in each case in comparative form, (A) the figures for the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year (if applicable) and (B) the figures from the corresponding portion of Parent and its Subsidiaries’ budget for the current Fiscal Year), all in reasonable detail, such consolidated statements to be certified by a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of Parent and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes, and (ii) unaudited consolidating and consolidated balance sheets for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, as at the end of such Fiscal Month, the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income or operations, and the consolidated shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Month and the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended (setting forth, in each case in comparative form, (A) the figures for the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year (if applicable) and (B) the figures from the corresponding portion of Loan Parties’ budget for the current Fiscal Year), all in reasonable detail, such consolidated statements to be certified by a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

 

(d) Forecasts and Budgets. As soon as available, but in any event no later than thirty (30) days after the end of each Fiscal Year: (i) forecasts prepared by the management of Loan Parties, in form reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, of consolidated balance sheets and statements of income or operations and cash flows for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries for the immediately following Fiscal Year (and each Fiscal Year thereafter through the Fiscal Year immediately following the Fiscal Year in which the Maturity Date occurs); and (ii) budgets prepared by the management of Administrative Loan Party, in form reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, for such new Fiscal Year. In further clarification of the foregoing, unless and until Administrative Agent advises Administrative Loan Party to the contrary, the form of forecasts and budgets submitted by Administrative Loan Party pursuant hereto, if submitted in substantially the form such items were submitted to Administrative Agent prior to the Effective Date, will be deemed acceptable to Administrative Agent as to form. Upon the approval of such budgets by the chief executive officer and the Board of Directors of Parent, the Loan Parties shall deliver to Administrative Agent and Lenders a copy of such final budget for such Fiscal Year. During any Fiscal Year, upon there occurring any material variance from budget to actual in such Fiscal Year, the Loan Parties will at the request of the Administrative Agent provide a management-prepared updated forecast for the balance of such Fiscal Year.

 

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(e) Collateral and Other Reporting. Provide Administrative Agent with opportunities to meet (either in person or via telephone, as requested by Administrative Agent) with senior members of management of Borrowers and the following documents, at the following times in form satisfactory to Administrative Agent:

 

Monthly (or more frequently if so requested by Administrative Agent): (i)

not later than forty five (45) days after the end of each Fiscal Month of the first Fiscal Quarter of 2019 and thirty (30) days after the end of each Fiscal Month thereafter: (A) accounts receivable listings and agings and Inventory reports for the preceding Fiscal Month; and (B) accounts payable listings and agings as at the preceding Fiscal month end; and

  (ii)

not later than forty five (45) days after the end of each Fiscal Month of the first Fiscal Quarter of 2019 and thirty (30) days after the end of each Fiscal Month thereafter: a schedule including each new customer added in such month, each existing customer lost in such month and, as to each of such new customers and lost customers, the revenues associated with each such customer in such Fiscal Month (and in the case of a customer that has been lost, such revenues of that customer in the preceding Fiscal Month); and

  (iii) a breakdown of items comprising “prepaid expenses” and “accrued expenses” set forth in Loan Parties’ balance sheets; and
  (iv) update reports on the project implementation status and expense relative to the constructive timeline and budget delivered to Administrative Agent prior to the Effective Date with respect to the Facility located in Kentucky; and
  (v)

such Responsible Officers of the Borrowers as requested by

Administrative Agent, shall meet and cooperate with representatives of Administrative Agent, at reasonable times during normal business hours, to engage in a discussion of, and respond to Administrative Agent’s questions regarding, the Borrowers’ business, prospects, opportunities, results of operations, variances to budget and such other matters as Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.

Upon request by Administrative Agent: (i) a revised budget of Loan Parties; and
  (ii)

such other reports as to the Collateral, or the financial condition of Loan Parties, as Administrative Agent may request.

 

Section 6.02. Certificates; Other Information.

 

Loan Parties shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Administrative Agent, which delivery may be by electronic mail (to the email address(es) for Administrative Agent referred to in Error! Reference source not found.), for delivery by Administrative Agent to each Lender, in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent and Required Lenders:

 

(a) Accountants’ Certificate. Concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 6.01(a), a certificate of the independent certified public accountants of Loan Parties that certified such financial statements stating that, in connection with their audit, nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries failed to comply with the terms, covenants, provisions or conditions of Section 6.13, insofar as such terms, covenants, provisions or conditions relate to financial and accounting matters, but also noting that their audit was not directed primarily toward obtaining knowledge of or noncompliance with Section 6.13;

 

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(b) Compliance Certificate. Concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in subsections (a) and (b) and (c) of Section 6.01, a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by an appropriate Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party;

 

(c) Additional Accountant Reports. Promptly after any request by Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party, copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or recommendations submitted to the board of directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors) of Loan Parties by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof, or any audit of any of them;

 

(d) Equity Interest Holder Reports and Certain Public Filings. If and when applicable, promptly after the same are available, copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or communication sent to the holders of Equity Interests of Parent or any Subsidiary and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements that Parent or any Subsidiary may file or be required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and, in each case, not otherwise required to be delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant hereto;

 

(e) Debt Holder Reports. Promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any statement, report forecast, budget, aging, listing, reconciliation and other financial information furnished to any holder of debt securities or instruments of any Loan Party pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement that are not otherwise required to be furnished to Lending Parties pursuant to Section 6.01 or any other clause of this Section 6.02, including without limitation to the holders of Senior Indebtedness under the White Oak Facility or the CDE Facilities;

 

(f) Materials from or to Governmental Authorities. Promptly, and in any event within five (5) Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party, copies of each material notice or other correspondence received from, or delivered to, any Governmental Authority concerning any investigation or possible investigation or other inquiry by such agency regarding any material financial or other material operational results of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof;

 

(g) Changes in Officers and Directors. Promptly, and in any event within five (5) Business Days after a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party becoming aware thereof, written notice of any change in the Persons constituting any of the officers, directors or managers of any Loan Party, and if such Person is to constitute a member of the Senior Management Team, a copy of the employment agreement entered into between the related Loan Party and such Person, if any;

 

(h) Tax Returns. No later than thirty (30) days after the date they are required to be filed (subject to any permitted extensions), copies of the executed and dated federal income tax returns of Loan Parties and each of their Subsidiaries and all related schedules, and copies of any extension requests;

 

(i) Operational Data and Key Performance Indicators. Promptly upon the preparation thereof as part of its business operations or the date of the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 6.01(a), whichever is earlier, (A) a report of the Loan Parties’ key performance indicators and (B) an operational report of the Loan Parties, including a report of progress against operational priorities during the preceding month and a forecast of operational priorities to be advanced during the upcoming month;

 

(j) Board Information. Regardless of whether any Lender has the right to have an Observation Party, concurrently with distributions to the Board of Directors of Parent, copies of all information distributed to such Board of Directors, which such information provided pursuant to this Section 6.02(j) shall be kept confidential in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.18(f);

 

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(k) Community Impact Statement. Within thirty (30) days of receipt and on a semi-annual basis, a completed survey with respect to the impact of the NMTC Loan and the use of the proceeds thereof on a form provided by Administrative Agent;

 

(l) GARJA Report. After reasonable advance written notice, the Loan Parties shall promptly supply the Administrative Agent with any reports, records, statements, documents or other information reasonably requested by the GARJA Lender in connection with responding to any request by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and/or the Georgia Department of Revenue as may be required to comply with GARJA, including, without limitation, employment records and payroll information for the Loan Parties evidencing and confirming (i) the number of employment positions created and retained as result of the GARJA Loan and (ii) the average annual salary of positions described in subparagraph (i); and

 

(m) Additional Information. Promptly upon (but no later than three (3) Business Days after) request therefor by any Lending Party, such additional information (including budgets, sales projections, operating plans and other financial information and any information requested by Administrative Agent that is required to be delivered pursuant to the terms of the Patriot Act) regarding the business or the financial or corporate affairs of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof or the compliance by Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof with the terms of the Loan Documents as Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

 

At the request of Administrative Agent, Loan Parties shall deliver or shall cause to be delivered all documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 or Section 6.02(b) electronically (and in such format(s) as may be specified by such Lending Party (acting reasonably)). If such documents are so delivered, they shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date: (i) on which Loan Parties post such documents, or provides a link thereto on Loan Parties’ website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 10.02; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on Loan Parties’ behalf on an Electronic Platform to which each Lending Party has access; provided that Loan Parties shall notify Administrative Agent (by facsimile or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to in this paragraph, and in any event Administrative Agent shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by Loan Parties with any such request by a Lender for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

 

Section 6.03. Notices.

 

Loan Parties shall, upon any Responsible Officer of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof becoming aware thereof, promptly notify each Lending Party in writing of:

 

(a) Defaults. The occurrence of any Default;

 

(b) Matters Involving a Material Adverse Effect. Any matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, including any such matter arising from: (i) any breach or nonperformance of, or any default under, a Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof; (ii) any dispute, Proceeding or suspension between any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof and any Governmental Authority; (iii) the commencement of, or any material development in, any Proceeding affecting any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws; or (iv) the loss of all or any material portion of the Collateral;

 

(c) ERISA Events. The occurrence of any ERISA Event (together with a copy of any notice to or from the PBGC regarding such ERISA Event);

 

(d) Swap Contracts. Upon request from time to time of any Lending Party, the swap termination values thereof, together with a description of the method by which such values were determined, relating to any then-outstanding Swap Contracts to which any Loan Party that is a party hereto is a party;

 

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(e) Labor Controversies. Any material labor controversy resulting in or threatening to result in any strike, work stoppage, boycott, shutdown or other material labor disruption against or involving any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof;

 

(f) Financial Matters. Any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by Loan Parties or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party;

 

(g) Certain Dispositions. Any material Disposition of collateral the subject of any Collateral Document, or the incurrence of any Contractual Obligations with respect to any Disposition of collateral the Subject of any Collateral Document, contemplated by: (i) Section 7.05(e) or Section 7.05(f); or (ii) Section 7.05(a) or Section 7.05(h) if the aggregate cash and non-cash consideration (including assumption of Debt) in connection with such Disposition is (or could reasonably be expected to become) Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) or more, which notice shall identify the related purchaser(s), the anticipated closing date of such Disposition and the aggregate cash and non-cash consideration (including assumption of Debt) to be received by the applicable Loan Party in connection with such Disposition;

 

(h) Material Contracts. Any termination (other than termination upon expiry of the stated term of the agreement) or loss of a Material Contract, any default or event of default (however defined) under a Material Contract that gives the non-defaulting party the right to terminate such Material Contract, or any modification, amendment, or supplement to a Material Contract that reduces the aggregate expected revenue from such Material Contract in any Fiscal Year by an amount equal to or greater than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000); and

 

(i) NatureWorks. NatureWorks LLC and/or Total Corbion PLA cease for any reason to provide the Loan Parties with the required supply of polylactic acid polymers.

 

Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.03 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action, if any, Loan Parties (or the other applicable Person) has taken or proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice given pursuant to Section 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been (or could reasonably be expected to be) breached or violated.

 

Section 6.04. Payment of Certain Obligations.

 

Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary of each Loan Party will pay in full before delinquency or before the expiration of any extension period all Taxes imposed, levied, or assessed against it, or any of its assets or in respect of any of its income, businesses, or franchises, except to the extent that the validity of such governmental assessment or Tax is the subject of a Permitted Protest. Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary of each Loan Party will: (a) timely and correctly file all Tax Returns required to be filed by it; and (b) withhold, collect and remit all Taxes that it is required to collect, withhold or remit.

 

Section 6.05. Preservation of Existence, Etc.

 

Each of the Loan Parties shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to: (a) preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect their respective legal existence and good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of their organization except in a transaction expressly permitted by Section 7.04 or Section 7.05; (b) take all reasonable actions to maintain all rights, privileges, Permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of their respective businesses, except to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (c) use the standard of care typical in the industry in the operation and maintenance of its facilities; and (d) preserve or renew all of their respective registered Intellectual Property, the non-preservation of which would have or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 6.06. Maintenance of Properties.

 

Each of the Loan Parties shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to: (a) maintain, preserve and protect all of their respective Facilities, material properties and material equipment necessary to the operation of their respective businesses in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear and permitted Dispositions hereunder excepted; (b) make all commercially reasonable repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof; in each of the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), except where the failure to do so does not have and could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) operate the facilities owned, leased or operated by such Person now or in the future in a manner consistent with Environmental Laws, zoning codes, contractual requirements and applicable prevailing industry standards in the locations where the facilities exist from time to time, except to the extent failure to do so does not and could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Loan Party shall maintain all records required to be maintained by all applicable Environmental Laws.

 

Section 6.07. Maintenance of Insurance.

 

Each of the Loan Parties shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of any Loan Party, insurance with respect to their respective properties and businesses against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons. Without limiting the foregoing, such insurance shall include insurance providing coverages for risks relating to the ownership and operation of its real estate (land and improvements), its personal property, general liability insurance, each in amounts satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, it being agreed that the existing amounts of coverage are satisfactory, and key man life insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 on Parent’s chief executive officer. All property policies shall have a lender’s loss payable endorsement showing Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lending Parties, as primary loss payee and waive subrogation against the Lending Parties, and all liability policies shall show Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lending Parties, or have endorsements showing Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lending Parties, as an additional insured. All policies (or the loss payable and additional insured endorsements) shall provide that the insurer shall endeavor to give Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lending Parties, at least thirty (30) days’ notice before canceling, amending, or declining to renew its policy and ten (10) days’ notice of any non-payment of premiums. At any Lending Party’s request, Loan Parties shall deliver certified copies of all of the insurance policies of Loan Parties and its Subsidiaries and evidence of all premium payments. Subject to the provisions hereof, proceeds payable under any policy shall, during the existence of an Event of Default, be payable to Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lending Parties on account of the Obligations. If any Loan Party that is a party hereto fails to obtain insurance as required under this Section 6.07 or to pay any amount or furnish any required proof of payment to third persons and Lenders, Administrative Agent or Lenders may make all or part of such payments or obtain such insurance policies required in this Section 6.07 and take any action under the policies that Lenders and Administrative Agent deem necessary or prudent.

 

Section 6.08. Compliance with Laws.

 

Each of the Loan Parties shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all Orders applicable to them or to their respective properties or businesses, except in such instances in which: (a) such requirement of Laws or Order is being contested in good faith by appropriate Proceedings timely instituted and diligently conducted; or (b) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 6.09. Books and Records.

 

Each of the Loan Parties shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to: (a) maintain proper Books and Records, in which full, true and correct (in all material respects) entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied are made of all financial transactions and matters involving their respective properties and businesses; and (b) maintain such Books and Records in material conformity with all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory jurisdiction over them, as the case may be.

 

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Section 6.10. Inspection Rights; Lender Meetings.

 

Each of the Loan Parties shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to permit representatives and independent contractors of Administrative Agent to visit and inspect any of their respective properties, including the Facilities to examine their corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, to examine and audit the Collateral and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective directors, officers, members, managers and independent public accountants, at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice (which the parties contemplate to be at least two (2) days advance notice, other than under exigent circumstances as determined in Administrative Agent’s reasonable judgment, where less than two (2) days advance notice may be given) to such Person; provided that, unless an Event of Default exists, the cost of only two (2) examination and audits of the Collateral per calendar year shall be borne by Loan Parties at the then applicable rate charged by Administrative Agent (which rate is subject to change from time to time and is currently One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) per eight hour day (including travel time) per analyst), plus actual and reasonable out of pocket expenses; provided further that, when an Event of Default exists, Administrative Agent (or any of its representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of Loan Parties at any time and without advance notice and as many times as Administrative Agent may require. Loan Parties shall cause its senior management to hold meetings with Administrative Agent in person (if requested by Administrative Agent), on a semi-annual basis, to discuss Loan Parties’ financial performance and projections. Loan Parties shall reimburse Administrative Agent if (but only if) a Default then exists for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with Administrative Agent’s attendance at such meetings.

 

Section 6.11. Use of Proceeds.

 

Borrowers shall use the proceeds of the Loans solely for the purposes set forth on Schedule 5.08.

 

Section 6.12. Collateral Accounts and Excluded Accounts.

 

Schedule 6.12 sets forth details with respect to all Collateral Accounts and Excluded Accounts of each of the Loan Parties and its Subsidiaries in existence on the Effective Date. Each of the Loan Parties shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to provide Administrative Agent five (5) days (or such shorter period as Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, may otherwise agree) prior written notice before: (a) establishing any Collateral Account or Excluded Account at or with any bank or other financial institution; or (b) terminating or otherwise materially modifying any Collateral Account or Excluded Account. In addition, for each Collateral Account that any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries at any time maintains, such Loan Party or its Subsidiaries shall (except to the extent specifically not required by Administrative Agent in writing) cause the applicable bank or financial institution at or with which such Collateral Account is maintained to execute and deliver a Control Agreement or other appropriate instrument with respect to such Collateral Account to perfect Administrative Agent’s Lien, for the ratable benefit of each Lender, in such Collateral Account in accordance with the terms hereof and the Collateral Documents.

 

Section 6.13. Financial Covenants.

 

(a) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA. Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries shall maintain, on a consolidated basis, as at the end of each Fiscal Quarter set forth below, a Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (calculated as at the end of each such Fiscal Quarter set forth below for the preceding four consecutive Fiscal Quarters) in an amount not less than the amount specified for the end of such Fiscal Quarter set forth below:

 

Fiscal Quarter End   Minimum Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA  
June 30, 2019   $ 2,800,000  
September 30, 2019   $ 3,300,000  
December 31, 2019   $ 3,750,000  

 

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(b) Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries shall maintain, on a consolidated basis, as at the end of each Fiscal Quarter set forth below, a Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (calculated as at the end of each such Fiscal Quarter for the periods set forth below) in an amount not less than the amount specified for the end of such Fiscal Quarter set forth below:

 

Fiscal Quarter End   Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
March 31, 2020   1.10 to 1.00
June 30, 2020 and each Fiscal Quarter end thereafter   1.15 to 1.00

 

(c) Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries shall maintain, on a
consolidated basis, as at the end of each Fiscal Quarter set forth below, a Consolidated Leverage Ratio not greater than the ratio specified for the end of such Fiscal Quarter as set forth below:

 

Fiscal Quarter End   Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio
June 30, 2021 and each Fiscal Quarter end thereafter   3.50 to 1.00

 

Section 6.14. Protection of Intellectual Property Rights.

 

Each of the Loan Parties shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to: (a) protect, defend and maintain the validity and enforceability of their respective Intellectual Property, except to the extent that the failure to do so does not and could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; (b) promptly advise Administrative Agent in writing of material infringements of their respective Intellectual Property; and (c) not allow any Intellectual Property that is material to the business of Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries to be abandoned, forfeited or dedicated to the public without Administrative Agent’s written consent.

 

Section 6.15. Litigation Cooperation.

 

Loan Parties shall make available to Lending Parties, without expense to Lending Parties, each Loan Party and its officers, employees and agents and such Loan Party’s Books and Records, to the extent that any Lending Party may deem them reasonably necessary to prosecute or defend any third-party Proceeding instituted by or against any Lending Party with respect to any collateral the subject of any Collateral Document or relating to such Loan Party.

 

Section 6.16. ERISA Compliance.

 

Loan Parties shall comply and shall cause each of their Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions of ERISA with respect to any Plans to which Loan Parties or any such Subsidiary is a party as employer.

 

Section 6.17. Additional Items in Connection with the Facilities.

 

(a) Payment of Claims. Loan Parties shall pay and discharge all claims for labor done and materials and services furnished (except to the extent that such claim are the subject of a bona fide dispute being negotiated in good faith), and shall in any event take all other steps to forestall the assertion of claims against or Liens upon the Facilities.

 

(b) Compliance with Laws and Agreements. Loan Parties shall comply in all material respects with all Laws and with all contracts, leases, agreements and restrictions pertaining to the Facilities.

 

Section 6.18. Board Observation Rights.

 

(a) During the term of this Agreement, Administrative Agent shall have the right to designate one representative to exercise the rights as conferred pursuant to this Section 6.18 (such representative being referred to as the “Observation Party”) and shall notify the Administrative Loan Party of the identity of such Person. For the avoidance of doubt, the rights granted under this Section 6.18 shall terminate upon the payment in full of the GARJA Note.

 

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(b) The board of directors, boards of managers or similar governing bodies of Parent shall hold general meetings at such times and in such manner as they deem necessary or appropriate (but not less than once each calendar year) for the purpose of discussing the business and operations of Borrowers and Subsidiaries. Each Loan Party shall notify the Observation Party of the date and time for each general or special meeting of its board of directors, board of managers or similar governing body or of the adoption of any resolutions by any such body by written consent (describing in reasonable detail the nature and substance of such action) at the time notice is provided to the directors or managers of such Loan Party, and concurrently deliver to the Observation Party any materials delivered to directors or managers of such Loan Party, including a draft of any resolutions proposed to be adopted by written consent. The Observation Party shall be free during the period prior to the meeting to contact the directors of such Loan Party and discuss the pending actions to be taken.

 

(c) The Observation Party shall be entitled to, or to select one representative to, attend (but not vote) in all meetings of the board of directors, board of managers or other governing body of each of the Loan Parties, including telephonic meetings, and shall be entitled to reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with such attendance and participation. The Observation Party (or its representative) shall be entitled to receive all written materials and other information given to the participants in such meetings.

 

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the chief executive officer or chairman of the board of directors or managers of Administrative Loan Party, after consultation with outside counsel, shall have the right to exclude any Observation Party from all or portions of any meeting of the board of directors (or similar governing body) or omit to provide the Observation Party with certain information if such persons believe in good faith that such exclusion or omission (i) is necessary in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege (provided, however, that, in any case, such Observation Party shall not be excluded unless all other Persons whose receipt of such materials or presence at a meeting would result in a waiver of such privilege are also excluded) or (ii) involves information or analysis that would pose a conflict of interest relating to the Loans or with respect to any Lender or its representatives or business. Loan Parties shall exercise good faith efforts to minimize all such exclusions.

 

(e) Loan Parties shall pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by each Observation Party or any Lender in connection with the exercise by any Observation Party or any Lender of its rights under this Section 6.18.

 

(f) The parties hereto acknowledge that the Observation Party will become aware of certain confidential, proprietary and/or business sensitive information by virtue of participating in such meetings of the board of directors or managers, as the case may be, and receiving the information described herein. In order to ensure that such information remains confidential, Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree to cause the Observation Party to share such information only with those persons of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders who have a reasonable basis to need to know such information, and agree to keep such information confidential, to the same extent that they treat their own confidential information, but not less than a reasonable standard of care.

 

Section 6.19. Management Team Employment Agreements.

 

Except to the extent otherwise covered by the terms of the Management Services Agreement, the Senior Management Team of each Loan Party shall at all times be party to an employment agreement with the related Loan Party during such Person’s employment, and such employment agreements shall be consistent with the terms of the employment agreements with the Parent’s Senior Management Team reviewed and approved by Administrative Agent on the Effective Date or otherwise acceptable to Administrative Agent (but with no duplication of remuneration). A background check shall be conducted on each new member of the Senior Management Team hired during the term of this Agreement and such results shall be shared with Administrative Agent.

 

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Section 6.20. Further Assurances.

 

Promptly upon the written request by Administrative Agent, each of the Loan Parties shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to take such further acts (including the acknowledgment, execution, delivery, recordation, filing and registering of documents) as may reasonably be required from time to time to: (a) carry out more effectively the purposes of this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (b) subject to the Liens created by any of the Collateral Documents any of the properties, rights or interests covered by any of the Collateral Documents or any other properties, rights or interests (including real property) acquired by Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof following the Effective Date; (c) perfect and maintain the validity, effectiveness and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created by any of the Loan Documents; and (d) better assure, convey, grant, assign, transfer, preserve, protect and confirm to Lending Parties the rights, remedies and privileges existing or granted or now or hereafter intended to be granted to such Persons under any Loan Document or other document executed in connection therewith. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Loan Parties hereby agree that, concurrently upon any Person becoming a Subsidiary of a Loan Party (notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement prohibiting the creation or acquisition of any such Subsidiary) following the Effective Date, Loan Parties shall cause such Person to: (a) enter into a Joinder Agreement or otherwise deliver a Guaranty; and (b) enter into such Collateral Documents as shall be required by Administrative Agent or Required Lenders so as to create, perfect and protect a Lien in favor of Administrative Agent in all of the properties of such Person.

 

Section 6.21. NMTC and GARJA Compliance.

 

Each Borrower shall fully and timely perform and observe each covenant contained in the NMTC Statement and the GARJA Statement, as applicable to such Borrower.

 

ARTICLE VII.

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

So long as any Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) have not been repaid in full, Loan Parties shall not and shall not permit any Subsidiary of Loan Parties directly or indirectly to do any of the following:

 

Section 7.01. Liens.

 

Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, including on the Collateral, Facilities, or any materials, equipment, or other property used in the Facilities other than any of the following (collectively, “Permitted Liens”):

 

(a) any Lien created in favor of any Lending Party under any Loan Document;

 

(b) any Lien existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.01 and any renewals or extensions thereof, provided that: (i) the property encumbered thereby is not changed; (ii) the amount secured or benefited thereby is not increased; (iii) the direct or any contingent obligor with respect thereto is not changed; (iv) the priority of any Liens referenced in Section 7.01(a) are not adversely affected thereby; and (v) any renewal or extension of the obligations secured or benefited thereby is permitted by Section 7.03(b);

 

(c) any Lien for tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies not yet due or to the extent that non-payment thereof is permitted by Section 6.04; provided that no notice of lien has been filed or recorded under the Code;

 

(d) any landlord’s, supplier’s, producer’s, carrier’s, warehouseman’s, mechanic’s, materialman’s, repairman’s or other like Lien arising in the ordinary course of business that is not overdue for a period of more than thirty (30) days or that is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings timely instituted and diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto, if any are required under GAAP, are set aside on the financial statements of the applicable Person;

 

(e) any pledge or deposit in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation, other than any Lien imposed by ERISA;

 

(f) any deposit to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts or leases (other than Debt), statutory obligations, surety bonds (other than bonds related to judgments or litigation), performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(g) any sublease of real property in the ordinary course of business and any lease, sublease, easement, right-of-way, encroachment, restriction or other similar encumbrance affecting real property that, when aggregated with all other such Liens, does not in any case materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or adversely affect the priority or value of any rights arising from or related to such property, or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person;

 

(h) any Lien securing a judgment for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(h) or securing an appeal or other surety bond related to any such judgment;

 

(i) any Lien existing on any property prior to the acquisition thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof or existing on any property of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary of a Loan Party after the date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of such Loan Party; provided that: (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Subsidiary of a Loan Party, as the case may be; (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof; (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary of a Loan Party, as the case may be; and (iv) such Lien does not adversely affect the priority of any Liens referenced in Section 7.01(a);

 

(j) subject to the restrictions on Capital Expenditures set forth in Section 7.07, any Lien securing obligations in respect of a capital lease on the assets subject to such lease; provided that such capital lease is otherwise permitted hereunder;

 

(k) any Lien arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository institution; provided that: (i) such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the FRB; and (ii) such deposit account is not intended by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof to provide collateral to the depository institution;

 

(l) subject to the restrictions on Capital Expenditures set forth in Section 7.07, any Lien securing Debt permitted under Section 7.03(d)(ii) to the extent that the aggregate amount of all Debt at any time outstanding secured by all such Liens does not exceed One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000); provided that: (i) any such Lien does not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by the related Debt; and (ii) the Debt secured thereby does not exceed the cost or fair market value, whichever is lower, of the property being acquired on the date of the acquisition thereof;

 

(m) the right of a licensee under a license agreement entered into by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, as licensor, in the ordinary course of business for the use of Intellectual Property or other intangible assets of a Loan Party or any such Subsidiary; provided that, in the case of any such license granted by a Loan Party or any such Subsidiary on an exclusive basis: (i) such Person shall have determined in its reasonable business judgment that such Intellectual Property or other intangible assets are no longer useful in the ordinary course of business; (ii) such license is for the use of Intellectual Property or other intangible assets in geographic regions in which a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof does not have material operations or in connection with the exploitation of any product not then produced or planned to be produced by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof; or (iii) such license is granted in connection with a transaction otherwise permitted by this Agreement in which a third party acquires the right to manufacture or sell any product covered by such Intellectual Property or other intangible assets from a Loan Party or such Subsidiary; provided further that, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) of this subsection (m), a Loan Party or such Subsidiary has determined that it is in its best economic interest to grant such license;

 

(n) any Lien securing Senior Indebtedness or Subordinated Indebtedness;

 

(o) any Lien securing a Working Capital Facility, as contemplated by Section 3.05, to the extent permitted by Administrative Agent; and

 

(p) any Lien on cash or certificates of deposit securing one or more letters of credit permitted under Section 7.03(l).

 

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Section 7.02. Investments.

 

Make or suffer to exist any Investments, except:

 

(a) Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

(b) Investments arising from transactions by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof with customers or suppliers in the ordinary course of business, including Investments (including debt obligations) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of customers and suppliers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers or suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

(c) advances to officers, directors, shareholders, members, managers, partners or employees of Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices not to exceed, in the aggregate outstanding at any time, One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000);

 

(d) Investments of Loan Parties on the Effective Date disclosed on Schedule 5.16;

 

(e) Investments made for the benefit of employees of Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof for the purposes of deferred compensation in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practices;

 

(f) Guarantees permitted by Section 7.03(c);

 

(g) Investments consisting of Capital Expenditures permitted by Section 7.07;

 

(h) Investments existing as of the date hereof and disclosed in the Audited Closing Financial Statements;

 

(i) Permitted Investments.

 

Section 7.03. Debt.

 

Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Debt, except:

 

(a) Debt under the Loan Documents;

 

(b) Debt outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.03, and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that: (i) the amount of such Debt is not increased at the time of such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder; and (ii) the terms relating to principal amount, amortization, maturity, collateral (if any) and subordination (if any), and other material terms taken as a whole, of any such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Debt, and of any agreement entered into and of any instrument issued in connection therewith, are no less favorable in any material respect to Loan Parties or Lenders than the terms of any agreement or instrument governing the Debt being refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended and the interest rate applicable to any such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Debt does not exceed the then applicable market interest rate;

 

(c) Guarantees by Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof of Debt otherwise permitted hereunder of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries;

 

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(d) subject to the restrictions on Capital Expenditures set forth in Section 7.07, Debt in respect of: (i) capital leases; and (ii) purchase money obligations for fixed or capital assets within the limitations set forth in Section 7.01(j) and Section 7.01(l);

 

(e) the Senior Indebtedness and any Subordinated Indebtedness;

 

(f) Debt in respect of: (i) workers’ compensation claims or obligations in respect of health, disability or other employee benefits; (ii) property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance; (iii) completion, bid, performance, appeal or surety bonds issued for the account of Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof; (iv) taxes, assessments or other government charges not yet delinquent or which are being contested in compliance with Section 6.04; or (v) bankers’ acceptances and other similar obligations not constituting Debt for borrowed money; in each of the foregoing cases, to the extent incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(g) intercompany Debt of Loan Parties or any Subsidiary owing to and held by Loan Parties or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) if Loan Parties or any Guarantor is the obligor on such Debt and any Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor) is the obligee thereof, such Debt must be unsecured and expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations (including, with respect to any Guarantor, its obligations under Section 10.14), and (ii) Debt owed to Loan Parties or any Guarantor must be evidenced by an unsubordinated promissory note pledged to Administrative Agent under the applicable Collateral Document;

 

(h) Debt arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Debt is promptly extinguished;

 

(i) Debt arising in connection with endorsement of instruments for deposit in the ordinary course of business;

 

(j) Debt of Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries that may be deemed to exist in connection with agreements providing for indemnification, contribution, earnouts, purchase price adjustments and payments and similar obligations (including letters of credit, surety bonds or performance bonds securing any obligations of Loan Parties or any Subsidiary pursuant to such agreements) in connection with Dispositions otherwise permitted hereunder;

 

(k) Debt of Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries arising from customary cash management services or in connection with any automated clearinghouse transfer of funds in the ordinary course of business;

 

(l) Debt of Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries, in an aggregate outstanding face amount not to exceed at any time Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000), arising under or in respect of letters of credit that secure obligations under real property leases and subleases.

 

In addition, neither Loan Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries shall maintain any Collateral Account other than in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.12.

 

Section 7.04. Fundamental Changes.

 

(a) Engage in any material line of business other than a Related Business;

 

(b) Merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, or Dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except that:

 

(i) any Loan Party or Subsidiary of a Loan Party may merge with: (A) a Loan Party, provided that the continuing or surviving Person in any such merger involving a Borrower shall be the Borrower and the continuing or surviving Person in any such merger involving a Loan Party and a Subsidiary of any Loan Party shall be the Loan Party; or (B) any one or more other Subsidiaries of Loan Parties, provided that, when any wholly-owned Subsidiary of a Borrower is merging with another Subsidiary of Loan Parties, the wholly-owned Subsidiary of a Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person; and

 

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(ii) any Loan Party or Subsidiary of a Loan Party may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to a Loan Party or to another Subsidiary of a Loan Party; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a Borrower, then the transferee must be a Borrower and if the transferor in such a transaction is a wholly-owned Subsidiary of a Borrower, then the transferee must either be a Borrower or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of a Borrower.

 

(c) Make any voluntary, optional payment or prepayment on account of, or optional redemption or acquisition for value of any portion of, any Debt for borrowed money (other than that arising under: (i) the Loan Documents in accordance with the provisions thereof; and (ii) corporate credit cards to the extent such Debt is otherwise permitted under Section 7.03);

 

(d) Without at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to Administrative Agent: (i) change its jurisdiction of organization; (ii) change its organizational structure or type; (iii) change its legal name; or

 

(e) Create or acquire any Subsidiary except for a Permitted Investment.

 

Section 7.05. Dispositions.

 

Make any Disposition or enter into any agreement to make any Disposition, except:

 

(a) Dispositions of used, obsolete, surplus or worn out property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business and the abandonment or other Disposition of Intellectual Property that is, in the reasonable judgment of the management of a Loan Party, no longer economically practicable to maintain or useful in the conduct of the business of such Loan Party and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

(b) Dispositions of: (i) inventory or Intellectual Property in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices; or (ii) Intellectual Property pursuant to licenses permitted by Section 7.01(m);

 

(c) Dispositions of equipment to the extent that: (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement equipment; or (ii) the proceeds of such Disposition are reasonably promptly applied to the acquisition of such replacement equipment;

 

(d) Dispositions permitted by Section 7.04(b);

 

(e) (i) the unwinding of any Swap Contract; (ii) to the extent permitted hereunder, Restricted Payments; and (iii) to the extent permitted hereunder and otherwise constituting Dispositions, Investments;

 

(f) Dispositions of cash and Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business;

 

(g) Dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(h) Dispositions of property for cash consideration that are not otherwise permitted under this Section 7.05 to Persons who are not Affiliates of any Loan Party if:

 

(i) (A) immediately prior to and immediately after giving effect to any such Disposition, there does not exist a Default; and (B) such Disposition could not reasonably be expected to result in a Default;

 

(ii) the aggregate fair market value of all assets so sold by Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries does not exceed One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000) in Fiscal Year 2019 or Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($750,000) in any Fiscal Year occurring thereafter; and

 

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(iii) to the extent the Net Proceeds of such Disposition exceed, together with the other Dispositions permitted under Section 7.05(a), One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000) in the aggregate for all such Dispositions in any Fiscal Year, such Net Proceeds are, if and to the extent required by Section 2.03(c), applied within one hundred and eighty (180) days of receipt thereof by Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof to the repayment of the Obligations; provided that a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party shall have notified Administrative Agent promptly after its determination to so apply or use the Net Proceeds and shall have certified the receipt of not less than fair market value for such property and the proper application of such Net Proceeds in accordance with this Section 7.05(h); provided that any Disposition pursuant to any of the foregoing subsections of this Section 7.05 shall be for not less than fair market value.

 

Section 7.06. Restricted Payments.

 

Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that: (a) each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to Loan Parties and to wholly-owned Subsidiaries (and, in the case of a Restricted Payment by a non-wholly-owned Subsidiary, to Loan Parties and to any Subsidiary and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Subsidiary on a pro rata basis based on their relative ownership interests); (b) Loan Parties and each Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in common Equity Interests of such Person; (c) Loan Parties and each Subsidiary may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire its common Equity Interests or warrants or options to acquire any such common Equity Interests (i) with the proceeds received from the substantially concurrent issue of new common Equity Interests or (ii) from service providers at cost upon termination of employment or service; (d) as a one-time accommodation to Loan Parties, on the Effective Date, Danimer Holdings may declare and make a cash dividend payment to Parent in order to payoff Parent’s existing Debt owing to the specific parties and in the amounts set forth on Schedule 5.08, and (e) so long as a Loan Party is a “pass-through” tax entity for United States federal income tax purposes and so long as no Default exists and Loan Parties have sufficient working capital to pay their debts as they come due, cash distributions paid by Loan Parties to the holders of Equity Interests in Loan Parties in an aggregate amount equal to such holders’ of Equity Interests actual federal and state income tax liability for such taxable year (or portion thereof) attributable to such Loan Parties taxable income, provided that (i) as a condition precedent to any such payment, Administrative Loan Party shall deliver to Administrative Agent a letter from its tax accountants, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, detailing the amount necessary to be applied to such holders of Equity Interests tax liabilities, which letter may relate to the estimated tax payments for the next succeeding four quarters, (ii) such payment or distribution shall be limited to the amounts specified in said letter, and (iii) after any redetermination of such Loan Party’s taxable income for such period, such Loan Party shall receive from each of its holders of Equity Interests a repayment of the aggregate amount (if any) by which any such distribution exceeded the allocable amount of such holders of Equity Interests actual tax liability. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to any Change of Control that might occur by virtue thereof, nothing else contained herein shall restrict holders of securities convertible into Equity Interests of Loan Parties from converting such convertible securities into Equity Interests of Loan Parties pursuant to the terms applicable to such convertible securities.

 

Section 7.07. Capital Expenditures.

 

Make (whether in one transaction or a series of transactions) any financed or unfinanced Capital Expenditures in an aggregate amount for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries during any period set forth below in an aggregate amount more than the amount specified for the end of such period set forth below; provided, however, that any Capital Expenditures made with the proceeds of an offering of Parent’s Equity Interests shall not be counted for purposes of the limitation in this Section 7.07.

 

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Calendar Year   Maximum Capital Expenditures
For the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2019   $ 29,600,000
For the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2020   $ 7,500,000
For the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2021   $ 5,500,000
For the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2022   $ 5,500,000
For the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2023 and each Fiscal Year thereafter   $ 5,500,000

 

If Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries do not utilize the entire amount of such Capital Expenditures permitted in any Fiscal Year, Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries may carry forward to the immediately succeeding Fiscal Year only, 100% of such unutilized amount (with such Capital Expenditures made by Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in such succeeding Fiscal Year applied first to such carried-forward amount).

 

Section 7.08. Transactions with Affiliates.

 

Enter into any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate of Loan Parties, irrespective of whether in the ordinary course of business, other than on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to Loan Parties or a Subsidiary of Loan Parties as would be obtainable by such Person at the time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate, provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to: (a) transactions between or among Loan Parties; (b) Restricted Payments permitted hereunder; (c) Guarantees permitted by Section 7.03(c); and (d) the Management Services Agreement.

 

Section 7.09. Burdensome Agreements.

 

(a) Enter into any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement or any other Loan Document) that: (i) limits the ability: (A) of any Subsidiary of Loan Parties to make Restricted Payments to Loan Parties or to otherwise transfer property to Loan Parties; (B) of any Subsidiary of Loan Parties to Guarantee the Debt of Loan Parties; or (C) of Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person; provided that this sub-clause (C) shall not prohibit any negative pledge incurred or provided in favor of any holder of Debt under Section 7.03(b), Section 7.03(d) or Section 7.03(f) solely to the extent that any such negative pledge relates to the property financed by or the subject of such Debt; or (ii) requires the grant of a Lien to secure an obligation of such Person if a Lien is granted to secure another obligation of such Person;

 

(b) (i) Amend, supplement, modify, waive or alter (or agree to do so): (A) any of its material rights or material obligations, including any of the foregoing arising under any Material Contract, without the express prior written consent of Administrative Agent unless no Default exists or could reasonably be expected to result by virtue thereof; or (B) its Organizational Documents unless no Default exists or could reasonably be expected to result by virtue thereof; or (ii) terminate any Material Contract other than as a result of a material breach by the counterparty (ies) thereunder; or

 

(c) Pay salaries, bonuses, commissions, consultant fees or other compensation to any officer, director, manager, equity holder or consultant of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any family member of any of the foregoing unless the board of directors of such Loan Party, acting in good faith, has determined that such amounts are not excessive or unreasonable.

 

Section 7.10. Use of Proceeds.

 

Use the proceeds of any Loan, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose. This language is supplemental to, and not in lieu of the provisions of Section 5.08.

 

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Section 7.11. Certain Governmental Regulations.

 

(a) Be or become subject at any time to any law, regulation, or list of any government agency (including the OFAC list) that prohibits or limits any Lending Party from making any loans or extensions of credit to any Loan Party or from otherwise conducting business with any Loan Party, or (b) fail to provide documentary and other evidence of any Loan Party’s identity as may be requested by any Lending Party at any time to enable such Lending Party to verify any Loan Party’s identity or to comply with any applicable Laws, including Section 326 of the Patriot Act.

 

Section 7.12. Disqualified Equity Interests.

 

(a) Issue any Disqualified Equity Interests, or (b) be or become liable in respect of any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to purchase, redeem, retire, acquire or make any other payment in respect of any Equity Interests of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, except as permitted under Section 7.06.

 

Section 7.13. Parent as Holding Company.

 

Permit Parent to (a) incur any liabilities, other than (i) liabilities under the Loan Documents, (ii) liabilities under the White Oak Credit Facility, (iii) tax liabilities in the ordinary course of business, and (iv) corporate, administrative and operating expenses in the ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to, such expenses inherent in providing the services to Loan Parties contemplated under the Management Services Agreement, (b) own or acquire any assets, other than (i) the Equity Interests of Parent (by way of repurchase) or any Loan Party, (ii) the Equity Interests of QALICB, (iii) cash and Cash Equivalents, (iv) hold a leasehold interest in any Facility, including as lessee or sublessor, or (c) engage in any trade or business, other than (i) owning the Equity Interests of Loan Parties and activities incidental thereto, (ii) owning the Equity Interests of QALICB and activities incidental thereto, (iii) acting as a Guarantor and granting to Administrative Agent, a Lien on certain Collateral, (iv) being the employer of executive officers of Parent and/or Loan Parties under executive officer employment agreements and (v) providing services under the Management Services Agreement.

 

ARTICLE VIII.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

Section 8.01. Events of Default.

 

Each of the following shall constitute an event of default hereunder (each, an “Event of Default”):

 

(a) Non-Payment. Borrowers or any other Loan Party fails to pay: (i) when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan; (ii) within three (3) Business Days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan or any fee due hereunder; or (iii) within five (5) Business Days after the same becomes due, any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or

 

(b) Specific Covenants. (i) Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof fails to perform or observe: (A) any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 6.01, Section 6.02, Section 6.03, Section 6.05, Section 6.07, Section 6.10, Section 6.11, Section 6.13, Section 6.17, Section 6.18, Section 6.21 Section 6.21 or Article VII and such failure continues for five (5) days, provided that such five day period shall not be applicable in the event that such failure is not curable; or (B) any other term, covenant or agreement contained in any Loan Document, which failure is determined by Required Lenders (acting reasonably) not to be capable of being cured; or (ii) any Guarantor fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in its Guaranty; or

 

(c) Representations and Warranties. Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of Borrowers or any other Loan Party herein, in any other Loan Document, including without limitation the NMTC Statement and the GARJA Statement, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made; or

 

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(d) Other Defaults. Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in Section 8.01(a), Section 8.01(b) or Section 8.01(c)) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for thirty (30) days; or

 

(e) Cross-Default. Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof: (i) subject to any applicable cure period, fails to make any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) in respect of any Senior Indebtedness or in respect of any other Debt (other than Debt hereunder and Debt under Swap Contracts) having an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn committed or available amounts and including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) of more than the Threshold Amount; or (ii) subject to any applicable cure period fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such other Debt or contained in any document evidencing, securing or relating to any of the foregoing, or any other default or event occurs, the effect of which failure, default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Debt (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Debt to be demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Debt to be made, prior to its stated maturity; or

 

(f) Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof institutes or consents to the institution of any Proceeding under any Bankruptcy Laws, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for sixty (60) days; or any Proceeding under any Bankruptcy Laws relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for sixty (60) days, or an order for relief is entered in any such Proceeding; or

 

(g) Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment. (i) Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due; or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of any such Person and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within thirty (30) days after its issue or levy; or

 

(h) Judgments. There is entered against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof: (i) a final Order for the payment of money in an aggregate amount exceeding the Threshold Amount (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage); or (ii) any one or more non-monetary final Orders that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case: (A) enforcement Proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such Order; or (B) there is a period of thirty (30) consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such Order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or

 

(i) ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of Loan Parties under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount; or (ii) Loan Parties or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount; or

 

(j) Invalidity of Loan Documents. Any Loan Document or any provision thereof, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or the satisfaction in full of all of the Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) and other than as a result of an action or inaction by Administrative Agent or any Lender, ceases to be in full force and effect in accordance with its terms; or any Loan Party or any other Person (other than a Lending Party) contests in any manner in writing the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or any provision thereof; or any Loan Party denies that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any Loan Document or any provision thereof; or

 

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(k) Impairment of Collateral. Any Lien purported to be created by any Collateral Document shall cease to be, or shall be asserted by any Loan Party not to be, a valid, perfected, first-priority Lien (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or such Collateral Document and subject to Permitted Liens) in the assets covered thereby, other than in respect of assets that, individually and in the aggregate, are not material to Loan Parties, taken as a whole, or in respect of which the failure of the Lien thereon to be a valid, perfected first priority (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or such Collateral Document) Lien could not in the reasonable judgment of Administrative Agent or Required Lenders, be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

(l) Default Under Senior Indebtedness Documents. Any Person (other than Administrative Agent) party to any document under the White Oak Facility or the CDE Facilities or any other document evidencing Senior Indebtedness shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in such document; or

 

(m) Default Under Subordinated Indebtedness Documents. Any Person (other than Administrative Agent) party to any document evidencing subordinating Subordinated Indebtedness shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in such document; or

 

(n) Certain Actions. Any Loan Party or any of its senior officers is criminally indicted or convicted of (i) a felony or (ii) violating any state or federal Laws (including the Controlled Substances Act, Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 and Illegal Exportation of War Materials Act) that has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, a forfeiture of any material property or any assets (including the Collateral) upon which such Loan Party has granted a Lien to Administrative Agent or the right to conduct a material part of its business; or

 

(o) Change of Control. There occurs a Change of Control; or

 

(p) Material Contracts. Any termination (other than termination upon expiry of the stated term of the agreement) of a Material Contract, or any default or event of default (however defined) under a Material Contract that gives the non-defaulting party the right to terminate such Material Contract; or

 

(q) NatureWorks. NatureWorks LLC and Total Corbion PLA cease for any reason to provide the Loan Parties with the required supply of polylactic acid polymers and no other adequate source of supply of polylactic acid polymers capable of meeting Borrowers’ quantity requirements, at prices consistent with historical norms, is available; or

 

(r) Material Adverse Effect. There occurs a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 8.02. Rights and Remedies.

 

(a) Rights and Remedies Generally. While an Event of Default exists, Administrative Agent may (or, upon the request of the Required Lenders, shall), without notice or demand, do any or all of the following:

 

(i) declare all Obligations (including the applicable Prepayment Fee) immediately due and payable (but if an Event of Default described in Section 8.01(f) occurs, all Obligations (including any applicable Prepayment Fee) shall immediately be due and payable without any action by Administrative Agent or any Lender);

 

(ii) stop advancing money or extending credit for Borrowers’ benefit under this Agreement or under any other agreement among Borrowers and Administrative Agent or any Lender;

 

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(iii) settle or adjust disputes and claims directly with Account Debtors on accounts of any Loan Party that is a party hereto for amounts on terms and in any order that Administrative Agent considers advisable, notify any Person owing money to any Loan Party that is a party hereto, of Administrative Agent’s Lien on such funds, and verify the amount of such account. Each Loan Party that is a party hereto shall collect all payments in trust for Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders and, if requested by Administrative Agent, immediately deliver the payments to Lenders in the form received from the Account Debtor, with proper endorsement for deposit;

 

(iv) make any payments and do any acts it considers necessary or reasonable to protect the Collateral and/or its Lien upon the Collateral. Each Loan Party that is a party hereto shall assemble the Collateral if Administrative Agent so requests and make it available as Administrative Agent so designates. Administrative Agent or any Lender may enter the premises where the Collateral is located, take and maintain possession of any part of the Collateral, and pay, purchase, contest, or compromise any Lien which appears to be prior or superior to Administrative Agent’s Lien thereon and pay all expenses incurred. Each Loan Party that is a party hereto grants Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders a license to enter and occupy any of its premises, without charge, to exercise any of Administrative Agent’s or any other Lending Party’s rights or remedies;

 

(v) apply to the Obligations any (A) balances and deposits of any Loan Party that is a party hereto that it holds, or (B) amount held by Administrative Agent or Lenders owing to or for the credit or the account of any Loan Party that is a party hereto;

 

(vi) ship, reclaim, recover, store, finish, maintain, repair, prepare for sale, advertise for sale, and sell the Collateral. Administrative Agent is hereby granted a non-exclusive, royalty-free license or other right to use without charge, Loan Parties’ or any of their Subsidiaries’ labels, patents, copyrights, mask works, rights of use of any name, trade secrets, trade names, trademarks, service marks, and advertising matter, other Intellectual Property, or any similar property as it pertains to the Collateral, in completing production of, advertising for sale, and selling any Collateral and, in connection with Administrative Agent’s exercise of its rights under this Section, Loan Parties’ and each of their Subsidiaries’ rights under all licenses and all franchise agreements inure to Administrative Agent for benefit of Lenders;

 

(vii) place a “hold” on any account maintained with Administrative Agent and/or deliver a notice of exclusive control, any entitlement order, or other directions or instructions pursuant to any Control Agreement or similar agreements providing control of any Collateral;

 

(viii) demand and receive possession of the Books and Records of each Loan Party; and

 

(ix) exercise all default rights and remedies available to Lending Parties under the Loan Documents or at law or equity, including all default remedies provided under the Uniform Commercial Code (including disposal of the collateral (including all Collateral) pursuant to the terms thereof).

 

(b) Power of Attorney. Each Loan Party that is a party hereto hereby irrevocably appoints Administrative Agent as its lawful attorney-in-fact, to: (i) at any time that an Event of Default has occurred that has not been waived in writing by Administrative Agent: (A) endorse such Loan Party’s name on any checks or other forms of payment or security, sign such Loan Party’s name on any invoice or bill of lading for any account or drafts against Account Debtors or sign such Loan Party’s name on any notices to Account Debtors; (B) endorse such Loan Party’s name on any collection item that may come into Administrative Agent’s possession; (C) make, settle, and adjust all claims under such Loan Party’s policies of insurance and make all determinations and decisions with respect to such policies of insurance; (D) take control, in any manner, of any item of payment or proceeds relating to any Collateral; (E) prepare, file, and sign such Loan Party’s name to a proof of claim in bankruptcy or similar document against any Account Debtor, or to any notice of lien, assignment, or satisfaction of lien or similar document in connection with any of the Collateral; (F) receive, open and dispose of all mail addressed to such Loan Party, and upon Administrative Agent’s commencement of any enforcement action, notify postal authorities to change the address for delivery thereof to such address as Administrative Agent may designate; (G) use the information recorded on or contained in any data processing equipment, computer hardware, and software relating to the Collateral; (H) settle and adjust disputes and claims respecting the Accounts, Chattel Paper or General Intangibles directly with Account Debtors, for amounts and upon terms that Administrative Agent determines to be reasonable, and Administrative Agent may cause to be executed and delivered any documents and releases that Administrative Agent determines to be necessary; (I) cause an Account Debtor’s insurers to add Administrative Agent as loss payee under the relevant insurance policy; (J) pay, contest or settle any Lien, charge or adverse claim in, to or upon any or all of the Collateral, or any judgment based thereon, or otherwise take any action to terminate or discharge the same; (K) transfer any Collateral into the name of Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders or a third party as the Uniform Commercial Code permits; and (L) do all other acts and things necessary, in Administrative Agent’s determination, to fulfill such Loan Party’s obligations under this Agreement; and (ii) at any time: (A) send request for verification of Accounts; and (B) file UCC-3 assignments reflecting Administrative Agent as assignee of such Loan Party with respect to any UCC-1 financing statements filed by such Loan Party in connection with Collateral. Each Loan Party that is a party hereto hereby appoints Administrative Agent as its lawful attorney-in-fact to sign such Loan Party’s name on any documents necessary to perfect or continue the perfection of any security interest or other Lien in the Collateral regardless of whether an Event of Default has occurred until all Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) have been repaid in full. Administrative Agent’s foregoing appointment as the attorney-in-fact for each Loan Party that is a party hereto, and all of Administrative Agent’s rights and powers, being coupled with an interest, are irrevocable until all Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) have been fully paid and performed when due (as applicable).

 

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(c) Protective Advances. Administrative Agent for itself or on behalf of Lenders (shall be authorized, in its sole discretion, regardless of (i) the existence of a Default or an Event of Default, or (ii) any other contrary provision of this Agreement, to make loans on behalf of Borrowers (or any of them), if and to the extent that Administrative Agent deems such loans are necessary or desirable (A) to preserve or protect the Collateral, or any portion thereof, (B) to enhance the likelihood of, or maximize the amount of, repayment of the Obligations, or (C) to pay for insurance or any other amount which a Loan Party is obligated to pay under this Agreement, any other Loan Document or otherwise (each such loan, a “Protective Advance”). Administrative Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts, to the extent practicable, to consult with Lenders (as applicable) prior to making any Protective Advance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Administrative Agent or any Lender have any duty or obligation to make any Protective Advance. All Protective Advances shall constitute expenses reimbursable under Section 10.04, shall be immediately due and payable, shall bear cash interest until paid at the then highest interest rate applicable to any of the Obligations and shall be secured by the Collateral. Required Lenders may at any time revoke Administrative Agent’s authority to make Protective Advances hereunder by written notice to Administrative Agent. The making of any Protective Advances shall not be or be deemed to be an agreement to make Protective Advances in similar or different circumstances in the future and shall not operate or be deemed to operate as a waiver by Administrative Agent or any Lender of any Event of Default.

 

(d) Application of Funds.

 

(i) No Loan Party shall have the right to specify the order or the accounts to which Administrative Agent shall allocate or apply any payments required to be made by Borrowers to Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lending Parties or otherwise received by Administrative Agent on behalf of Lenders under this Agreement when any such allocation or application is not specified elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

(ii) All payments, prepayments, and proceeds of collateral (including the Collateral) and any other amounts received on account of the Obligations shall be applied by Administrative Agent until exhausted in the following order:

 

(A) first, to Administrative Agent, to pay all fees, costs, expenses and indemnification payments then due to Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents (excluding all Protective Advances made by Administrative Agent);

 

(B) second, pro rata, to Administrative Agent and any Lender which has made a Protective Advance, to pay all accrued but unpaid interest (including interest at the Default Rate) in respect of all Protective Advances made by such Persons;

 

(C) third, pro rata, to Administrative Agent and any Lender which has made a Protective Advance, to pay the principal of all Protective Advances made by such Persons;

 

(D) fourth, pro rata, to Lenders according to their respective Percentage Shares, to pay all accrued but unpaid interest (including interest at the Default Rate) on the Loans owing to Lenders;

 

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(E) fifth, pro rata, to pay the Outstanding Amount of the Loans according to such percentage allocation as Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders may determine in their sole discretion, until such time as the Outstanding Amount of the Loans have been paid in full; and

 

(F) sixth, pro rata, to Administrative Agent and Lenders, to pay all remaining Credit Outstandings and other Obligations owing to Administrative Agent or any Lenders;

 

After payment in full of all Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations), any surplus remaining shall be paid to Borrowers or other Persons legally entitled thereto; if any deficiency exists, Borrowers shall remain liable to Administrative Agent and Lenders for such deficiency. If Administrative Agent or any Lender, in its good faith business judgment, directly or indirectly enters into a deferred payment or other credit transaction with any purchaser at any sale of any collateral (including the Collateral), Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable, shall have the option, exercisable at any time, of either reducing the Obligations by the principal amount of the purchase price or deferring the reduction of the Obligations until the actual receipt by Administrative Agent or such Lender of cash therefor.

 

(iii) Unless otherwise expressly provided for herein, all payments made to any Lending Party for the benefit of Lenders (or any of them) on account of the Obligations (other than that portion of the Obligations consisting of the Outstanding Amount of all Credit Outstandings or any fees payable in connection with the retirement, prepayment or termination of all or a portion of the Obligations) shall be treated as interest for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

(e) Administrative Agent’s Liability for Collateral. So long as Administrative Agent and Lenders comply with reasonable banking practices regarding the safekeeping of any collateral the subject of the Collateral Documents, Administrative Agent and Lenders shall not be liable or responsible for: (i) the safekeeping of all or any such collateral; (ii) any loss or damage to all or any such collateral; (iii) any diminution in the value of all or any such collateral; or (iv) any act or default of any carrier, warehouseman, bailee, or other Person. Loan Parties bear all risk of loss, damage or destruction of any collateral the subject of the Collateral Documents.

 

(f) No Waiver. Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s failure, at any time or times, to require strict performance by any Loan Party of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall not waive, affect, or diminish any right of Administrative Agent or such Lender thereafter to demand strict performance and compliance herewith or therewith. Administrative Agent and Lenders have all rights and remedies provided under the Uniform Commercial Code, by law, or in equity. Any amounts paid by Administrative Agent or any Lender on any Loan Party’s behalf as provided herein are expenses reimbursable under Section 10.04 and shall bear interest at the highest interest rate then applicable to any of the Obligations and shall be secured by the collateral the subject of the Collateral Documents. No payments by Administrative Agent or any Lender shall be deemed an agreement to make similar payments in the future or a waiver of any Event of Default by Administrative Agent or any Lender.

 

Section 8.03. Equity Cure Rights.

 

In the event Loan Parties fail to comply with the minimum Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA covenant, the minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, or the maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio set forth in Section 6.13 (each, a “Financial Covenant Default”), Borrowers shall have the right to cure such Financial Covenant Default on the following terms and conditions (the “Equity Cure Right”):

 

(a) Administrative Loan Party shall deliver to Administrative Agent irrevocable written notice of its intent to cure a Financial Covenant Default (a “Cure Notice”) no later than five (5) Business Days after the date on which financial statements and a Compliance Certificate for the period ending on the last day of the Fiscal Quarter with respect to which such Financial Covenant Default occurred (the “Testing Date”) are required to be delivered. The Cure Notice shall set forth the calculation of the applicable cure amount in subsection (b) below.

 

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(b) Borrowers shall cause Parent, no later than ten (10) Business Days after the date on which financial statements and a Compliance Certificate for the period ending on the Testing Date are required to be delivered (the “Required Contribution Date”), to make cash capital contributions to Danimer Holdings (any such cash equity contribution, a “Specified Equity Contribution”) in an amount pertaining to the Financial Covenant Default that is equal to:

 

(i) the product obtained by multiplying (A) the amount by which the Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA on the Testing Date is less than the minimum Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA that would need to be then existing in order for the Borrowers to be in pro forma compliance with the minimum Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA covenant contained in Section 6.13(a) Section 6.13(c) as of such Testing Date (such amount, the “EBITDA Covenant Cure Amount”), by (B) 110%, for a Financial Covenant Default of the minimum Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA covenant;

 

(ii) the product obtained by multiplying (A) the amount by which the Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA on the Testing Date is less than the minimum Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA that would need to be then existing in order for the Borrowers to be in pro forma compliance with the minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio contained in Section 6.13(b) as of such Testing Date (such amount, the “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Cure Amount”), by (B) 110%, for a Financial Covenant Default of the minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio; and/or

 

(iii) the product obtained by multiplying (A) the amount by which the aggregate Consolidated Funded Debt outstanding on the Testing Date exceeds the maximum amount of Consolidated Funded Debt that would need to be then outstanding in order for the Borrowers to be in pro forma compliance with the maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio contained in Section 6.13(c) as of such Testing Date (such amount, the “Leverage Covenant Cure Amount”), by (B) 110%, for a Financial Covenant Default of the maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio.

 

In the case of clauses (i) or (ii) above, the Specified Equity Contribution shall be deemed added to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the period in which the Loan Parties were out of compliance with the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or the Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, as applicable.

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Equity Cure Right for any financial covenant in Section 6.13 (i) may not exceed any limitations imposed on Borrowers under the White Oak Facility, (ii) shall not be exercised more than two (2) times during the term of this Agreement, and (iii) if the Senior Liabilities have been Paid in Full, shall not be exercisable unless after giving effect to the Specified Equity Contribution and the payment thereof to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(v), Borrowers have Qualified Cash in an amount of not less than $11,000,000.

 

(d) Upon timely receipt by the Borrowers in cash of a Specified Equity Contribution and satisfaction of the terms in (c) above, the Financial Covenant Default shall be deemed cured.

 

(e) Until the earlier of (i) the Required Contribution Date or (ii) the date on which the Administrative Agent has been notified that Parent does not intend to make a Specified Equity Contribution, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall exercise the right to accelerate the Loans, and neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall exercise any right to foreclose upon, or take possession of, the Collateral, in each case, solely on the basis of a Financial Covenant Default; provided, however, that this Section 8.03 shall not affect or limit the rights of Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to any other Default or Event of Default under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

 

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ARTICLE IX.

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

Section 9.01. Appointment and Authorization of Administrative Agent.

 

Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints SECDF to act on its behalf as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Except for the provisions of Section 9.06, the provisions of this Article IX are solely for the benefit of Lending Parties, and neither Borrowers nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.

 

Section 9.02. Rights as a Lender.

 

If the Person serving as Administrative Agent hereunder is also a Lender, such Person shall have the same rights and powers in such capacity(ies) as any other Person in such capacity(ies) and may exercise the same as though it were not Administrative Agent. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with Loan Parties or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of Loan Parties as if such Person were not Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to any other Lending Party.

 

Section 9.03. Exculpatory Provisions.

 

Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Administrative Agent:

 

(a) No Fiduciary Duties. Shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

(b) No Obligations Regarding Certain Actions. Shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in any other Loan Documents); provided that Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Laws;

 

(c) Disclosure Obligations. Shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity; and

 

(d) Limitation on Liability. Shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it: (i) with the consent or at the request of Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of Lenders as shall be necessary, or as Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section 8.02 and Section 10.01); or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default, unless and until a Loan Party, or a Lending Party provides written notice to Administrative Agent describing such Default. Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into: (A) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (B) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith; (C) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default; (D) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document; or (E) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to Administrative Agent.

 

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Section 9.04. Reliance by Administrative Agent.

 

Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of the Loans that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a specified Lending Party, Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lending Party, unless Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lending Party prior to the making of the Loans. Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for any Loan Party), independent accountants and other experts it selects and shall not be liable for any action it takes or does not take in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

Section 9.05. Delegation of Duties.

 

Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents it appoints. Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article IX shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

 

Section 9.06. Resignation of Administrative Agent.

 

Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to Lending Parties and Administrative Loan Party. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, Required Lenders shall have the right, with, unless an Event of Default exists, the consent of Administrative Loan Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), to appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may on behalf of the Lending Parties, appoint a successor Administrative Agent; provided that, if Administrative Agent shall notify Lending Parties and Administrative Loan Party that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (a) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by Administrative Agent on behalf of any Lending Party under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and (b) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lending Party directly, until such time as Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for in this Section 9.06. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided in this Section 9.06). The fees payable by Borrowers to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed among Borrowers and such successor. After the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article IX and Section 10.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.

 

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Section 9.07. Non-reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.

 

Each Lending Party acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon Administrative Agent, any other Lending Party or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lending Party also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon Administrative Agent, any other Lending Party or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

 

Section 9.08. No Other Duties, Etc.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Person identified herein or on the facing page or signature pages hereof as a “Documentation Administrative Agent,” “Co-Administrative Agent,” “Book Manager,” “Book Runner,” “Arranger,” “Lead Arranger,” “Co-Lead Arranger” or “Co-Arranger,” if any, shall have or be deemed to have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, other than: (a) in such Person’s capacity as: (i) Administrative Agent or a Lender hereunder; and (ii) an Indemnitee hereunder; or (b) under Section 9.05.

 

Section 9.09. Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.

 

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other Proceeding relative to any Loan Party, Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of the Loans shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on Borrowers) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise: (a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of Lending Parties (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of Lending Parties and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due Lending Parties under Section 2.04, Section 2.09 and Section 10.04) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and (b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lending Party to make such payments to Administrative Agent and, in the event that Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to Lenders, to pay to Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due Administrative Agent under Section 2.09 and Section 10.04. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any of the Lending Parties any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any of the Lending Parties or to authorize Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any of the Lending Parties in any such proceeding.

 

Section 9.10. Guaranty Matters.

 

Each Lending Party hereby: (a) irrevocably authorizes Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to release any Guarantor from its obligations under a Guaranty if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder; and (b) agrees that, upon request by Administrative Agent at any time, it will confirm in writing Administrative Agent’s authority to release any such Guarantor pursuant to this Section 9.10.

 

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Section 9.11. Collateral and Other Matters.

 

(a) Directions by Lenders. Each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs Administrative Agent: (i) to enter into the Collateral Documents for the benefit of such Person; (ii) without the necessity of any notice to or further consent from any such Person from time to time prior to an Event of Default, to take any action with respect to any Collateral Documents or the collateral the subject thereof that may be necessary to perfect and maintain perfected the Liens upon the collateral granted pursuant to the Collateral Documents; (iii) to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by Administrative Agent under any Loan Document: (A) upon termination of the Aggregate Commitments and payment in full of all Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations); (B) that is sold or to be sold as part of or in connection with any Disposition permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document; (C) subject to Section 10.01, if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by Required Lenders; or (D) in connection with any foreclosure sale or other Disposition of any collateral the subject of any Collateral Document after the occurrence of an Event of Default; and (iv) to subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by this Agreement or any other Loan Document to be senior to the Lien of Administrative Agent. Upon request by Administrative Agent at any time, each Lender will confirm in writing Administrative Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of collateral the subject of any Collateral Document pursuant to this Section 9.11.

 

(b) Certain Actions by Administrative Agent. Subject to Section 9.11(a)(iii) and Section 9.11(a)(iv), Administrative Agent shall (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender to) execute such documents as may be necessary to evidence the release or subordination of Liens granted to Administrative Agent herein or pursuant hereto upon the applicable collateral; provided that: (i) Administrative Agent shall not be required to execute any such document on terms that, in Administrative Agent’s opinion, would expose Administrative Agent to or create any liability or entail any consequence other than the release or subordination of such Liens without recourse or warranty; and (ii) such release or subordination shall not in any manner discharge, affect or impair the Obligations or any Liens upon (or obligations of Borrowers or any other Loan Party in respect of) all interests retained by Borrowers or any other Loan Party, including the proceeds of the sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the collateral the subject of the Collateral Documents. In the event of any sale or transfer of any collateral the subject of any of the Collateral Documents, or any foreclosure with respect to any of the collateral the subject of any of the Collateral Documents, Administrative Agent shall be authorized to deduct all expenses reasonably incurred by Administrative Agent from the proceeds of any such sale, transfer or foreclosure.

 

(c) No Obligations Regarding Certain Actions. Administrative Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to any Lending Party or any other Person to assure that all or any of the collateral the subject of the Collateral Documents exists or is owned by Borrowers or any other Loan Party or is cared for, protected or insured or that the Liens granted to Administrative Agent herein or in any of the Collateral Documents or pursuant hereto or thereto have been properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected or enforced or are entitled to any particular priority, or to exercise or to continue exercising at all or in any manner or under any duty of care, disclosure or fidelity any of the rights, authorities and powers granted or available to Administrative Agent in this Section 9.11 or in any of the Collateral Documents, it being understood and agreed that in respect of the collateral the subject of the Collateral Documents, or any act, omission or event related thereto, Administrative Agent may act in any manner it may deem appropriate, in its sole discretion, if Administrative Agent has an interest in the collateral the subject of the Collateral Documents by virtue of being one of the Lending Parties.

 

(d) Appointment of Lending Parties as Agents. Each Lending Party hereby appoints each other such Person as agent for the purpose of perfecting Administrative Agent’s or such Person’s security interest or other Lien in assets that, in accordance with Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, can be perfected only by possession. Should any such Person (other than Administrative Agent) obtain possession of any collateral the subject of the Collateral Documents, such Person shall notify Administrative Agent thereof, and, promptly upon Administrative Agent’s request therefor, shall deliver such collateral to Administrative Agent or in accordance with Administrative Agent’s instructions.

 

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ARTICLE X.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 10.01. AMENDMENTS, ETC.

 

No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by Borrowers or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by Required Lenders and Administrative Agent, or Administrative Agent acting at the written request of Required Lenders, and Borrowers or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, with receipt acknowledged by Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:

 

(a) Unless in writing and signed by Administrative Loan Party and by any such Lender as to whom such amendment, waiver or consent is intended to apply, with receipt acknowledged by Administrative Agent, do any of the following:

 

(i) increase, or extend the expiry of, the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any such Commitment to the extent terminated pursuant to Section 8.02);

 

(ii) postpone or delay any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment of principal, interest, any applicable Prepayment Fee, fees or other amounts due to any Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document, including any prepayments specified under Section 2.03, or reduce the amount due to any Lender on any such date;

 

(iii) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest or the Prepayment Fee specified herein on, any or all of the Loans or other amounts payable to any Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or

 

(b) Unless in writing and signed by all Lenders and Administrative Loan Party, with receipt acknowledged by Administrative Agent, do any of the following:

 

(i) amend this Section 10.01, Section 2.09 or Section 8.02(b) or any provision herein providing for consent or other action by all Lenders;

 

(ii) release, compromise or subordinate all or any portion of the collateral the subject of the Collateral Documents and securing the Obligations, except as otherwise expressly provided in any of the Collateral Documents, or amend the definition of the obligations secured by any of the Collateral Documents;

 

(iii) increase the Aggregate Commitments,

 

(iv) release, compromise, subordinate or terminate any of the Guaranties except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in any of the Loan Documents;

 

(v) amend the definition of “Maturity Date” contained in Section 1.01;

 

(vi) amend the definition of “Required Lenders” contained in Section 1.01;

 

(vii) amend the definition of “NMTC Statement” or “NMTC Statement” contained in Section 1.01, or waive, amend or modify any provision of the Loans or the Loan Documents pertaining to compliance with the GARJA Statement or the NMTC Statement; or

 

(viii) amend Section 10.06(b)(v); provided further that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein: (1) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by Administrative Agent in addition to such Lenders as are otherwise required by this Section 1.01, affect the rights or duties of Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (2) no consent of Loan Parties shall be required with respect to any amendment or waiver described in Section 10.01(b)(i), or Section 10.01(b)(vi), if, at the time of such amendment or waiver, a Default exists, (3) any amendment, waiver, or consent with respect to, any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that relates only to the relationship of the Lending Parties among themselves, and that does not affect the rights or obligations of Loan Parties (or any of them), shall not require consent by or the agreement of any Loan Party, and (4) Administrative Agent and Administrative Loan Party may amend any Loan Document without the consent of any other party in order to correct technical errors, omissions or inconsistencies within or between the Loan Documents.

 

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(c) To the extent that White Oak agrees, consistent with Section 9 of the Subordination Agreements, to amend any provision of the White Oak Facility that corresponds to any provision of this Agreement, Loan Parties, Administrative Agent and Lenders shall amend the corresponding provision of this Agreement in a manner acceptable to Loan Parties and Administrative Agent (and, in the case of any amendment to a financial covenant with respect to which there is a “cushion” between such covenant in the White Oak Facility and this Agreement, such financial covenant in this Agreement shall be amended in such a manner as to preserve such cushion in a manner consistent with the cushion between such covenant levels as of the Effective Date). Further, Administrative Agent and Lenders covenant in favor of Loan Parties that in the event funding under the White Oak Facility for Phase II results in White Oak seeking to amend the financial covenants for the White Oak Facility, Administrative Agent and Lenders shall amend this Agreement on terms acceptable to Loan Parties to maintain a cushion between the updated financial covenants contained in the White Oak Facility and the corresponding covenant levels in this Agreement.

 

Section 10.02. Notices; Electronic Communications.

 

(a) Notices Generally. All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail, sent by facsimile transmission or sent by approved electronic communication in accordance with Error! Reference source not found., and all notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

 

(i) if to Borrowers, Administrative Loan Party, any Guarantor or Administrative Agent, to the address, facsimile number, e-mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 10.02; and

 

(ii) if to any Lender, to the address, facsimile number, e-mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 10.02.

 

Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received, and notices sent by facsimile transmission or by means of approved electronic communication shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient); provided that notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided by Error! Reference source not found. shall be effective as provided in such subsection Error! Reference source not found.

 

(b) Electronic Communications.

 

(i) Each Lender agrees that notices and other communications to it hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Article II if such Lender has notified Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under Article II by electronic communication; provided further that, as of the date hereof, each Lender that is a party hereto confirms that it is capable of receiving notices under Article II by electronic communication. In furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender hereby agrees to notify Administrative Agent in writing, on or before the date such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement, of such Lender’s e-mail address to which a notice may be sent (and from time to time thereafter to ensure that Administrative Agent has on record an effective e-mail address for such Lender). Each of Administrative Agent and Administrative Loan Party, on behalf of Loan Parties, may, in such Person’s discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by means of electronic communication pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

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(ii) Unless Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes: (A) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement); provided that, if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient; and (B) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (A) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

 

(iii) Each Loan Party that is party hereto hereby acknowledges that: (A) Administrative Agent may make Specified Materials available to Lending Parties by posting some or all of the Specified Materials on an Electronic Platform; (B) the distribution of materials and information through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure and that there are confidentiality and other risks associated with any such distribution; (C) the Electronic Platform is provided and used on an “As Is,” “As Available” basis; and (D) neither Administrative Agent nor any of its Affiliates warrants the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, sufficiency or sequencing of the Specified Materials posted on the Electronic Platform.

 

(iv) Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, expressly and specifically disclaims, with respect to the Electronic Platform, delays in posting or delivery, or problems accessing the Specified Materials posted on the Electronic Platform, and any liability for any losses, costs, expenses or liabilities that may be suffered or incurred in connection with the Electronic Platform. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in connection with the Electronic Platform.

 

(v) Each Lender hereby agrees that notice to it in accordance with this Error! Reference source not found. specifying that any Specified Materials have been posted to the Electronic Platform shall, for purposes of this Agreement, constitute effective delivery to such Lender of such Specified Materials. Each Lender: (A) acknowledges that the Specified Materials, including information furnished to it by any Loan Party or Administrative Agent pursuant to, or in the course of administering, the Loan Documents, may include material, non-public information concerning Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates or their respective securities; and (B) confirms that: (1) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material, nonpublic information; (2) it will handle such material, non-public information in accordance with such procedures and applicable Laws, include federal and state securities laws; and (3) to the extent it has such a person, it has identified to Administrative Agent a contact person who may receive Specified Materials that may contain material, nonpublic information in accordance with its compliance procedures and applicable Laws.

 

(c) Change of Address, Etc. Administrative Loan Party, for itself and for Loan Parties, and Administrative Agent may change their respective address(es), facsimile number(s), telephone number(s) or e-mail address(es) for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each Lender may change its address(es), facsimile number(s), telephone number(s) or e-mail address(es) for notices and other communications hereunder by written notice to Administrative Loan Party and Administrative Agent.

 

(d) Reliance by Lending Parties. Lending Parties shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices purportedly given by or on behalf of any Loan Party that is a party hereto even if: (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein; or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. Loan Parties shall indemnify each Indemnitee from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of any Loan Party that is a party hereto. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with Administrative Agent may be recorded by Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

 

Section 10.03. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.

 

No failure by Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; no single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

 

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Section 10.04. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

 

(a) Costs and Expenses. Borrowers shall pay: (i) subject to clause (ii) of this Section 10.04(a): (A) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including all wire transfer and other bank charges incurred in connection with this Agreement) incurred by Administrative Agent, Lenders and their respective Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for Administrative Agent), in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of, or consents relating to, the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated); and (ii) all actual and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for Administrative Agent and any other Lending Party), and shall pay all fees and time charges for attorneys, who may be employees of Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights: (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section 10.04; or (B) in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all such actual and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout or restructuring (or negotiations in connection with the foregoing) in respect of the Loans or any Commitment.

 

(b) Indemnification by Loan Parties. Subject to Section 10.04(a), Loan Parties shall indemnify each Indemnitee against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee) incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of: (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any document contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; (ii) any Loan or the use or proposed use of the proceeds thereof; (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof or any Environmental Claim or Environmental Liability related in any way to Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof; or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, and no Loan Party shall be liable for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) other than in connection with any claims or losses asserted by a Loan Party. This Section 10.04(b) shall not apply to Taxes other than any Taxes that constitute losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses arising from any non-Tax action, claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding.

 

(c) Reimbursement by Lenders. If Borrowers for any reason fails to pay when due any amount that it is required to pay under Section 10.04(a) or Section 10.04(b) to Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (based on its Percentage Share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) in connection with such capacity. The obligations of Lenders under this subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.10(d).

 

(d) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws, each Loan Party that is a party hereto shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against Administrative Agent, Lenders and any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any document contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any of the Loans or the use of the proceeds thereof. Neither Administrative Agent, any Lender nor any Indemnitee referred to in Section 10.04(b) shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

 

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(e) Payments. All amounts due under this Section 10.04 shall be payable not later than three (3) Business Days after demand therefor.

 

(f) Survival. The agreements in this Section 10.04 shall survive the resignation of Administrative Agent, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the payment in full, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.

 

Section 10.05. Marshalling; Payments Set Aside.

 

Neither Administrative Agent nor any other Lending Party shall be under any obligation to marshal any asset in favor of Loan Parties or any other Person or against or in payment of any or all of the Obligations. To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of Loan Parties is made to Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party, or Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party in such Person’s discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any Proceeding under any Bankruptcy Laws or otherwise, then: (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred; and (b) each Lending Party severally agrees to pay to Administrative Agent upon demand its Percentage Share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by Administrative Agent. The obligations of each Lending Party under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 10.06. Successors and Assigns.

 

(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither Borrowers nor any other Loan Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent and each Lending Party, and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligation hereunder except: (i) in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06(b); (ii) by way of a participation recorded in a Participant Register in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06(d); or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a Lien subject to the restrictions of Section 10.06(f); and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in Section 10.06(d) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of Administrative Agent and each other Lending Party) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b) Assignments by any Lender. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

(i) Minimum Amounts.

 

(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitments (if any) and the Loans at the time owing to it, no minimum amount need be assigned;

 

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(B) in any case not described in the immediately preceding sub-clause (A), the aggregate amount of any Commitments (which, for this purpose, includes the Outstanding Amount of all Loans) or, if the applicable Commitments are not then in effect, the Outstanding Amount of all Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to Administrative Agent shall not be less than Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000), in the case of any assignment in respect of the Outstanding Amount of the Loans, unless (I) Administrative Agent consents (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and (II) so long as a Default has not occurred and is continuing, Administrative Loan Party consents (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that Administrative Loan Party shall be deemed to have consented to any such amount unless it shall have objected thereto by written notice to Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days following the date it receives notice of such amount.

 

(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or Commitments assigned.

 

(iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment other than:

 

(A) any consent required by required by Section 10.06(b)(i)(B);

 

(B) the consent of Administrative Loan Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that Administrative Loan Party shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall have objected thereto by written notice to Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days following the date it received notice of such assignment; provided further that no consent of Administrative Loan Party shall be required under this Section 10.06(b)(i)(B) if (I) a Default has occurred and is continuing or (II) such assignment is to an Eligible Assignee; and

 

(C) the consent of Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) if such assignment is: (I) an assignment of a Commitment to a Person (irrespective of whether such Person is an Eligible Assignee) who does not then have a Commitment; or (II) an assignment of Loans to a Person that is not an Eligible Assignee.

 

(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount reasonably determined by Administrative Agent, if any; provided that Administrative Agent: (A) may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment; and (B) shall waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment by a Lender to an Eligible Assignee. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to Administrative Agent information regarding its contact information and such other information as Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

 

(v) No Assignment to any Loan Party. No such assignment shall be made to any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries.

 

(vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made to a natural person.

 

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Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 10.06(c), and receipt by Administrative Agent of all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act for the assignee, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of the assigning Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lending Party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lending Party shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.07, Section 2.08 and Section 10.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment. Upon request, Borrowers (at their expense) shall execute and deliver Notes to the assignee Lending Party. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 10.06(d). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents: (A) no Lender shall be required to comply with this Section 10.06(b) in connection with any assignment of all or any portion of its rights and other obligations under or relating to the Loans, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to any Affiliate of such Lender (other than any Loan Party, any Affiliate thereof or a natural person) or any Approved Fund related to such Lender, and such Lender shall have no obligation to disclose any such assignment to any such Person; provided that such Lender shall continue to be liable as a “Lender” under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents until such time, if at all, that such Lender and such other Person have complied with the provisions of this Section 10.06(b) in order for such other Person to become a “Lender” hereunder; (B) a Lender may pledge, or grant a Lien in, all or any portion of its rights and other obligations under or relating to the Loans, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to a financial institution or other funding source (other than any Loan Party, any Affiliate thereof or any natural person) or any trustee or agent therefor in support of obligations owing by such Lender to such Person(s); and (C) any Lender which is a fund may pledge, or grant a Lien in, all or any portion of its rights and other obligations under or relating to the Loans, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to its trustee (except if such trustee is any Loan Party, any Affiliate thereof or a natural person) in support of its obligation to its trustee; and (D) no pledge or grant of a Lien pursuant to the immediately preceding clauses (B) or (C) shall release the transferor Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents and such Lender such Lender shall continue to be liable as a “Lender” under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents until such time, if at all, that such Lender and such other Person have complied with the provisions of this Section 10.06(b) in order for such other Person to become a “Lender” hereunder.

 

(c) Register. Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of Borrowers, shall maintain at Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a Register. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and Borrowers and Lending Parties may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by Borrowers and each Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior written notice. In addition, at any time that a request for a consent for a material or substantive change to the Loan Documents is pending, any Lender wishing to consult with other Lenders in connection therewith may request and receive from Administrative Agent a copy of the Register.

 

(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, Administrative Loan Party or Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person, any Loan Party or any Loan Party’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) Borrowers, Administrative Agent and Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 2.08(d) with respect to any payments made by such Lender to its Participant(s). Any document pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Person shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided that such document may provide that such Person will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 10.01 that affects such Participant. Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.07 and Section 2.08, (subject to the requirements and limitations therein) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.08(g) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 10.06(b); provided that such Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.07 or Section 2.08, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. To the extent permitted by applicable Laws, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.08 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.09 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loan or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

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(e) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a Lien in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure any obligations of such Lender including, without limitation, any pledge or assignment to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

(f) Electronic Execution of Assignments. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable Laws, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

 

Section 10.07. Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality.

 

Administrative Agent and each other Lending Party each agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information, except that Information may be disclosed (including by means of the Electronic Platform): (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors, representatives and funding and financing sources (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and agree to keep such Information confidential on the same terms as provided herein); (b) to the extent requested by any Governmental Authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund of the United States Department of Treasury and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), provided that to the extent permitted by applicable Law, Administrative Agent will use reasonably commercial efforts to provide Administrative Loan Party with notice of any such request so received prior to the release thereof, however, Administrative Agent’s failure to so provide such notice (or any notice) will not be deemed a violation of any obligation of Administrative Agent to Borrowers hereunder or otherwise expose Administrative Agent to any claim or liability to any Person as a result of such failure; (c) to the extent required by applicable Laws or by any subpoena or similar legal process, provided that to the extent permitted by applicable Law, Administrative Agent will use reasonably commercial efforts to provide Administrative Loan Party with notice of any such required disclosure prior to the release thereof, however, Administrative Agent’s failure to so provide such notice (or any notice) will not be deemed a violation of any obligation of Administrative Agent to Borrowers hereunder or otherwise expose Administrative Agent to any claim or liability to any Person as a result of such failure; (d) to any other party hereto; (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any Proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder; (f) to “Gold Sheets” or other similar bank trade publications; provided that such information consist solely of deal terms and other information customarily found in such publications; (g) unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 10.07 to: (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement; or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to any Loan Party; (h) with the consent of Borrowers; or (i) to the extent such Information: (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 10.07; or (ii) becomes available to Administrative Agent, any Lending Party or any of their respective Affiliates on a non-confidential basis from a source other any Loan Party and not in contravention of this Section 10.07. For purposes of this Section 10.07, “Information” means all information (including financial information) received from any Loan Party relating to such Loan Party or its business, other than any such information that is available to Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party on a nonconfidential basis, and not in contravention of this Section 10.07, prior to disclosure by such Loan Party. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 10.07: (A) shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information, provided that it shall not be less than reasonable care; and (B) shall not disclose any financial information concerning any Loan Party or its business (including any information based on any such financial information) or use any such financial information for commercial purposes without the prior written consent of the applicable Loan Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) each Loan Party authorizes each Lending Party to make appropriate announcements of the financial arrangements entered into among Loan Parties, Administrative Agent, and Lenders, including announcements which are commonly known as “tombstones,” in such publications and to such selected parties as each Lending Party may in its sole and absolute discretion deem appropriate; provided that such Lending Party provides a copy of such announcement to Loan Parties prior to public disclosure and Loan Parties consent to such announcement, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, and (ii) each Loan Party shall be permitted to make appropriate announcements of the financial arrangements entered into among Loan Parties, Administrative Agent, and Lenders, including announcements which are commonly known as “tombstones,” in such publications and to such selected parties as each Loan Party may in its sole and absolute discretion deem appropriate; provided that such Loan Party provides a copy of such announcement to each Lending Party prior to public disclosure and Lending Parties consent to such announcement, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. Further, neither any Loan Party nor Parent shall disparage the NMTC program or the GARJA program, or Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s participation therein, to any Person.

 

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Section 10.08. Right of Setoff.

 

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each of Lending Parties and their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lending Party to or for the credit or the account of Borrowers or any other Loan Party against any and all of the Obligations to such Lending Party or such Affiliate, irrespective of whether or not such Lending Party shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of Borrowers or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lending Party different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such obligations. The rights of each Lending Party and its Affiliates under this Section 10.08 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lending Party or its Affiliates may have. Each Lending Party agrees to notify Administrative Loan Party and Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Lending Party shall exercise, or attempt to exercise, any right of set-off, banker’s lien, or the like, against any deposit account or property of Borrowers or any other Loan Party held or maintained by such Lending Party without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent.

 

Section 10.09. Interest Rate Limitation.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the Maximum Rate. If Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to Borrowers. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Laws: (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest; (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof; and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

 

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Section 10.10. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.

 

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous documents, agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Subject to the limitations provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed and delivered by Administrative Agent and when Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or in portable document format shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

Section 10.11. Survival of Representations and Warranties.

 

All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of the making of any Loan, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loans or any other Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) have not been paid in full.

 

Section 10.12. Severability.

 

If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 10.13. Patriot Act Notice.

 

Each Lending Party that is subject to the Patriot Act and Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lending Party) hereby notify Loan Parties that, pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, they are each required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies Loan Parties, which information includes the name and address of Loan Parties and other information that will allow such Lending Party or Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify Loan Parties in accordance with the Patriot Act.

 

Section 10.14. Guaranty.

 

(a) Guaranty. Each Guarantor unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties the full and prompt payment when due (whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise) and performance of the Obligations (the “Guaranteed Obligations”). The Guaranteed Obligations include interest that, but for a Proceeding under any Bankruptcy Laws, would have accrued on such Guaranteed Obligations, whether or not a claim is allowed against Borrowers for such interest in any such Proceeding.

 

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(b) Separate Obligation. Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that: (i) the Guaranteed Obligations are separate and distinct from any Debt arising under or in connection with any other document, including under any provision of this Agreement other than this Section 10.14, executed at any time by such Guarantor in favor of Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party; and (ii) such Guarantor shall pay and perform all of the Guaranteed Obligations as required under this Section 10.14, and Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties may enforce any and all of their respective rights and remedies hereunder, without regard to any other document, including any provision of this Agreement other than this Section 10.14, at any time executed by such Guarantor in favor of Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party, irrespective of whether any such other document, or any provision thereof or hereof, shall for any reason become unenforceable or any of the Debt thereunder shall have been discharged, whether by performance, avoidance or otherwise. Each Guarantor acknowledges that, in providing benefits to Borrowers, Lending Parties are relying upon the enforceability of this Section 10.14 and the Guaranteed Obligations as separate and distinct Debt of such Guarantor, and each Guarantor agrees that Lending Parties would be denied the full benefit of their bargain if at any time this Section 10.14 or the Guaranteed Obligations were treated any differently. The fact that the guaranty is set forth in this Agreement rather than in a separate guaranty document is for the convenience of Borrowers and Guarantors and shall in no way impair or adversely affect the rights or benefits of Lending Parties under this Section 10.14. Each Guarantor agrees to execute and deliver a separate document, immediately upon request at any time of Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party, evidencing such Guarantor’s obligations under this Section 10.14. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, a separate action or actions may be brought against such Guarantor, whether or not Borrowers, any other Guarantor or any other Person is joined therein or a separate action or actions are brought against Borrowers, any such other Guarantor or any such other Person.

 

(c) Limitation of Guaranty. To the extent that any court of competent jurisdiction shall impose by final judgment under applicable Laws (including sections 544 and 548 of the Bankruptcy Code) any limitations on the amount of any Guarantor’s liability with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations that Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party can enforce under this Section 10.14, Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties by their acceptance hereof accept such limitation on the amount of such Guarantor’s liability hereunder to the extent needed to make this Section 10.14 fully enforceable and non-avoidable.

 

(d) Liability of Guarantors. The liability of any Guarantor under this Section 10.14 shall be irrevocable, absolute, independent and unconditional, and shall not be affected by any circumstance that might constitute a discharge of a surety or Guarantor other than the indefeasible payment and performance in full of all Guaranteed Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations). In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, each Guarantor agrees as follows:

 

(i) such Guarantor’s liability hereunder shall be the immediate, direct, and primary obligation of such Guarantor and shall not be contingent upon Administrative Agent’s or any Lending Party’s exercise or enforcement of any remedy it may have against Borrowers or any other Person, or against any collateral or other security for any Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(ii) this Guaranty is a guaranty of payment when due and not merely of collectability;

 

(iii) Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties may enforce this Section 10.14 upon the occurrence of an Event of Default notwithstanding the existence of any dispute among Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties, on the one hand, and Borrowers or any other Person, on the other hand, with respect to the existence of such Event of Default;

 

(iv) such Guarantor’s payment of a portion, but not all, of the Guaranteed Obligations shall in no way limit, affect, modify or abridge such Guarantor’s liability for any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations remaining unsatisfied; and

 

(v) such Guarantor’s liability with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations shall remain in full force and effect without regard to, and shall not be impaired or affected by, nor shall such Guarantor be exonerated or discharged by, any of the following events:

 

(A) any Proceeding under any Bankruptcy Laws;

 

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(B) any limitation, discharge, or cessation of the liability of Borrowers or any other Person for any Guaranteed Obligations due to any Law, or any invalidity or unenforceability in whole or in part of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or the Loan Documents;

 

(C) any merger, acquisition, consolidation or change in structure of Borrowers, any Subsidiary thereof or any other Guarantor or Person, or any sale, lease, transfer or other Disposition of any or all of the assets or shares of Borrowers or any other Person;

 

(D) any assignment or other transfer, in whole or in part, of Administrative Agent’s or any Lending Party’s interests in and rights under this Agreement (including this Section 10.14) or the other Loan Documents;

 

(E) any claim, defense, counterclaim or setoff, other than that of prior performance, that Borrowers, such Guarantor, any other Guarantor or any other Person may have or assert, including any defense of incapacity or lack of corporate or other authority to execute any of the Loan Documents;

 

(F) Administrative Agent’s or any other Lending Party’s amendment, modification, renewal, extension, cancellation or surrender of any Loan Document or any Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(G) Administrative Agent’s or any Lending Party’s exercise or non-exercise of any power, right or remedy with respect to any Guaranteed Obligations or any collateral;

 

(H) Administrative Agent’s or any Lending Party’s vote, claim, distribution, election, acceptance, action or inaction in any Proceeding under any Bankruptcy Laws; or

 

(I) any other guaranty, whether by such Guarantor or any other Person, of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of Borrowers to Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party.

 

(e) Consents of Guarantors. Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally consents and agrees that, without notice to or further assent from such Guarantor:

 

(i) the principal amount of the Guaranteed Obligations may be increased or decreased and additional indebtedness or obligations of Borrowers under the Loan Documents may be incurred and the time, manner, place or terms of any payment under any Loan Document may be extended or changed, by one or more amendments, modifications, renewals or extensions of any Loan Document or otherwise;

 

(ii) the time for Borrowers’ (or any other Person’s) performance of or compliance with any term, covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed under any Loan Document may be extended, or such performance or compliance waived, or failure in or departure from such performance or compliance consented to, all in such manner and upon such terms as Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties (as applicable under the relevant Loan Documents) may deem proper;

 

(iii) Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties may request and accept other guaranties and may take and hold security as collateral for the Guaranteed Obligations, and may, from time to time, in whole or in part, exchange, sell, surrender, release, subordinate, modify, waive, rescind, compromise or extend such other guaranties or security and may permit or consent to any such action or the result of any such action, and may apply such security and direct the order or manner of sale thereof; and

 

(iv) Administrative Agent or the other Lending Parties may exercise, or waive or otherwise refrain from exercising, any other right, remedy, power or privilege even if the exercise thereof affects or eliminates any right of subrogation or any other right of such Guarantor against Borrowers.

 

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(f) Guarantor’s Waivers. Each Guarantor waives and agrees not to assert:

 

(i) any right to require Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party to proceed against Borrowers, any other Guarantor or any other Person, or to pursue any other right, remedy, power or privilege of Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party whatsoever;

 

(ii) the defense of the statute of limitations in any action hereunder or for the collection or performance of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(iii) any defense arising by reason of any lack of corporate or other authority or any other defense of Borrowers, such Guarantor or any other Person;

 

(iv) any defense based upon Administrative Agent’s or any Lending Party’s errors or omissions in the administration of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(v) any rights to set-offs and counterclaims;

 

(vi) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the fullest extent permitted by Laws, any defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by applicable Laws limiting the liability of or exonerating guarantors or sureties, or that may conflict with the terms of this Section 10.14; and

 

(vii) any and all notice of the acceptance of this Guaranty, and any and all notice of the creation, renewal, modification, extension or accrual of the Guaranteed Obligations, or the reliance by Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties upon this Guaranty, or the exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder. The Guaranteed Obligations shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted, incurred and permitted to exist in reliance upon this Guaranty. Each Guarantor waives promptness, diligence, presentment, protest, demand for payment, notice of default, dishonor or nonpayment and all other notices to or upon Borrowers, each Guarantor or any other Person with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

(g) Financial Condition of Borrowers. No Guarantor shall have any right to require Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party to obtain or disclose any information with respect to: the financial condition or character of Borrowers or the ability of Borrowers to pay and perform the Guaranteed Obligations; the Guaranteed Obligations; any collateral or other security for any or all of the Guaranteed Obligations; the existence or nonexistence of any other guarantees of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations; any action or inaction on the part of Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party or any other Person; or any other matter, fact or occurrence whatsoever. Each Guarantor hereby acknowledges that it has undertaken its own independent investigation of the financial condition of Borrowers and all other matters pertaining to this Guaranty and further acknowledges that it is not relying in any manner upon any representation or statement of Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party with respect thereto.

 

(h) Subrogation. Until the Guaranteed Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) shall be paid in full and the Aggregate Commitments shall be terminated, each Guarantor shall not have, and shall not directly or indirectly exercise: (i) any rights that it may acquire by way of subrogation under this Section 10.14, by any payment hereunder or otherwise; (ii) any rights of contribution, indemnification, reimbursement or similar suretyship claims arising out of this Section 10.14; or (iii) any other right that it might otherwise have or acquire (in any way whatsoever) that could entitle it at any time to share or participate in any right, remedy or security of Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party as against any Borrower or other Guarantors or any other Person, whether in connection with this Section 10.14, any of the other Loan Documents or otherwise. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of the foregoing rights at any time when all the Guaranteed Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties and shall forthwith be paid to Administrative Agent to be credited and applied to the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents.

 

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(i) Subordination. All payments on account of all indebtedness, liabilities and other obligations of Borrowers to any Guarantor, whether now existing or hereafter arising, and whether due or to become due, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, determined or undetermined (the “Guarantor Subordinated Debt”) shall be subject, subordinate and junior in right of payment and exercise of remedies, to the extent and in the manner set forth herein, to the prior payment in full in cash or cash equivalents of the Guaranteed Obligations. As long as any of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) shall remain outstanding and unpaid, each Guarantor shall not accept or receive any payment or distribution by or on behalf of Borrowers or any other Guarantor, directly or indirectly, or assets of Borrowers or any other Guarantor, of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, including on account of the purchase, redemption or other acquisition of Guarantor Subordinated Debt, as a result of any collection, sale or other Disposition of collateral, or by setoff, exchange or in any other manner, for or on account of the Guarantor Subordinated Debt (“Guarantor Subordinated Debt Payments”), except that, so long as an Event of Default does not then exist, any Guarantor shall be entitled to accept and receive payments on its Guarantor Subordinated Debt, in accordance with past business practices of such Guarantor and Borrowers (or any other applicable Guarantor) and not in contravention of any Laws or the terms of the Loan Documents. If any Guarantor Subordinated Debt Payments shall be received in contravention of this Section 10.14, such Guarantor Subordinated Debt Payments shall be held in trust for the benefit of Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties and shall be paid over or delivered to Administrative Agent for application to the payment in full in cash or cash equivalents of all Guaranteed Obligations remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to give effect to this Section 10.14 after giving effect to any concurrent payments or distributions to Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

(j) Continuing Guaranty. This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and agreement of subordination and shall continue in effect and be binding upon each Guarantor until termination of the Aggregate Commitments and payment and performance in full of the Guaranteed Obligations, including Guaranteed Obligations which may exist continuously or which may arise from time to time under successive transactions, and each Guarantor expressly acknowledges that this Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding that there may be periods in which no Guaranteed Obligations exist. This Guaranty shall continue in effect and be binding upon each Guarantor until actual receipt by Administrative Agent of written notice from such Guarantor of its intention to discontinue this Guaranty as to future transactions (which notice shall not be effective until 11:00 a.m. on the day that is five (5) Business Days following such receipt); provided that no revocation or termination of this Guaranty shall affect in any way any rights of Administrative Agent, or any Lending Party hereunder with respect to any Guaranteed Obligations arising or outstanding on the date of receipt of such notice, including any subsequent continuation, extension, or renewal thereof, or change in the terms or conditions thereof, or any Guaranteed Obligations made or created after such date to the extent made or created pursuant to a legally binding commitment of any Lending Party in existence as of the date of such revocation (collectively, “Existing Guaranteed Obligations”), and the sole effect of such notice shall be to exclude from this Guaranty Guaranteed Obligations thereafter arising which are unconnected to any Existing Guaranteed Obligations.

 

(k) Reinstatement. This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or shall be reinstated and revived, as the case may be, if, for any reason, any payment of the Guaranteed Obligations by or on behalf of Borrowers (or receipt of any proceeds of collateral) shall be rescinded, invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, voided or otherwise required to be repaid to Borrowers, its estate, trustee, receiver or any other Person (including under any Bankruptcy Laws), or must otherwise be restored by Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party, whether as a result of Proceedings under any Bankruptcy Laws or otherwise. All losses, damages, costs and expenses that Administrative Agent, or any Lending Party may suffer or incur as a result of any voided or otherwise set aside payments shall be specifically covered by the indemnity in favor of Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties contained in Section 10.04.

 

(l) Substantial Benefits. The Credit Extensions provided to or for the benefit of Borrowers hereunder by Lending Parties have been and are to be contemporaneously used for the benefit of Borrowers and each Guarantor. It is the position, intent and expectation of the parties that Borrowers and each Guarantor have derived and will derive significant and substantial benefits from the Credit Extensions to be made available by Lending Parties under the Loan Documents. Each Guarantor has received at least “reasonably equivalent value” (as such phrase is used in Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code and in comparable provisions of other applicable Laws) and more than sufficient consideration to support its obligations hereunder in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations. Immediately prior to and after and giving effect to the incurrence of each Guarantor’s obligations under this Guaranty, such Guarantor will be Solvent.

 

91

 

 

(m) Knowing and Explicit Waivers. Each Guarantor acknowledges that it either has obtained the advice of legal counsel or has had the opportunity to obtain such advice in connection with the terms and provisions of this Section 10.14. Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that each of the waivers and consents set forth herein is made with full knowledge of its significance and consequences, that all such waivers and consents herein are explicit and knowing and that each Guarantor expects such waivers and consents to be fully enforceable.

 

(n) Proceeding under any Bankruptcy Laws. If, while any Guarantor Subordinated Debt is outstanding, any Proceeding under any Bankruptcy Laws is commenced by or against Borrowers or their property, Administrative Agent, when so instructed by Required Lenders, is hereby irrevocably authorized and empowered (in the name of Lending Parties or in the name of any Guarantor or otherwise), but shall have no obligation, to demand, sue for, collect and receive every payment or distribution in respect of all Guarantor Subordinated Debt and give acquittances therefor and to file claims and proofs of claim and take such other action (including voting the Guarantor Subordinated Debt) as it may deem necessary or advisable for the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights or interests of Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties; and each Guarantor shall promptly take such action as Administrative Agent (on instruction from Required Lenders) may reasonably request: (i) to collect the Guarantor Subordinated Debt for the account of the Lending Parties and to file appropriate claims or proofs of claim in respect of the Guarantor Subordinated Debt; (ii) to execute and deliver to Administrative Agent such powers of attorney, assignments and other instruments as it may request to enable it to enforce any and all claims with respect to the Guarantor Subordinated Debt; and (iii) to collect and receive any and all Guarantor Subordinated Debt Payments.

 

(o) Parent Guarantor not a Loan Party. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the provisions of this Section 10.14 shall not apply to the Parent Guarantor. The obligations of the Parent Guarantor to Administrative Agent are set forth in the Parent Guaranty.

 

Section 10.15. Time of the Essence.

 

Time is of the essence of the Loan Documents.

 

Section 10.16. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

 

(a) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS, OTHER THAN NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW 5-1401 AND 5-1402.

 

(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. EACH LOAN PARTY HEREUNDER HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT TO WHICH EACH IS A PARTY, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH STATE COURTS OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURTS. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY OR ANY OF ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

 

92

 

 

(c) WAIVER OF VENUE. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAWS, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION 10.16. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAWS, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

(d) SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN Error! Reference source not found.. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAWS.

 

Section 10.17. Waiver Of Right To Jury Trial.

 

TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO REPRESENTS THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ON SUCH MATTERS. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

 

Section 10.18. Acknowledgment Regarding Equity Raise.

 

Nothing contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall limit or change any of the rights or obligations of the GARJA Lender in its capacity as an equity holder of the Parent.

 

Section 10.19. Subordination Agreements.

 

This Agreement is subject to the terms of the Subordination Agreements in favor of White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, as agent and certain other lenders, which Subordination Agreements are incorporated herein by reference. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no payment on account hereof shall be made, except in accordance with and as permitted by the terms of the Subordination Agreements. Each Lender hereunder authorizes and instructs Administrative Agent to enter into the Subordination Agreements and acknowledges (or is deemed to acknowledge) that a copy of each of the Subordination Agreements was delivered, or made available, to such Lender. Each Lender hereby acknowledges that it has received and reviewed the Subordination Agreements, and each of the Lenders agrees to be bound by the Subordination Agreements. In the event there is a conflict or inconsistency between either Subordination Agreement and any other Loan Document, the terms of such Subordination Agreement shall control; provided, however, that no reference to either Subordination Agreement in any Loan Document shall be construed to provide that any Loan Party is a third party beneficiary of the provisions of such Subordination Agreement or that any such Loan Party may assert any rights, defenses or claims on account of such Subordination Agreement or this Section 10.19, and each Loan Party agrees that nothing in the Subordination Agreements is intended to or shall impair the obligation of any Loan Party to pay the obligations under this Agreement, or any other Loan Document as and when the same become due and payable in accordance with their respective terms, or to affect the relative rights of the creditors with respect to any Loan Party or, except as expressly otherwise provided in the Subordination Agreements, as to any Loan Party’s obligations or such Loan Party’s properties. This Section 10.19 shall not impair the rights of the Loan Parties contained in Section 10.01(c) of this Agreement.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

93

 

 

In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

  Borrowers:
   
  Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC,
  a Delaware limited liability company
       
  By: /s/ John A Dowdy III
  Name:  John A Dowdy III
  Title: CFO
   
  Meredian Bloplastics, Inc.
  a Georgia corporation
     
  By: /s/ John A Dowdy III
  Name: John A Dowdy III
  Title: CFO

 

[SIGNATURES CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

Loan and Security Agreement — Danimer/Meredian/SECDF/PIFS

 

 

 

 

[SIGNATURES CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE]

 

  Guarantors:
   
  Meredian, Inc.,
  a Georgia corporation
     
  By: /s/ John A Dowdy III
  Name: John A Dowdy III
  Title: CFO
   
  Danimer Scientific, LLC,
  a Georgia limited liability company
     
  By: /s/ John A Dowdy III
  Name:  John A Dowdy III
  Title: CFO
   
  Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.,
  a Georgia corporation
     
  By: /s/ John A Dowdy III
  Name: John A Dowdy III
  Title: CFO
   
  Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc.,
  a Delaware corporation
     
  By: /s/ John A Dowdy III
  Name: John A Dowdy III
  Title: CFO

 

[SIGNATURES CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

Loan and Security Agreement — Danimer/Meredian/SECDF/PIFS

 

 

 

 

[SIGNATURES CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE]

 

  Administrative Agent:
   
  Southeast Community Development Fund X, L.L.C.,
a Delaware limited liability company
     
  By: Advantage Capital Community Development Fund, L.L.C., its Managing Member
     
  By: /s/ Abhi Chandrasekhara
  Name:  Abhi Chandrasekhara
  Title: Authorized Person
     
  Lenders:
   
  Southeast Community Development Fund X, L.L.C.,
a Delaware limited liability company
     
  By: Advantage Capital Community Development Fund, L.L.C., its Managing Member
     
  By: /s/ Abhi Chandrasekhara
  Name: Abhi Chandrasekhara
  Title: Authorized Person

 

[SIGNATURES CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

Loan and Security Agreement -- [Danimer/Meredian/SECUDF/PIFS]

 

 

 

 

[SIGNATURES CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE]

 

  PIFS Sub-CDE XX, LLC,
  a Virginia limited liability company
     
  By: People Incorporated Financial Services, a Virginia non-stock co oration, its Managing Member
     
  By: /s/ Robert G. Goldsmith
  Name:  Robert G. Goldsmith
  Title: President and CEO

 

[Signature Page to Loan and Security Agreement -- [Danimer/Meredian/SE0UPPIFS]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1.01-A

 

Certain Material Contracts

 

Certain Material Contracts

 

1. QLICI Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of July 23, 2012 by and among Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., (“Borrower”) in favor of AmCREF Fund XI, LLC, Meredian/NCF Sub-CDE, LLC and Empowerment Reinvestment Fund XX, LLC (“Lenders”).

 

2. Trademark and Patent Security Agreement, dated as of July 23, 2012 by and among Meredian Bioplastics, Inc. (“Grantor”) in favor of AmCREF Fund XI, LLC, Meredian/NCF Sub-CDE, LLC and Empowerment Reinvestment Fund XX, LLC (“Secured Parties”).

 

3. Guaranty Agreement, dated as of July 23, 2012, made by Meredian, Inc., Daniel Carraway and Blake Lindsey (“Guarantors”) in favor of AmCREF Fund XI, LLC, Meredian/NCF Sub-CDE, LLC and Empowerment Reinvestment Fund XX, LLC (“Lenders”).

 

4. Deed to Secure Debt and Security Agreement, dated as of July 23, 2012 made by Meredian Bioplastics, Inc. (“Grantor”) in favor of AmCREF Fund XI, LLC, Meredian/NCF Sub-CDE, LLC and Empowerment Reinvestment Fund XX, LLC (“Grantees”).

 

5. QLICI Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2013 by and between Danimer Bioplastics, Inc. and CCM Community Development LVI LLC (“Lender”).

 

6. Intellectual Property Security Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2013, entered into among Danimer Bioplastics, Inc. (“Grantor”) in favor of CCM Community Development LVI LLC (“Secured Party”).

 

7. Guaranty Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2013, made by Danimer Scientific L.L.C. (“Guarantor”) in favor of CCM Community Development LVI LLC (“Lender”).

 

8. Deed to Secure Debt and Security Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2013, made by Danimer Bioplastics, Inc. (“Grantor”) in favor of CCM Community Development LVI LLC (“Grantee”).

 

9. Master Lease Agreement, dated as of December 14, 2018, by and between Store Capital Acquisitions, LLC (“Lessor”) and Guarantor (“Lessee”).

 

10. Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019 among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Danimer Holdings”), Meredian, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian”), Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian Bioplastics”), Danimer Scientific, L.L.C., a Georgia limited liability company (“Danimer Scientific”), Danimer Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Danimer Bioplastics”), Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Danimer Kentucky”), as borrowers, the lenders party thereto and White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, as administrative agent (“White Oak”).

 

11. Pledge Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019 executed by Danimer Holdings, Meredian and Danimer Scientific in favor of White Oak.

 

12. Intellectual Property Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019, executed by Danimer Bioplastics, Meredian, Meredian Bioplastics and Danimer Scientific, in favor of White Oak;

 

13. Deed to secure Debt and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019 executed by Danimer Bioplastics in favor of White Oak.

 

14. Absolute Assignment of Lessor’s Interest in Leases and Rents, dated as of March 13, 2019 executed by Danimer Bioplastics in favor of White Oak.

 

Schedule 1.01-A page 2

 

 

SCHEDULE 1.01-B

 

QUALICB Initial Collateral

 

Group: Lab Equipment
 
Asset #    
40   MiniPV 1 Bath 155V
42   Mini PV 1 Bath additions
47   Optima 8300 Spectrometer
48   CEAST HV6 HDT VICAT
54   Randcastle Lab Sheet
55   Freezer - Minus 86 degrees C
56   DSC 8500 Lab System
57   Randcastle - A West
58   Mocoon
59   QX200 drPCR Sys, w Laptop
60   DSC 8500 - Airgas
61   DSC 8500 - Ga Valve
75   Mocoon-Travel
99   Randcastle -Lowe Electric
100   QX200 Touch Cycler
102   Rapid N Exceed - Protein Analyzer
     
Group:  Machinery & Equipment
Asset #    
76   Tie Points PID 110
77   Lysis Tanks PID 120
78   Seperator PID 130
79   RO & CIP Water PID 140
80   Press Filter #1 PID 150
81   Press Filter #2 PID 160
82   Drying PID 180
83   Utility PID 190
84   750 Fermenter
85   CDP Fermentor
86   3500 Fermenter
87   20 KL Fermenter
88   Lab Filter Press
89   Lab Seperator
90   Bioflows in Lab
91   RO Skid

 

 

 

 

92   Off Gas Analyzer
93   Forklift
103   GEA & Separator Frame
104   Off Gas Analyzer
105   Wyssmont
106   20 kl add
107   Lysis Tanks - MB
108   3500 Ferm - MB
109   20 KL from MB
110   Press Filter #2 from MB
111   20 KL from MB
132   Drying PID 180 - Labor
147   150 ABEC Tescom
148   20KL Add
149   3500 ABEC add
150   750 ABEC add
151   Dryer (PID) 180 add
537   103mm Extruder

 

Schedule 1.01-B page 2

 

 

SCHEDULE 2.01

 

Lenders; Commitments; Percentage Shares

 

The Aggregate Commitments total: Nine Million Nine Hundred Ninety-Nine Thousand Nine Hundred Eighty Dollars ($9,999,980). On and as of the Effective Date, the Commitments of Lenders are as follows:

 

Lenders*   Commitment     Percentage Shares  
SECDF   $ 5,499,980.00       54.99991 %
PIFS   $ 4,500,000.00       45.00009 %
                 
TOTAL:   $ 9,999,980       100.00 %

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 5.05

 

Certain Litigation

 

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., Meredian, Inc., Danimer Scientific, LLC and Meredian Bioplastics, Inc. v. Paul Pereira, The Alton Group, LLC n/k/a Alton Consulting Group, LLC, Altong Group, Inc., Alton Bio, LLC, Rachael Pereira and The House of Miami, LLC, Civil Action No. 1:16-CV-124, United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia (Albany Division).

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 5.08

 

Permitted Uses of Proceeds of Loans

 

The proceeds of the GARJA Loan will be used to make certain capital expenditures, fund working capital, pay closing costs and expenses and for general corporate purposes, all in accordance with and to the extent permitted by the GARJA Statement.

 

The proceeds of the NMTC Loan will be used to make certain capital expenditures, fund working capital, pay closing costs and expenses and for general corporate purposes, all in accordance with and to the extent permitted by the NMTC Statement.

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 5.16

 

Subsidiaries; Investments; Equity Interests in Loan Parties; Investments; Loan Receivables

 

EQUITY INTERESTS HELD BY PERSONS IN LOAN PARTIES and
EQUITY INTERESTS HELD BY LOAN PARTIES IN PERSONS:

 

Entity Name   Holder of Equity Interests  

Number and Class of Issued

Shares/Membership Interests Held by
Equity Holder

Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC   Meredian Holdings Group, Inc.   100 units
Meredian, Inc.   Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC   1 share
Danimer Scientific, L.L.C.   Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC   100 units
Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc.   Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC   100 shares
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   Meredian, Inc.   10 shares
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   Danimer Scientific, L.L.C.   10 shares

 

SCHEDULE OF OTHER INVESTMENTS

 

None.

 

EMPLOYEE LOANS

 

None.

 

LOAN RECEIVABLE – OTHER:

 

Entity Name   Counterparty   Document & Date   Amount  
Danimer Scientific, L.L.C.   Danimer Bioplastics Investment Fund, LLC   Fund Loan Agreement dated September 30, 2013   $ 14,333,800  
Meredian, Inc.   Meredian Bioplastics Investment Fund, LLC   Fund Loan Agreement dated July 23, 2012   $ 20,478,031  

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 5.19

 

Certain Labor Issues

 

Not applicable; None.

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 6.12

 

Collateral Accounts and Excluded Accounts

 

1. Collateral Accounts

 

Loan Party   Account Number   Bank   Type of Account
             
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   1000212608045   SunTrust Bank   Checking Operating Account and Payroll
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   1000212608102   SunTrust Bank   Checking Operating Account and Payroll
Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc.   1000212608227   SunTrust Bank   Checking Operating Account and Payroll
Meredian, Inc.   1000212608284   SunTrust Bank   Checking Operating Account
Danimer Scientific, L.L.C.   1000212608292   SunTrust Bank   Checking Operating Account
Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC   1000212608334   SunTrust Bank   Checking Operating Account and Payroll

 

The addresses for SunTrust Bank are as follows:

 

SunTrust Restricted Accounts

Mail Code: GA-Atlanta-1761

3333 Peachtree Road, NE, 3rd Floor

Atlanta, GA 30326

Phone: 404-926-5717

Fax: 404-926-5654

Email Address: DL.Wholesale.RestrictedAccounts@suntrust.com

 

And

 

SunTrust Bank

Deposit Account Compliance and Regulatory Review Dept.

Mail Code: FL-Orlando-7128

7455 Chancellor Drive

Orlando, FL 32809

Phone: 407-762-5106

Fax: 407-762-7155

Email Address: Restricted.Accounts@suntrust.com

 

 

 

 

2. Excluded Accounts

 

Loan Party   Account Number   Bank   Type of Account
             
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   2008282(*)   First National Bank of Decatur County   Checking Operating Account and Payroll
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   113247(*)   United National Bank   Checking Operating Account
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   9402(**)   United National Bank   Certificate of Deposit
Danimer Scientific, L.L.C.   2000248(*)   First National Bank of Decatur County   Checking Operating Account
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   2008878(*)   First National Bank of Decatur County   Checking Operating Account and Payroll
Meredian, Inc.   901710(*)   United National Bank   Checking Operating Account
Meredian, Inc.   2007423(*)   First National Bank of Decatur County   Checking Operating Account
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   152313868910   US Bank   Restricted Checking
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   252305132851   US Bank   Restricted Checking
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   252305132844   US Bank   Restricted Checking
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   4003539(***)   First National Bank of Decatur County   Restricted Checking
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   1000212608441   SunTrust Bank   Escrow Account

 

(*) Account to be closed 90 days after the Effective Date.
(**) Account to be closed once the certificate of deposit matures on October 27, 2019. The current balance of this CD is $36,627.10.
(***) Scholarship fund established in connection with the Danimer Bioplastics NMTC transaction. Account may be closed once the Danimer Bioplastics NMTC transaction unwinds in September 2020.

 

Schedule 6.12 page 2

 

 

SCHEDULE 7.01

 

Certain Permitted Liens

 

Loan Party   Name of Holder of
Lien/Encumbrance
  Description of Property Encumbered
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   Toyota Industries Commercial Finance, Inc.   Toyota Forklift Model 8FGCU25
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   Wells Fargo Equipment Finance   2017 Cat XR Rider Floor Scrubber
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   AmCREF Fund XI, LLC   All assets of Meredian Bioplastics, Inc. (subordinate), US Bank account 152313868910
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   Meredian/NCF Sub-CDE, LLC   All assets of Meredian Bioplastics, Inc. (subordinate), US Bank accounts 152313868910 and 252305132851.Pa
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   Empowerment Reinvestment Fund XX, LLC   All assets of Meredian Bioplastics, Inc. (subordinate). US Bank accounts 152313868910 and 252305132844.
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   Bank of the West   Hyster H50FT
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   Bank OZK   1911 Gragg St. Bainbridge GA 39819
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   Prime Meridian Bank   240 Back of the Moon Road Brinson, GA 39825
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   Ford Credit  

2018 F-250

VIN: 1FT7W2B67JEB25205

Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   Ford Credit  

2018 F-150

VIN: 1FT3W1E51JFB63320

Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   CCM Community Development LVI   All assets of Danimer Bioplastics, Inc. (subordinate lien)
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   First National Bank of Decatur County  

2011 Ford 750

VIN: 3FRWF7FC7BV367641

Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc.   First National Bank of Decatur County  

2018 Ford Expedition

VIN: 1FMJK1JT7JEA10621

Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc.   First National Bank of Decatur County  

2018 Ford Explorer

VIN: 1FM5K8F83JGA37799

Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   First National Bank of Decatur County   2018 GMC Sierra 2500H VIN: 1GT12UEY3JF258449

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 7.03

 

Certain Permitted Debt

 

Lender   Subsidiary   Principal Outstanding as of February 14,
2019
 
Bank of the West   Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 3,614  
Bank OZK   Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 70,867  
Prime Meridian Bank   Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 236,775  
Ford Credit (2018 Ford F-250)   Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 50,362  
Ford Credit (2018 Ford F-150)   Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 42,592  
First National Bank of Decatur County (Box Truck)   Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 32,902  
Toyota Industries Commercial Finance, Inc.   Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 15,269  
Wells Fargo Equipment Finance   Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 19,062  
First National Bank of Decatur County (2018 Ford Expedition)   Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc.   $ 53,537  
First National Bank of Decatur County (2018 Ford Explorer)   Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc.   $ 37,052  
AmCREF Fund XI (Loan A)   Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 9,196,595  
AmCREF Fund XI (Loan B)   Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 1,740,319  
Empowerment Reinvestment Fund XX (Loan A)   Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 4,979,681  
Empowerment Reinvestment Fund XX (Loan B)   Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 1,740,319  
Meredian/NCF Sub-CDE (Loan A)   Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 6,301,755  
Meredian/NCF Sub-CDE (Loan B)   Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 2,028,245  
CCM Community Development LVI (Loan A)   Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 14,733,800  
CCM Community Development LVI (Loan B)   Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 5,266,200  
First National Bank of Decatur County (2018 GMC Sierra)   Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 57,615.28 *

 

* This loan was incurred after February 14, 2019 and, therefore, the outstanding principal amount is as of March 1, 2019.

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 10.02

 

Administrative Agent’s Office; Certain Addresses for Notices

 

If to Loan Parties:

 

c/o Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC

140 Industrial Boulevard

Bainbridge, Georgia 39817

Facsimile:

Email Address: croskrey@danimer.com
Attention: Stephen E. Croskrey, CEO

 

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

 

Kane Kessler, P.C.

666 Third Avenue, 23rd Floor

New York, New York 10017

Facsimile: 212-245-3009

Email Address: rlawrence@kanekessler.com
Attention: Robert L. Lawrence, Esq.

 

If to Administrative Agent or SECDF:

 

Southeast Community Development Fund X, L.L.C.

909 Poydras Street, Suite 2230

New Orleans, LA 70112

Attn: Anthony Billings and Abhi Chandrasekhara
Email Address: abillings@advantagecap.com
Attention: Anthony Billings
Email Address: abhi@advantagecap.com
Attention: Abhi Chandrasekhara

 

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

 

Dentons US LLP

303 Peachtree Street, Suite 5300

Atlanta, GA 30308

Email Address: michael.cochran@dentons.com
Attention: Michael Cochran, Esq.

 

If to PIFS:

 

PIFS Sub-CDE XX, LLC

1173 West Main Street

Abingdon, VA 24210

Facsimile: 276-628-2931
Attention: Bryan Phipps

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice)

 

Southeast Community Development Fund X, L.L.C.

909 Poydras Street, Suite 2230

New Orleans, LA 70112

Attn: Anthony Billings, Abhi Chandrasekhara and Michael T. Johnson
Email Address: abillings@advantagecap.com
Attention: Anthony Billings
Email Address: abhi@advantagecap.com
Attention: Abhi Chandrasekhara

 

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

 

Dentons US LLP

303 Peachtree Street, Suite 5300

Atlanta, GA 30308

Email Address: michael.cochran@dentons.com
Attention: Michael Cochran, Esq.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A-1

 

[FORM OF] PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$5,499,980.00 March 13, 2019

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company (“Borrower”), hereby promises to pay to Southeast Community Development Fund X, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company and a Lender under the Loan Agreement referred to below (“Lender”), to the extent not sooner paid, on or before the Maturity Date, the principal sum of FIVE MILLION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-NINE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED EIGHTY AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($5,499,980.00) with interest from the date hereof, computed as provided in the Loan Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein has the meanings set forth in the Loan Agreement.

 

This Note evidences a Loan under and is entitled to the benefits and subject to the provisions of that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of even date herewith, among Borrower and Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation, as borrowers, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Southeast Community Development Fund X, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, in its capacity as Administrative Agent (as amended or restated from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”). The principal of this Note may be due and payable in whole or in part prior to the Maturity Date and is subject to mandatory prepayment in the amounts and under the circumstances set forth in the Loan Agreement. The principal balance of this Note will increase by any interest payments that are capitalized by adding such amounts to the principal balance of this Note, to the extent provided for in the Loan Agreement.

 

In case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the entire principal amount of this Note may become or be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Loan Agreement. This Note is secured by the Collateral.

 

This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (without giving effect to the conflict of laws rules thereof).

 

Except as provided by the Loan Documents, the undersigned hereby waives presentment, demand, notice, protest, notice of intention to accelerate the indebtedness evidenced hereby, notice of acceleration of the indebtedness evidenced hereby and all other demands and notices in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance and enforcement of this Note.

 

(Signature on following page)

 

 

 

 

This Promissory Note is subject to the terms of a Subordination Agreement in favor of White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, as agent and certain other lenders, which Subordination Agreement is incorporated herein by reference. Notwithstanding any contrary statement contained in the within Promissory Note, no payment on account thereof, including principal or interest, shall be made except in accordance with the terms of such Subordination Agreement.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has by its duly authorized officers executed this Note as of the date first provided above.

 

 

Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC,

a Georgia limited liability company

     
  By:                         
  Name:
  Title:

 

Promissory Note - GARJA Loan

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A-2

 

[FORM OF] PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$4,500,000.00 March 13, 2019

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Borrower”), hereby promises to pay to PIFS Sub-CDE XX, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company and a Lender under the Loan Agreement referred to below (“Lender”), to the extent not sooner paid, on or before the Maturity Date, the principal sum of FOUR MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($4,500,000.00) with interest from the date hereof, computed as provided in the Loan Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein has the meanings set forth in the Loan Agreement.

 

This Note evidences a Loan under and is entitled to the benefits and subject to the provisions of that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of even date herewith, among Borrower and Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as borrowers, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Southeast Community Development Fund X, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, in its capacity as Administrative Agent (as amended or restated from time to time, the Loan Agreement”). The principal of this Note may be due and payable in whole or in part prior to the Maturity Date and is subject to mandatory prepayment in the amounts and under the circumstances set forth in the Loan Agreement. The principal balance of this Note will increase by any interest payments that are capitalized by adding such amounts to the principal balance of this Note, to the extent provided for in the Loan Agreement.

 

In case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the entire principal amount of this Note may become or be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Loan Agreement. This Note is secured by the Collateral.

 

This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (without giving effect to the conflict of laws rules thereof).

 

Except as provided by the Loan Documents, the undersigned hereby waives presentment, demand, notice, protest, notice of intention to accelerate the indebtedness evidenced hereby, notice of acceleration of the indebtedness evidenced hereby and all other demands and notices in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance and enforcement of this Note.

 

(Signature on following page)

 

 

 

 

This Promissory Note is subject to the terms of a Subordination Agreement in favor of White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, as agent and certain other lenders, which Subordination Agreement is incorporated herein by reference. Notwithstanding any contrary statement contained in the within Promissory Note, no payment on account thereof, including principal or interest, shall be made except in accordance with the terms of such Subordination Agreement.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has by its duly authorized officers executed this Note as of the date first provided above.

 

  Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.,
a Georgia corporation
     
  By:                     
  Name
  Title:

 

Promissory Note - NMTC Loan

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

[FORM OF] COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

Financial Statement Date: ____________, 20__

 

The undersigned, __________________, hereby refers to that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019 (as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), among Borrowers, the Affiliates of Borrowers from time to time party thereto as Guarantors, the entities from time to time party thereto as Lenders, and SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND X, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, as administrative agent (“Administrative Agent”) for such Lenders. Unless otherwise defined herein, each capitalized term used herein has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Loan Agreement.

 

The undersigned hereby certifies, as of the date hereof, to Administrative Agent and Lenders, on behalf of Loan Parties as an officer of Administrative Loan Party and not in his or her individual capacity, that: (a) s/he holds`the office of ______ of Administrative Loan Party and is a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party; (b) as a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party, s/he is authorized to execute and deliver this Compliance Certificate to Administrative Agent and Lenders on behalf of Loan Parties; and (c):

 

1. Attached hereto is [please check as appropriate]:

 

☐ a consolidated balance sheet for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as at the end of the Fiscal Year of Loan Parties ended [ __, 20__ ] (the Subject Fiscal Year), and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, setting forth, in each case in comparative form, the figures for the previous Fiscal Year and the figures from Loan Parties’ budget for the current Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, such consolidated statements to be audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant [of nationally recognized standing] reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent (with the accounting firm _______ being acceptable to Administrative Agent), which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any going concernor like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit.

 

☐ unaudited consolidated balance sheets for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Month, and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income or operations, shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Month and the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended (setting forth, in each case in comparative form, (i) the figures for the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year (if applicable) and (ii) the figures from the corresponding portion of Loan Parties’ budget for the current Fiscal Year), all in reasonable detail, in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

2. The financial statements referred to in Paragraph (c)(1) fairly present the consolidated financial position, the results of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

3. The undersigned has reviewed and is familiar with the terms of the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents and has made, or has caused to be made under my supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and conditions (financial or otherwise) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements.

 

4. The financial condition covenants and other compliance calculations and information set forth on Schedule I attached hereto are true, complete and accurate on and as of the date hereof.

  

 

 

 

5. To the undersigned’s knowledge Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries have, during such period, observed, performed and/or satisfied and/or have caused to be observed, performed and/or satisfied all of their respective covenants and other agreements contained in the Loan Documents to which they are a party, and have satisfied every condition in the Loan Documents to which they are a party to be observed, performed and/or satisfied by them, and the undersigned has no knowledge of any condition, event or occurrence, which constitutes a Default or Event of Default, except as set forth below:

 

[Describe below (or in a separate attachment to this Certificate) the exceptions, if any, to Paragraph 5 hereof by listing, in detail and with reference to specific sections of the Loan Agreement or applicable Loan Document, the nature of the condition, event or occurrence, the period during which it has existed and the actions that Loan Parties have taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect to such condition, event or occurrence.]

 

The foregoing certifications are made as of ___________ __, 20__ pursuant to the provisions of the Loan Agreement.

 

  as Administrative Loan Party
     
  By:                                  
  Name
  Title:

 

[Signature Page to Compliance Certificate]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE I

 

To Compliance Certificate

 

Compliance Calculations

for the Loan and Security Agreement dated as of ______ __, 20__ (the “Loan Agreement”)

 

Calculations as of [_ __________, ____]

for [Fiscal Quarter][Fiscal Year] ending [_ ,____ ]

 

See Attached.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

[FORM OF] NOTICE OF BORROWING

 

[Date]

 

Southeast Community Development Fund X, L.L.C., as Administrative Agent for the Lenders party to the Loan Agreement referred to below

 

909 Poydras Street, Suite 2230

New Orleans, LA 70112

Email Address: abillings@advantagecap.com

Attention: Anthony Billings

Email Address: abhi@advantagecap.com

Attention: Abhi Chandrasekhara

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned, Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Administrative Loan Party”), refers to the Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019 (as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”, the capitalized terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Borrowers, the Affiliates of Borrowers from time to time party thereto as Guarantors, the entities from time to time party thereto as Lenders, and SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND X, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, as administrative agent (“Administrative Agent”) for such Lenders, and hereby gives you notice, irrevocably, pursuant to Section 2.01(b) of the Loan Agreement), that the undersigned hereby requests a Loan under the Loan Agreement, and in that connection sets forth below the information relating to such Loan (the “Proposed Loan”) as required by Section 2.01(b) of the Loan Agreement:

 

(b) Aggregate Principal Amount of the proposed Loans:

 

(i) GARJA Loan $_________
(ii) NMTC Loan $_________
TOTAL   $_________

 

(c) Date of the Proposed Loans: ______

 

(d) Funds are requested to be disbursed on behalf of Borrower to each of the payees and their respective accounts set forth on Schedule 1 hereto.

 

(e) The undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements are true on the date hereof and will be true on the date of the Proposed Loans:

 

(i) the representations and warranties of Borrowers and each other Loan Party contained in Article V of the Loan Agreement and in any other Loan Document, or that are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct on and as of the [Effective Date] [date of the Proposed Loans], except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date; and

 

(ii) no Default shall then exist or shall result, or could reasonably be expected to result, from the use of proceeds of the Proposed Loan on the Effective Date.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank].

 

 

 

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  as Administrative Loan Party
     
  By:                  
  Name:
  Title:

 

[Signature Page to Exhibit C – Form of Notice of Borrowing]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1

TO

NOTICE OF BORROWING

 

[SEE ATTACHED]

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

[FORM OF] ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

This Assignment and Assumption (the “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between the Assignor identified in item 1 below (the “Assignor”) and the assignees identified in item 2 and further described in item 6 below (collectively, the “Assignee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Loan Agreement identified below (as amended, the “Loan Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

 

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Loan Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Loan Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including all promissory notes evidencing and guarantees of such facilities), and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Loan Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned by the Assignor to the Assignee pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as an “Assigned Interest”). Each such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

1. Assignor: [___________].
     
2. Assignee: [___________].
     
3. Borrower(s): Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Danimer Holdings”), and Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian Bioplastics”, and, together with Danimer Holdings, individually and collectively, jointly and severally, “Borrowers”)
     
4. Administrative Agent: SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND X, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, in its capacity as Administrative Agent under the Loan Agreement.
     
5. Loan Agreement: The Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 13, 2019 among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Danimer Holdings”), and Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian Bioplastics”, and, together with Danimer Holdings, individually and collectively, jointly and severally, “Borrowers”), the entities party thereto as Guarantors, the entities party thereto as Lenders, and SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND X, L.L.C., as Administrative Agent.
     
6. Assigned Interests:  

 

 

 

 

Assignor     Assignee     Loan(s)
Assigned
(NMTC or
GARJA)
    Aggregate
Amount of
Commitment
(or principal
balance) of all
Lenders for
such Loan(s)
    Amount of
Commitment
(or principal
balance) of
Assignor for
such Loan(s)
    Percentage
Assigned of
Commitment/
Loan(s)
 
  [________]       [________]       [________]     $ [________]     $ [________]       [________] %

 

 

Effective Date: __, 20__

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

 

 

 

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

  ASSIGNOR:
     
  By:  
  Title:
   
  ASSIGNEE:
     
  By:  
  Title:
   
  [ADMINISTRATIVE LOAN PARTY:
                      
  By:  
  Title:]*

 

Consented to and Accepted:

 

SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND X, L.L.C., as Administrative Agent  
                    
By:    
Title:  

 

* To the extent required by Section 10.06(b)(iii) of the Loan Agreement.

 

[Signature Page to Assignment and Assumption]

 

 

 

 

ANNEX 1

 

The Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of _________ __, 2019 (as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), among Borrowers, the Affiliates of Borrowers from time to time party thereto as Guarantors, the entities from time to time party thereto as Lenders, and SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND X, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, as administrative agent (“Administrative Agent”) for such Lenders.

 

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

1. Representations and Warranties.

 

1.1 Assignor. The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim, and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of Borrowers, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document, or the performance or observance by Borrowers, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

 

1.2 Assignee. The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is an Eligible Assignee, (ii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Loan Agreement, it meets all the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.06 of the Loan Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required thereunder), (ii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Loan Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iii) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by the Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire the Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (iv) it has received a copy of the Loan Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest, and (v) it has, independently and without reliance upon Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Assignment and Assumption to the contrary, the obligations of Assignee under this Agreement are several (and not joint and several) among the assignees identified in item 6 above as follows: (A) each assignee is responsible only for breaches of representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of such assignee (and not those of any other Assignee) set forth herein and (B) with respect to any obligation of an assignee hereunder not covered by clause (A) above, such obligation shall be allocated severally (and not jointly) among the assignees in the proportions set forth in item 6 above.

 

1.3 Payments. From and after the Effective Date, Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Administrative Agent shall make all payments of interest, fees or other amounts paid or payable in kind from and after the Effective Date to the Assignee.

 

General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of law other than New York General Obligations Law 5-1401 and 5-1402.

 

[Annex 1 to Exhibit D – Assignment and Assumption]

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT E

 

NEW MARKETS TAX CREDIT STATEMENT OF
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

 

This New Markets Tax Credit Statement of Representations, Warranties and Covenants (this “NMTC Compliance Certificate”) is made as of March 13, 2019, by MERIDIAN BIOPLASTICS, INC., a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), for the benefit of PIFS SUB-CDE XX, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company (the “Lender”).

 

RECITALS

 

A. Concurrently with the execution of this NMTC Compliance Certificate, the Company, Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, the guarantors from time to time party thereto, Lender, and Southeast Community Development Fund X, L.L.C. are entering into that certain Loan and Security Agreement dated as of even date herewith (as supplemented and amended from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), and certain other documents being delivered in connection therewith (collectively with the Loan Agreement, the “Loan Documents”), pursuant to which Lender is loaning $4,500,000 to the Company (the “Loan”).

 

B. Lender the Company intend that Loan will constitute a Qualified Low-Income Community Investment (as hereafter defined).

 

C. As a condition to the Lender making the Loan to the Company pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents, the Lender requires, and the Company has agreed to provide, this NMTC Compliance Certificate.

 

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company hereby represents, warrants and covenants to the Lender as follows:

 

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

 

1.01 Certain Defined Terms. Capitalized words not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Loan Documents. When used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings (terms defined in the singular to have the same meaning when used in the plural and vice versa):

 

Average Value – The cost basis of the Company’s owned tangible property as determined under Section 1012 of the Code (as defined herein) plus the reasonable value of its leased property as determined under Section 1012 of the Code.

 

CDFI Fund – The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund of the United States Department of the Treasury, or any successor agency charged with oversight responsibility for the federal New Markets Tax Credit program.

 

Census Tracts – Collectively, (x) census tract number 13087970300, which is a “low-income community” as defined in Section 45D(e) of the Internal Revenue Code (and as such term is defined in more detail herein under the definition of “Low-Income Community”) and (y) each census tract number in which any property and/or employees of the Company are located after the Closing Date, provided that the Lender has confirmed that such additional census tract number is a Low-Income Community upon receipt of notice from the Company pursuant to Section 3.01(p) set forth below.

 

Code – The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).

 

Exhibit E - Form of NMTC Statement

 

 

 

 

Collectible – Has the meaning given to it in Section 408(m)(2) of the Code and includes any (i) work of art, (ii) rug or antique, (iii) precious metal or gem, (iv) stamp or coin (other than U.S. currency or any coin issued by the U.S. government), or (v) any alcoholic beverage.

 

Company – As defined in the preamble paragraph above.

 

Disqualified Business – (i) the rental of “residential rental property” (as defined in Section 168(e)(2) of the Code) or the rental of real property without “substantial improvements” (as such term is described in the NMTC Requirements) on such real property, (ii) any trade or business consisting predominantly of the development or holding of intangible property for sale or license, (iii) any trade or business consisting of the operation of a private or commercial golf course, country club, massage parlor, hot tub facility, suntan facility, or racetrack or other facility used for gambling, (iv) any trade or business consisting of the operation of any store the principal business of which is the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption off premises or (v) the operation of any trade or business the principal activity of which is farming (within the meaning of Section 2032A(e)(5)(A) or (B) of the Code).

 

Lender – As defined in the preamble paragraph above.

 

Location – As defined in Section 2.01(a) set forth below.

 

Loan – As defined in the Recitals set forth above.

 

Loan Documents – As defined in the Recitals set forth above.

 

Low-Income Community – Any population census tract if (a) the poverty rate for such tract is at least twenty percent (20%), (b) (i) in the case of a tract not located within a metropolitan area, the median family income for such tract does not exceed eighty percent (80%) of the statewide median family income, or (ii) in the case of a tract located within a metropolitan area, the median family income for such tract does not exceed eighty percent (80%) of the greater of statewide median family income or the metropolitan area median family income, (c) such tract has a population of less than 2,000, is within an “empowerment zone” as defined in Section 1391 of the Code the designation of which is in effect under Section 1391 of the Code and is contiguous to one or more Low-Income Communities (as defined under clause (a) or (b) of this definition), or (d) certain “targeted populations” as defined by CDFI Fund or IRS guidance or Treasury Regulations issued pursuant to Section 45D(e)(2) of the Code. Terms used in this definition and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning given in Section 45D(e) of the Code.

 

New Markets Tax Credits – Federal new markets tax credits pursuant to Section 45D of the Code.

 

NMTC Compliance Certificate – As defined in the preamble paragraph hereof.

 

NMTC Control – The direct or indirect ownership (based on value) or control (based on voting or “management rights”) of more than fifty percent (50%) of an entity. For this purpose, the term “management rights” means the power to influence the management policies or investment decisions of the entity.

 

NMTC Recapture Event – Recapture or disallowance of any New Markets Tax Credits attributable to the QEIs made in the Lender, the proceeds of which were or will be used to fund the QLICIs or related fees, but only to the extent such recapture or disallowance is attributable to any of the following: (a) the Company ceasing to be a QALICB; (b) the redemption (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.45D-1(e)(2)(iii)) by the Lender of any portion of QEIs in the Lender but only to the extent that the redemption was caused by the acts or omissions of the Company; (c) changes in the Code or the NMTC Requirements that cause the members of the Lender to receive less than the amount of New Markets Tax Credits they would have otherwise been eligible to receive but only to the extent that the Company had actual knowledge of such changes in the Code or the NMTC Requirements and the adverse effects thereof could reasonably have been mitigated by the Company; (d) the failure of any tenant under any sublease to be classified as a Qualified Business, and (e) the failure of the Lender to maintain substantially all of the QEIs invested in QLICIs attributable to a prepayment of the Loan by the Company in violation of the Loan Documents; provided further that the defaults in subsections (b) and (c) shall be a NMTC Recapture Event only if such events are the result of either (i) the Company’s breach of any representation, warranty, or covenant contained in this NMTC Compliance Certificate or the Loan Documents or (ii) the Company’s failure to act as directed by the Lender in writing, as applicable. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a recapture or disallowance of New Markets Tax Credits as a result of the failure of the Lender to maintain substantially all of the QEIs invested in QLICIs which is attributable to any prepayment of the Loan not in violation of the Loan Documents by the Company shall not constitute a NMTC Recapture Event.

 

 

 

 

NMTC Recapture Period – The period beginning on the date of the original issue of the first QEI, the proceeds of which are used to fund the Loan and ending on the seventh anniversary of the date of the original issue of the last QEI, the proceeds of which are used to fund the Loan.

 

NMTC Requirements – Collectively, all provisions of Section 45D of the Code, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and other IRS or CDFI Fund published guidance, to the extent the same are applicable to any QEI or QLICI.

 

Nonqualified Financial Property – Debt, stock, partnership interests, options, futures contracts, forward contracts, warrants, notional principal contracts, annuities, and other similar property as described in Treas. Reg. Section 1.45D-1(d)(4)(i)(E); provided, however, that such term shall not include (a) reasonable amounts of working capital held in cash, cash equivalents, or debt instruments with a term of 18 months or less, or (b) debt instruments described in section 1221(a)(4) of the Code. The proceeds of an equity investment or loan by a community development entity that will be expended for construction of real property within 12 months after the date the investment or loan is made are treated as a reasonable amount of working capital.

 

Qualified Active Low-Income Community Business or QALICB – With respect to any taxable year, a Qualified Business of which:

 

(a) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total gross income of the Qualified Business is derived from the active conduct of its trade or business within a Low-Income Community;

 

(b) at least fifty percent (50%) of the use of the tangible property of the Qualified Business (whether owned or leased) is within a Low-Income Community (for purposes of this representation, the percentage of tangible property owned or leased by the Qualified Business and used by the Qualified Business during the taxable year in a Low-Income Community shall be determined based on a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the Average Value of the tangible property owned or leased by the Qualified Business and used by the Qualified Business within a Low-Income Community during the taxable year, and (ii) the denominator of which is the Average Value of all of the tangible property owned or leased by the Qualified Business and used by the Qualified Business during the taxable year); provided, however, that for any taxable year in which the Qualified Business has no employees, at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the use of the tangible property of the Qualified Business (whether owned or leased) must be within a Low-Income Community;

 

(c) less than five percent (5%) of the average of the aggregate unadjusted basis of the property of the Qualified Business is attributable to Nonqualified Financial Property;

 

(d) at least fifty percent (50%) of the services performed for the Qualified Business by its employees, if any, will be in a Low-Income Community (for purposes of this representation, this percentage is determined based on a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the total amount paid by the Qualified Business for employee services performed in a Low-Income Community during the taxable year, and (ii) the denominator of which is the total amount paid by the Qualified Business for employee services during the taxable year); and

 

(e) less than five percent (5%) of the average of the aggregate unadjusted basis of the Qualified Business’s property is attributable to Collectibles.

 

 

 

 

Qualified Business – Any business that is not a Disqualified Business.

 

Qualified Equity Investment or QEI – Any equity investment (as defined in Section 45D of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.45D-1(c)) in the Lender if (a) such investment is acquired at its original issue (directly or through an underwriter) solely in exchange for cash; and (b) substantially all of such cash is used by the Lender to make QLICIs.

 

Qualifying Census Tract – means a Census Tract that has one (1) or more of the following criteria or programs in items (i) – (v), or two (2) or more in items (vi) – (xvii);

 

(i) Poverty rate greater than thirty percent (30%);

 

(ii) If located within a non-metropolitan area, median family income does not exceed sixty percent (60%) of statewide median family income or if located within a metropolitan area, median family income does not exceed sixty percent (60%) of the greater of statewide median family income or the metropolitan area median family income;

 

(iii) Unemployment rates at least 1.5 times the national average;

 

(iv) Located in a county not contained within a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), as defined pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3504(e) and 31 U.S.C. 104(d) and Executive Order 10253 (3 C.F.R. Part 1949-1953 Comp., p.758), as amended, with respect to the 2010 Census and as made available by the CDFI Fund;

 

(v) As permitted by IRS and related CDFI Fund guidance materials, project serving Targeted Populations to the extent that: (a) such projects are sixty percent (60%) owned by low income persons (LIPs); (b) at least sixty percent (60%) of employees are LIPs; or (c) at least sixty percent (60%) of customers are LIPs;

 

(vi) (a) Poverty rate greater than twenty-five percent (25%), or (b) if located within a non-metropolitan area, median family income does not exceed seventy percent (70%) of statewide median family income or if located within a metropolitan area, median family income does not exceed seventy percent (70%) of the greater of statewide median family income or the metropolitan area median family income, or (c) unemployment rates as least 1.25 times the national average;

 

(vii) U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) designated HUB Zones, to the extent that the QLICIs will support businesses that obtain HUB Zone certification from the SBA;

 

(viii) Brownfield sites as defined under 42 U.S.C. 9601(39);

 

(ix) Areas encompassed by a HOPE VI redevelopment plan;

 

(x) Federally designated as Native American or Alaskan Native areas, Hawaiian Homelands;

 

(xi) Areas designated as distressed by the Appalachian Regional Commission or Delta Regional Authority;

 

(xii) Colonias areas as designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development;

 

(xiii) Federally designated medically underserved areas, to the extent that QLICI activities will support health related services;

 

 

 

 

(xiv) Federally designated Promise Zones; State enterprise zone programs, or other

 

similar state/local programs targeted towards particularly economically distressed communities;

 

(xv) Counties for which the Federal Emergency Management Agency has (a) issued a “major disaster declaration” and (b) made a determination that such county is eligible for both “individual and public assistance”; provided that, the initial projection investment was made within thirty-six (36) months of the disaster declaration;

 

(xvi) Businesses certified by the Department of Commerce as eligible for assistance under the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAA) Program; or

 

(xvii) A Food Desert, which must either be (i) a census tract determined to be a Food Desert by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), as identified in USDA’s Food Desert Locator Tool or (ii) a census tract that qualifies as a Low-Income Community and has been identified as having low access to a supermarket or grocery store through a methodology that has been adopted for use by another governmental or philanthropic healthy food initiative, to the extent QLICI activities will increase access to healthy food.

 

QLICI – A “qualified low-income community investment” as such term is defined in Section 45D of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and includes any of the following:

 

(a) any capital or equity investment in, or loan to, any QALICB;

 

(b) the purchase of certain loans from other qualified community development entities (as described in Treas. Reg. Section 1.45D-1(d)(1)(ii));

 

(c) financial counseling and other services to businesses located in, and residents of, low-income communities; and

 

(d) investments in other qualified community development entities (as described in Treas. Reg. Section 1.45D-1(d)(1)(iv)).

 

SECTION 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

2.01 Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents, warrants and covenants to the Lender as follows:

 

(a) The Company’s business is located at 140 Industrial Blvd, Bainbridge, GA 39817 (the “Location”), which is within one of the Census Tracts.

 

(b) With respect to the current taxable year, at least fifty percent (50%) of the use of the tangible property of the Company (whether owned or leased) is and will be within the Qualifying Census Tracts (for purposes of this representation, the percentage of tangible property owned or leased by the Company during the taxable year in Qualifying Census Tracts shall be determined based on a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the Average Value of the tangible property owned or leased by the Company and used by the Company within the Qualifying Census Tracts during the taxable year, and (ii) the denominator of which is the Average Value of all of the tangible property owned or leased by the Company and used by the Company during the taxable year); provided, however, that for any taxable year in which the Company has no employees, at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the use of the tangible property of the Company (whether owned or leased) will be within the Qualifying Census Tracts. The Company has provided the Lender with financial statements that include a true, correct and complete list of tangible property owned or leased by the Company and a description of where such property is used by the Company if used outside of the Census Tracts. If any property is used by the Company outside of the Qualifying Census Tracts, The Company shall provide the cost basis of all property owned by the Company, the estimated value of any leased property and the basis of such estimate, and the business hours of usage of the Company’s property within and without the Census Tracts.

 

 

 

 

(c) With respect to the current taxable year, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total gross income of the Company is and will be derived from the active conduct of a Qualified Business within the Qualifying Census Tracts.

 

(d) With respect to the current taxable year, if the Company, or any Affiliate of the Company that is primarily engaged in providing services to the Company, has one or more employees, at least fifty percent (50%) of the services performed for the Company and such Affiliates by its employees is and will be within the Qualifying Census Tracts (for purposes of this representation, this percentage is determined based on a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the total amount paid by the Company for employee services performed in the Qualifying Census Tracts during the taxable year, and (ii) the denominator of which is the total amount paid by the Company for employee services during the taxable year). The Company has provided to the Lender a true, correct and complete list of such employees providing services that includes a general description of services provided and the location where services were performed, and, if applicable, compensation paid for services rendered within and without the Qualifying Census Tracts.

 

(e) With respect to the current taxable year, less than five percent (5%) of the average of the aggregate unadjusted basis of the property of the Company is and will be attributable to Nonqualified Financial Property. The Company has provided the Lender with financial statements that include a true, correct, and complete listing of any Nonqualified Financial Property owned by the Company, including the unadjusted basis of such property, if any.

 

(f) The Company does not have outstanding, nor is it committed to make, a loan with a term of eighteen (18) months or more to any Person.

 

(g) The Company does not have an ownership interest or an option to acquire an ownership interest of any kind in any Person.

 

(h) The Company has not paid, nor will it pay, any consideration of any kind or amount to any lender or any other Person in connection with the procurement of an interest rate swap, if any, entered into between the Company and such lender or any other Person. The Company shall not enter into any interest rate swap agreement or other hedging agreement of any kind, without the Lender’s prior written consent.

 

(i) With respect to the current taxable year, less than five percent (5%) of the average of the aggregate unadjusted basis of the property of the Company is attributable to Collectibles unless such Collectibles are held as inventory for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. The Company has provided the Lender with financial statements that include a true, correct, and complete listing of any Collectibles owned by the Company, including the unadjusted basis of such property, if any.

 

(j) All documents and certificates provided to the Lender regarding the Company contain information that is complete and accurate and represent the entire business of the Company in all material respects.

 

(k) There have been no communications from the CDFI Fund or other State or federal regulatory agencies concerning noncompliance with, or deficiencies in, financial reporting practices that could have a material effect on the representations, warranties and covenants set forth in this NMTC Compliance Certificate.

 

(l) No part of the business activities of the Company consists of the operation of any: (i) private or commercial golf course, (ii) country club, (iii) massage parlor, hot tub facility, or suntan facility, (iv) race track or other facility used for gambling, or (v) store the principal business of which is the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption off premises.

 

 

 

 

(m) The trade or business of the Company does not include the development or holding of intangibles for sale or license.

 

(n) Farming (within the meaning of Section 2032A(e)(5)(A) or (B) of the Code) is not an activity of the Company.

 

(o) The Company is not a bank, credit union or other financial institution.

 

(p) The Company has fully and accurately stated in writing to the Lender the nature of the Company’s business and of the goods or services provided, the Company’s primary sources of revenue, and the Company’s primary expenditures. The Company has no present plans or intentions to change the nature of, or manner in which it conducts, its business in any way that would cause to be untrue any of the representations, warranties or covenants set out herein.

 

(q) Neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates, nor any of their respective principals has been debarred, suspended, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in a covered transaction by any Federal department or agency, as such terms are defined in Executive Order 12549, nor is any such action pending or proposed.

 

(r) The Company has no information or knowledge that it might not satisfy all of the requirements of a QALICB.

 

(s) Persons unrelated to Lender or its Affiliates, within the meaning of Section 45D(f)(2)(B) of the Code, hold and shall continue to hold a majority equity interest in the Company.

 

(t) The Company is generating revenues or reasonably expects to generate revenues within three (3) years of the date hereof.

 

(u) The Company expects that the representations made in this section will continue to be accurate during the entire term of the Loan pursuant to the Loan Documents.

 

(v) The Company expects to repay the Loan in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents.

 

(w) The Company will treat the Loan as indebtedness for all purposes and will not take any positions contrary to such treatment.

 

(x) The Company has not entered into and will not enter into or permit, any lease or sublease with respect to any real property that it owns or leases to any tenant whose business does not constitute a Qualified Business of such tenant.

 

(y) The Company reasonably expects to expend the proceeds of the Loan within one year of the date hereof.

 

(z) No portion of any property owned or leased by the Company constitutes a “qualified low-income building” under Section 42 of the Code and the Company does not have or use low-income housing tax credits under Section 42 of the Code.

 

All representations and warranties made in this Section 2 shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of the Loan.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 3. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

 

3.01 Affirmative Covenants. As long as any portion of the Loan remains outstanding and/or any obligations under the Loan remain unpaid, and unless otherwise consented to in writing by the Lender, the Company hereby covenants to the Lender that:

 

(a) The Company shall expend all of the proceeds of the Loan no later than twelve (12) months after funds are advanced solely to pay fees and expenses in connection with the closing of the Loan and to make certain capital expenditures, to fund working capital and for general corporate purposes.

 

(b) With respect to any taxable year, at least fifty percent (50%) of the use of the tangible property of the Company (whether owned or leased) is and will be within the Qualifying Census Tracts located (for purposes of this representation, the percentage of tangible property owned or leased by the Company during the taxable year in the Qualifying Census Tracts shall be determined based on a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the Average Value of the tangible property owned or leased by the Company and used by the Company within the Qualifying Census Tracts during the taxable year, and (ii) the denominator of which is the Average Value of all of the tangible property owned or leased by the Company and used by the Company during the taxable year); provided, however, that for any taxable year in which the Company has no employees, at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the use of the tangible property of the Company (whether owned or leased) will be within the Qualifying Census Tracts. Throughout the term of the Loan, the Company shall retain records of the tangible property owned or leased by the Company and a description of where such property is used by the Company if used outside of the Qualifying Census Tracts. If any property is used by the Company outside of the Qualifying Census Tracts, the Company shall retain records of the cost basis of all property owned by the Company, the estimated value of any leased property and the basis of such estimate, and the business hours of usage of the Company’s property within and without the Qualifying Census Tracts.

 

(c) With respect to any taxable year, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total gross income of the Company will be derived from the active conduct of a Qualified Business within the Qualifying Census Tracts. Throughout the term of the Loan, the Company shall retain records of the total gross income of the Company and the location from which such income is derived.

 

(d) With respect to any taxable year, if the Company, or any Affiliate of the Company that is primarily engaged in providing services to the Company, has one or more employees, at least fifty percent (50%) of the services performed for the Company and such Affiliates by its employees is and will be within the Qualifying Census Tracts (for purposes of this representation, this percentage is determined based on a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the total amount paid by the Company for employee services performed in the Qualifying Census Tracts during the taxable year, and (ii) the denominator of which is the total amount paid by the Company for employee services during the taxable year). Throughout the term of the Loan, the Company shall retain records of such employees providing services that include a general description of services provided and the location where services were performed, and, if applicable, compensation paid for services rendered within and without the Qualifying Census Tracts.

 

(e) With respect to any taxable year, less than five percent (5%) of the average of the aggregate unadjusted basis of the property of the Company is and will be attributable to Nonqualified Financial Property. Throughout the term of the Loan, the Company shall retain records of any Nonqualified Financial Property owned by Company, including the unadjusted basis of such property, if any.

 

(f) With respect to any taxable year, less than five percent (5%) of the average of the aggregate unadjusted tax basis of the Company’s property is attributable to Collectibles unless such Collectibles are held as inventory for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. Throughout the term of the Loan, the Company shall retain records of any Collectibles owned by the Company, including the unadjusted basis of such property, if any.

 

 

 

 

(g) The Company shall make all records related to the Loan available to the Lender for inspection and copying from time to time (at the Company’s expense) upon five (5) Business Days advance notice as the Lender may request.

 

(h) The Company shall maintain its records, books of account, bank accounts, financial statements, accounting records and other entity documents separate and apart from those of any other Person; shall not maintain its assets in such a manner that it will be costly or difficult to segregate, ascertain or identify its individual assets from those of any other Person; and is not and shall not become a disregarded entity and shall file its own tax returns as required under federal and state law.

 

(i) After reasonable advance written notice, the Company shall promptly supply the Lender with any reports, records, statements, documents or other information reasonably requested by the Lender in connection with responding to any request by the CDFI Fund and the US Department of Treasury, including any request pursuant to Section 6.3 or Section 6.5 of the Allocation Agreement of the Lender (the “Allocation Agreement”) (e.g., financial and activity reports, records, statements, documents and other information for purposes of ensuring compliance with the representations, warranties and covenants contained herein) as may be required to comply with the NMTC Requirements, and shall promptly cooperate with the Lender enable the Lender to comply with all of the requirements of the Allocation Agreement.

 

(j) With respect to any taxable year, the Company shall ensure that no part of the financing of the project financed or refinanced with proceeds of the Loan includes low income housing tax credits, as described in Section 42 of the Code.

 

(k) At the direction of the Lender, the Company shall prepare and submit, as appropriate, to the CDFI Fund, Secretary of the Treasury or the IRS (or any other governmental authority designated for such purpose), on a timely basis, any and all annual reports, information returns and other certifications and information required to be submitted by the Company to avoid any NMTC Recapture Event.

 

(l) With respect to any taxable year, the Company shall cooperate with the Lender with respect to the response to be made to any notice of NMTC Recapture Event by the CDFI Fund to the Lender.

 

(m) Upon reasonable advance written notice, the Company shall supply the Lender with such information as may be reasonably requested by the Lender for inclusion in reports concerning the economic impact of New Markets Tax Credits provided by the Lender, including, without limitation, information on the number of jobs created and associated payroll information and, within thirty (30) days of receipt and on a semi-annual basis, a completed survey with respect to the impact of the Loan and the use of the proceeds thereof in such form as shall be provided by Lender.

 

(n) The Company covenants to cooperate fully and promptly with the Lender in strictly complying with the requirements of Treasury Regulation section 1.45D-1 (regardless of whether or not the Company has violated any covenants provided herein or failed to act or not act as directed by the Lender and its partners).

 

(o) At the direction of the Lender, the Company shall prepare and submit, as appropriate, to any governmental authority designated for such purpose, on a timely basis, any and all annual reports, information returns and other certifications and information required to be submitted by the Company to avoid any NMTC Recapture Event or the imposition of penalties or interest on the Lender or any of its members for failure to comply with the NMTC Requirements or any other applicable laws relating to the New Market Tax Credits.

 

(p) Not less than thirty (30) days prior to leasing or subleasing additional office space or purchasing any real property, the Company shall notify the Lender in writing of the location of such additional office space or real property.

 

 

 

 

(q) The Company shall treat the Loan as indebtedness for all purposes, and will not take any positions contrary to such treatment.

 

3.02 Negative Covenants. As long as any portion of the Loan remains outstanding and/or any obligations under the Loan Documents remain unpaid, and unless otherwise consented to in writing by the Lender, the Company hereby covenants to the Lender that the Company shall not:

 

(a) Discontinue conducting business, materially change the nature of its business, or materially change the manner in which its business activities are conducted, other than changes in the nature of its business or the manner in which it conducts its business that do not cause the Loan to cease to constitute a QLICI (as determined by the Lender in its good faith judgment and based upon the advice of counsel) and which are otherwise permitted hereunder.

 

(b) Be debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any Federal department or agency as such terms are defined in Executive Order 12549.

 

(c) Take any action, or fail to take such action, which would result in the Lender and/or its members having NMTC Control of the Company.

 

(d) By action or inaction cause a NMTC Recapture Event and shall cooperate with the Lender and its members to the extent necessary to cure any such NMTC Recapture Event, as permitted by the NMTC Requirements.

 

(e) Enter into any interest rate swap agreement or other hedging agreement of any kind without the Lender’s prior written consent if doing so would violate the NMTC Requirements.

 

(f) Lease, sublease or purchase any real property if such lease or purchase would cause the Company to violate any of the covenants set forth in Section 3.01 above.

 

(g) Enter into any sublease with respect to the Locations to any tenant whose business does not constitute a Qualified Business.

 

SECTION 4. DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

If (i) any representation or warranty made or furnished by the Company herein shall prove to have been incorrect or misleading or shall become incorrect or misleading, or (ii) if the Company shall fail to perform or observe any covenant or undertaking contained herein, then (x) the Company shall be deemed in default of this NMTC Compliance Certificate and the Lender shall be entitled to all legal and equitable rights and remedies available to it, including without limitation, the right to legal damages and the right to obtain an injunction to compel the Company to comply with the terms of this NMTC Compliance Certificate and any and all other rights and remedies set forth in the other Loan Documents; and (y) the Company shall be responsible for all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by the Lender in connection with the enforcement of the terms of this NMTC Compliance Certificate.

 

SECTION 5. MISCELLANEOUS

 

5.01 Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of this NMTC Compliance Certificate shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the Company and the Lender. Nothing in this NMTC Compliance Certificate, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the Company and the Lender or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this NMTC Compliance Certificate, except as expressly provided in this NMTC Compliance Certificate.

 

 

 

 

5.02 Governing Law. The enforceability of this NMTC Compliance Certificate shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Georgia, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of law.

 

5.03 Titles and Subtitles; Interpretation. The titles and subtitles used in this NMTC Compliance Certificate are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this NMTC Compliance Certificate. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” when used in this NMTC Compliance Certificate shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation.”

 

5.04 Notices. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this NMTC Compliance Certificate shall be in writing and shall be given in accordance with the requirements of the Loan Documents.

 

5.05 Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this NMTC Compliance Certificate may be amended, terminated or waived only with the written consent of the Company and the Lender.

 

5.06 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.

 

5.07 Delays or Omissions. No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to the Lender under this NMTC Compliance Certificate shall impair any such right, power or remedy of the Lender nor shall it be construed to be a waiver by the Lender of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of the Lender of any breach or default under this NMTC Compliance Certificate, or any waiver on the part the Lender of any party of any provisions or conditions of this NMTC Compliance Certificate, must be in a writing signed by the Lender and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this NMTC Compliance Certificate or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.

 

5.08 Execution in Counterparts; Facsimile and Electronic Signatures. This NMTC ComplianceCertificate may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. A signature of a party to this NMTC Compliance Certificate sent by facsimile, electronic mail or other electronic transmission shall be deemed to constitute an original and fully effective signature of such party. At the request of any party, any facsimile or electronic document shall be re-executed in original form by the parties who executed the facsimile or electronic document. No party may raise the use of a facsimile machine or electronic mail as a defense to the enforcement of this NMTC Compliance Certificate or any amendment or other document executed in compliance with the terms hereof.

 

5.09 Survival. Notwithstanding any provision in the Loan Documents to the contrary, the Company and the Lender agree that the obligations of the Company set forth in this NMTC Compliance Certificate shall survive repayment of the Loan so long as any portion of the Loan remains outstanding.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank, Signature on following page]

 

 

 

 

 

MERIDIAN BIOPLASTICS, INC.,

a Georgia corporation

     
  By:                    
  Name:   
  Title:  

 

[Signature Page to NMTC Statement]

 

 

 

 

 

PIFS SUB-CDE XX, LLC,

a Virginia limited liability company

     
  By: People Incorporated Financial Services, a Virginia non-stock corporation, its Managing Member
     
  By:         
  Name:  Robert G. Goldsmith
  Title: President and CEO

 

[Signature Page to NMTC Statement]

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT F

 

GEORGIA AGRIBUSINESS AND RURAL JOBS ACT STATEMENT OF
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

 

This Georgia Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act Statement of Representations, Warranties and Covenants (this “GARJA Compliance Certificate”) is made as of March 13, 2019, by DANIMER SCIENTIFIC HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Danimer Scientific Holdings”), and MERIDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC., a Georgia corporation (“Meridian Holdings Group” and together with Danimer Scientific Holdings, the “Companies”), for the benefit of SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND X, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“Lender”).

 

RECITALS

 

A. Concurrently with the execution of this GARJA Compliance Certificate, Danimer Scientific Holdings, Meridian Bioplastics, Inc., the guarantors from time to time party thereto, Lender, and PIFS Sub-CDE are entering into that certain Loan and Security Agreement dated as of even date herewith (as supplemented and amended from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), and certain other documents being delivered in connection therewith (collectively with the Loan Agreement, the “Loan Documents”), pursuant to which Lender is loaning $5,499,980 to Danimer Scientific Holdings (the “Loan”).

 

B. Concurrently with the execution of this GARJA Compliance Certificate, the Lender is purchasing $1,000,020 of common stock of Meridian Holdings Group (the “Equity Investment”), pursuant to that certain Subscription and Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of even date herewith, between Meridian Holdings Group and the Lender (as supplemented and amended from time to time, the “Subscription Agreement”), and certain other documents being delivered in connection therewith (collectively with the Subscription Agreement, the “Equity Documents”).

 

C. Lender and the Companies intend that the Loan and the Equity Investment will each constitute a Qualified Investment (as hereafter defined).

 

D. As a condition to Lender making (x) the Loan to Danimer Scientific Holdings pursuant to the Loan Documents and (y) the Equity Investment in Meridian Holdings Group pursuant to the Equity Documents, Lender requires, and the Companies have agreed to provide, this GARJA Compliance Certificate.

 

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Companies hereby represent, warrant and covenant to Lender as follows:

 

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

 

1.01 Certain Defined Terms. Capitalized words not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Loan Documents. When used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings (terms defined in the singular to have the same meaning when used in the plural and vice versa):

 

Affiliate – An entity that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with another entity. For purposes of this definition, an entity is “controlled by” another entity if the controlling entity holds, directly or indirectly, the majority voting or ownership interest in the controlled entity or has control over day-to-day operations of the controlled entity by contract or by law.

 

Capital Investment – As defined in the Georgia Rural Jobs Act.

 

Companies – As defined in the preamble paragraph above.

 

 

 

 

Department – The Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

 

Eligible Business – a business that, at the time of the initial Qualified Investment in the business:

 

(a) has less than 250 employees;

 

(b) has its Principal Business Operations in one or more Rural Areas in the State;

 

(c) produces or provides any goods or services produced in Georgia normally used by farmers, ranchers or producers and harvesters of aquatic products in their business operations, or to improve the welfare or livelihood of such persons, or is involved in the processing and marketing of agricultural products, farm supplies, and input suppliers, or is engaged in agribusiness as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture, or is engaged in manufacturing, health care, technology, transportation, or related services, or if not engaged in such industries, the Department determines that such investment will be beneficial to the Rural Area and the economic growth of the State.

 

Equity Investment – As defined in the Recitals set forth above.

 

Equity Documents – As defined in the Recitals set forth above.

 

GARJA Compliance Certificate – As defined in the preamble paragraph hereof.

 

GARJA Credits – Georgia state tax credits pursuant to the Georgia Rural Jobs Act.

 

GARJA Recapture Event – Recapture or disallowance of any GARJA Credits attributable to the Capital Investment made in Lender, the proceeds of which were or will be used to fund the Qualified Investments or related fees, but only to the extent such recapture or disallowance is attributable to any of the following: (a) any of the Companies or the Georgia Affiliates failing to be an Eligible Business on the date hereof; (b) a distribution by Lender in violation of Section 35-1-25(f)(1)(c) of the Georgia Rural Jobs Act but only to the extent that such distribution is caused by the acts or omissions of either Company or any of their Affiliates; (c) changes in the Georgia Rural Jobs Act that cause the members of Lender to receive less than the amount of GARJA Credits they would have otherwise been eligible to receive but only to the extent that either Company had actual knowledge of the changes and the adverse effects thereof could reasonably have been mitigated by either Company and/or their Affiliates; (d) the failure of Lender to maintain all of the Capital Investments in the Lender invested in Qualified Investments attributable to a prepayment of the Loan in violation of the Loan Documents (including as a result of the acceleration of the Loan); provided further that the defaults in subsections (b) and (c) shall be a GARJA Recapture Event only if such events are the result of either (i) either Company’s breach of any representation, warranty, or covenant contained in this GARJA Compliance Certificate, the Loan Documents or the Equity Documents or (ii) either Company’s failure to act as directed by Lender in writing, as applicable. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a recapture or disallowance of any GARJA Credits attributable to the Capital Investment made in Lender as a result of the failure of Lender to invest all of the Qualified Investments made in Lender in Qualified Investment which is attributable to any prepayment of the Loan not in violation of the Loan Documents by Danimer Scientific Holdings shall not constitute a GARJA Recapture Event.

 

GARJA Recapture Period – The period beginning on the date of the original issue of the first Capital Investment in Lender, the proceeds of which are used to fund the Loan and the Equity Investment and ending on the date on which the Department has approved the Lender’s exit pursuant to Section 35-1-25(i) of the Georgia Rural Jobs Act.

 

GARJA Requirements – Collectively, all provisions of the Georgia Rural Jobs Act, the Rules of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs promulgated thereunder and published guidance, to the extent the same are applicable to any Capital Investment or Qualified Investment.

 

 

 

 

Georgia Affiliates – Collectively, Meridian, Inc., a Georgia corporation, Danimer Scientific, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company, Danimer Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation, and Meridian Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation.

 

Georgia Rural Jobs Act – The Georgia Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act, Georgia Code Ann. § 35-1-25, et seq., as may be amended from time to time.

 

Lender – As defined in the preamble paragraph above.

 

Loan – As defined in the Recitals set forth above.

 

Loan Agreement – As defined in the Recitals set forth above.

 

Loan Documents – As defined in the Recitals set forth above.

 

Location – As defined in Section 2.01(a) set forth below.

 

Principal Business Operations – the location where at least sixty percent (60%) of the employees of a business work or where employees paid at least sixty percent (60%) of the payroll of such business work.

 

Qualified Investment – Any investment in an Eligible Business or any loan to an Eligible Business with a stated maturity of at least one year after the date of issuance, excluding revolving lines of credit and senior secured debt unless the Eligible Business has a credit refusal letter or similar correspondence from a depository institution or a referral letter or similar correspondence from a depository institution referring the business to the Rural Fund; provided that, with respect to any one Eligible Business, the maximum amount of investments made in such business by one or more Rural Funds, on a collective basis with all of the business’s affiliates, with the proceeds of Capital Investments shall be the greater of twenty percent (20%) of the Rural Fund’s Capital Investment authority or $6,500,000, exclusive of investments made with repaid or redeemed investments or interest or profits realized thereon.

 

Rural Area – Any county of the State that has a population of less than 50,000 according to the latest decennial census of the Unites States.

 

Rural Fund – means an entity certified by the Department under Section 33-1-25(e) of the Georgia Rural Jobs Act.

 

State – means the State of Georgia.

 

Subscription Agreement – As defined in the Recitals set forth above.

 

SECTION 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

2.01 Representations and Warranties of the Companies. The Companies hereby represent, warrant and covenant to Lender as follows:

 

(a) The Companies’ and each of the Georgia Affiliates’ Principal Business Operations are located in the City of Bainbridge in Decatur County, Georgia, which constitutes a Rural Area (the “Location”). The Companies have provided Lender with employment records and payroll information for the Companies and each of their Affiliates that include a true, correct and complete list of all of the employees of the Companies and their Affiliates, the location where each is employed and their compensation. At least sixty percent (60%) of the employees of the Companies and their Affiliates are located at the Location.

 

(b) The Companies and their Affiliates, collectively, have [__] employees on the date hereof.

 

 

 

 

(c) The Companies and the Georgia Affiliates are engaged in bioplastics manufacturing,

 

which is identified under the North American Industry Classification System as Code 339999.

 

(d) Since the enactment of the Georgia Rural Jobs Act, neither the Companies nor any of their Affiliates have received any proceeds of a Qualified Investment other than the Loan and the Equity Investment.

 

(e) Neither the Companies nor any of their Affiliates have an ownership interest or an option or other right to acquire an ownership interest of any kind in a Rural Fund or a member or Affiliate of a Rural Fund, including but not limited to, a holder of a Capital Investment issued by a Rural Fund.

 

(f) Neither the Companies nor any of their Affiliates have made a loan to or and investment in a Rural Fund or a member or Affiliate of a Rural Fund, including but not limited to, a holder of a Capital Investment issued by a Rural Fund.

 

(g) All documents and certificates provided to Lender regarding the Companies and their Affiliates contain information that is complete and accurate and represent the entire business of the Companies and their Affiliates in all material respects.

 

(h) There have been no communications from the Department or other State or federal regulatory agencies concerning noncompliance with, or deficiencies in, financial reporting practices that could have a material effect on the representations, warranties and covenants set forth in this GARJA Compliance Certificate.

 

(i) The Companies have fully and accurately stated in writing to Lender the nature of the Companies’ and each of their Affiliates’ business and of the goods or services provided, the Companies’ and their Affiliates’ primary sources of revenue, and the Companies’ and their Affiliates’ primary expenditures. The Companies have no present plans or intentions to change the nature of, or manner in which they conduct, their business in any way that would cause to be untrue any of the representations, warranties or covenants set out herein.

 

(j) The Companies have no information or knowledge that either the Companies or any of the Georgia Affiliates might not satisfy all of the requirements of an Eligible Business.

 

(k) Persons unrelated to Lender or its Affiliates hold and shall continue to hold a majority equity interest in the Companies and their Affiliates.

 

(l) Danimer Scientific Holdings will treat the Loan as debt for all purposes and will not take any positions contrary to such treatment. Meridian Holdings Group will treat the Equity Investment as equity for all purposes and will not take any positions contrary to such treatment.

 

All representations and warranties made in this Section 2 shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the Equity Documents and the funding of the Loan and the Equity Investment.

 

SECTION 3. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANIES

 

3.01 Affirmative Covenants. During the GARJA Recapture Period, and unless otherwise consented to in writing by Lender, the Companies hereby covenant to Lender that:

 

(a) The Companies shall expend all of the proceeds of the Loan and the Equity Investment to pay fees and expenses in connection with the closing of the Loan and the Equity Investment and to make certain capital expenditures, to fund working capital, and for general corporate purposes, in each case, solely for the benefit of the Companies and the Georgia Affiliates in connection with their operations at the Location.

 

 

 

 

(b) The Companies shall make all records related to the Loan and the Equity Investment available to Lender for inspection and copying from time to time (at the Companies’ expense) upon five (5) Business Days advance notice as Lender may request.

 

(c) Each Company shall maintain, and shall cause each of its Affiliates to maintain, their respective records, books of account, bank accounts, financial statements, accounting records and other entity documents separate and apart from those of any other Person.

 

(d) Neither Company shall maintain, nor shall it permit any of its Affiliates to maintain, their assets in such a manner that it will be costly or difficult to segregate, ascertain or identify its individual assets from those of any other Person.

 

(e) After reasonable advance written notice, the Companies shall promptly supply Lender, and shall cause each of the Georgia Affiliates to promptly supply Lender, with any reports, records, statements, documents or other information reasonably requested by Lender in connection with responding to any request by the Department and/or the Georgia Department of Revenue as may be required to comply with the GARJA Requirements, including, without limitation, employment records and payroll information for the Companies and the Georgia Affiliates evidencing and confirming (i) the number of employment positions created and retained as result of the Loan and the Equity Investment and (ii) the average annual salary of positions described in subparagraph (i), and shall promptly cooperate with Lender to enable Lender to comply with all of the GARJA Requirements.

 

(f) At the direction of Lender, the Companies shall each prepare and submit, as appropriate,to the Department and/or the Georgia Department of Revenue (or any other governmental authority designated for such purpose), on a timely basis, any and all annual reports, information returns and other certifications and information required to be submitted by the Companies and/or the Georgia Affiliates to avoid any GARJA Recapture Event.

 

(g) With respect to any taxable year, the Companies shall cooperate with Lender with respect to the response to be made to any notice of GARJA Recapture Event by the Department or the Georgia Department of Revenue to Lender.

 

(h) Upon reasonable advance written notice, the Companies shall supply Lender with such information as may be reasonably requested by Lender for inclusion in reports concerning the economic impact of the Loan and the Equity Investment provided by Lender, including, without limitation, information on the number of jobs created and associated payroll information and, within thirty (30) days of receipt and on a semi-annual basis, a completed survey with respect to the impact of the Loan and the Equity Investment and the use of the proceeds thereof in form provided by Lender.

 

(i) The Companies shall cooperate fully and promptly with Lender in strictly complying with the requirements of the Georgia Rural Jobs Act (regardless of whether or not either Company has violated any covenants provided herein or failed to act or not act as directed by Lender and its members).

 

(j) At the direction of Lender, the Companies shall prepare and submit, and shall cause the Georgia Affiliates to prepare and submit, as appropriate, to any governmental authority designated for such purpose, on a timely basis, any and all annual reports, information returns and other certifications and information required to be submitted by the Companies and/or the Georgia Affiliates to avoid any GARJA Recapture Event or the imposition of penalties or interest on Lender or any of its members for failure to comply with the GARJA Requirements or any other applicable laws relating to the GARJA Credits.

 

(k) Danimer Scientific Holdings shall treat the Loan as debt for all purposes and will not take any positions contrary to such treatment. Meridian Holdings Group shall treat the Equity Investment as equity for all purposes and will not take any positions contrary to such treatment.

 

 

 

 

3.02 Negative Covenants. During the GARJA Recapture Period, and unless otherwise consented to in writing by Lender, the Companies hereby covenant to Lender that the Companies shall not, and the Companies shall not permit any of their Affiliates to:

 

(a) Have an ownership interest or an option or other right to acquire an ownership interest of any kind in a Rural Fund or a member or Affiliate of a Rural Fund, including but not limited to, a holder of a Capital Investment issued by a Rural Fund.

 

(b) Make a loan to or and investment in a Rural Fund or a member or Affiliate of a Rural Fund, including but not limited to, a holder of a Capital Investment issued by a Rural Fund.

 

(c) Cause a GARJA Recapture Event and shall cooperate with Lender and its partners to the extent necessary to cure any such GARJA Recapture Event, as permitted by the GARJA Requirements.

 

SECTION 4. DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

If (i) any representation or warranty made or furnished by the Companies herein shall prove to have been incorrect or misleading or shall become incorrect or misleading, or (ii) if the Companies or any of their Affiliates shall fail to perform or observe any covenant or undertaking contained herein, then (x) the Companies shall be deemed in default of this GARJA Compliance Certificate and Lender shall be entitled to all legal and equitable rights and remedies available to it, including without limitation, the right to legal damages and the right to obtain an injunction to compel the Companies and/or their Affiliates to comply with the terms of this GARJA Compliance Certificate and any and all other rights and remedies set forth in the other Loan Documents and the Equity Documents; and (y) the Companies shall be responsible for all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Lender in connection with the enforcement of the terms of this GARJA Compliance Certificate.

 

SECTION 5. MISCELLANEOUS

 

5.01 Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of this GARJA Compliance Certificate shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the Companies and their Affiliates and Lender. Nothing in this GARJA Compliance Certificate, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the Companies and their Affiliates and Lender or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this GARJA Compliance Certificate, except as expressly provided in this GARJA Compliance Certificate.

 

5.02 Governing Law. The enforceability of this GARJA Compliance Certificate shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of law.

 

5.03 Titles and Subtitles; Interpretation. The titles and subtitles used in this GARJA Compliance Certificate are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this GARJA Compliance Certificate. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” when used in this GARJA Compliance Certificate shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation.”

 

5.04 Notices. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this GARJA Compliance Certificate shall be in writing and shall be given in accordance with the requirements of the Loan Documents and the Equity Documents.

 

5.05 Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this GARJA Compliance Certificate may be amended, terminated or waived only with the written consent of the Companies and Lender.

 

5.06 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.

 

5.07 Delays or Omissions. No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to Lender under this GARJA Compliance Certificate shall impair any such right, power or remedy of Lender nor shall it be construed to be a waiver by Lender of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of Lender of any breach or default under this GARJA Compliance Certificate, or any waiver on the part Lender of any party of any provisions or conditions of this GARJA Compliance Certificate, must be in a writing signed by Lender and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this GARJA Compliance Certificate or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.

 

5.08 Execution in Counterparts; Facsimile and Electronic Signatures. This GARJA Compliance Certificate may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. A signature of a party to this GARJA Compliance Certificate sent by facsimile, electronic mail or other electronic transmission shall be deemed to constitute an original and fully effective signature of such party. At the request of any party, any facsimile or electronic document shall be re-executed in original form by the parties who executed the facsimile or electronic document. No party may raise the use of a facsimile machine or electronic mail as a defense to the enforcement of this GARJA Compliance Certificate or any amendment or other document executed in compliance with the terms hereof.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank, Signature on following page]

 

 

 

 

 

DANIMER SCIENTIFIC HOLDINGS, LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
 

MERIDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.,

a Georgia corporation

     
  By:                             
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

[Signature Page to GARJA Statement]

 

 

 

 

Acknowledged and Agreed as to the covenants and negative covenants in Section 3 of this Agreement:  
   

MEREDIAN BIOPLASTICS, INC.,

a Georgia corporation

 
     
By:                                          
Name:     
Title:    
     
Meredian, Inc.,
a Georgia corporation
 
     
By:                                
Name:    
Title:    
     

DANIMER SCIENTIFIC, LLC,

a Georgia limited liability company

 
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     

DANIMER BIOPLASTICS, INC.,

a Georgia corporation

 
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     

DANIMER SCIENTIFIC KENTUCKY, INC.,

a Georgia corporation

 
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

[Signature Page to GARJA Statement]

 

 

 

 

  SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND X, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company
     
  By: Advantage Capital Community Development Fund, L.L.C., its Managing Member
     
  By:                       
  Name: Abhi Chandrasekhara
  Title: Authorized Person

 

[Signature Page to GARJA Statement]

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.20

 

AMENDMENT NO. ONE TO Loan and Security Agreement

 

This Amendment No. One to Loan and Security Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of October 2, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), is entered into among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Danimer Holdings”), Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian Bioplastics”; and together with Danimer Holdings, each a “Borrower” and collectively the “Borrowers”), Meredian, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian”), Danimer Scientific, L.L.C., a Georgia limited liability company “Danimer Scientific”), Danimer Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Danimer Bioplastics”), Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Danimer Kentucky”; together with Meredian, Danimer Scientific, Danimer Bioplastics and with any other Person that at any time after the date hereof becomes a Guarantor, each a “Guarantor” and collectively, the “Guarantors”, and together with the Borrowers, the “Loan Parties”), the several entities from time to time party thereto as Lenders, and Southeast Community Development Fund X, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, as Administrative Agent (“Administrative Agent”).

 

Recitals:

 

A. Borrowers, the Affiliates of Borrowers from time to time party thereto as Guarantors, the entities from time to time party thereto as Lenders and Administrative Agent are party to that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019, as supplemented by that certain Waiver Letter Agreement dated July 28, 2020 (as amended from time to time, the “Existing Loan Agreement”, as the same is amended pursuant to this Agreement and as it may be further amended, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”).

 

B. The following Events of Default exist under the Existing Loan Agreement as of the Effective Date: (i) the failure to deliver annual audited financial statements for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2019 by August 24, 2020 as provided in the Waiver Letter Agreement described above and in accordance with Section 6.01(a) of the Existing Loan Agreement, which failure constitutes an Event of Default under Section 8.01(b) of the Existing Loan Agreement, and (ii) the making of Capital Expenditures in excess of the limits set forth in Section 7.07 of the Existing Loan Agreement for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2019, which failure constitutes an Event of Default under Section 8.01(b) of the Existing Loan Agreement (collectively, the “Specified Defaults”).

 

C. Borrowers have requested that Lenders (a) waive the Specified Defaults and (b) amend certain provisions of the Existing Loan Agreement as provided herein, on and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein. Administrative Agent, on behalf of and at the direction of Lenders, is willing to agree to the requests of Borrowers, but only on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

Agreement:

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and conditions contained herein, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby specifically acknowledged, the parties hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions; References; Interpretation.

 

(a) Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, each capitalized term used herein (including in the Recitals hereof) that is defined in the Loan Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Loan Agreement.

 

(b) Each reference to “this Agreement,” “hereof,” “hereunder,” “herein” and “hereby” and each other similar reference contained in the Loan Agreement, and each reference to “the Loan Agreement” and each other similar reference in the other Loan Documents, shall from and after the date of this Agreement, refer to the Loan Agreement, as amended hereby. This Agreement is a Loan Document.

 

 

 

 

(c) The rules of interpretation set forth in Section 1.02 of the Loan Agreement shall be applicable to this Agreement, mutatis mutandis.

 

2. Acknowledgments of Obligations and Related Matters.

 

(a) Acknowledgment of Obligations. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that Borrowers are, jointly and severally, unconditionally indebted to Administrative Agent and Lenders as of the close of business on the date preceding the date hereof in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations in the aggregate principal amount of not less than $9,999,980.00, together with interest accrued and accruing thereon, and all fees, costs, expenses and other sums and charges now or hereafter payable by Borrowers to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, all of which are unconditionally owing by Borrowers to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to the Loan Documents, in each case without offset, defense or counterclaim of any kind, nature or description whatsoever.

 

(b) Acknowledgment of Security Interests. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that Administrative Agent and Lenders have, and shall continue to have, valid, enforceable and perfected security interests in and liens upon the Collateral heretofore granted by Borrowers to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Lenders, pursuant to the Loan Documents or otherwise granted to or held by Administrative Agent.

 

(c) Binding Effect of Loan Documents. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that: (i) each of the Loan Documents to which any Borrower is a party has been duly executed and delivered to Administrative Agent and Lenders by such Borrower and each is in full force and effect as of the date hereof, (ii) the agreements and obligations of Borrowers contained in such Loan Documents to which any Borrower is a party and in this Agreement constitute the legal, valid and binding Obligations of Borrowers, enforceable against Borrowers in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability, and Borrowers have no valid defense to the enforcement of such Obligations, and (iii) Administrative Agent and Lenders are and shall be entitled to the rights, remedies and benefits provided for in the Loan Documents and pursuant to applicable law, but subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

(d) Waiver of the Specified Defaults. Upon the effectiveness of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions hereof, as a one-time accommodation to Borrowers and in consideration for the agreements set forth herein, Administrative Agent and Lenders hereby waive the Specified Defaults. This waiver shall not constitute Administrative Agent’s and Lenders’ waiver of any other Events of Default that may be continuing on the date hereof or of any Defaults or Events of Default that may occur after the date hereof.

 

(e) Extension of Date to Deliver 2019 Financial Statements. Upon the effectiveness of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions hereof, as a one-time accommodation to Borrowers and in consideration for the agreements set forth herein, Administrative Agent and Lenders hereby extend the deadline for Borrowers to deliver annual audited financial statements for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2019 to October 31, 2020.

 

3. Modifications to the Loan Agreement. Upon the effectiveness of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions hereof and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Existing Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents:

 

(a) Modification to Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement to Add Certain New Defined Terms. Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby modified as of the Effective Date of this Agreement to add the following new defined terms therein in alphabetical order:

 

NMTC Loan Forgiveness Amount” means the amount of Debt of Borrowers under the New Market Tax Credit program that is forgiven during the period from October 1, 2020 through and including October 31, 2020. For the avoidance of doubt, any NMTC Loan Forgiveness Amount which occurs during such period shall be considered for all purposes under this Agreement to have occurred during the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2020.

 

2

 

 

Amendment No. One” means that certain Amendment No. One to Loan and Security Agreement dated as of the Amendment No. One Effective Date, as amended, restated, renewed, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Amendment No. One Effective Date” means October 2, 2020.

 

Intercompany Forgivable PPP Loan” means the loan, made in May of 2020, from Parent to Danimer Holdings, to be funded in one or more draws upon the request of Danimer Holdings and which will be reflected by updating the outstanding principal amount under the note evidencing the Intercompany Forgivable PPP Loan at the time of each such funding, but which in the aggregate shall not exceed the original amount of Parent PPP Loan, on substantially the same terms and conditions of the Parent PPP Loan, including, without limitation, a fixed interest rate of 1.00% per annum and forgiveness of the principal balance in accordance with the PPP Program (but having different loan parties and a potentially different aggregate principal amount than the Parent PPP Loan); provided, however, that the outstanding principal amount on the Intercompany Forgivable PPP Loan shall be forgiven in an amount equal to the percentage of the outstanding principal amount forgiven by the lender under the Parent PPP Loan immediately upon such forgiveness of principal under the Parent PPP Loan.

 

Parent PPP Loan” means that certain PPP Program promissory note, dated as of April 18, 2020, by and between Parent and Truist Bank in the maximum principal amount of $1,776,000, whereby Parent will incur indebtedness for the purposes stated therein.

 

PPP Program” means the Paycheck Protection Program under Division A, Title I of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, as amended.

 

(b) Modification to Certain Defined Terms Under Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement. Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby modified as of the Effective Date of this Agreement to amend and restate in their entirety the following defined terms contained therein to read as follows:

 

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA” means, as of any date of determination, for any period, for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum for such period of (without duplication): (a) Consolidated Net Income; plus (b) Consolidated Interest Expense (net of interest income) to the extent included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income; plus (c) all amounts treated as expenses for depreciation and the amortization of intangibles of any kind, but in each case only to the extent included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income; plus (d) all accrued taxes on or measured by income, but in each case only to the extent included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income; plus (e) any NMTC Loan Forgiveness Amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for any period which includes the Fiscal Quarters ended on September 30, 2018 and/or December 31, 2018, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for each of such individual Fiscal Quarters will be deemed to be $838,447.65 and $3,190,123.07 respectively. For the avoidance of doubt, any effect on Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA resulting from the Intercompany Forgivable PPP Loan shall not be included in any calculation of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA.

 

3

 

 

(c) Modification to Sections 6.13(a) of the Existing Loan Agreement. Section 6.13(a) of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated as of the Effective Date of this Agreement in its entirety, to read as follows:

 

“(a) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA. Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries shall maintain, on a consolidated basis, as at the end of each Fiscal Quarter set forth below, a Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (calculated as at the end of each such Fiscal Quarter set forth below for the preceding four consecutive Fiscal Quarters) in an amount not less than the amount specified for the end of such Fiscal Quarter set forth below:

 

 

Fiscal Quarter End

  Minimum
Consolidated
Adjusted EBITDA
 
September 30, 2020   $ 4,006,097.60  
December 31, 2020   $ 6,075,000.00  
March 31, 2021   $ 6,390,000.00  
June 30, 2021   $ 6,750,000.00  

 

(d) Modification to Sections 6.13(b) of the Loan Agreement. Section 6.13(b) of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated as of the Effective Date of this Agreement in its entirety, to read as follows:

 

“(b) Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries shall maintain, on a consolidated basis, as at the end of each Fiscal Quarter set forth below, a Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (calculated as at the end of each such Fiscal Quarter for the period of four Fiscal Quarters then ended) in an amount not less than the amount specified for the end of such Fiscal Quarter set forth below:

 

Fiscal Quarter End   Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
June 30, 2021   1.00 to 1.00
September 30, 2021   1.00 to 1.00
December 31, 2021   1.00 to 1.00
March 31, 2022 and each Fiscal Quarter end thereafter   1.15 to 1.00

 

(e) Modification to Section 6.13(c) of the Existing Loan Agreement. Section 6.13(c) of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated as of the Effective Date of this Agreement in its entirety, to read as follows:

 

“(c) Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries shall maintain, on a consolidated basis, as at the end of each Fiscal Quarter set forth below, a Consolidated Leverage Ratio not greater than the ratio specified for the end of such Fiscal Quarter as set forth below:

 

Fiscal Quarter End   Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio
June 30, 2021   5.00 to 1.00
September 30, 2021   4.75 to 1.00
December 31, 2021   4.50 to 1.00
March 31, 2022 and each Fiscal Quarter end thereafter   3.50 to 1.00

 

4. Reserved.

 

5. Modification Fee. In consideration for the agreements set forth herein, Borrowers shall pay to Administrative Agent, for the pro rata account of the Lenders, an amendment and waiver fee in the amount of $39,000 (the “Modification Fee”). The entire amount of the Modification Fee shall be fully earned on the date of this Agreement.

 

4

 

 

6. Representations and Warranties. Each Borrower hereby represents and warrants to Administrative Agent and Lenders as follows:

 

(a) No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (or would result from the amendment of the Existing Loan Agreement contemplated hereby), after giving effect to this Agreement.

 

(b) The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and other action and do not and will not require any registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to or action by, any Person other than such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect.

 

(c) On and as of the date of this Agreement, all representations and warranties of each Loan Party contained in the Loan Agreement and in each other Loan Document are true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly refer to an earlier or specified date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier or specified date).

 

7. Conditions of Effectiveness.

 

(a) The Agreement shall become effective as of the Effective Date of this Agreement upon the satisfaction of all of the following conditions:

 

(i) Borrowers shall have delivered to Administrative Agent an original (or executed faxed or electronic copy) of this Agreement, duly executed by each of the Loan Parties;

 

(ii) the receipt by Administrative Agent of the payment, in immediately available funds, of the Modification Fee that is due and payable on the date hereof;

 

(iii) each of the representations and warranties contained in Section 6 of this Agreement shall be true, correct and accurate as of the date of this Agreement; and

 

(iv) the receipt by Administrative Agent of the payment, in immediately available funds, of all reasonable out-of-pocket fees, costs, charges and expenses incurred by Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the transactions arising hereunder or otherwise related hereto or referred to herein, including any actual out-of-pocket costs, expenses, charges or expenses of Administrative Agent and the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for Administrative Agent.

 

(b) The parties hereto specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not be deemed to create a course of dealing or otherwise obligate Administrative Agent or Lenders to execute similar agreements under the same, similar or different circumstances in the future; and (ii) neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any obligation to further amend provisions of, or waive compliance with or consent to a departure from the requirements of, the Existing Loan Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. Except as expressly amended pursuant hereto, the Existing Loan Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects, and the Collateral described in the Loan Documents shall continue to secure the Obligations. Each of the Guarantors party hereto: (i) specifically consents to the terms of this Agreement; (ii) reaffirms its obligations under its Guaranty and under all other Loan Documents to which it is a party; (iii) reaffirms the waivers of each and every one of the defenses to such obligations as set forth in such Guaranty and each such other Loan Document; and (iv) reaffirms that its obligations under such Guaranty and each such other Loan Document are separate and distinct from the obligations of any other party under the Loan Documents.

 

5

 

 

8. General Release. On and as of the Effective Date of this Agreement and in consideration of the agreements set forth herein, Parent and each Loan Party which is a party hereto, on behalf of itself and its successors and assigns, does hereby: (a) release, acquit and forever discharge Administrative Agent and each Lender, all of Administrative Agent’s and each Lender’s predecessors-in-interest, and all of Administrative Agent’s and each Lender’s past and present officers, directors, managers, members, attorneys, affiliates, employees and agents, of and from any and all claims, demands, obligations, liabilities, indebtedness, breaches of contract, breaches of duty or of any relationship, acts, omissions, misfeasance, malfeasance, causes of action, defenses, offsets, debts, sums of money, accounts, compensation, contracts, controversies, promises, damages, costs, losses and expenses, of every type, kind, nature, description or character, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, liquidated or unliquidated (each of the foregoing, a “Claim”), each as though fully set forth herein at length, that any Borrower, any Loan Party or any of their respective successors or assigns now has or may have as of the Effective Date of this Agreement in any way arising out of, connected with or related to any or all of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them or any provision or failure to provide credit or other accommodations to any Borrower or any other Person under the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them or any other agreement, document or instrument referred to, or otherwise related to, any or all of the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them (each, a “Released Claim”); and (b) specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) none of the provisions of the release contained in Section 6(a) above (the “General Release”) shall be construed as or constitute an admission of any liability on the part of Administrative Agent or Lenders (or any of them); (ii) the provisions of the General Release shall constitute an absolute bar to any Released Claim of any kind, whether any such Released Claim is based on contract, tort, warranty, mistake or any other theory, whether legal, statutory or equitable; and (iii) any attempt to assert a Released Claim barred by the provisions of the General Release shall subject it to the provisions of applicable law setting forth the remedies for the bringing of groundless, frivolous or baseless claims or causes of action.

 

9. General Provisions.

 

(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties to the Loan Agreement and their respective successors and assigns.

 

(b) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Each of the parties hereto understands and agrees that this document (and any other document required herein) may be delivered by the other party thereto either in the form of an executed original or an executed original sent by facsimile or electronic transmission to be followed promptly by mailing of a hard copy original, and that receipt by Administrative Agent of an electronically, telecopier facsimile or other portable document format purportedly bearing the signature of Borrowers and shall bind Borrowers with the same force and effect as the delivery of a hard copy original.

 

(c) This Agreement contains the entire and exclusive agreement of the parties to the Loan Agreement with reference to the matters discussed herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior drafts and communications with respect hereto. This Agreement may not be amended except in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Agreement.

 

(d) This Agreement is a Loan Document and is subject to the following provisions of the Loan Agreement: Section 10.16 (Governing Law; Jurisdiction, Etc.) and Section 10.17 (Waiver of Right to Jury Trial) and the terms of such sections are made applicable as if set forth herein in full, mutatis mutandis.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

6

 

 

In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

BORROWERS:      
         
DANIMER SCIENTIFIC HOLDINGS, LLC   MEREDIAN BIOPLASTICS, INC.
         
         
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III   By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name: John A. Dowdy, III   Name: John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO
         
GUARANTORS:      
         
MEREDIAN, INC.   DANIMER SCIENTIFIC, L.L.C.
         
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III   By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name: John A. Dowdy, III   Name: John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO
         
DANIMER BIOPLASTICS, INC.   DANIMER SCIENTIFIC KENTUCKY, INC.
         
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III   By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name: John A. Dowdy, III   Name: John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO

 

[Signatures continue on following page]

 

Amendment No. One to LSA (Danimer/SECDF X/PIFS)

 

7

 

 

Administrative Agent:  
   

SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND X, L.L.C.,

a Delaware limited liability company

   

By:

Advantage Capital Community Development Fund, L.L.C., its Managing Member  
     
By: /s/ Abhi Chandrasekhara  
Name: Abhi Chandrasekhara  
Title:    Authorized Person  
     
Lenders:  
     
Southeast Community Development Fund X, L.L.C.,
a Delaware limited liability company  
     
By:   Advantage Capital Community Development Fund, L.L.C., its Managing Member  
     
By: /s/ Abhi Chandrasekhara     
Name: Abhi Chandrasekhara  
Title:    Authorized Person  
     
PIFS SUb-CDE XX, LLC,  
a Virginia limited liability company  
     
By:    People Incorporated Financial Services, a Virginia non-stock corporation, its Managing Member  
     

By:

/s/ Robert G. Goldsmith  
Name: Robert G. Goldsmith  
Title:    President and CEO  

 

[Signatures continue on following page]

 

Amendment No. One to LSA (Danimer/SECDF X/PIFS)

 

 

8

 

Exhibit 10.21

 

 

 

LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of March 13, 2019

 

among

 

DANIMER SCIENTIFIC HOLDINGS, LLC

 

MEREDIAN, INC.

 

DANIMER SCIENTIFIC, L.L.C.

 

DANIMER SCIENTIFIC KENTUCKY, INC.

 

MEREDIAN BIOPLASTICS, INC.

 

DANIMER BIOPLASTICS, INC.

 

AND SUCH ADDITIONAL BORROWERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO

 

as Borrowers,

 

SUCH ADDITIONAL GUARANTORS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO

 

as Guarantors,

 

THE SEVERAL ENTITIES FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO

 

as Lenders,

 

and

 

WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC,

 

as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Article I. Certain Defined Terms; Certain Rules of Construction 1
     
Section 1.01. Certain Defined Terms 1
Section 1.02. Certain Rules of Construction 29
     
Article II. Credit Extensions 30
     
Section 2.01. Loans 30
Section 2.02. Interest 31
Section 2.03. Payment and Prepayments of Principal 31
Section 2.04. Certain Fees 35
Section 2.05. Brokers and Financial Advisors 35
Section 2.06. Manner of Payments 35
Section 2.07. Increased Costs 36
Section 2.08. Payments Free of Taxes 37
Section 2.09. Sharing of Payments 38
Section 2.10. Payments Generally; Right of Administrative Agent to Make Deductions Automatically 38
Section 2.11. Defaulting Lenders 40
Section 2.12. Replacement of Lenders 41
Section 2.13. Joint and several liability 42
Section 2.14. Administrative Loan Party 42
     
Article III. The Collateral 43
     
Section 3.01. Grant of Security Interest 43
Section 3.02. Administrative Agent’s Rights Regarding the Collateral 43
Section 3.03. Grant of License to Use Intellectual Property Collateral; Additional Intellectual Property 44
Section 3.04. Authorization to File Financing Statements 45
Section 3.05. Working Capital Facility 45
     
Article IV. Conditions Precedent 45
     
Section 4.01. Conditions Precedent To Effectiveness 45
     
Article V. Representations and Warranties 49
     
Section 5.01. Corporate Existence and Power 49
Section 5.02. Corporate Authorization; No Contravention 49
Section 5.03. Governmental Authorization; Compliance with Laws 50
Section 5.04. Binding Effect 50
Section 5.05. Litigation 51
Section 5.06. No Defaults 51
Section 5.07. Employee Benefit Plans 51
Section 5.08. Use of Proceeds 51
Section 5.09. Title to Properties 51
Section 5.10. Taxes 52
Section 5.11. Financial Condition 52
Section 5.12. Environmental Matters 52
Section 5.13. Margin Regulations; Regulated Entities 53
Section 5.14. Swap Obligations 53
Section 5.15. Intellectual Property 53

 

i

 

 

Section 5.16. Equity Interests and Investment Held by Loan Parties; Equity Interests in Loan Parties 53
Section 5.17. Insurance 53
Section 5.18. Collateral and Collateral Documents 53
Section 5.19. Labor Relations 54
Section 5.20. Solvency 54
Section 5.21. Matters Relating to the Facilities 54
Section 5.22. Full Disclosure 54
Section 5.23. Interrelated businesses 55
Section 5.24. Consummation of the Dissolution 55
     
Article VI. Affirmative Covenants 55
     
Section 6.01. Financial Statements 55
Section 6.02. Certificates; Other Information 58
Section 6.03. Notices 59
Section 6.04. Payment of Certain Obligations 60
Section 6.05. Preservation of Existence, Etc 60
Section 6.06. Maintenance of Properties 61
Section 6.07. Maintenance of Insurance 61
Section 6.08. Compliance with Laws 61
Section 6.09. Books and Records 62
Section 6.10. Inspection Rights; Lender Meetings 62
Section 6.11. Use of Proceeds 62
Section 6.12. Collateral Accounts and Excluded Accounts 62
Section 6.13. Financial Covenants 62
Section 6.14. Protection of Intellectual Property Rights 64
Section 6.15. Litigation Cooperation 64
Section 6.16. ERISA Compliance 64
Section 6.17. Additional Items in Connection with the Facilities 64
Section 6.18. Management Team Employment Agreements 64
Section 6.19. Further Assurances 64
Section 6.20. RESERVED 65
Section 6.21. QALICB Initial Collateral 65
     
Article VII. Negative Covenants 65
     
Section 7.01. Liens 65
Section 7.02. Investments 67
Section 7.03. Debt 67
Section 7.04. Fundamental Changes 68
Section 7.05. Dispositions 69
Section 7.06. Restricted Payments 70
Section 7.07. Capital Expenditures 70
Section 7.08. Transactions with Affiliates 71
Section 7.09. Burdensome Agreements 71
Section 7.10. Use of Proceeds 71
Section 7.11. Certain Governmental Regulations 71
Section 7.12. Disqualified Equity Interests 72
Section 7.13. Parent as Holding Company 72
     
Article VIII. Events of Default and Remedies 72
     
Section 8.01. Events of Default 72
Section 8.02. Rights and Remedies 74
Section 8.03. Equity Cure Rights 77

 

ii

 

 

Article IX. Administrative Agent 78
     
Section 9.01. Appointment and Authorization of Administrative Agent 78
Section 9.02. Rights as a Lender 78
Section 9.03. Exculpatory Provisions 78
Section 9.04. Reliance by Administrative Agent 79
Section 9.05. Delegation of Duties 79
Section 9.06. Resignation of Administrative Agent 80
Section 9.07. Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders 80
Section 9.08. No Other Duties, Etc 80
Section 9.09. Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim 80
Section 9.10. Guaranty Matters 81
Section 9.11. Collateral and Other Matters 81
     
Article X. General Provisions 82
     
Section 10.01. Amendments, Etc 82
Section 10.02. Notices; Electronic Communications 83
Section 10.03. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies 85
Section 10.04. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver 85
Section 10.05. Marshalling; Payments Set Aside 86
Section 10.06. Successors and Assigns 87
Section 10.07. Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality 90
Section 10.08. Right of Setoff 90
Section 10.09. Interest Rate Limitation 91
Section 10.10. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness 91
Section 10.11. Survival of Representations and Warranties 91
Section 10.12. Severability 91
Section 10.13. Patriot Act Notice 92
Section 10.14. Guaranty 92
Section 10.15. Time of the Essence 96
Section 10.16. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc 96
Section 10.17. Waiver of Right to Jury Trial 97
Section 10.18. Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions 97

 

iii

 

 

SCHEDULES

 

1.01-A Schedule of Equity Holder Pledgors
1.01-B Schedule of Certain Material Contracts
1.01-C Schedule of QALICB Initial Collateral
2.01 Schedule of Lenders; Commitments; Percentage Shares
5.05 Schedule of Certain Litigation
5.08 Schedule of Permitted Uses of Proceeds of Loans
5.16 Schedule of Equity Interests Held by Borrowers; Equity Interests in Borrowers
5.19 Schedule of Certain Labor Issues
6.12 Schedule of Collateral Accounts and Excluded Accounts
7.01 Schedule of Certain Permitted Liens
7.03 Schedule of Certain Permitted Debt
10.02 Administrative Agent’s Office; Certain Addresses for Notices

 

EXHIBITS

 

A Form of Assignment and Assumption
B Form of Compliance Certificate
C Form of Consolidated Excess Cash Flow Certificate
D Form of Notice of Borrowing
E Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

 

 

iv

 

 

LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

This Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019, is among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Danimer Holdings”), Meredian, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian”), Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian Bioplastics”), Danimer Scientific, L.l.c., a Georgia limited liability company “Danimer Scientific”), Danimer Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Danimer Bioplastics”), Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Danimer Kentucky”; together with Danimer Holdings, Meredian, Inc., Meredian Bioplastics, Danimer Scientific, Danimer Bioplastics and with any other Person that at any time after the date hereof becomes a Borrower, each a “Borrower” and collectively, the “Borrowers”), the Subsidiaries of Parent and Borrowers from time to time party hereto as Guarantors, the several entities from time to time party hereto as Lenders, and White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as “Administrative Agent”.

 

Recitals

 

Whereas Borrowers have requested that Lenders make available to Borrowers the extensions of credit referenced herein on the terms and conditions contained herein; and

 

Whereas Lenders have agreed severally to make available to Borrowers the extensions of credit referenced herein on the terms and conditions contained herein.

 

Now, Therefore, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged), the parties agree as follows:

 

AGREEMENT

 

ARTICLE I.

CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS; CERTAIN RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

 

Section 1.01. Certain Defined Terms.

 

As used herein:

 

ABR Index Rate” means, as of any Index Adjustment Date, a rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, and (b) the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by Administrative Agent), minus 2.25%, and (c) two and one quarter percent (2.25%) per annum.

 

ABR Loan” means any Loan as to which the Base Rate is based upon the ABR Index Rate (as contemplated by clause (b) of the definition of Base Rate).

 

Account Debtor” means any Person who is or may become obligated with respect to, or on account of, an Account, Chattel Paper or General Intangible (including a payment intangible (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code)).

 

Account(s)” means, as to any Person, all accounts (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), including: (a) all “accounts” (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), “payment intangibles” (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), other receivables, book debts, all other rights to payment and/or reimbursement of every kind and description, including under governmental entitlement programs, and all other forms of obligations (other than forms of obligations evidenced by Chattel Paper or Instruments) (including any such obligations that may be characterized as an account or contract right under the Uniform Commercial Code); (b) all of such Person’s rights in, to and under all purchase orders or receipts for goods or services; (c) all of such Person’s rights to any goods represented by any of the foregoing (including unpaid sellers’ rights or rescission, replevin, reclamation and stoppage in transit and rights to returned, reclaimed or repossessed goods); (d) all rights to payment due to such Person for goods or other property sold, leased, licensed, assigned or otherwise disposed of, for a policy of insurance issued or to be issued, for a secondary obligation incurred or to be incurred, for energy provided or to be provided, for the use or hire of a vessel under a charter or other contract, arising out of the use of a credit card or charge card, or for services rendered or to be rendered by such Person or in connection with any other transaction (whether or not yet earned by performance on the part of such Person); and (e) all collateral security of any kind given by any Account Debtor or any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

 

 

 

Administrative Agent” means, at any time, administrative agent for the Lending Parties under each of the Loan Documents (which, initially, shall be White Oak and, thereafter, shall include any successor appointed in accordance with Section 9.06).

 

Administrative Agent’s Office” means Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02, or such other address or account as Administrative Agent may from time to time notify Borrowers, Guarantors and each other Lending Party.

 

Administrative Detail Form” means an administrative detail form in a form supplied by, or otherwise acceptable to, Administrative Agent.

 

Administrative Loan Party” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.14.

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

 

Aggregate Term Commitments” means, at any time, the combined Term Loan Commitments of all Lenders.

 

Agreement” means this Loan and Security Agreement as amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

AgroCrush” means AgroCrush, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company.

 

AgroReco” means AgroReco Meredian, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company.

 

Anti-Terrorism Law” means, collectively: (a) the Patriot Act; (b) the Executive Order; (c) the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.); and (d) any similar Law enacted in the United States following the date of this Agreement.

 

Applicable Margin” means (a) for any LIBOR Loan, four and one half percent (4.50%), and (b) for any ABR Loan, four and one half percent (4.50%).

 

Approved Bank” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of “Cash Equivalents” contained herein.

 

Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities, which Person is administered or managed by (a) a Lending Party, (b) an Affiliate of a Lending Party or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lending Party; provided that an “Approved Fund” shall not include any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates.

 

  2  

 

 

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lending Party and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.06(b)), and accepted by Administrative Agent, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, or in such other form as agreed to by Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion.

 

Attributable Debt” means, on any date of determination: (a) in respect of any capital lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP; and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease payments under the relevant lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease were accounted for as a capital lease.

 

Audited Closing Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated balance sheet for Parent and its Subsidiaries, including the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2017 and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, owners’ equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, including the notes thereto, together with the opinion issued thereon by the independent accountants preparing such financial statements.

 

Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

 

Bail-In Legislation” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

Bankruptcy Code” means the federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 (11 U.S.C. Sections 101 et seq.).

 

Bankruptcy Laws” means, collectively: (a) the Bankruptcy Code; and (b) all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor-relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

 

Base Rate” means, for any day, (a) an interest rate equal to the LIBOR Index Rate, as adjusted as of each Index Adjustment Date, plus the Applicable Margin; or (b) if a Market Disruption Event occurs, then and until such Market Disruption Event no longer exists, an interest rate equal to the ABR Index Rate, as adjusted as of each Index Adjustment Date plus the Applicable Margin.

 

Books and Records” means, as to any Person, all of such Person’s books and records including ledgers, Tax Returns, records regarding such Person’s assets or liabilities, business operations or financial condition, and all computer programs or storage or any equipment containing such information.

 

Borrower” or “Borrowers “ has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall extend to all permitted successors and assigns of such Persons.

 

Business Day” means any day other than (i) a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized or required to be closed under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, San Francisco, California or the city and state where Administrative Agent’s Office is located, and (ii) any day that any of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or the New York Stock Exchange is closed; provided that if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a LIBOR Loan, any fundings, disbursements, settlements, and payments in respect of any Term Loan accruing interest based upon the LIBOR Index Rate, or any other dealings in Dollars to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Term Loan, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in deposits in Dollars in the London interbank market.

 

Capital Expenditures” means, with respect to any Person, all expenditures by such Person for the acquisition or leasing of fixed or capital assets or additions to equipment (including replacements, capitalized repairs and improvements during such period) that are required to be capitalized under GAAP on a balance sheet of such Person. For purposes of this definition: (a) the purchase price of equipment that is purchased simultaneously with the trade-in of existing equipment owned by such Person thereof or with insurance proceeds shall be included in Capital Expenditures only to the extent of the gross amount of such purchase price minus the credit granted by the seller of such equipment for such equipment being traded in at such time, or the amount of such proceeds, as the case may be; and (b) an acquisition to the extent made with the proceeds of a Disposition in accordance with Section 7.05(c) shall not constitute a “Capital Expenditure.”

 

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Cash Equivalents” means, as to any Person: (a) securities issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof (but only so long as the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than twelve months from the date of acquisition; (b) securities issued by any state of the United States or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than ninety (90) days from the date of acquisition and having one of the two highest ratings from either S&P or Moody’s; (c) certificates of deposit, denominated solely in Dollars, maturing within two years after the date of acquisition, issued by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or that is a U.S. Subsidiary of a foreign commercial bank; in each of the foregoing cases, solely to the extent that: (i) such commercial bank’s short-term commercial paper is rated at least A-1 or the equivalent by S&P or at least P-1 or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s (any such commercial bank, an “Approved Bank”); or (ii) the par amount of all certificates of deposit acquired from such commercial bank are fully insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; or (d) commercial paper issued by any Approved Bank (or by the parent company thereof), in each case maturing not more than two hundred seventy (270) days after the date of acquisition.

 

“Cash Taxes” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

 

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any Law; (b) any change in any Law or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority; or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein: (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law” regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

 

Change of Control” means: (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Exchange Act and the rules of the Securities Exchange Commission thereunder), of Equity Interests in Parent (or in any Person of which Parent is a direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary) representing more than thirty five percent (35%) of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in Parent (or such Person), or (b) Persons who were (i) directors (or managers, as the case may be) of any Borrower on the date hereof, (ii) nominated by the board of directors (or managers, as the case may be) of any Borrower or (iii) appointed or elected by directors (or managers, as the case may be) that were directors (or managers, as the case may be) of any Borrower on the date hereof, or directors (or managers, as the case may be) nominated as provided in the preceding clause (ii), in each case other than any person whose initial nomination or appointment occurred as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents for the election or removal of one or more directors (or managers, as the case may be) on the board of directors (or managers, as the case may be) of any Borrower (other than any such solicitation made by the board of directors (or managers, as the case may be) of any Borrower), ceasing to occupy a majority of the seats (excluding vacant seats) on the board of directors(or managers, as the case may be) of any Borrower; or (c) the failure of Parent to own directly or indirectly, beneficially and of record, one hundred percent (100.00%) of the aggregate ordinary voting power and economic interests represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each Subsidiary, including Borrowers and Guarantors (or such lesser percentage as may be owned, directly or indirectly, as of the Effective Date or the later acquisition thereof), except where such failure occurs as a result of a transaction or circumstance otherwise expressly permitted by the Loan Documents.

 

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Chattel Paper” means, as to any Person, all chattel paper (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), including electronic chattel paper (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party).

 

Claims” means, collectively, any claim or cause of action based upon or arising out of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, including contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims, and all other common law or statutory claims.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and, as applicable, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, or, if applicable, any successor Laws.

 

Collateral” means, collectively, all right, title and interest of each Loan Party that is a party hereto, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising (or in which such Loan Party has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), in, to or upon all Accounts, Chattel Paper, Collateral Accounts, commercial tort claims, Documents, Equipment, General Intangibles, Goods, Instruments, Inventory, Investment Property, Letter-of-Credit Rights, Permits, Supporting Obligations, Books and Records, real property, motor vehicles and other title vehicles, and all other assets, tangible and intangible, real and personal, of such Loan Party and all Proceeds (in whatever form or nature) of the foregoing; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, “Collateral” shall not include Excluded Property of any such Loan Party.

 

Collateral Access Agreementmeans a landlord waiver, bailee letter, or acknowledgement agreement of any lessor, warehouseman, processor, consignee, or other Person in possession of, having a Lien upon, or having rights or interests in any Collateral, in each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

 

Collateral Accounts” means all commodity accounts, deposit accounts and securities accounts (in each case, as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) of any Loan Party that is a party hereto other than the Excluded Accounts.

 

Collateral Documents” means, collectively: (a) this Agreement; (b) each Control Agreement entered into in connection with this Agreement; (c) each Intellectual Property assignment or security agreement, each in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, entered into in connection with this Agreement; (d) each Deed of Trust; (e) each Equity Holder Pledge Agreement; (f) the Parent Pledge Agreement; (g) any security agreement or other document similar to the documents referred to in clauses (a) through (f) of this definition executed on or after the Effective Date pursuant to the terms hereof or otherwise in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby; and (f) all financing statements (or comparable documents now or hereafter filed in accordance with the Uniform Commercial Code or other comparable Law) against Borrowers or any other Loan Party that is a party hereto or any other Loan Document as debtor in favor of Administrative Agent, for the benefit of itself and each other Lending Party (or any of the foregoing), as secured party.

 

Commitment” means, as to each Lender as of any date of determination, such Lender’s Term Loan Commitment.

 

Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B.

 

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA” means, as of any date of determination, for any period, for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum for such period of (without duplication): (a) Consolidated Net Income; plus (b) Consolidated Interest Expense (net of interest income) to the extent included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income; plus (c) all amounts treated as expenses for depreciation and the amortization of intangibles of any kind, but in each case only to the extent included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income; plus (d) all accrued taxes on or measured by income, but in each case only to the extent included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income.

 

  5  

 

 

Consolidated Current Assets” means, as of a particular date, for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, all assets which would, in conformity with GAAP, be included under current assets on a balance sheet of such Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as at such date including all cash, Cash Equivalents, accounts and inventory of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; provided however that such amounts shall not include any amounts for any Debt owing by an Affiliate of any Loan Party, unless such Debt arose in connection with the sale of goods or rendition of services in the ordinary course of business and would otherwise constitute current assets in conformity with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Current Liabilities” means, as of a particular date, for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, all liabilities which would, in conformity with GAAP, be included under current liabilities on a balance sheet of such Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as at such date.

 

Consolidated Excess Cash Flow” means, for any period, the amount, if any, by which: (a) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for such period; exceeds (b) the sum for such period of (without duplication): (i) Capital Expenditures actually made in cash by Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (net of any insurance proceeds, condemnation awards or proceeds relating to any financing with respect to such expenditures); plus (ii) taxes on or measured by income paid in cash by Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (including any distributions to any holders of Equity Interests in any Loan Party in respect of taxes for such period, if such Loan Party is a disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes); plus (iii) Consolidated Interest Expense (exclusive of any debt discount) paid in cash by Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries; plus (iv) scheduled principal payments on account of capital leases and other Debt (other than Debt outstanding hereunder) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, but in each of the foregoing cases, solely to the extent paid in cash; plus (v) optional principal payments on account of the Term Loans in accordance with Section 2.03(b); plus (vi) the amount, if any, by which (A) the current assets (exclusive of cash and Cash Equivalents) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries at the end of such period is greater than the current assets (exclusive of cash and Cash Equivalents) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries at the beginning of such period; plus (vii) the amount if any by which (A) the current liabilities (exclusive of the current portion of long term Debt) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries at the end of such period is less than (B) the current liabilities (exclusive of the current portion of long term Debt) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries at the beginning of such period; minus (viii) the amount, if any, by which (A) the current assets (exclusive of cash and Cash Equivalents) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries at the end of such period is less than (B) the current assets (exclusive of cash and Cash Equivalents) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries at the beginning of such period; minus (ix) the amount if any by which (A) the current liabilities (exclusive of the current portion of long term Debt) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries at the end of such period is greater than (B) the current liabilities (exclusive of the current portion of long term Debt) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries at the beginning of such period.

 

Consolidated Excess Cash Flow Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

 

Consolidated Excess Cash Flow Percentage” means: (a) at any time that an Event of Default exists, 100.00%; and (b) otherwise, 25.00%.

 

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Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination for the period ending on such date, subject to Section 1.02(f), the ratio of: (a) the sum (without duplication) for such period of: (i) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (with respect to the determination of which, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the individual Fiscal Quarters ended June 30, 2018, September 30, 2018, and December 31, 2018, will be deemed to be $1,986,302.28, $838,447.65, and $3,190,123.07, respectively); plus (ii) operating lease expense for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (“Operating Lease Expense”); minus (iii) all payments in cash for taxes on or measured by income (whether net income or gross income) made by Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (including any distributions to any holders of Equity Interests in Parent in respect of taxes for such period, if Parent is a disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes) (“Cash Taxes”); minus (iv) Unfinanced Capital Expenditures, but only to the extent expended after June 30, 2020, provided, however, that: (A) for the period ending on September 30, 2020, Unfinanced Capital Expenditures will be equal to (I) the actual amount expended for the Fiscal Quarter ending on such date, minus (II) the amount by which the aggregate amount expended by the Loan Parties during the period from January 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020, constituting Capital Expenditures, is less than $33,350,000 (but in any case such amount calculated in this clause (A)(II) shall be limited in its application, to the amount actually expended in such Fiscal Quarter set forth in clause (A)(I)), (B) for the period ending on December 31, 2020, Unfinanced Capital Expenditures will be equal to (I) the actual amount expended for the two Fiscal Quarters ending on such date, minus (II) the amount by which the aggregate amount expended by the Loan Parties during the period from January 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020, constituting Capital Expenditures, is less than $33,350,000 (but in any case such amount calculated in this clause (B)(II) shall be limited in its application, to the amount actually expended in such two Fiscal Quarters set forth in clause (B)(I)), and (C) for the period ending on March 31, 2021, Unfinanced Capital Expenditures will be the amount expended for the three Fiscal Quarters ending on such date (with the amounts relating to the Fiscal Quarters ended on September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2020 being such amounts as calculated in clauses (A) and (B) above, respectively), (D) for the period ending on June 30, 2021, Unfinanced Capital Expenditures will be the amount expended for the four Fiscal Quarters ending on such date (with the amounts relating to the Fiscal Quarters ended on September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2020 being such amounts as calculated in clauses (A) and (B) above, respectively), and (E) for the period ending on September 30, 2021, Unfinanced Capital Expenditures will be the amount expended for the four Fiscal Quarters ending on such date (with the amounts relating to the Fiscal Quarter ended on December 31, 2020 being such amount as calculated in clauses (B) above), and provided, further, that any Capital Expenditures made by the Loan Parties utilizing Specified Capital, earmarked at the time contributed to the capital of Danimer Holdings as being for the purpose of making Capital Expenditures and actually used for the purpose of making Capital Expenditures within one year following the date contributed to the capital of Danimer Holdings, will not be deemed Unfinanced Capital Expenditures for purposes of this clause (a)(iv); minus (v) Restricted Payments paid in cash by Loan Parties, other than the Solo Dart Payment (but only to the extent that such Solo Dart Payment constitutes a Restricted Payment) ; to (b) the sum (without duplication) for such period of: (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, excluding, however those loan costs associated with Debt being repaid with the proceeds of the Loans hereunder, that are written off as interest expense on the Effective Date (except that with respect to determination of Consolidated Interest Expense as of March 31, 2019, June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019, Consolidated Interest Expense for the one, two and three Fiscal Quarters then ended, respectively, will be subject to multipliers of 4, 2 and 1.33, respectively), plus (ii) the aggregate amount of mandatory principal prepayments actually made or required to be made on the Term Loans under Section 2.03(c)(i) (except that with respect to determination of mandatory principal prepayments of the Term Loans as of March 31, 2019, June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019, such payments actually made or required to be made for the one, two and three Fiscal Quarters then ended, respectively, will be subject to multipliers of 4, 2 and 1.33, respectively); plus (iii) Operating Lease Expense; plus (iv) all required principal payments and all principal payments made for future periods made with respect to capital leases and other Debt (other than Debt outstanding hereunder and Debt refinanced on the Effective Date with the proceeds of the Term Loans).

 

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, as of any date of determination, for any period, for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum (without duplication) for such period of: (a) all interest, premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses in connection with borrowed money (including capitalized interest) or in connection with the deferred purchase price of assets; plus (b) all payments made under interest rate Swap Contracts to the extent not included in clause (a) of this definition; minus (c) all payments received under interest rate Swap Contracts; plus (d) the portion of rent expense under capital leases that is treated as interest under GAAP.

 

Consolidated Net Income” means, as of any date of determination, for any period, for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, net income (or loss) for such period, but excluding (without duplication) (a) any income of any Person if such Person is not a Subsidiary, except that Loan Parties’ direct or indirect equity in the net income of any such Person for such period shall be included in such computation of net income (or loss) up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Person during such period to Loan Parties or a Subsidiary of a Loan Party as a dividend or other distribution; and (b) net income of any Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary of that income is prohibited by operation of the terms of its Organizational Documents or any Contractual Obligations or Law applicable to such Subsidiary or by which such Subsidiary is bound.

 

Consolidated Senior Debt” means, as of a particular date, for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans.

 

Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, subject to Section 1.02(f), the ratio of: (a) Consolidated Senior Debt as of such date; to (b) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the period consisting of the four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending on such date, except that with respect to the determination of Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the individual Fiscal Quarters ended June 30, 2018, September 30, 2018, and December 31, 2018, will be deemed to be $1,986,302.28, $838,447.65, and $3,190,123.07, respectively.

 

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Contractual Obligation” means, as to any Person, any document or other agreement or undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

 

Contribution Agreement” means the Contribution and Assignment Agreement, dated on or about the date of this Agreement (as in effect on the Effective Date), by and between Parent and Danimer Holdings.

 

Control” means (other than when used in the terms “Change of Control” and “Control Agreement”) the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. The terms “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Person shall be deemed to be Controlled by another Person if such other Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to vote twenty five percent (25.00%) or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors, managing general partners or the equivalent.

 

Control Agreement” means any agreement entered into among a depository institution at which a Loan Party that is a party hereto maintains a Collateral Account, such Loan Party and Administrative Agent, pursuant to which Administrative Agent obtains control (within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code) over such Collateral Account.

 

Copyright License” means, as to any Person, all rights under any written document now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party) granting the right to use any Copyright or Copyright registration.

 

Copyrights” means, as to any Person, all of the following now owned or hereafter adopted or acquired by such Person: (a) all copyrights in any original work of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression, now known or later developed, all registrations and applications for registration of any such copyrights in the United States or any other country, including registrations, recordings and applications, and supplemental registrations, recordings, and applications in the United States Copyright Office; and (b) all proceeds of the foregoing, including license royalties and proceeds of infringement suits, the right to sue for past, present and future infringements, all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world and all renewals and extensions thereof.

 

Credit Extensions” means all of the following: (a) the Term Loans; and (b) all Protective Advances.

 

Credit Outstandings” means, as of any date of determination, the then Outstanding Amount of all Credit Extensions and the Prepayment Fee (if any is then due and payable as of such date of determination) owing with respect thereto.

 

“Cure Notice” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.03.

 

Danimer Bioplastics” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall extend to all permitted successors and assigns of such Person.

 

Danimer Bioplastics Subordination Agreement” means that certain Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among Subordinated Danimer Bioplastics Lender, Administrative Agent, Danimer Bioplastics and Danimer Scientific.

 

Danimer Holdings” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall extend to all permitted successors and assigns of such Person.

 

Danimer Kentucky” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall extend to all permitted successors and assigns of such Person.

 

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Danimer Scientific” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall extend to all permitted successors and assigns of such Person.

 

Debt” means, as to any Person as of any date of determination, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP: (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments; (b) all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial letters of credit), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments; (c) the swap termination value under all Swap Contracts or hedge contracts to which such Person is a party; (d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than liabilities or obligations under the Management Services Agreement and trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business not past due for more than sixty (60) days after the date on which such trade account payable was created); (e) indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse; (f) the amount of Attributable Debt in respect of all capital lease obligations and Synthetic Lease Obligations of such Person; (g) all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of any Disqualified Equity Interest, valued, in the case of a Disqualified Equity Interest that is a redeemable preferred interest, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; and (h) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any Debt referred to in the immediately preceding clauses (a) through (g). For all purposes hereof, the Debt of any Person shall include the Debt of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venture, unless such Debt is expressly made non-recourse to such Person.

 

Deed of Trust” means each mortgage, leasehold mortgage deed to secure debt, security deed, or deed of trust or other similar document executed and delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms hereof or otherwise in connection herewith by Borrowers, any Guarantor or any other Loan Party, as security for the Obligations, including, without limitation, that certain Deed To Secure Debt, dated on or about the date hereof, given by Danimer Bioplastics in favor of Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders, granting Administrative Agent a Lien upon the Facility located at 1301 Colquitt Drive, Bainbridge, Georgia.

 

Default” means any Event of Default or any event or condition that, with the giving of notice, the passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 2.11, any Lender that (a) has failed to fund all or any portion of its Loans within two (2) Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender has notified Administrative Agent and Administrative Loan Party in writing that such failure is the result of one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in writing) not having been satisfied, (b) has notified Administrative Loan Party or Administrative Agent that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder or has made a public statement to that effect (in each case, unless notified to Administrative Agent in writing that a condition precedent to funding, specifically identified and including the particular default, has not been satisfied), (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after request by Administrative Agent or Administrative Loan Party, to confirm in writing to Administrative Agent and Administrative Loan Party that it will comply with its funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender under this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by Administrative Agent and Administrative Loan Party), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Bankruptcy Laws, (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such capacity; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.

 

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Default Rate” means an interest rate equal to the sum of: (a) the Base Rate; plus (b) two percent (2%) per annum.

 

Deposit Account” means any deposit account (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code).

 

Disposition” means the sale, assignment transfer, conveyance, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person, including any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith. The term “Dispose” has a meaning correlative thereto.

 

Disqualified Equity Interest” means any Equity Interest of any Person that, by its terms (or by the terms of any Equity Interest or other security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event or circumstance, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, or requires or mandates payments or distributions in cash, on or prior to the date that is one year after the Maturity Date.

 

Dissolution” means the dissolution, winding up, satisfaction of all obligations and cessation of existence of a limited liability company formed under the Georgia Limited Liability Company Act (the “GLLCA”), in compliance with all requirements of GLLCA Section 14-11-600 et seq., including, without limitation, the filing of a Certificate of Termination as contemplated by Section 14-11-610 of the GLLCA.

 

Documents” means, as to any Person, all documents (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), wherever located, including all bills of lading, dock warrants, dock receipts, warehouse receipts, and other documents of title, whether negotiable or non-negotiable.

 

Dollar” and “$” mean lawful money of the United States.

 

Due Diligence Certificate” means a due diligence certificate in form acceptable to Administrative Agent.

 

EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

 

EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

 

EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

 

Effective Date” means the first date on which all of the conditions precedent in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 10.01) and the Term Loans are funded to the Borrowers.

 

Electronic Platform” means an electronic system for the delivery of information (including documents), such as IntraLinks On-Demand WorkspacesTM or DXSyndicateTM, or Firmex that may or may not be provided or administered by Administrative Agent or an Affiliate thereof.

 

Eligible Assignee” means any of the following: (a) a Lender; (b) an Affiliate of a Lender; and (c) an Approved Fund; or (d) any fund or account managed or administered solely by White Oak or any of its Affiliates; provided that “Eligible Assignee” shall not include any Defaulting Lender.

 

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Environmental Claims” means all claims, however asserted, by any Governmental Authority or other Person alleging Environmental Liabilities.

 

Environmental Laws” means all existing or future Laws, including requirements imposed by common law, relating to pollution, the protection of health and safety or the environment or the handling, storage use, generation, discharge or release of any materials into the environment, including those related to Hazardous Materials, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.

 

Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of any Person directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon: (a) violation of any Environmental Laws; (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials; (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials; (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment; or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

Equipment” means, as to any Person, all equipment (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), wherever located, including any and all machinery, apparatus, equipment, fittings, furniture, fixtures, motor vehicles and other tangible personal property (other than Inventory) of every kind and description, and all parts, accessories and accessions thereto and substitutions and replacements therefor.

 

“Equity Cure Right” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.03.

 

“Equity Holder Pledge Agreement” means that certain Pledge Agreement, if any, dated on or about the date hereof, given by the Equity Holder Pledgors in favor of Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders, pursuant to which each Equity Holder Pledgor pledges and hypothecates to Administrative Agent the Equity Interests of any Loan Party owned by such Equity Holder Pledgor.

 

Equity Holder Pledgors” means and refers to those Persons more fully identified on Schedule 1.01-A hereto.

 

Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.

 

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

 

ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with Parent or any Subsidiary thereof within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).

 

ERISA Event” means any of the following: (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) the incurrence by Parent or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to a withdrawal by Parent or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) the incurrence by Parent or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to a complete or partial withdrawal by Parent or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or the receipt by Parent or an ERISA Affiliate of notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Sections 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) an event or condition that constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (f) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon Parent or any ERISA Affiliate.

 

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“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.

 

Event of Default” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.01.

 

Event of Loss” means, with respect to any property of any Loan Party, any of the following: (a) any loss, destruction or damage of such property; or (b) any actual condemnation, seizure or taking, by exercise of the power of eminent domain or otherwise, of such property, or confiscation of such property or the requisition of the use of such property.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Excluded Accounts” means, with respect to any Loan Party that is a party hereto: (a) those deposit accounts described as such on Schedule 6.12, and (b) such other deposit accounts of such Loan Party constituting a payroll account, a pension or pension reserve account, or an employee benefits account.

 

Excluded Property” means collectively, all right, title and interest of each Loan Party that is a party hereto, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising (or in which such Loan Party has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), in, to or upon:

 

(a) any rights or interest in any contract, lease, Permit, charter or license agreement covering real or personal property of any Loan Party that is a party hereto if, under the terms of such contract, lease, Permit, charter or license agreement, or applicable Law with respect thereto, the grant of a Lien therein is prohibited as a matter of law or under the terms of such contract, lease, Permit, charter or license agreement, except, in each of the foregoing cases, to the extent (i) any described prohibition or restriction is unenforceable under Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Laws, or (ii) any consent or waiver has been obtained that would permit the Lien notwithstanding the prohibition or restriction on the pledge of such asset;

 

(b) Equity Interests of (i) any first tier Subsidiary of any Loan Party that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States of America, its territories or its possessions that is a “controlled foreign corporation” (as such term is defined in Section 957(a) of the Code or a successor provision thereof) in excess of sixty-six (66%) percent (or such greater percentage to the extent such greater percentage would not result in a material adverse tax consequence to Loan Parties under Treasury Regulation Section 1.956-2) of all of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of such Subsidiary entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.957-1 (b)), and (ii) any Subsidiary of any first tier Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States of America, its territories or its possessions that is a “controlled foreign corporation” (as such term is defined in Section 957(a) of the Code or a successor provision thereof);

 

(c) any property now owned or hereafter acquired by any Loan Party that is a party hereto that is subject to a purchase money Lien or a capital lease permitted hereunder if the contractual obligation pursuant to which such Lien is granted (or the documentation providing for such purchase money Lien or capital lease) validly prohibits the creation by such Loan Party of a Lien thereon or expressly requires the consent of any Person other than a Loan Party or its Affiliates which consent has not been obtained as a condition to the creation of any other Lien on such property;

 

(d) any “intent to use” Trademark applications for which a statement of use has not been filed (but only until such statement is filed);

 

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(e) any motor vehicles having a fair market value of less than $75,000 individually or $500,000 in the aggregate, in each case so long as and to the extent that such motor vehicles are subject to purchase money financing or capital lease obligations as a result of which the related creditor has an encumbrance noted on the Certificate of Title;

 

(f) all Excluded Accounts and all amounts deposited therein or credited thereto except to the extent any such amounts were deposited therein or credited thereto other than for the purposes for which such Excluded Accounts were established; and

 

(g) the QALICB Initial Collateral;

 

provided that: (i) “Excluded Property” shall not include any Proceeds, products, substitutions or replacements of any Excluded Property (unless such Proceeds, products, substitutions or replacements would otherwise constitute Excluded Property); and (ii) if any assets constitute “Excluded Property” as a result of the failure of the applicable Loan Party that is a party hereto to obtain consent as described in clauses (a) and (b) of this definition, such Loan Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such consent, and, upon obtaining such consent, such property shall cease to constitute “Excluded Property.

 

Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient: (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in the Term Loan or Commitment pursuant to the Laws in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Term Loan or Commitment or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.08, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.08(d) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

Executive Order” means Executive Order No. 13224 of September 23, 2001 (effective September 24, 2001), Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism.

 

Existing Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 10.14(j).

 

Extraordinary Receipts” means any payments received by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries not in the ordinary course of business (and not consisting of proceeds relating to an Event of Loss or Disposition, as described in Section 2.03(c)(ii) of this Agreement) consisting of (a) proceeds of judgments, proceeds of settlements, or other consideration of any kind received in connection with any cause of action or claim, (b) indemnity payments (other than to the extent such indemnity payments are immediately payable to a Person that is not an Affiliate of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, and (c) any purchase price adjustment (other than working capital and other similar adjustments) made pursuant to any acquisition document and/or indemnification payments made pursuant to any acquisition document (other than such indemnification payments to the extent that the amounts so received are applied by a Loan Party for the purpose of replacing, repairing or restoring any assets or properties of a Loan Party, thereby satisfying the condition giving rise to the claim for indemnification, or otherwise covering any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Loan Party in obtaining such payments).

 

Facility” or “Facilities” means and refers to those certain parcels of real property together with improvements thereon located at (i) 1301 Colquitt Drive, Bainbridge, Georgia, which is operated by and owned in fee by Danimer Bioplastics, (ii) 140 Industrial Boulevard, Bainbridge, Georgia, which is occupied by all Loan Parties other than Danimer Bioplastics pursuant to a lease in favor of Parent and a sublease in favor of such Loan Parties, and (iii) 605 Rolling Hills Lane, Winchester, Kentucky, which is occupied by Danimer Kentucky pursuant to a lease in favor of Parent and a sublease in favor of Danimer Kentucky.

 

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FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.

 

Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, then the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, then the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of one one-hundredth of 1.00%) charged to major money center banks on such day on such transactions as determined by Administrative Agent.

 

Fiscal Month” means, as of any date of determination with respect to Loan Parties, each calendar month occurring during each Fiscal Year.

 

Fiscal Quarter” means, as of any date of determination with respect to Loan Parties, each calendar quarter occurring during each Fiscal Year.

 

Fiscal Year” means, as of any date of determination with respect to Loan Parties, the fiscal year of Loan Parties, which begins on January 1 and ends on December 31 in each calendar year.

 

Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is not a “United States Person” (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code).

 

FRB” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.

 

General Intangibles” means, as to any Person, all general intangibles (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), including all right, title and interest that such Person may now or hereafter have under any contract, all payment intangibles (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), customer lists, licenses, Intellectual Property, interests in partnerships, joint ventures and other business associations, permits, proprietary or confidential information, inventions (whether or not patented or patentable), technical information, procedures, designs, knowledge, know-how, Software, databases, data, skill, expertise, experience, processes, models, drawings, materials, Books and Records, Goodwill (including Goodwill associated with any Intellectual Property), all rights and claims in or under insurance policies (including insurance for fire, damage, loss, and casualty, whether covering personal property, real property, tangible rights or intangible rights, all liability, life, key-person, and business interruption insurance, and all unearned premiums), uncertificated securities, choses-in-action, rights to receive tax refunds and other payments, rights to receive dividends, distributions, cash, Instruments and other property in respect of or in exchange for Equity Interests and other Investment Property, and rights of indemnification.

 

“Georgia PSA” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of Sale/Leaseback.

 

Goods” means, as to any Person, all goods (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), wherever located, including embedded software to the extent included in goods (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) and fixtures (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code).

 

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Goodwill” means, as to any Person, all goodwill, trade secrets, proprietary or confidential information, technical information, procedures, formulae, quality control standards, designs, operating and training manuals, customer lists, and distribution agreements now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party).

 

Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other Person exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

 

Guarantee” means, as to any Person, any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Debt or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, whether direct or indirect: (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt or other obligation; (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Debt or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Debt or other obligation; (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Debt or other obligation; or (d) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Debt or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith. The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a correlative meaning.

 

Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 10.14(a).

 

Guarantor Subordinated Debt” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 10.14(i).

 

Guarantor Subordinated Debt Payments” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 10.14(i).

 

Guarantors” means, collectively, the following (together with their respective successors and assigns): (a) Parent; (b) each Subsidiary of Parent that is a party hereto as a Guarantor as of the Effective Date or thereafter by joinder in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent; and (c) any other Person who, after the date hereof pursuant to the terms of any Loan Document, has executed or is required to execute: (i) as a guarantor, a Guaranty of all or any portion of the Obligations; or (ii) as a pledgor, a third party pledge agreement (or similar document) in favor of Administrative Agent or the Lending Parties with respect to all or any portion of the Obligations; each sometimes being referred to herein individually as a “Guarantor”.

 

Guaranty” means (i) the Parent Guaranty and (ii) any guaranty or third party pledge agreement (or similar document), in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, made by a Person for the benefit of the Lending Parties or Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lending Parties and includes the Guaranty set forth in Section 10.14.

 

Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes, all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes, or pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes, solid waste and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Laws, and includes any “hazardous substance” and “hazardous waste” as such terms are defined in any Environmental Laws.

 

Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Loan Party, all liabilities of such Person under Swap Contracts entered into with any Lender or an Affiliate of any Lender in connection with all or any portion of the Loans; provided that such liabilities under any Swap Contract with an Affiliate of a Lender shall not constitute “Hedging Obligations” hereunder unless and until such liabilities are certified as such in writing to Administrative Agent by Administrative Loan Party and such Affiliate of a Lender.

 

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Income Tax Purposes” means U.S. federal income and applicable state, local and foreign income and franchise tax purposes.

 

Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.

 

Indemnitees” means, collectively, each Lending Party and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons.

 

Index Adjustment Date” means (a) the Effective Date, and (b) thereafter, the first Business Day of each calendar month.

 

Information” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 10.07.

 

Instrument” means, as to any Person, all instruments (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), wherever located, including all promissory notes and other evidences of indebtedness, other than instruments that constitute, or are part of a group of writings that constitute, Chattel Paper.

 

Intellectual Property” means, as to any Person, all Copyrights, Licenses, Patents, Trademarks, inventions, designs, trade secrets and customer lists now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), wherever located.

 

Interest Payment Date” means: (a) the first Business Day of each calendar month during the term hereof commencing with the first Business Day of April, 2019; and (b) the Maturity Date.

 

Inventory” means, as to any Person, all inventory (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), wherever located, including all inventory, merchandise, goods and other personal property that are held by or on behalf of such Person for sale or lease or are furnished or to be furnished under a contract of service or that constitute raw materials, work in process, finished goods, returned goods or materials or supplies of any kind.

 

Investment” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person in another Person, whether by means of: (a) the purchase or other acquisition of capital stock or other securities of another Person; (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or Equity Interest in, another Person, including any partnership or limited liability company interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor Guarantees Debt of such other Person; or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.

 

“Investment Fund Put (Danimer)” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Put and Call Agreement (Danimer).

 

Investment Fund Put Closing Date (Danimer)” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Put and Call Agreement (Danimer).

 

“Investment Fund Put (Meredian)” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Put and Call Agreement (Meredian).

 

Investment Fund Put Closing Date (Meredian)” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Put and Call Agreement (Meredian).

 

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Investment Property” means, as to any Person, all investment property (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), wherever located.

 

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service or, as applicable, any successor agency.

 

Joinder Agreement” means an agreement (in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent) entered into by a Subsidiary of any Loan Party on or following the date hereof to join in the Guaranty set forth in Section 10.14.

 

“Kentucky PSA” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of Sale/Leaseback.

 

Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local laws, statutes, treaties, rules, authorities, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or Orders, Permits and other governmental restrictions, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations, concessions, grants, franchises and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.

 

Lender” means, as of any date of determination, any Lender party to this Agreement that has a Term Loan Commitment or Term Loan Exposure owing to them at such time; sometimes being referred to herein collectively as the “Lenders”.

 

Lending Office” means, as to any Lender, the office of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Detail Form, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify Administrative Loan Party and Lending Parties.

 

Lending Parties” means, collectively, Administrative Agent and Lenders, and “Lending Party” means each or any of them individually.

 

Letter-of-Credit Rights” means, as to any Person, all letter-of-credit rights (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), including rights to payment or performance under a letter of credit, whether or not such Person, as beneficiary, has demanded or is entitled to demand payment or performance thereunder.

 

Leverage Covenant Cure Amount” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.03. “Leverage Covenant Default” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.03.

 

LIBOR Index Rate” means, as of any Index Adjustment Date, the greater of (a) 2.25 % and (b) the rate per annum for deposits in Dollars for a period equal to three months which appears on the LIBOR01 Page on or about 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date that is two (2) Business Days prior to the Index Adjustment Date. For purposes hereof, if the display designated on the applicable LIBOR 01 Page is unavailable, then on any successor or substitute page of such service, or any successor to or substitute for such service, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of such service, as determined by Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market; provided that, to the extent that an interest rate is not ascertainable pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this definition, the "LIBOR Index Rate" shall be the interest rate per annum determined by Administrative Agent to be the average of the rates per annum at which deposits in Dollars are offered for such relevant period equal to three months to major banks in the London interbank market in London, England by Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date that is two (2) Business Days prior to the Index Adjustment Date.

 

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LIBOR Loan” means any Loan as to which the Base Rate is based upon the LIBOR Index Rate (as contemplated by clause (a) of the definition of Base Rate).

 

LIBOR01 Pagemeans the applicable Bloomberg LP page (or on any successor or substitute page of such service, or any successor to or substitute for such service, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of such service, as determined by Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to Dollar deposits in the London interbank market).

 

Licenses” means, as to any Person, all Copyright Licenses, Patent Licenses, Trademark Licenses or other licenses of rights or interests now held or hereafter acquired by such Person.

 

Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property).

 

Liquidity” means at any given time, the sum of (a) Qualified Cash, plus (b) Cash Equivalents.

 

Loan Documents” means, collectively, the Agreement, each Note, each Guaranty, each Collateral Document, the Danimer Bioplastics Subordination Agreement, the Meredian Bioplastics Subordination Agreement, all subordination agreements respecting other Subordinated Indebtedness (if any), and all other present or future documents entered into by any Loan Party for the benefit of Lending Parties (or any of them), in connection with this Agreement.

 

Loan Parties” means, collectively, Borrowers and Guarantors (other than Parent) and “Loan Party” means each or any of them individually (other than Parent).

 

Loans” means the Term Loans.

 

Management Services Agreement” means the Management Services Agreement, dated on or about the date of this Agreement (as in effect on the Effective Date), by and among Parent and the Loan Parties, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

 

“Market Disruption Event” means if (a) any Lender notifies Administrative Agent that the LIBOR Index Rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lender of funding its respective Loans, or any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its applicable lending office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to the LIBOR Index Rate or to determine or charge interest rates based upon such LIBOR Index Rate or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to do any of the foregoing or (b) Administrative Agent shall have determined that reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable LIBOR Index Rate.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means any of the following: (a) a material adverse change in or a material adverse effect upon (in either case, irrespective of whether occurring as a result of a specific event or circumstance or otherwise) the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Loan Parties taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment (irrespective of whether occurring as a result of a specific event or circumstance or otherwise) of the ability of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, for any of them to perform their respective obligations under the Loan Documents; or (c) except if caused by actions or inactions of any Lending Party, a material adverse effect (irrespective of whether occurring as a result of a specific event or circumstance or otherwise) upon: (i) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any Loan Document to which any Loan Party is a party against either: (A) Borrowers; or (B) Loan Parties taken as a whole; or (ii) the rights and remedies of Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party under or in respect of any Loan Document.

 

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Material Contract” means, with respect to Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries: (a) each contract or agreement listed on Schedule 1.01-B; and (b) any other contract or agreement the loss of which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Maturity Date” means, subject to the provisions hereof, October 13, 2023.

 

Maximum Rate” means, at any time, the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Laws.

 

Meredian” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall extend to all permitted successors and assigns of such Person.

 

Meredian Bioplastics” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall extend to all permitted successors and assigns of such Person.

 

Meredian Bioplastics Subordination Agreement” means that certain Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among Subordinated Meredian Bioplastics Lender, Administrative Agent, Meredian Bioplastic and Meredian.

 

Money Laundering Laws” means, collectively: (a) the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5330 and 12 U.S.C. §§ 1818(s), 1820(b) and 1951-1959); and (b) the applicable money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Authority.

 

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

 

Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which any of the Loan Parties or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.

 

NatureWorks” means NatureWorks LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Negotiable Collateral” means all now owned and hereafter acquired right, title, and interest of each Loan Party that is a party hereto with respect to letters of credit, letter of credit rights, instruments, promissory notes, drafts, documents, documents of title, and Chattel Paper (including electronic Chattel Paper and tangible Chattel Paper), and all supporting obligations in respect of any of the foregoing.

 

Net Proceeds” means, in respect of any Disposition or Event of Loss, the proceeds in cash or Cash Equivalents received by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof with respect to or on account of such Disposition or Event of Loss, net of: (a) in the case of a Disposition, the direct costs of such Disposition then payable by the recipient of such proceeds, or, in the case of an Event of Loss, the direct costs of collecting insurance or other proceeds, in each case excluding amounts payable to any Loan Party or any Affiliate of any Loan Party; (b) sales and use taxes paid or payable by such recipient as a result thereof; and (c) amounts required to be applied to repay principal, interest and prepayment premiums and penalties on Debt secured by a Permitted Lien on the properties subject to such Disposition.

 

NMTC Capital” means any new capital raised and invested into the Borrowers under the New Market Tax Credit program.

 

Non-Defaulting Lender” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.

 

Note” means each promissory note (if any) executed and delivered by Borrowers in favor of a Lender evidencing that portion of the Term Loans or owed to such Lender, such note being in form and substance acceptable to Administrative Agent.

 

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Notice of Borrowing” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.01(b).

 

Obligations” means, collectively, all advances, debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of each Loan Party to any Lending Party, in each of the foregoing cases, under or in respect of any Loan Document, whether with respect to the Credit Extensions, any Prepayment Fee or otherwise (including all Hedging Obligations), whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof of any Proceeding under any Bankruptcy Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such Proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such Proceeding.

 

Observation Party” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.18(a).

 

OFAC” means the United States Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and any successor thereto.

 

Operating Account(s)” means those certain Deposit Accounts of Borrowers set forth on Schedule 6.12 and designated thereon as “operating accounts”, all of which are subject to a Control Agreement in favor of Administrative Agent.

 

Operating Lease Expense” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

 

Order” means any judgment, order, decree, writ, ruling, injunction, arbitration award or other award or other determination made or issued by any Governmental Authority or in or as a result of any Proceeding.

 

Organizational Documents” means: (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction) of such Person; (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement of such Person; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization of such Person and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with such Person’s formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such Person.

 

Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a Lien under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in the Term Loan or Loan Document).

 

Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a Lien under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment.

 

Outstanding Amount” means, with respect to any Loans or Protective Advances on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to prepayments or repayments of such Loans occurring on such date or the making, or prepayments or repayments, of Protective Advances, as the case may be, occurring on such date.

 

paid in full” or “repaid in full” (or any variation thereof, such as “payment in full” or “repayment in full”) means, with respect to any Obligations, the indefeasible payment in full of such Obligations in cash (or otherwise to the written satisfaction, in such holder’s discretion, of the holder thereof), and, in the event any such Obligations are paid over time or modified pursuant to section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision of any other applicable Bankruptcy Laws), shall further mean that the holder thereof shall have received the final payment due on account of such Obligations. For purposes of the foregoing, the “holder” of any applicable Obligations shall be deemed to be the Person entitled to receipt of payment thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Obligations shall not be deemed to have been “paid in full” until all Commitments have expired or been terminated.

 

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Parent” means Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., a Georgia corporation and Guarantor hereunder, which shall not be a Loan Party hereunder.

 

Parent Guaranty” means that certain Limited Recourse Guaranty, dated on or about the date hereof, given by Parent in favor of Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, secured by recourse against and a possessory lien upon 100% of the outstanding Equity Interests of Danimer Holdings, pursuant to the Parent Pledge Agreement.

 

Parent Pledge Agreement” means that certain Pledge Agreement, if any, dated on or about the date hereof, given by Parent in favor of Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders, pursuant to which Parent pledges and hypothecates to Administrative Agent the Equity Interests of any Loan Party owned by Parent.

 

Participant” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 10.06(d). “Participant Register” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 10.06(d).

 

Patent License” means, as to any Person, all rights under any written agreement now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party) granting any right with respect to any invention on which a Patent is in existence.

 

Patents” means, as to any Person, all of the following in which such Person now holds or hereafter acquires any interest: (a) all letters patent of the United States or any other country, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications for letters patent of the United States or any other country, including registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States, any State or Territory thereof, or any other country; and (b) all reissues, continuations, continuations-in-part or extensions thereof.

 

Patriot Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

 

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or, if applicable, any successor entity.

 

Pension Plan” means any “employee pension benefit plan” (as that term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by Loan Parties or any ERISA Affiliate or to which Loan Parties or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any time during the immediately preceding five plan years.

 

Percentage Share” means, as to any Lender, (a) with respect to all payments, computations and other matters relating to the Term Loan Commitment or the Term Loan of any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the Term Loan Exposure of that Lender by (ii) the aggregate Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders, and (b) for all other purposes with respect to each Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the Term Loan Exposure of that Lender plus the Outstanding Amount of all Protective Advances (if any) owing to that Lender by (ii) the sum of the aggregate Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders plus the Outstanding Amount of all Protective Advances (if any) owing to all Lenders, in any such case as the applicable percentage may be adjusted by assignments permitted pursuant to Section 10.06. The initial Percentage Share of each Lender for purposes of each of clauses (a) and (b) of the preceding sentence is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender became a party hereto, as applicable.

 

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Permit” means any permit, approval, authorization, certification, license, consent, exemption, variance, accreditation or permission required from or issued or granted by a Governmental Authority under any applicable Laws or any accrediting organization.

 

Permitted Investment” means any Investment of cash or cash equivalents by a Loan Party so long as: (a) Administrative Loan Party provides Administrative Agent notice of the proposed Investment, copies of all material agreements and pro forma and historical financial statements relating to the proposed Investment at least seven (7) days prior to the date of consummation of the proposed Investment; (b) the following conditions are satisfied: (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred or would likely result from such Investment, (ii) Administrative Loan Party provides Administrative Agent evidence that after giving effect to consummation of such Investment, Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis are in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.13 on a pro forma basis, measured as of the most recently ended Fiscal Month for which Loan Parties have delivered financial statements required under Section 6.01, for the twelve Fiscal Month period then ended, and (iii) each Loan Party will remain Solvent after giving effect to such Investment; (c) a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party delivers to Administrative Agent a certificate certifying that the conditions set forth in clause (b) above are satisfied; (d) such Investment does not involve a hostile takeover or tender offer; (e) such Investment is in connection with a Related Business; (f) such Investment does not involve a Person whose business, after reasonable investigation (including, without limitation, obtaining a Phase 1 environmental site assessment report meeting the criteria of ASTM Standard Practice E1527-13 of any real property owned or operated by such Person (and if required by Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, any other or further analysis or studies of areas of concern identified in such Phase 1)) is likely to have Environmental Liability in excess of $500,000; (g) all material approvals from Governmental Authorities and other material approvals of third parties in connection with such Investment shall have been obtained and shall be in full force and effect; (h) in connection with an Investment in the Equity Interests of a Person (other than a natural person), that results in such Person becoming a 80% or more owned Subsidiary of a Loan Party, all Liens on assets of such Person or Debt of such Person shall be terminated or repaid unless permitted pursuant to the Loan Documents and, if such Person becomes an 80% or more owned Subsidiary of a Loan Party, such Person shall be joined to this Agreement as a borrower or guarantor and shall grant to Administrative Agent Liens on all of its real and personal property assets, provided, however, in all cases, whether or not such person is or becomes an 80% or more owned subsidiary of a Loan Party, the Equity Interests of such Person acquired by such Loan Party will be pledged and hypothecated to, and a lien shall be granted thereupon in favor of, Administrative Agent; (i) in connection with an acquisition of the assets of a Person, all Liens on such assets shall be terminated or repaid unless permitted pursuant to the Loan Documents; and (j) the aggregate amount of all such Investments in any one Fiscal Year shall not exceed (i) $2,000,000 prior to the incurrence of the Subordinated Advantage Debt, and (ii) $4,000,000 after the incurrence of the Subordinated Advantage Debt; provided, however, that notwithstanding the limitations set forth in clauses (j)(i) and (j)(ii) above, to the extent that a Permitted Investment is made by a Loan Party utilizing Specified Capital, such Specified Capital is earmarked at the time contributed to the capital of Danimer Holdings as being for the purpose of making a Permitted Investment, and such Permitted Investment is actually made within twelve (12) months following the date contributed to the capital of Danimer Holdings, then in such event, the amounts in clauses (j)(i) and (j)(ii) respectively, may be increased by the lesser of (i) the amount of such cash capital contributions, or (ii) $15,000,000.

 

Permitted Liens” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 7.01.

 

Permitted Protest” means the right of Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries to protest any Lien (other than any Lien that secures the Obligations), Taxes (other than Taxes subject to withholding or that are the subject of a United States federal tax lien), or rental payment, provided that (a) a reserve with respect to such obligation is established on its books and records in such amount as is required under GAAP, (b) any such protest is instituted promptly and prosecuted diligently by such Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, and (c) Administrative Agent is satisfied that, while any such protest is pending, there will be no impairment of the enforceability, validity, or priority of any of Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s Liens.

 

Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

 

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Plan” means any “employee benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) established by Loan Parties or, with respect to any such plan that is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA, any ERISA Affiliate.

 

Prepayment Fee” means in connection with any prepayment or repayment of all or any portion of the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans (whether such payment is voluntary or after an Event of Default, involuntary): (a) (i) after the first anniversary of the Effective Date but on or prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date, two percent (2.00%) of the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans being, or required to be, prepaid or repaid, or (ii) after the second anniversary of the Effective Date, but on or prior to the third anniversary of the Effective Date, one percent (1.00%) of the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans being, or required to be, prepaid or repaid, or (iii) after the third anniversary of the Effective Date, zero percent (0.00%) of the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans being, or required to be, prepaid or repaid, or (b) if a Default or Event of Default then exists, and such prepayment is made on or after the Effective Date but on or prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date, five percent (5%) of the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans being, or required to be, prepaid, or repaid; provided, however, that any with respect to any such prepayment made on or prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date, pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(vi), the amount shall be two percent (2%) of the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans being, or required to be, prepaid or repaid.

 

Proceeding” means any suit, action, case, arbitration, mediation, audit, investigation, or other proceeding before or by any Governmental Authority, recognized industry trade or professional association or organization, or other Person by whose Order the parties thereto have agreed or consented to be bound.

 

Proceeds” means proceeds (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code).

 

Protective Advanceshas the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.02(c).

 

Public Lender” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 10.02(b)(ii).

 

Put and Call Agreement (Danimer)” means and refers to that certain Investment Fund Put and Call Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2013, by and between USBCDC and Danimer.

 

Put Exercise Notice (Danimer)” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Put and Call Agreement (Danimer).

 

Put Exercise Period (Danimer)” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Put and Call Agreement (Danimer).

 

Put and Call Agreement (Meredian)” means and refers to that certain Investment Fund Put and Call Agreement, dated as of July 23, 2012, by and between USBCDC and Meredian.

 

Put Exercise Notice (Meredian)” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Put and Call Agreement (Meredian).

 

Put Exercise Period (Meredian)” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Put and Call Agreement (Meredian).

 

QALICB” means Danimer Scientific Manufacturing, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent and which shall not be a Loan Party hereunder.

 

“QALICB Initial Collateral” means those specific tangible personal property assets of the Loan Parties described with particularity on Schedule 1.01-C attached hereto, having an aggregate net book value not in excess of $8,000,000.

 

Qualified Cash” means unrestricted, unreserved cash and cash equivalents held in deposit accounts with financial institutions in the United States that are subject to Control Agreements granting to Administrative Agent, perfected liens and security interests therein, subject only to prior liens thereon in permitted hereunder and other statutory liens such as “bankers’ liens”.

 

Quality of Earnings Report” means that certain due diligence report evaluating the Loan Parties’ financial data, dated December 5, 2018 and prepared by Elliott Davis, LLC for the benefit of Administrative Agent, which shall be satisfactory in all respects to the Administrative Agent.

 

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Recipient” means (a) Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender or (c) any other Person entitled to payments under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document.

 

Register” means a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of Lenders and, as applicable, the Commitments of, and Credit Outstandings owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time, and the principal amount of (and interest on) Lenders’ interests in the Loans and other Obligations.

 

Related Business” means any business that is the same, similar or otherwise reasonably related, ancillary or complementary to, or a reasonable extension of, the businesses of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on the Effective Date.

 

Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, members, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates, and specifically includes, in the case of the Lending Parties, White Oak in its capacity as Administrative Agent.

 

Reportable Event” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the thirty-day notice period has been waived.

 

“Required Contribution Date” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.03.

 

Required Lenders” means Non-Defaulting Lenders holding in excess of fifty percent (50.00%) of the aggregate Term Loan Exposure of all Non-Defaulting Lenders; provided, however that if there are two or more Lenders, then “Required Lenders” must include more than one Lender.

 

Responsible Officer” means: (a) (i) with respect to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any request for any Term Loan, any Compliance Certificate or any other certificate or notice pertaining to any financial information required to be delivered by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries hereunder or under any other Loan Document, the chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of such Person or of the managing member or manager of such Person; and (ii) otherwise, with respect to any Loan Party that is not a natural person, the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of such Person or of the managing member or manager of such Person; and (b) with respect to any Loan Party who is a natural person, such natural person.

 

Restricted Party” means any Person listed: (a) in the Annex to the Executive Order; (b) on the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” list maintained by the OFAC; (c) in any successor list to either of the foregoing; (d) any Person that commits, threatens or conspires to commit or supports “terrorism” as defined in the Executive Order; or (e) any Person designated as the target of any Sanctions.

 

Restricted Payment” means, as to any Person: (a) any dividend or other distribution by such Person (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests of such Person; (b) any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interest; (c) any payment of principal or interest or any purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition or defeasance with respect to any Debt of such Person which is subordinated to the payment of the Obligations; (d) the acquisition for value by such Person of any Equity Interests issued by such Person or any other Person that Controls such Person; (e) any management, servicing or other similar fees payable to any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof (other than any such fees payable in the form of cash or cash equivalents, pursuant to the Management Services Agreement); and (f) any other transaction that has a similar effect as clauses (a) through (e) of this definition.

 

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S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a division of S&P Global Inc.

 

“Sale/Leaseback” means the transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which (i) Alltech, Inc., as seller, and Parent, as purchaser, entered into that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions, dated as of August 2, 2018, for the purchase and sale of certain real property located in Winchester, Kentucky (the “Kentucky PSA”), (ii) Parent and Meredian Bioplastics, collectively as seller, and STORE Capital Acquisitions, LLC (“STORE Capital”), as purchaser, entered into that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2018, for the purchase and sale of certain real property located at 140 Industrial Boulevard, Bainbridge, Georgia (the “Georgia PSA”), (iii) Parent designated STORE Capital as its designee for the purposes of taking title to the real property under the Kentucky PSA, and (iv) STORE Capital and Parent entered into that certain Master Lease, dated December 14, 2018, pursuant to which Parent leases the properties owned by STORE Capital pursuant to the Kentucky PSA and the Georgia PSA.

 

Sanctions” means any sanctions administered or enforced by the OFAC, the United Nations Security Council or any other relevant sanctions authority.

 

Senior Management Team” means, with respect to Parent or any Loan Party, its chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, and any other officer exercising similar senior management duties.

 

Software” means, as to any Person, all software (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party), including all computer programs and all supporting information provided in connection with a transaction related to any program.

 

Solvent” means, as to any Person at any time of determination, that: (a) the fair value of the property of such Person on a going concern basis is greater than the amount of such Person’s liabilities (including contingent liabilities), as such value is established and such liabilities are evaluated for purposes of Section 101(32) of the Bankruptcy Code and, in the alternative, for purposes of any similar state Laws applicable to such Person or any Subsidiary thereof; (b) the present fair salable value of the property of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured; (c) such Person is able to realize upon its property and pay its debts and other liabilities (including contingent liabilities) as they mature in the normal course of business; (d) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature; and (e) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute unreasonably small capital.

 

Solo Dart Payment” means the payment in the approximate amount of $4,701,824, made or to be made by Danimer Holdings, directly or indirectly, to Solo Cup Operating Corporation on behalf of Meredian Bioplastics, pursuant to a certain Settlement and Release Agreement dated October 10, 2017, representing the final payment due thereunder.

 

“Specified Capital” means cash derived from the sale or issuance by Parent of new Equity Interests of Parent, the proceeds of which are contributed to the capital of Danimer Holdings after and exclusive of any equity capital raised by Parent from the sale of Equity Interests in connection with Parent’s compliance with the requirements set forth in Section 4.01(a)(xix) of this Agreement.

 

“Specified Equity Contribution” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.03.

 

Specified Materials” means, collectively, all materials or information provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party, as well as all documents and other written materials relating to Loan Parties (or any of them) or their respective Affiliates or any other materials or matters relating to the Loan Documents (including any amendments or waivers of the terms thereof or supplements thereto).

 

“STORE Capital” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of Sale/Leaseback.

 

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Subordinated Advantage Lender” means, collectively, Southeast Community Development Fund X, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SECDF”), with an office at 909 Poydras Street, Suite 2230, New Orleans, LA 70112, for itself and as administrative agent under the Subordinated Loan Agreement referenced below, and PIFS Sub-CDE XX, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company (“PIFS”), with an office at 1173 West Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, or such other Person or Persons providing on or after the date hereof, the Subordinated Advantage Debt.

 

Subordinated Advantage Debt” means certain indebtedness due or hereafter to become due from the Loan Parties (or any of them) to Subordinated Advantage Lender in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $9,999,980, which is anticipated to be comprised of (a) indebtedness of Danimer Holdings to Subordinated Advantage Lender in the aggregate original principal amount of $5,499,980, and (b) indebtedness due from Meredian Bioplastics to Subordinated Advantage Lender in the aggregate original principal amount of $4,500,000, and which, the parties hereto acknowledge may be advanced on or after the Closing Date, subject to and so long as the same constitutes Subordinated Indebtedness hereunder.

 

Subordinated Advantage Loan Documents” means all agreements, documents, and instruments entered into by any Loan Party or Parent with, for the benefit of or relating to, Subordinated Indebtedness due or to become due from the Loan Parties or any of them to Subordinated Advantage Lender.

 

Subordinated Danimer Bioplastics Debt” means that certain indebtedness due from Danimer Bioplastics to Subordinated Danimer Bioplastics Lender pursuant to the that certain QLICI Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2013 by and among Danimer Bioplastics and the Subordinated Danimer Bioplastics Lender, constituting Subordinated Indebtedness hereunder.

 

Subordinated Danimer Bioplastics Lender” means CCM Community Development LVI LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Subordinated Meredian Bioplastics Debt” means that certain indebtedness due from Meredian Bioplastics to Subordinated Meredian Bioplastics Lender pursuant to the that certain QLICI Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of July 23, 2012 by and among Meredian Bioplastics and the Subordinated Meredian Bioplastics Lender, constituting Subordinated Indebtedness hereunder.

 

Subordinated Meredian Bioplastics Lender” means, collectively, AmCREF Fund XI, LLC, a Louisiana limited liability company, Meredian/NCF Sub-CDE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Empowerment Reinvestment Fund XX, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Subordinated Indebtedness” means, collectively, any Debt which has been subordinated to the Obligations on terms and conditions, and pursuant to documents, satisfactory to Administrative Agent, including, without limitation, the Subordinated Meredian Bioplastics Debt, the Subordinated Danimer Bioplastics Debt, and the Subordinated Advantage Debt.

 

Subsidiary” of a Person means any other Person of which a majority of the Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of a Loan Party.

 

Supporting Obligations” means all supporting obligations (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), including letters of credit and guaranties issued in support of Accounts, Chattel Paper, Documents, General Intangibles, Instruments, or Investment Property.

 

Swap Contract” means: (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement; and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, that are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement including any such obligations or liabilities under any such master agreement (in each case, together with any related schedules).

 

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Synthetic Lease Obligation” means the monetary obligation of a Person under either: (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease; or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

 

Taxes” means all present or future federal, state, local, county, foreign and other taxes, assessments or other government charges, including, any income, alternative or add-on minimum tax, estimated gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, value added, transfer, capital, stock, franchise, profits, license, registration, recording, documentary, intangibles, conveyancing, gains, withholding, payroll, employment, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property (real and personal), environmental or windfall profit tax, custom duty or other tax, governmental fee or other like assessment, charge, or tax of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest, penalty, addition to tax or additional amount imposed by any Governmental Authority responsible for the imposition of any such tax (domestic or foreign) whether such Tax is disputed or not.

 

Tax Return” means any report, return, declaration, claim for refund or other information or statement or schedule supplied or required to be supplied to a Governmental Authority relating to Taxes, including any schedules or attachments thereto and any amendments thereof.

 

Term Loan” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.01(a).

 

Term Loan Amount” means Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000).

 

Term Loan Commitment” means the commitment of a Lender to make a Term Loan to Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.01(a) in an aggregate principal amount equal to such Lender’s Percentage Share of the Term Loan Amount; provided that, following the making by such Lender of its Term Loan on the Effective Date in accordance with the provisions hereof, such commitment shall be zero.

 

Term Loan Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender as of any date of determination: (a) prior to the funding of the Term Loans, the amount of that Lender’s Term Loan Commitment; and (b) after the funding of the Term Loans, the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loan of that Lender.

 

Term Loans” means, collectively, each Term Loan made by Lenders to Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.01(a).

 

“Testing Date” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.03.

 

“Threshold Amount” means Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000).

 

Trademark License” means, as to any Person, all rights under any written document now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person (or in which such Person has rights or the power to transfer rights to a secured party) granting any right to use any Trademark or Trademark registration.

 

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Trademarks” means, as to any Person, all of the following now owned or hereafter adopted or acquired by such Person: (a) all trademarks, trade names, corporate names, business names, trade styles, service marks, logos, other source or business identifiers, prints and labels on which any of the foregoing have appeared or appear, designs and general intangibles of like nature (whether registered or unregistered), all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, including all registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States, any State or Territory thereof, or any other country or any political subdivision thereof; (b) all reissues, extensions or renewals thereof; and (c) all Goodwill associated with or symbolized by any of the foregoing.

 

Treasury Regulations” means the temporary and final U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code.

 

Unasserted Obligations” means, at any time, Obligations consisting of obligations for Taxes, costs, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities (except for the principal of and interest on, and fees relating to, any Debt) in respect of which no claim or demand for payment has been made (or, in the case of obligations for indemnification, no notice for indemnification has been issued by the Indemnitee) at such time.

 

Unfinanced Capital Expenditures” means Capital Expenditures (a) not financed with the proceeds of any incurrence of Debt from a lender (other than the Lenders or any working capital lender providing revolving loans) and (b) that are not reimbursed by a third person (excluding any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates) in the period, such expenditures are made pursuant to a written agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, Capital Expenditure made by a Loan Party utilizing revolving loans under any existing working capital facility or utilizing proceeds of Loans heretofore or hereafter provided by any of the Lenders, shall be deemed Unfinanced Capital Expenditures.

 

Unfunded Pension Liability” means the excess of a Pension Plan’s benefit liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the current value of that Pension Plan’s assets, determined in accordance with the assumptions used for funding the Pension Plan pursuant to Section 412 of the Code for the applicable plan year.

 

Uniform Commercial Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.

 

United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.

 

USBDC” means U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation, a Minnesota corporation.

 

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.08(d)(i)(B).

 

White Oak” means White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Working Capital Facility” means a working capital loan facility (i) provided by a third party financial institution pursuant to a loan agreement and related documents and instruments, all in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its discretion, (ii) providing Borrowers with loans and other credit accommodations in such amounts as are acceptable to Administrative Agent in its discretion, (iii) secured only by liens and security interests in Borrowers’ Accounts, Inventory and the proceeds thereof (“WC Collateral”), which liens and security interests in the WC Collateral would be senior to the liens thereon in favor of Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, all as shall be more fully set forth in an intercreditor agreement between such working capital lender and Administrative Agent, in form and substance in all respects satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its discretion.

 

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the writedown and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

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Section 1.02. Certain Rules of Construction.

 

(a) General Rules.

 

(i) Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, the meaning of a defined term is applicable equally to the singular and plural forms thereof.

 

(ii) The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereunder” and similar words refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.

 

(iii) The word “documents” includes instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, indentures, notices and other writings, however evidenced.

 

(iv) The words “include,” “includes” and “including” are not limiting and, unless the context otherwise clearly requires, the word “or” is not exclusive.

 

(v) A “Default” or “Event of Default” hereunder referenced as “continuing” (or any variation thereof) shall (i) with respect to a Default that has not yet matured into an Event of Default, be deemed to be continuing unless and until cured within any applicable cure period set forth in this Agreement (if susceptible to cure), and (ii) with respect to an Event of Default, be deemed to be continuing unless and until waived in writing by Administrative Agent.

 

(vi) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”; the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding” and the word “through” means “to and including.”

 

(vii) Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, the words “property,” “properties,” “asset” and “assets” refer to both personal property (whether tangible or intangible) and real property.

 

(viii) As used herein, “ordinary course of business” means, in respect of any transaction involving any Loan Party, the ordinary course of business of such Loan Party, as undertaken by such Loan Party in accordance with past practices or reasonable extensions of such past practices, as applicable, or otherwise undertaken by such Loan Party in good faith and not for purposes of evading any covenant or restriction in any Loan Document.

 

(ix) Unless the context otherwise clearly requires: (A) Article, Section, subsection, clause, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement; (B) references to documents (including this Agreement) shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent such amendments and other modifications are not prohibited by the terms of any Loan Document; (C) references to any Law are to be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting the Law; and (D) or unless prohibited by the terms of any Loan Document, references to any Person shall be deemed to include such Person’s successors and assigns.

 

(b) Time References. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Pacific time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

 

(c) Captions. The captions and headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

(d) Cumulative Nature of Certain Provisions. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents may use several different limitations, tests or measurements to regulate the same or similar matters. All such limitations, tests and measurements are cumulative and shall be performed in accordance with their respective terms.

 

(e) No Construction against any Party. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents are the result of negotiations among, and have been reviewed by counsel to, Loan Parties, Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties and are the products of all parties. Accordingly, they shall not be construed against Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party merely because of the involvement of any or all of the preceding Persons in their preparation.

 

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(f) GAAP. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, all accounting terms not expressly defined herein shall be construed, and all financial computations required under this Agreement shall be made, in accordance with GAAP applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Closing Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio, financial covenant or other requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either Administrative Loan Party or Required Lenders shall so request, Administrative Agent, Lending Parties and Administrative Loan Party shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended: (i) such financial ratio, financial covenant or other requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein; and (ii) Loan Parties shall provide or cause to be provided to Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such financial ratio, financial covenant or other requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, all financial statements delivered hereunder shall be prepared, and all financial covenants contained herein shall be calculated, without giving effect to any election under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 825-10-25 - Fair Value Option (formerly known as the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159) or any other accounting principle that would result in any financial liability being set forth at an amount less than the actual outstanding principal amount thereof.

 

(g) Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by Loan Parties or any of them pursuant to the Loan Documents shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number using the common – or symmetric arithmetic – method of rounding (in other words, rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

 

(h) Documents Executed by Responsible Officers. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

 

ARTICLE II.

CREDIT EXTENSIONS

 

Section 2.01. Loans.

 

(a) Term Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender agrees severally (not jointly and not jointly and severally) to make a term loan to Borrowers (each such loan, a “Term Loan”) on the Effective Date in an amount equal to such Lender’s Term Loan Commitment; provided that the aggregate original principal amount of all Term Loans shall equal the Term Loan Amount.

 

(b) Notice of Borrowing. Administrative Loan Party shall use best efforts to give Administrative Agent at Administrative Agent’s Office prior to noon at least two (2) Business Days’ before the proposed borrowing date of the Term Loan an irrevocable written notice in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit D (a “Notice of Borrowing”). Such Notice of Borrowing shall specify (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans to be made, (ii) the proposed borrowing date, which must be a Business Day and (iii) wire instructions for Borrowers. Administrative Agent and Lenders may act without liability upon the basis of such Notice of Borrowing believed by Administrative Agent in good faith to be from Administrative Loan Party and Administrative Agent and Lenders shall have no duty to verify the authenticity of the signature appearing on any written Notice of Borrowing. Administrative Agent shall promptly advise the applicable Lenders of any notice given pursuant to this Section 2.01 (and the contents thereof), and of each Lender’s pro rata share of the requested Term Loan. Each Lender shall make its Commitment for the applicable Term Loan available to Administrative Agent, in immediately available funds, at Administrative Agent’s Office no later than noon on the date of the proposed Term Loan in the Notice of Borrowing. Upon receipt of all amounts requested in the Notice of Borrowing, Administrative Agent will make the proceeds of such Term Loans available to Borrowers on the day of the proposed Term Loan by causing said amount, in immediately available funds, to be disbursed as specified by Administrative Loan Party in the Notice of Borrowing.

 

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(c) Limit on Credit Extensions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.01, no Lender will be required or have any obligation to make any extensions of credit hereunder if a Default then exists or could reasonably be expected to result by virtue of the making thereof. No Credit Extension (or any portion thereof) that has been repaid or prepaid may be re-borrowed. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in no event shall Lenders be obligated to make to Borrowers, or Borrowers be entitled to borrow or receive from Lenders, any loans, advances or extensions of credit hereunder other than the Term Loans.

 

Section 2.02. Interest.

 

(a) Interest. Subject to the provisions hereof (including Section 2.02(d)), until each Term Loan is paid in full, each Term Loan shall bear interest at the Base Rate, payable in cash. If a Market Disruption Event occurs, then Administrative Agent shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, use commercially reasonable efforts to give notice thereof in accordance with Section 10.02 to Administrative Loan Party and Lenders.

 

(b) [Reserved].

 

(c) Payment Dates. Interest on the Term Loan Amount shall accrue beginning on the Effective Date and from the first Interest Payment Date following the Effective Date, to the next succeeding Interest Payment Date and be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as may be specified herein. Subject to the provisions hereof (including Section 2.02(e)), Borrowers shall pay accrued and unpaid interest under Section 2.02(a) to Administrative Agent, on behalf of Lenders, for delivery to Lenders as follows: (i) on a calendar month basis in arrears on each Interest Payment Date; (ii) contemporaneously with the payment or prepayment of the principal balance of the Term Loans or any portion thereof on the amount so paid or prepaid in accordance with Section 2.03; except that with respect to any prepayment of the principal balance of the Term Loans in accordance with Section 2.03(c)(v), accrued and unpaid interest on the amount so prepaid shall be paid on the next Interest Payment Date immediately following the receipt of such prepayment, and (iii) on the Maturity Date. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof both before and after judgment, and both before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

(d) Default Rate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 2.02(a), at any time that an Event of Default exists, then, unless Required Lenders otherwise agree and without affecting any of Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s rights and remedies hereunder or in respect hereof, all (or, in the sole discretion of Required Lenders, any portion) of the Obligations shall bear interest contemplated by Section 2.02(a), at the Default Rate, such interest to be payable in cash upon demand therefor by Administrative Agent.

 

(e) Compounding. Subject to the other provisions of this Section 2.02, without affecting any of Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s rights and remedies hereunder or in respect hereof, the failure to timely pay all interest (including interest at the Default Rate) on the Loans when due shall, at Administrative Agent’s discretion (acting at the direction of the Required Lenders), either be declared an Event of Default hereunder and the Loans shall thereupon be subject to the Default Rate retroactively effective as of the date such payment was due or the amount of such unpaid interest shall be added, effective as of the date such payment was due, to the Outstanding Amount thereof, and thereafter bear interest at the rate then applicable to the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans.

 

Section 2.03. Payment and Prepayments of Principal.

 

Subject to the provisions hereof:

 

(a) Payment on Maturity Date. Borrowers shall repay in full the Credit Outstandings and all other Obligations on the Maturity Date.

 

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(b) Voluntary Prepayments of the Term Loans. Borrowers shall not be permitted to voluntarily prepay or repay the Term Loans (or any portion thereof) until after the first anniversary of the Effective Date; provided, however, that if at any time during the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the first anniversary of the Effective Date, an Event of Default exists and the Term Loans are accelerated, Borrowers will be required to pay to Administrative Agent a Prepayment Fee equal to 5% of the Term Loan Amount. From and after the first anniversary of the Effective Date, Borrowers may voluntarily prepay the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans in an amount not less than One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000) or an integral multiple of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans), upon not less than thirty (30) days prior irrevocable written notice to Administrative Agent, which notice shall state the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans being prepaid. In connection with any such voluntary prepayment, Borrowers shall pay the sum of: (i) the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans being prepaid; plus (ii) the Prepayment Fee, if any, applicable thereto plus (iii) accrued unpaid interest at the rate then applicable to the Term Loans on the amounts prepaid in the immediately preceding clause (i), through the date of such voluntary prepayment. In connection with any such voluntary prepayment of the Term Loans, Borrowers acknowledge that such prepayment may result in Lenders incurring additional costs, expenses or liabilities, and that, as of the date hereof, it is difficult to ascertain the full extent of such costs, expenses or liabilities. Accordingly, Borrowers agree that the applicable Prepayment Fee payable in connection with any such voluntary prepayment represents a reasonable estimate of the costs, expenses or liabilities of Lenders in connection with any such prepayment. Without affecting any of any Lending Party’s rights and remedies hereunder or in respect hereof, if Borrowers fail to pay the Prepayment Fee when due, then the amount thereof shall thereafter bear interest until paid in full at the Default Rate. All prepayments of the Term Loans shall be applied to the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans in the inverse order of maturity. All prepayments of the Term Loans made pursuant to this Section 2.03(b) shall not reduce the mandatory prepayments of the Term Loans otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.03(c).

 

(c) Mandatory Repayments of the Term Loans.

 

(i) Regular Payments. Borrowers shall repay the Term Loans in Twenty (20) installments of which the first Nineteen (19) installments shall each be in the amount of Three Hundred Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($375,000) and the last and Twentieth (20th) installment shall be in the then outstanding principal balance of the Term Loans. Each of the first Nineteen (19) installments shall be payable on the first (1st) Business Day of each calendar quarter, commencing on April 1, 2019 and continuing thereafter on the first Business Day of each calendar quarter thereafter, and the last and Twentieth (20th) installment shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date. Any repayment of the Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i) shall be accompanied by the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest on the amount of such repayment; provided that, subject to the other provisions hereof, in connection with any such repayment, Borrowers shall not be required to pay the Prepayment Fee, unless at the time of any such payment, a Default exists.

 

(ii) Loss and Disposition Payments. In the event that Net Proceeds resulting from any (A) Event of Loss or (B) Disposition or series of Dispositions by Borrowers or any Subsidiary thereof undertaken pursuant to Section 7.05(a) or Section 7.05(h), within any Fiscal Year exceed, in the aggregate, the Threshold Amount, Borrowers shall prepay the Term Loans in an amount equal to the sum of: (1) 100% of such Net Proceeds that so exceed the Threshold Amount in such Fiscal Year plus (2) all accrued and unpaid interest at the rate then applicable to the Term Loans on the amounts in the immediately preceding clause (1) through and including the date of prepayment; except that if such Net Proceeds are received in connection with a Disposition, interest paid pursuant to this clause (2) will be paid through and including the later of the first anniversary of the Effective Date and the date of prepayment, plus (3) if an Event of Default exists and is continuing, the Prepayment Fee that would apply if such Net Proceeds were used by Borrowers to make a voluntary prepayment of the Term Loan pursuant to Section 2.03(b); provided that, so long as (w) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, (x) Administrative Loan Party shall have given Administrative Agent prior written notice of Borrowers’ intention to apply such monies to the costs of replacement of the properties or assets that are the subject of such Event of Loss or Disposition or the cost of purchase or construction of other assets useful in the business of Loan Parties, (y) the monies are held in a Deposit Account in which Administrative Agent has a perfected first-priority Lien, and (z) Loan Parties complete such replacement, purchase, or construction within one hundred and eighty (180) days (or three hundred and sixty-five (365) days in the case of any involuntary Disposition resulting from an Event of Loss) after the initial receipt of such monies, then the Loan Party whose assets were the subject of such Event of Loss or Disposition shall have the option to apply such monies to the costs of replacement of the assets that are the subject of such Event of Loss or Disposition or the costs of purchase or construction of other assets useful in the business of such Loan Party unless and to the extent that such applicable period shall have expired without such replacement, purchase, or construction being made or completed, in which case, any amounts remaining in the Deposit Account referred to in clause (y) above shall be paid to Administrative Agent and applied in accordance with Section 2.03(c)(ii). Nothing contained in this Section 2.03(c)(ii) shall permit Loan Parties to sell or otherwise Dispose of any assets other than in accordance with Section 7.05(a) or Section 7.05(h). In connection with any such prepayment of the Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(ii) requiring the payment of the Prepayment Fee, Borrowers acknowledge that such prepayment may result in Lenders incurring additional costs, expenses or liabilities, and that, as of the date hereof, it is difficult to ascertain the full extent of such costs, expenses or liabilities. Accordingly, Borrowers agree that the Prepayment Fee payable in connection with any such prepayment represents a reasonable estimate of the costs, expenses or liabilities of Lenders in connection with any such prepayment. Without affecting any of any Lending Party’s rights and remedies hereunder or in respect hereof, if Borrowers fail to pay the Prepayment Fee when due, then the amount thereof shall thereafter bear interest until paid in full at the Default Rate. All mandatory prepayments of the Term Loans shall be applied to the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans on a pro rata basis in the inverse order of maturity.

 

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(iii) Payments in respect of Extraordinary Receipts. Within five (5) Business Days after the date of receipt by Loan Parties of the Net Proceeds of any Extraordinary Receipts (other than NMTC Capital), Borrowers shall prepay the Term Loans in an amount equal to the sum of (A) the lesser of (1) 100% of such Net Proceeds received and (2) the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans plus (B) all accrued and unpaid interest at the rate then applicable to the Term Loans on the amounts prepaid in the immediately preceding clause (A) through and including the later of the first anniversary of the Effective Date and the date of prepayment; plus (C) if an Event of Default exists and is continuing, the Prepayment Fee that would apply if such Net Proceeds were used by Borrowers to make a voluntary prepayment of the Term Loan pursuant to Section 2.03(b). In connection with any such prepayment of the Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(iii) requiring the payment of the Prepayment Fee, Borrowers acknowledge that such prepayment may result in Lenders incurring additional costs, expenses or liabilities, and that, as of the date hereof, it is difficult to ascertain the full extent of such costs, expenses or liabilities. Accordingly, Borrowers agree that the Prepayment Fee payable in connection with any such prepayment represents a reasonable estimate of the costs, expenses or liabilities of Lenders in connection with any such prepayment. Without affecting any of any Lending Party’s rights and remedies hereunder or in respect hereof, if Borrowers fail to pay the Prepayment Fee when due, then the amount thereof shall thereafter bear interest until paid in full at the Default Rate.. All mandatory prepayments of the Term Loans shall be applied to the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans on a pro rata basis in the inverse order of maturity.

 

(iv) Payments in respect of Debt. Within five (5) Business Days after the date of receipt by Loan Parties of the Net Proceeds of any Debt incurred (other than Debt permitted under Section 7.03 and NMTC Capital), Borrowers shall prepay the Term Loans in an amount equal to the sum of (A) the lesser of (1) 100% of such Net Proceeds received and (2) the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans plus (B) all accrued and unpaid interest at the rate then applicable to the Term Loans on the amounts prepaid in the immediately preceding clause (A) through and including the later of the first anniversary of the Effective Date and the date of prepayment, plus (C) the Prepayment Fee that would apply if such Net Proceeds were used by Borrowers to make a voluntary prepayment of the Term Loan pursuant to Section 2.03(b). In connection with any such prepayment of the Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(iv) requiring the payment of the Prepayment Fee, Borrowers acknowledge that such prepayment may result in Lenders incurring additional costs, expenses or liabilities, and that, as of the date hereof, it is difficult to ascertain the full extent of such costs, expenses or liabilities. Accordingly, Borrowers agree that the Prepayment Fee payable in connection with any such prepayment represents a reasonable estimate of the costs, expenses or liabilities of Lenders in connection with any such prepayment. Without affecting any of any Lending Party’s rights and remedies hereunder or in respect hereof, if Borrowers fail to pay the Prepayment Fee when due, then the amount thereof shall thereafter bear interest until paid in full at the Default Rate. All mandatory prepayments of the Term Loans shall be applied to the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans on a pro rata basis in the inverse order of maturity. The provisions of this Section 2.03(c)(iv) shall not be deemed to be implied consent to any incurrence of Debt otherwise prohibited by the terms of this Agreement.

 

(v) Payments from Excess Cash Flow. Within five (5) Business Days after Administrative Agent receives Borrowers’ financial statements pursuant to Section 6.01(a) for any Fiscal Year, commencing with the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2019 and continuing thereafter through and including the last such date occurring immediately prior to the Maturity Date, Borrowers shall prepay the Term Loans in an amount equal to the sum of (A) the Consolidated Excess Cash Flow Percentage of the Consolidated Excess Cash Flow (other than NMTC Capital) for the immediately preceding Fiscal Year (as calculated based on the financial information contained in Borrowers’ financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) and the Consolidated Excess Cash Flow Certificates delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(f)), but in no event more than the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans plus (B) all accrued and unpaid interest at the rate then applicable to the Term Loans on the amounts prepaid in the immediately preceding clause (A) through and including the date of prepayment; provided that accrued and unpaid interest on the amount so prepaid shall be paid on the Interest Payment Date immediately following the receipt of such prepayment, plus (C) if an Event of Default exists and is continuing, the Prepayment Fee that would apply if such Net Proceeds were used by Borrowers to make a voluntary prepayment of the Term Loan pursuant to Section 2.03(b). In connection with any such prepayment of the Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(v) requiring the payment of the Prepayment Fee, Borrowers acknowledge that such prepayment may result in Lenders incurring additional costs, expenses or liabilities, and that, as of the date hereof, it is difficult to ascertain the full extent of such costs, expenses or liabilities. Accordingly, Borrowers agree that the Prepayment Fee payable in connection with any such prepayment represents a reasonable estimate of the costs, expenses or liabilities of Lenders in connection with any such prepayment. Without affecting any of any Lending Party’s rights and remedies hereunder or in respect hereof, if Borrowers fail to pay the Prepayment Fee when due, then the amount thereof shall thereafter bear interest until paid in full at the Default Rate. All mandatory prepayments of the Term Loans shall be applied to the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans on a pro rata basis in the inverse order of maturity. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, to the extent that as of the last day of any fiscal year ending after December 31, 2018 (and from such date through the date on which the mandatory prepayment of Consolidated Excess Cash Flow in respect of such fiscal year is to be made pursuant to this Section) the Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio is 2.25:1.00 or less, the payment by Borrowers of any Consolidated Excess Cash Flow will be in the sole discretion of Borrowers and, if made, would not be made pursuant to this Section, but rather pursuant to Section 2.03(b).

 

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(vi) Payments in respect of the Equity Cure. Upon receipt of any Specified Equity Contribution under Section 8.03(d), Borrowers shall repay the Term Loans in an amount equal to the sum of (A) the Specified Equity Contribution, plus (B) the applicable Prepayment Fee, plus (C) interest (at the rate then applicable to the Term Loans) on the amounts in the immediately preceding clause (A) through and including the date of repayment or prepayment. All mandatory prepayments of the Term Loans shall be applied to the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans on a pro rata basis in the inverse order of maturity.

 

(d) Payments under Certain Circumstances. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, at any time that an Event of Default exists (whether by virtue of the Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) not being paid in full on the Maturity Date or as a result of the acceleration of the Obligations in accordance with the provisions thereof or otherwise) when Borrowers make or are required to make any payment or prepayment of the Term Loans, Borrowers agree that (without notice or demand of any kind from any Lending Party, such notice and demand being hereby expressly waived) Borrowers shall be required to pay and shall pay the sum of: (i) the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans being paid or prepaid; plus (ii) the applicable Prepayment Fee; plus (iii) all accrued and unpaid interest (at the rate then applicable to the Term Loans) on the amounts in the immediately preceding clause (i) through and including the later of the first anniversary of the Effective Date and the date of prepayment or repayment. In connection with any such payment or prepayment of the Term Loans, Borrowers acknowledge that such payment or prepayment may result in Lenders incurring additional costs, expenses or liabilities, and that, as of the date hereof, it is difficult to ascertain the full extent of such costs, expenses or liabilities. Accordingly, Borrowers agree that the applicable Prepayment Fee payable in connection with any such payment or prepayment represents a reasonable estimate of the costs, expenses or liabilities of Lenders in connection with any such payment or prepayment. Without affecting any of any Lending Party’s rights and remedies hereunder or in respect hereof, if Borrowers fail to pay the applicable Prepayment Fee when due, then the amount thereof shall thereafter bear interest until paid in full at the Default Rate.

 

(e) Notice of Payments. Administrative Loan Party shall provide written notice of any payments made pursuant to Section 2.03(c) by at least 12:00 p.m. two Business Days prior to the proposed prepayment date, which notice shall state pursuant to which paragraph of Section 2.03(c) the prepayment is being made.

 

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Section 2.04. Certain Fees.

 

(a) Transaction Fees. As consideration for Lenders making available the Credit Extensions hereunder, Borrowers shall pay to Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender, pro rata in accordance with its Percentage Share of the Aggregate Term Commitments, a closing fee (the “Closing Fee”) in an aggregate amount equal to Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($600,000). The entire amount of the Closing Fee shall be fully earned, and shall be due and payable in full, on the Effective Date.

 

(b) Certain Other Fees. (i) On the Effective Date, Borrowers shall pay to Administrative Agent (A) a loan administration fee equal to Eleven Thousand Dollars ($11,000), and (B) a loan valuation fee equal to Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000), and (ii) on each anniversary of the Effective Date, if any Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) remain outstanding, Borrowers shall pay to Administrative Agent: (A) an annual loan administration fee equal to Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000), and (B) an annual loan valuation fee equal to Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000); and each installment of each such fee shall be fully earned when due.

 

(c) Other Provisions. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, once paid, each fee (or portion thereof) referenced in this Section 2.04 shall not be refundable under any circumstances and will not be subject to counterclaim or setoff or otherwise affected. At the sole discretion of each Lender, all or any portion of any of the fees referenced herein that are payable to such Lender may be allocated or paid to any of its Affiliates or any other Lender(s).

 

Section 2.05. Brokers and Financial Advisors.

 

In connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, Loan Parties have not engaged any advisors (financial or otherwise), brokers or arrangers, other than Zanbato Structured Finance, accountants and legal advisors. Loan Parties hereby agree to pay, and hereby indemnify each Indemnitee from and against, all fees, costs and expenses of any advisors (financial or otherwise), brokers or arrangers engaged by or on behalf of Loan Parties in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (including the making of the Term Loans).

 

Section 2.06. Manner of Payments.

 

(a) Invoices. Administrative Agent agrees to provide Borrowers with an invoice setting forth the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans and stating the amount of interest due on any Interest Payment Date in reasonable detail, not later than five (5) Business Days prior to such Interest Payment Date; provided that: (i) Administrative Agent shall have no liability for failing to do so; and (ii) any failure by Administrative Agent to provide any such invoice shall not affect Borrowers’ (or any other Loan Party’s) obligation to pay when due any amounts owing hereunder in accordance with the provisions hereof; and provided, further, that if the Administrative Agent has not provided Borrowers with an invoice and Borrowers have calculated the amount of interest due on any Interest Payment Date and paid such amount when due, then no Event of Default shall occur with respect to such payment if the amount so paid by Borrowers is not less than 95% of the properly calculated amount due as of such Interest Payment Date, so long as within five (5) Business Days following written notice from Administrative Agent to Borrower of the correct payment amount, any shortfall is then paid by Borrower.

 

(b) Payments on Business Days. If any payment hereunder becomes due and payable on a day (including an Interest Payment Date) that is not a Business Day, then such due date shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day.

 

(c) Computations. All interest and fees owing hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred and sixty (360) days and calculated in each case for the actual number of days elapsed.

 

(d) Evidence of Debt. The Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by Lenders to Borrowers and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of Borrowers hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. If any conflict exists between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through Administrative Agent, Borrowers shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through Administrative Agent) a Note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Term Loan in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Term Loan, as applicable, and payments with respect thereto.

 

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Section 2.07. Increased Costs.

 

(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender;

 

(ii) subject Administrative Agent or any Recipient to any Tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Extension made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to Administrative Agent or Recipient in respect thereof (except for any Excluded Taxes); or

 

(iii) impose on any Lender any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or the Term Loan made by such Lender; and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Person of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Term Loan or to increase the cost to such Lender, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount), then, upon request of such Lending Party, Borrowers shall pay to such Lending Party such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lending Party for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

(b) Capital Requirements. If any Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or such Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Credit Extensions made by such Lender to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time Borrowers shall pay to such Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section 2.07, as well as the basis for determining such amount or amounts, and delivered to Borrowers shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Borrowers shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

 

(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.07 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation, provided that Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.07 for any reductions suffered more than nine months prior to the date that such Lender notifies Administrative Loan Party of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine-month period referred to in this subsection (d) shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

 

(e) Survival. All obligations of each Loan Party that is a party hereto under this Section 2.07 shall survive termination of the Aggregate Term Commitments and the payment in full of all other Obligations.

 

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Section 2.08. Payments Free of Taxes.

 

(a) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party that is a party hereto under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any and all Indemnified Taxes, and all liabilities with respect thereto, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental Authority. If any Indemnified Taxes are required to be withheld after the date hereof from or in respect of any sum payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to a Recipient, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.08) such Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) Borrowers shall make such deductions, (iii) Borrowers shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance with applicable Laws, and (iv) Borrowers shall furnish to the Recipient the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof or other evidence of payment reasonably acceptable to such Recipient; provided that Borrowers shall not be required to increase such amounts payable to such Recipient with respect to any Taxes (A) that are attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with the requirements of Section 2.08(d) or (B) that are United States federal withholding taxes imposed on amounts payable to such Recipient at the time such Recipient becomes entitled to payment under this Agreement, except to the extent that the such Recipient’s assignor (if any) was entitled, at the time of assignment, to receive additional amounts from Borrower with respect to such Taxes pursuant to this paragraph.

 

(b) As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any of Borrowers to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.08, such Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

 

(c) Without duplication, each Borrower jointly and severally agrees to indemnify each Recipient for the full amount of Indemnified Taxes paid by such Recipient and any liability (including penalties, interest, and reasonable expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto.

 

(d) Each Lender and Administrative Agent, on or prior to the date of this Agreement, and from time to time thereafter if requested in writing by Borrower, shall provide Administrative Agent with (i) a complete and properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8ECI or W-8IMY (including all required accompanying information), as appropriate, or any successor form prescribed by the IRS (including a United States taxpayer identification number) and, to the extent applicable: (A) certifying that such Person is entitled to benefits under an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party that reduces the rate of withholding tax on payments of interest; or (B) providing a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate, a form of which is attached hereto at Exhibit D, which generally provides certification certifying that such Person is eligible for the “portfolio interest exemption”; or (C) certifying that the income receivable pursuant to this Agreement is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States; or (ii) an IRS Form W-9 or any successor form prescribed by the IRS. In addition, each Lender and Administrative Agent will (A) take all actions reasonably requested in good faith by Borrowers in writing that are consistent with applicable legal and regulatory restrictions to claim any available reductions or exemptions from Indemnified Taxes and (B) otherwise cooperate with Borrowers to minimize any amounts payable by Borrowers under this Section 2.08; provided that, in each case: (x) any out-of-pocket cost relating directly to such action or cooperation requested by Borrowers shall be borne by Borrowers, and Administrative Agent and each Lender shall not be required to take any action that it determines in its sole good faith discretion may be adverse in any non de minimis respect to it and not indemnified to its satisfaction; and (y) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither Administrative Agent nor Lenders will have any obligation to disclose to any Borrower or any other Person (except to a Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Laws as determined by Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) the identity of any Lender.

 

(e) If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by Borrowers or Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Laws (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by Borrowers or Administrative Agent as may be necessary for compliance with FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this Section 2.08(e), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

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(f) For purposes of this Section 2.08, Administrative Agent is a “withholding agent” for purposes of Sections 1441, et seq. and FATCA, and will provide Borrower an IRS Form W-9 or any successor form proscribed by the IRS.

 

(g) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of Borrower hereunder, the agreements and obligations of Borrower contained in this Section 2.08 shall survive the Obligations being paid in full.

 

Section 2.09. Sharing of Payments.

 

If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff, recoupment or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any Credit Outstandings or accrued and unpaid interest thereon resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a proportion of the Credit Outstandings or accrued and unpaid interest thereon greater than its Percentage Share (or other applicable share) thereof as provided herein, then such Lender receiving such greater proportion shall: (a) notify Administrative Agent in writing (including via email) of such fact; and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in that portion of the Credit Outstandings or accrued and unpaid interest thereon held by the other applicable Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Percentage Shares thereof; provided that: (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and (ii) the provisions of this Section 2.09 shall not be construed to apply to: (A) any payment made by Borrowers pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement; or (B) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any portion of the Credit Outstandings held by it to any assignee or participant, other than to any Loan Party (as to which the provisions of this Section 2.09 shall apply).

 

Each Loan Party that is a party hereto consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable Laws, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may, except to the extent otherwise specified in such Lender’s participation agreement, exercise against such Loan Party rights of setoff, recoupment and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Loan Party in the amount of such participation.

 

Section 2.10. Payments Generally; Right of Administrative Agent to Make Deductions Automatically.

 

(a) Payments Generally.

 

(i) All payments to be made by any Loan Party hereunder shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by any Loan Party hereunder shall be made to Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 11:00 a.m. on the date specified herein. Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its applicable Percentage Share (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. All payments received by Administrative Agent after 11:00 a.m. may, in Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue.

 

(ii) Borrowers hereby authorize Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Required Lenders): (A) following the occurrence of a Default, to deduct all principal, interest or fees when due hereunder or under any Note from any account of Borrowers maintained with Administrative Agent; and (B) if and to the extent any payment of principal, interest or fees under this Agreement or any Note is not made when due, to deduct any such amount from any or all of the accounts of Borrowers maintained at Administrative Agent (if any). Administrative Agent agrees to provide written notice to Administrative Loan Party of any such deduction made pursuant to this Section 2.10(a)(ii) showing in reasonable detail the amounts of such deduction. Each Lender agrees to reimburse Borrowers based on its applicable Percentage Share for any amounts deducted from such accounts in excess of amount due hereunder and under any other Loan Documents.

 

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(b) Clawback Rights.

 

(i) Unless Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of the making of the Term Loans that such Lender will not make available to Administrative Agent such Lender’s share thereof, Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.01 and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to Borrowers a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Term Loans available to Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender, on the one hand, and Borrowers, on the other hand, each severally agrees to pay to Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is made available to Borrowers to the date of payment to Administrative Agent, at: (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the Federal Funds Rate; and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by Borrowers, the interest rate applicable to the Term Loans. Borrowers and such Lender shall pay such interest to Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to Borrowers the amount of such interest paid by Borrowers for such period. If, prior to the making of any such demand by Administrative Agent, such Lender pays its share of the Term Loans to Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Term Loans included within the Term Loans. Any payment by Borrowers shall be without prejudice to any claim Borrowers may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to Administrative Agent.

 

(ii) Unless Administrative Agent shall have received notice from Administrative Loan Party prior to the date on which any payment is due hereunder to Administrative Agent for the account of Lenders that Borrowers will not make such payment, Administrative Agent may assume that Borrowers have made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to Lenders the amount due. In such event, if Borrowers have not in fact made such payment, then each Lender severally agrees to repay to Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is distributed to it to the date of payment to Administrative Agent, at the Federal Funds Rate. A notice of Administrative Agent to any Lender or Administrative Loan Party with respect to any amount owing under this Section 2.10(b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

 

(c) Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes available to Administrative Agent funds for any Term Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to Borrowers by Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Term Loan set forth in Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, then Administrative Agent shall promptly return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.

 

(d) Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of Lenders hereunder to make the Term Loans and to make payments under Section 10.04(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Term Loan or to make any payment under Section 10.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Term Loan or to make its payments under Section 10.04(c).

 

(e) Funding Sources. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Term Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Term Loan in any particular place or manner.

 

(f) Cash Management. Administrative Agent shall have full access to all of the Operating Accounts and all other Deposit Accounts of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (excluding Excluded Accounts), including (i) direct access to all information concerning such Deposit Accounts, and (ii) in Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, the institution of such automatic notifications to Administrative Agent with respect to such Deposit Accounts (or any of them) as Administrative Agent may request. All of the foregoing Deposit Accounts (other than any of the foregoing that constitute Excluded Accounts) shall be subject to Control Agreements, and each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries that is a party hereto hereby specifically grants a Lien in all such Deposit Accounts to Administrative Agent to secure the payment and performance when due of the Obligations.

 

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Section 2.11. Defaulting Lenders.

 

(a) Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Laws:

 

(i) Waivers and Amendments. That Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section 10.01.

 

(ii) Reallocation of Payments. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by Administrative Agent for the account of that Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Section 8.02 or otherwise) shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to Administrative Agent hereunder; second, as Borrowers may request (so long as no Default then exists), to the funding of any Term Loan in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by Administrative Agent; third, if so determined by Administrative Agent and Borrowers, to be held in a non-interest bearing deposit account and released in order to satisfy obligations of that Defaulting Lender to fund Term Loans under this Agreement; fourth, to the payment of any amounts owing to Lenders, as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; fifth, so long as no Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to Borrowers as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by Borrowers against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and sixth, to that Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (i) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Term Loans in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share and (ii) such Term Loans were made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Term Loans of all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Term Loan of that Defaulting Lender. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender shall be deemed paid to and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

(iii) Certain Fees. That Defaulting Lender shall not be entitled to receive any fee pursuant to Section 2.04 for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and Borrowers shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender.

 

(b) Defaulting Lender Cure. If Administrative Loan Party and Administrative Agent agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon, as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein, that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase that portion of the outstanding Term Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Term Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the applicable Lenders in accordance with their Percentage Shares of the Term Loans; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of Borrowers while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; provided further that, except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

 

(c) Replacement of Defaulting Lenders. If any Lender shall become a Defaulting Lender, then Administrative Agent or Borrowers may replace such Lender (the “affected Lender”), or cause such affected Lender to be replaced, with another lender (the “replacement Lender”) satisfying the requirements of an Eligible Assignee of a Lender under Section 10.06(a) by having the affected Lender sell and assign all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to the replacement Lender pursuant to Section 10.06(b); provided that, if Borrowers seeks to exercise such right, it must do so within one hundred and eighty (180) days after it first knows of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to such right, and neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to identify or locate a replacement Lender for Borrowers (it being expressly agreed that in such circumstances it is Borrowers’ obligation to identify or locate a replacement Lender that is an Eligible Assignee and is reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent).

 

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(d) Repayment. In the event any Lender has become a Defaulting Lender and such Lender’s status as a Defaulting Lender has not been cured in accordance with Section 2.11(b), then, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Prepayment Fee shall be due and payable to such Defaulting Lender in connection with any prepayment of the Term Loans or any other Obligations while such Lender is a Defaulting Lender.

 

Section 2.12. Replacement of Lenders.

 

(a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.07 or Section 2.08, or if Borrowers are required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.08, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking the Term Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Sections 2.07 or 2.08, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. Borrowers hereby agree to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

(b) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.07, or if Borrowers are required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.08, then Borrowers may, at their sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 10.06), all its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Sections 2.07 or 2.08) and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) Borrowers shall have received the prior written consent of Administrative Agent which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of the Term Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or Borrowers (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.07 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.08, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling Borrowers to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

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Section 2.13. Joint and Several Liability.

 

All Loans made to Borrowers shall be deemed jointly funded to, and received by, Borrowers. Each Borrower jointly and severally agrees to pay, and shall be jointly and severally liable for the payment and performance of, all Obligations. Each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the joint and several liability of Borrower is provided as an inducement to Administrative Agent to provide loans and other financial accommodations to Borrowers, and that each such loan or other financial accommodation shall be deemed to have been done or extended by Administrative Agent in consideration of, and in reliance upon, the joint and several liability of Borrowers. The joint and several liability of each Borrower hereunder is absolute, unconditional and continuing, regardless of the validity or enforceability of any of the Obligations, or the fact that a Lien in any Collateral may not be enforceable or subject to equities or defenses or prior claims in favor of others, or may be invalid or defective in any way and for any reason. Each Borrower hereby waives: (a) all notices to which such Borrower may be entitled as a co-obligor with respect to the Obligations, including, notice of (i) acceptance of this Agreement, (ii) the making of loans or other financial accommodations under this Agreement, or the creation or existence of the Obligations, and (iii) presentment, demand, protest, notice of protest and notice of non-payment; and (b) all defenses based on (i) any modification (or series of modifications) of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents that may create a substituted contract, or that may fundamentally alter the risks imposed on such Borrower hereunder, (ii) the release of any other Borrowers (or any other Loan Party) from its duties under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or the extension of the time of performance of any other Borrower’s duties hereunder or thereunder, (iii) the taking, releasing, impairment or abandonment of any Collateral, or the settlement, release or compromise of the Obligations or any other Borrower’s or Guarantor’s liabilities with respect to all or any portion of the Obligations, or (iv) any other act (or any failure to act) that fundamentally alters the risks imposed on such Borrower by virtue of its joint and several liability hereunder. It is the intent of each Borrower by this paragraph to waive any and all suretyship defenses available to such Borrower with respect to the Obligations, whether or not specifically enumerated above. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, it is the intent of the parties hereto that the joint and several nature of the liabilities of Borrowers, and the Liens granted by Borrowers to secure the Obligations, not constitute a fraudulent conveyance under Section 548 of Chapter 11 of Title II of the United States Code (11 U.S.C. § 101, et seq.), as amended, or a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under the applicable provisions of any fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar law of any state, nation or other governmental unit, as in effect from time to time. Accordingly, Administrative Agent and Borrowers agree that if the obligations and liabilities of any Borrower hereunder, or any Liens granted by such Borrower securing the Obligations would, but for the application of this sentence, constitute a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable Laws, the obligations and liabilities of such Borrower hereunder, as well as the Liens securing such obligations and liabilities, shall be valid and enforceable only to the maximum extent that would not cause such obligations, liabilities or Liens to constitute a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable Laws. Each Loan Party hereby agrees that until the full and final payment and satisfaction of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement, such Loan Party will not exercise any subrogation, contribution or other right or remedy against any other Loan Party or any security for any of the Obligations arising by reason of such Loan Party’s performance or satisfaction of its joint and several liability hereunder. In addition, each Loan Party agrees that (a) such Loan Party’s right to receive any payment of amounts due with respect to such subrogation, contribution or other rights is subordinated to the full and final payment and satisfaction of the Obligations, and (b) such Loan Party agrees not to demand, sue for or otherwise attempt to collect any such payment until the full and final payment and satisfaction of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 2.14. Administrative Loan Party.

 

Each Loan Party hereby irrevocably appoints Danimer Holdings as the borrowing agent and attorney-in-fact for each Loan Party (the “Administrative Loan Party”) which appointment shall remain in full force and effect unless and until Administrative Agent shall have received prior written notice signed by each Loan Party that such appointment has been revoked and that another Loan Party has been appointed Administrative Loan Party. Each Loan Party hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes Administrative Loan Party (a) to provide Administrative Agent with all notices with respect to Loans obtained for the benefit of any Loan Party and all other notices and instructions under this Agreement and (b) to take such action as Administrative Loan Party deems appropriate on its behalf to obtain Loans and to exercise such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto to carry out the purposes of this Agreement. It is understood that the handling of the Loans and the Collateral of Loan Parties in a combined fashion, as more fully set forth herein, is done solely as an accommodation to Loan Parties in order to utilize the collective borrowing powers of Loan Parties in the most efficient and economical manner and at their request, and that Administrative Agent shall not incur any liability to any Loan Party as a result hereof. Each Loan Party Loan Party expects to derive benefit, directly or indirectly, from the handling of Loans and the Collateral in a combined fashion since the successful operation of each Loan Party is dependent on the continued successful performance of the integrated group. To induce Administrative Agent to do so, and in consideration thereof, each Loan Party hereby jointly and severally agrees to indemnify Administrative Agent and hold it harmless against any and all liability, expense, loss or claim of damage or injury, made against Administrative Agent by any Loan Party or by any third party whosoever, arising from or incurred by reason of (a) the handling of the Collateral of Loan Parties as herein provided, (b) Administrative Agent relying on any instructions of Administrative Loan Party, or (c) any other action taken by Administrative Agent hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, except that Loan Parties will have no liability under this Section 2.14 with respect to any liability that has been finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Administrative Agent.

 

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ARTICLE III.

THE COLLATERAL

 

Section 3.01. Grant of Security Interest.

 

Each Loan Party that is a party hereto hereby grants, pledges and assigns a security interest in and Lien on the Collateral to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lending Parties, to secure the prompt payment in full and performance when due of all of the Obligations. Each Loan Party that is a party hereto represents, warrants and covenants to the Lending Parties that: (a) the Lien granted by it herein is and shall at all times continue to be a perfected, first priority (subject to Permitted Liens having priority by operation of law and except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in any Loan Document or expressly agreed to in writing by Administrative Agent) Lien in the Collateral (subject only to Permitted Liens); (b) it has rights in and the power to transfer each item of the Collateral upon which it purports to grant a Lien pursuant to the Loan Documents, free and clear of any and all Liens or claims of others, other than Permitted Liens; and (c) no effective security agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, financing statement (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), or other security or Lien instrument covering all or any part of the Collateral is or will be on file or of record in any public office, except those relating to Permitted Liens. If any Loan Party that is a party hereto shall acquire a commercial tort claim (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), such Loan Party shall promptly notify Administrative Agent in a writing signed by such Loan Party of the details thereof and grant to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lending Parties, a Lien therein and in the proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of this Agreement, with such writing to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, Administrative Agent’s Lien in the Collateral shall continue until all Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) are repaid in full. At such time as the Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) have been paid in full and the Lending Parties shall have received a release of all Claims from Loan Parties, Administrative Agent shall, at Borrowers’ sole cost and expense, release its Liens on the collateral the subject of all Collateral Documents.

 

Section 3.02. Administrative Agent’s Rights Regarding the Collateral.

 

(a) If an Event of Default then exists, Administrative Agent may, (i) at any time in Administrative Agent’s own name or in the name of any Loan Party that is a party hereto, communicate with Account Debtors and obligors in respect of Instruments, Chattel Paper or other Collateral to verify to Administrative Agent’s satisfaction, the existence, amount and terms of, and any other matter relating to, Accounts, Instruments, Chattel Paper or other Collateral, and (ii) without prior notice to any Loan Party that is a party hereto, notify Account Debtors or other Persons obligated on any Collateral that Administrative Agent has a Lien therein and that payments shall be made directly to Administrative Agent. Upon the request of Administrative Agent, each Loan Party that is a party hereto shall so notify such Account Debtors and other Persons. Each Loan Party that is a party hereto hereby appoints Administrative Agent or Administrative Agent’s designee as such Person’s attorney at any time an Event of Default exists, with power to endorse such Person’s name upon any notes, acceptance drafts, money orders or other evidences of payment of Collateral.

 

(b) Each Loan Party that is a party hereto shall remain liable under any evidence of Collateral to observe and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it thereunder, and neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation or liability whatsoever to any Person under any such Collateral by reason of or arising out of the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, and neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be required or obligated in any manner (i) to perform or fulfill any of the obligations of any Loan Party that is a party thereto, (ii) to make any payment or inquiry thereunder, or (iii) to take any action of any kind to collect, compromise or enforce any performance or the payment of any amounts that may have been assigned to it or to which it may be entitled at any time or times under or pursuant to any Collateral.

 

(c) In the event that any Collateral, including Proceeds, is evidenced by or consists of Negotiable Collateral, and if and to the extent that perfection or priority of Administrative Agent’s Lien is dependent on or enhanced by possession, Loan Parties, immediately upon the request of Administrative Agent, shall endorse and deliver physical possession of such Negotiable Collateral and all agreements and documents related thereto, to Administrative Agent or to a custodian to hold on behalf of Administrative Agent. Upon the request of Administrative Agent, all Negotiable Collateral shall be delivered to Administrative Agent or a custodian for the benefit of Administrative Agent, duly endorsed as follows on the back of the signature page thereof or on a separate allonge affixed thereto:

 

Pay to the order of White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, as Administrative Agent

[[Loan Parties]

By: _____________________

Name:

Title: ]

 

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(d) Administrative Agent (through any of its officers, employees, or agents (which may include any Lending Party)) shall have the right, from time to time upon reasonable prior notice during regular business hours (i) to inspect and examine the Books and Records and the Collateral, (ii) during the existence of an Event of Default, to communicate directly with any and all Account Debtors to verify the existence and terms of Collateral, and (iii) to check, test, and appraise the Collateral, or any portion thereof, in order to verify Loan Parties’ financial condition or the amount, quality, value, condition of, or any other matter relating to, the Collateral, and Loan Parties shall permit any designated representative of Administrative Agent (which shall include any Lending Party) to visit and inspect any of the properties of Loan Parties to inspect and to discuss its finances and properties and Collateral, during normal business hours. Without limiting the provisions of Section 6.10, each Loan Party that is a party hereto shall, with respect to any Collateral owned, leased or otherwise controlled by it, upon reasonable prior appointment during normal business hours, will:

 

(i) provide access to such Collateral to Administrative Agent and its officers, employees and agents, as frequently as is commercially reasonable or, at any time an Event of Default exists, as frequently as Administrative Agent determines to be appropriate;

 

(ii) permit Administrative Agent or any of its officers, employees and agents to inspect, audit and make extracts and copies from all of such Loan Party’s Books and Records; and

 

(iii) permit Administrative Agent to inspect, review, evaluate and make physical verifications and appraisals of the Inventory and other Collateral in any manner and through any means that Administrative Agent considers reasonably advisable, and such Loan Party agrees to render to Administrative Agent, at Borrowers’ sole cost and expense, such clerical and other assistance as may be reasonably requested with regard thereto; provided that, if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, no advance notice (whether during normal business hours or otherwise) shall be required, the rights in this clause (d) shall extend to each Lending Party and the Lending Parties shall have access at any and all times.

 

(e) Beyond the exercise of reasonable care to assure the safe custody of Collateral in Administrative Agent’s possession and the accounting for moneys actually received by Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder, neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any duty or liability to exercise or preserve any rights, privileges or powers pertaining to the Collateral.

 

Section 3.03. Grant of License to Use Intellectual Property Collateral; Additional Intellectual Property.

 

Each Loan Party that is a party hereto hereby grants to Administrative Agent an irrevocable, non-exclusive license, exercisable upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default without payment of royalty or other compensation to such Loan Party, to use, transfer, license or sublicense any Intellectual Property now owned, licensed to, or hereafter acquired by such Loan Party, and wherever the same may be located, and including in such license access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and to all computer software and programs used for the compilation or printout thereof, and represents, promises and agrees that any such license or sublicense is not and will not be in conflict with the contractual or commercial rights of any third Person or applicable Laws; provided that such license will terminate on the date on which all Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) are paid in full; provided further that, upon the request of Administrative Agent, the applicable Loan Party will use reasonable commercial efforts to obtain from any third party a Lien in any license of Intellectual Property granted by such third party to such Loan Party. In addition, on such periodic basis as Administrative Agent shall require, Loan Parties shall: (i) provide Administrative Agent with a report of all new patentable, copyrightable, or trademarkable materials acquired or generated by each Loan Party that is a party hereto during the prior period; (ii) cause all Intellectual Property acquired or generated by each Loan Party that is a party hereto that is not already the subject of a registration with the appropriate filing office (or an application therefor diligently prosecuted) to be registered with such appropriate filing office in a manner sufficient to impart constructive notice of such Loan Party’s ownership thereof; and (iii) cause to be prepared, executed, and delivered to Administrative Agent supplemental schedules to the applicable Collateral Documents to identify such Intellectual Property as being subject to the Lien created thereunder; provided that neither Loan Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries shall register with the U.S. Copyright Office any unregistered Copyrights (whether in existence on the Effective Date or thereafter acquired, arising, or developed) unless (A) Loan Parties provide Administrative Agent with written notice of its intent to register such Copyrights not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the proposed registration, and (B) prior to such registration, the applicable Loan Party executes and delivers to Administrative Agent a copyright security agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, supplemental schedules to any existing copyright security agreement or such other documentation as Administrative Agent reasonably deems necessary in order to perfect and continue perfected Administrative Agent’s Liens on such Copyrights following such registration.

 

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Section 3.04. Authorization to File Financing Statements.

 

Each Loan Party that is a party hereto hereby authorizes Administrative Agent to file, without notice to any Loan Party that is a party hereto, financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code with all appropriate jurisdictions to perfect, maintain, preserve or protect Administrative Agent’s and Lenders’ interest or rights hereunder or any Collateral Document in the Collateral the subject hereof or thereof, including a notice that any Disposition of all or any such collateral that is not otherwise permitted hereunder, whether by any Loan Party that is a party hereto or any other Person, shall be deemed to violate the rights of Administrative Agent and Lenders hereunder and under applicable Laws. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Loan Party that is a party hereto hereby: (a) authorizes Administrative Agent to file, without notice to any such Loan Party, financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code with all appropriate jurisdictions listing all assets or all personal property of such Loan Party as the collateral covered by such financing statements; and (b) ratifies and approves the filing of any financing statements by or on behalf of Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any such Person’s predecessor(s)-in-interest) prior to the Effective Date against such Loan Party and listing the Collateral or all assets or all personal property of such Loan Party as the collateral covered by such financing statements.

 

Section 3.05. Working Capital Facility

 

Administrative Agent acknowledges that Borrowers have advised Administrative Agent of their desire to enter into a Working Capital Facility in an aggregate amount of up to $8,000,000 and agrees to evaluate such request in a commercially reasonable manner if and when made.

 

ARTICLE IV.

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

Section 4.01. Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness.

 

The obligation of each Lender to make any Term Loan hereunder is subject to, the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent (all Loan Documents and other documents to be delivered to Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party pursuant to this Section 4.01 shall be subject to prior approval as to form and substance (including as to results) by Lenders, with delivery by a Lender of its signature page to this Agreement evidencing such Person’s acknowledgment that the conditions set forth in this Section 4.01 have been satisfied, unless otherwise waived in writing):

 

(a) Receipt of Certain Documents and Assurances. Administrative Agent shall have had delivered to it all of the following, each of which shall be, unless otherwise specified herein or otherwise required by Lenders, originals (or facsimiles or portable document format versions thereof (in either such case, promptly followed by originals thereof), each, to the extent to be executed by a Loan Party, properly executed by a Responsible Officer of such Loan Party, each dated the Effective Date (or, in the case of certificates of governmental officials, a recent date before the Effective Date), all in sufficient number as Administrative Agent shall separately identify (including, if specified by Administrative Agent, for purposes of the distribution thereof to Administrative Agent, Lenders and Administrative Loan Party):

 

(i) counterparts of this Agreement, duly executed by each of the parties hereto;

 

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(ii) if requested by any Lender, a Note duly executed by Borrowers in favor of such Lender evidencing any Term Loan made by such Lender to Borrowers;

 

(iii) counterparts of each of the other Loan Documents (including all applicable Collateral Documents), duly executed by each of the parties thereto, together with, as requested by Administrative Agent:

 

(A) any certificated securities representing Equity Interests owned by or on behalf of any Loan Party constituting Collateral as of the Effective Date, together with undated stock powers (or their equivalent) with respect thereto executed in blank;

 

(B) any promissory notes and other instruments evidencing all loans, advances and other debt owed or owing to any Loan Party constituting Collateral as of the Effective Date, together with undated instruments of transfer with respect thereto executed in blank;

 

(C) all other documents, including Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, required by applicable Laws or reasonably requested by any Lending Party to be filed, registered or recorded to create or perfect the Liens intended to be created under the Collateral Documents existing on the Effective Date; and

 

(D) a Due Diligence Certificate with respect to each Loan Party, dated the Effective Date and duly executed by a Responsible Officer of the applicable Loan Party, together with results of a search of the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent) filings made and tax and judgment lien searches with respect to each of the Loan Parties in the jurisdictions required by Lenders and copies of the financing statements (or similar documents) disclosed by such searches and evidence reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent that the Liens indicated by such financing statements (or similar documents) are permitted by Section 7.01 or have been otherwise appropriately released or terminated;

 

(iv) such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates or other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party that is not a natural person as any Lending Party may reasonably require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with the Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party;

 

(v) such documents and certifications as Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, and that each Loan Party is validly existing, in good standing and qualified to engage in business in: (A) the State of its jurisdiction of organization or formation; and (B) each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(vi) a favorable opinion or opinions of counsel to Loan Parties reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, addressed to each Lending Party, as to such matters as are reasonably required by Administrative Agent with respect to Loan Parties, the Collateral and the Loan Documents;

 

(vii) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party (A) attaching copies of all of the Loan Parties’ Material Contracts, fully executed by the parties thereto, and (B) either: (1) attaching copies of all consents, licenses and approvals required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party and the validity against such Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and such consents, licenses and approvals shall be in full force and effect; or (2) stating that no such consents, licenses or approvals are so required;

 

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(viii) a copy, certified by an appropriate Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party, of: (A) the financial statements of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries referred to in Section 5.11; and (B) a pro forma balance sheet of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date giving pro forma effect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents; and (C) projections prepared by management of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries of balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statement for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a Fiscal Quarter basis for the first year following the Effective Date;

 

(ix) a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party certifying that there has been no event or circumstance since the date of the financial statements referenced in Section 5.11(a) that has had or could be reasonably expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(x) evidence that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents has been obtained and is in effect;

 

(xi) evidence that: (A) all commitments under any secured facilities not otherwise permitted under Section 7.03 have been terminated not later than the Effective Date, and all outstanding amounts thereunder paid in full; and (B) all Liens securing obligations under any secured facilities not otherwise permitted under Section 7.03 have been released and terminated not later than the Effective Date;

 

(xii) all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under “know your customer” and all Anti-Terrorism Laws, Money Laundering Laws and all “know your customer” Laws shall have been supplied to Administrative Agent and Lenders, including a duly executed W-9 tax form (or other applicable tax form) for each Loan Party;

 

(xiii) a loan policy of title insurance (together with an insured closing protection letter) insuring the Deeds of Trust, for the full amount of the Obligations, or such lesser amount as Administrative Agent may reasonably require, as a first Lien on the title of each Facility owned by Borrowers, and otherwise meeting the requirements set forth in the Deeds of Trust;

 

(xiv) an ALTA Survey of each Facility owned by any Loan Party, certified to Administrative Agent;

 

(xv) a Phase I environmental assessment report of each Facility in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent and prepared by an environmental firm acceptable to Administrative Agent;

 

(xvi) evidence of its property and/or builder’s risk insurance on Form ACORD 28, which shall name Administrative Agent and its successors and assigns, as their respective interests may appear, as mortgagee, lender loss payee on a primary, non-contributory basis;

 

(xvii) Collateral Access Agreements, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, executed by each landlord of a Facility leased by any Loan Party, which evidences compliance with the terms of the lease by landlord and such Loan Party, including any outstanding amounts owed and commitments unsatisfied;

 

(xviii) evidence and certifications from each applicable Governmental Authority that each Facility is in compliance with all applicable zoning, land development, building, safety, fire and other Laws and that no notices of any uncorrected violations are outstanding;

 

(xix) evidence, in form satisfactory to Administrative Agent, that at least Fourteen Million Dollars ($14,000,000) in cash has been contributed to the equity of Borrowers on terms and conditions satisfactory to Administrative Agent as of the Effective Date;

 

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(xx) evidence, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, that Loan Parties have, on a pro forma basis, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereunder on the Effective Date and the payment of all transaction costs, fees and expenses, Liquidity minus all amounts due and owing to any Loan Party’s trade creditors which are outstanding sixty (60) days or more past their due date, of not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000);

 

(xxi) evidence, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, that the Dissolutions of AgroCrush and AgroReco have been consummated

 

(xxii) copies of all employment agreements for the Parent’s Senior Management Team and if applicable, each Loan Party’s Senior Management Team (it being understood that there shall be no duplication of remuneration for any member of a Loan Party’s Senior Management Team in respect of whom remuneration is being paid to Parent under the Management Services Agreement);

 

(xxiii) evidence, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, that the Contracts (as defined in the Contribution Agreement) have been contributed by Parent to Danimer Holdings;

 

(xxiv) the Quality of Earnings Report, rolled forward through the last day of the most recent practicable calendar month-end preceding the Effective Date, the results of which shall be satisfactory in all respects to Administrative Agent;

 

(xxv) evidence, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent that, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereunder on the Effective Date and the payment of all transaction costs, fees and expenses, the Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio shall not exceed 4.25:1.0 based on the pro forma last twelve months Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, as validated by the Quality of Earnings Report, with such Quality of Earnings Report, in the sole discretion of Administrative Agent, rolled forward to the trailing twelve-month period ending on the most recent practicable month-end date preceding the Effective Date;

 

(xxvi) evidence satisfactory to Administrative Agent that the Sale/Leaseback has been consummated;

 

(xxvii) reports from third party industry consultants acceptable to Administrative Agent including market and customer studies, a tax diligence review, an insurance risk review, appraisals of real property owned by any Loan Party, appraisals of Equipment, environmental studies (including a Phase I review, if applicable) and an employee benefits review, the results of all of which shall be satisfactory to Administrative Agent in all respects;

 

(xxviii) a Notice of Borrowing; and

 

(xxix) such other assurances, certificates, documents, consents, reports or opinions as Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party may reasonably require.

 

(b) No Material Adverse Effect. There shall have been no Material Adverse Effect since December 31, 2017.

 

(c) Truth and Correctness of Representations and Warranties; No Default. The representations and warranties of Borrowers and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or that are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct on and as of the Effective Date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date. No Default shall then exist or shall result, or then could reasonably be expected to result, from the use of proceeds of the Term Loans on the Effective Date.

 

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(d) Payment of Fees. Borrowers shall have paid: (i) all fees required to be paid to Administrative Agent, Lenders and White Oak on or before the Effective Date; and (ii) unless any Lending Party shall have agreed in writing to any delay in such payment, all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to such Lending Party and White Oak to the extent invoiced prior to or on the Effective Date, plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements as shall constitute such Person’s reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be incurred by it through the closing proceedings (provided that such estimate shall not thereafter preclude a final billing by such Lending Party or White Oak).

 

(e) Other Matters. Administrative Agent shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to it, such other assurances, documents or consents related to the foregoing as Administrative Agent or Required Lenders may reasonably require.

 

Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Loan Party and each Lender of the occurrence of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding on all parties hereto. For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.01 (but without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 9.04), each Lending Party that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or become satisfied with, each document or other matter required hereunder to be consented to or approved by or to be acceptable or satisfactory to a Lending Party unless Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lending Party prior to the proposed Effective Date specifying its objection thereto.

 

ARTICLE V.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Each Loan Party represents and warrants to each Lending Party that:

 

Section 5.01. Corporate Existence and Power.

 

Each of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries: (a) is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, organization or formation (subject to such changes after the date hereof as are permitted under the Loan Documents); (b) has the power and authority and all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals: (i) to own its assets and carry on its business, except to the extent that any failure to have any of the foregoing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (ii) to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which each is a party; and (c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as applicable, and is licensed and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, leasing or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license, except to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.02. Corporate Authorization; No Contravention.

 

The execution and delivery by each of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries (to the extent any such Subsidiary is party hereto or to any other Loan Document) of, and the performance by each of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries of its obligations under, each Loan Document to which such Person is party have been (other than in the case of Loan Parties who are natural persons) duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and do not and will not: (a) contravene the terms of any of such Person’s Organizational Documents; (b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, or require any payment to be made under: (i) any Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or affecting such Person or the properties of such Person or any Subsidiary thereof or (ii) any Order to which such Person or its property is subject; or (c) violate any Laws. Each of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries are in compliance with all Contractual Obligations referred to in clause (b)(i), except to the extent that any failure to be in compliance could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof is a party to or is bound by any Contractual Obligation, or is subject to any restriction in any Organizational Document, or any requirement of Laws, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 5.03. Governmental Authorization; Compliance with Laws.

 

(a) Governmental Authorizations. No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority is necessary or required in connection with the execution and delivery by any Loan Party of, or the performance by any Loan Party of its obligations under, any Loan Document to which it is a party other than (i) such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect or (ii) filings necessary to perfect Liens created by the Loan Documents. Each Loan Party has all material Permits required for the operation of its business and the use of the Facilities and is compliance therewith.

 

(b) Compliance with Laws. Loan Parties and each Subsidiary thereof are in compliance in all respects with the requirements of all Laws (including the Patriot Act) applicable to it or to its properties, except in such instances in which: (i) such requirement of Laws is being contested in good faith by appropriate Proceedings diligently conducted; or (ii) the failure to comply therewith, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing:

 

(A) no Loan Party that is organized in the United States: (1) is, or is controlled by or is acting on behalf of, a Restricted Party; (2) has received funds or other property from a Restricted Party; or (3) is in breach of or, to Loan Parties’ knowledge, is the subject of any action or investigation under any Anti-Terrorism Laws;

 

(B) Loan Parties and each Subsidiary thereof, and to Loan Parties’ knowledge, each other Loan Party, has taken reasonable measures to ensure compliance with the Anti-Terrorism Laws;

 

(C) the operations of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable Anti-Terrorism Laws and Money Laundering Laws and without violation of the Sanctions, and Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith; and

 

(D) neither Loan Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries (or, to the knowledge of Loan Parties, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative of Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries) is a Person currently the subject of any Sanctions, and neither Loan Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries is located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of any Sanctions. Each Loan Party represents that it will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of any Credit Extension to fund any activities of or business with any Restricted Party or in any other manner that would result in a violation by any Person (including any Person participating in the transaction, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of any Sanctions.

 

(c) Certain Actions. No Loan Party is engaged in or has engaged in any course of conduct that could reasonably be expected to subject any of their respective properties to any Lien, seizure or other forfeiture under any racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations law, whether civil or criminal, or other similar Laws.

 

Section 5.04. Binding Effect.

 

This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document (when delivered hereunder) will have been, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto. This Agreement and each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is a party constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable Bankruptcy Laws or other Laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights or general principles of equity.

 

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Section 5.05. Litigation.

 

Except as specifically disclosed on Schedule 5.05, there are no Proceedings, claims or disputes pending, or to the knowledge of Loan Parties, threatened in writing, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party that: (a) purport to affect or pertain to any Loan Document or any of the transactions contemplated thereby; or (b) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No injunction, writ, temporary restraining order or any order of any nature has been issued by any court or other Governmental Authority purporting to enjoin or restrain the execution, delivery or performance of this any Loan Document, or directing that the transactions provided for therein not be consummated as therein provided.

 

Section 5.06. No Defaults.

 

No Default exists or could reasonably be expected to result from the incurring of any Obligations by any Loan Party or from the grant and perfection of the Liens upon collateral the subject of any Loan Document in favor of Administrative Agent. No Loan Party is in default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation in any respect that, individually or together with all such defaults, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or that would, if such default had occurred after the Effective Date, create an Event of Default under Section 8.01(e).

 

Section 5.07. Employee Benefit Plans.

 

(a) Compliance with ERISA Generally. Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other applicable Laws. Each Plan which is intended to qualify under subsection 401(a) of the Code either (i) has obtained from the IRS a favorable determination letter from the IRS as to its qualified status under the Code, or the expiration of the requisite period under applicable regulations promulgated by the IRS under the Code or IRS pronouncements in which to apply for such determination letter and to make any amendments necessary to obtain a favorable determination has not occurred, or (ii) has been established under a prototype plan for which an IRS opinion letter has been obtained by the plan sponsor and is valid as to the form of the Plan for the adopting employer, and nothing has occurred that would cause the loss of such qualification.

 

(b) No Actions. There are no pending or, to the knowledge of Loan Parties, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that could result in any material liability to any of the Loan Parties.

 

(c) Certain Events. (i) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (ii) no Pension Plan has any Unfunded Pension Liability in excess of the Threshold Amount; and (iii) no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that, if such event or circumstance had occurred or arisen after the Effective Date, would create an Event of Default under Section 8.01(i).

 

Section 5.08. Use of Proceeds.

 

Borrowers shall use the proceeds of the Loans solely in accordance with Schedule 5.08.

 

Section 5.09. Title to Properties.

 

Loan Parties and each Subsidiary thereof have good record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, or valid rights to use (including easements) all real property necessary to the ordinary conduct of their respective businesses, except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 5.10. Taxes.

 

Each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries have filed all material Tax Returns required to be filed, and have paid all material Taxes when due, regardless of whether shown on any Tax Return, except those which have been contested in good faith, and as to which no Lien has been filed or to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, threatened to be filed, and for which adequate reserves have been provided for in accordance with GAAP. There is no proposed tax assessment against any Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries. Each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries have made adequate provision in accordance with GAAP for all Taxes not yet due and payable. No Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party is currently a party to any tax audit or other Proceeding or controversy or knows of any proposed Tax assessment against it that is not being actively contested by such Loan Party or its Subsidiary diligently, in good faith, and by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which it has made adequate reserves in conformity with GAAP.

 

Section 5.11. Financial Condition.

 

(a) Financial Statements.

 

(i) The Audited Closing Financial Statements: (A) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; (B) fairly present the consolidated financial condition of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and its consolidated results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; and (C) show, on a consolidated basis, all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Debt.

 

(ii) The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries dated December 31, 2018, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the period ended on such date: (A) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; and (B) fairly present the consolidated financial condition of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby, subject, in the case of clauses (A) and (B), to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end audit adjustments.

 

(b) No Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of the Audited Closing Financial Statements, no Material Adverse Effect has occurred.

 

Section 5.12. Environmental matters.

 

Loan Parties conduct in the ordinary course of business a review of the effect of existing Environmental Laws and existing Environmental Claims on its business, operations and properties (and the business, operations and properties of each of its Subsidiaries), and as a result thereof Loan Parties have reasonably concluded that compliance with Environmental Laws and resolution of Environmental Claims, individually or in the aggregate, do not, and could not reasonably be expected to, result in liabilities in excess of the Threshold Amount. Loan Parties represent that none of their operations on the 140 Industrial Boulevard, Bainbridge, Georgia, property have involved, nor have any of Loan Parties allowed, the use, generation, or storage on the 140 Industrial Boulevard, Bainbridge, Georgia, property of any hazardous substances or hazardous wastes which are identified in the Phase I Environmental Assessment Report dated October 29, 2018 and prepared by Partner Environmental, as being associated with historical operations on the Property. Loan Parties further represent that none of them have caused, contributed to or permitted, nor, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, is there any basis for any of the Loan Parties to be named as a responsible party for, the discharge or release of hazardous substances or wastes into the environment at the 140 Industrial Boulevard, Bainbridge, Georgia, property in violation of applicable Environmental Laws.

 

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Section 5.13. Margin Regulations; Regulated Entities.

 

Neither Loan Parties nor any Subsidiary thereof is engaged or will engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock. None of Loan Parties, any Subsidiary thereof or any Person controlling Loan Parties is an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Loan Parties are not subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act, any state public utilities code or any other federal or state statute or regulation limiting its ability to incur Debt.

 

Section 5.14. Swap Obligations.

 

Neither Loan Parties nor any Subsidiary thereof has incurred any outstanding obligations under any Swap Contracts, other than obligations under Swap Contracts expressly permitted hereby. Loan Parties have voluntarily entered into each Swap Contract to which it is a party based upon its own independent assessment of its consolidated assets, liabilities and commitments, in each case as an appropriate means of mitigating and managing risks associated with such matters, and has not relied on any swap counterparty or any Affiliate of any swap counterparty in determining whether to enter into any Swap Contract.

 

Section 5.15. Intellectual Property.

 

Borrowers, each Subsidiary thereof and each other Loan Party owns or is licensed or otherwise has the right to use all of the Intellectual Property and other rights that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their respective businesses, except for those the failure of which to own or license could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The use of such Intellectual Property by Borrowers and its Subsidiaries and the operation of their respective businesses do not infringe any valid and enforceable intellectual property rights of any other Person, except to the extent any such infringement could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method, substance, part or other material now employed, or now contemplated to be employed, by Borrowers or any Subsidiary thereof infringes upon any rights held by any other Person, except to the extent any such infringement could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No claim or litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or, to the knowledge of Borrowers, threatened, and no patent, invention, device, application, principle or any statute, law, rule, regulation, standard or code is pending or, to the knowledge of Borrowers, proposed, which could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.16. Equity Interests and Investment Held by Loan Parties; Equity Interests in Loan Parties.

 

As of the Effective Date: (a) Loan Parties have no Subsidiaries other than those listed on Schedule 5.16; and (b) Loan Parties hold no Equity Interests in any other Person or Investments in any other Person, other than those specifically disclosed on Schedule 5.16; and (c) the holders of all Equity Interests in Loan Parties are those listed on Schedule 5.16. All of the outstanding Equity Interests in Loan Parties and in each Subsidiary thereof have been validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

Section 5.17. Insurance.

 

The properties of each Loan Party (other than any Loan Party who is a natural person) are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies that are not Affiliates of any of the Loan Parties, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where such Loan Party or its Subsidiary operates.

 

Section 5.18. Collateral and Collateral Documents.

 

(a) Enforceable and Perfected Security Interest. The provisions of this Agreement and each of the other Collateral Documents, when delivered, are effective to create in favor of Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lending Parties, a valid and enforceable security interest or other Lien in all right, title, and interest of each Loan Party that is a party thereto in the collateral described therein. Each such security interest or other Lien in favor of Administrative Agent, to the extent the same may be perfected by the filing of a Uniform Commercial Code financing statement or by control (within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code), has, except as otherwise expressly provided in any Collateral Document, been perfected. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in any other Loan Document, each security interest or other Lien in the Collateral described in any Loan Document, constitutes a perfected, first-priority security interest or other Lien in the subject Collateral (subject to Liens having priority by operation of law and except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in any Loan Document or expressly agreed to in writing by Administrative Agent), subject to no Liens other than Permitted Liens.

 

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(b) Truth and Correctness of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties of each Loan Party in each Collateral Document are true and correct, provided that, if such representations and warranties expressly relate solely to a specified date, then such representations and warranties were true and correct as of such specified date.

 

Section 5.19. Labor Relations.

 

There are no strikes, lockouts or other material labor disputes against Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof, or to the knowledge of Loan Parties, threatened against or affecting Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof, and no significant unfair labor practice complaint is pending against Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof or, to the knowledge of Loan Parties, threatened against any of them before any Governmental Authority, in each case that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.19: (a) Loan Parties are not a party to any collective bargaining agreements or contracts; and (b) no union representation exists and, to the knowledge of Loan Parties, no union organizing activities are taking place on any of the properties owned or operated by Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries.

 

Section 5.20. Solvency.

 

Loan Parties are Solvent.

 

Section 5.21. Matters Relating to the Facilities.

 

(a) Compliance; Zoning. Loan Parties have complied with all applicable Laws and all recorded instruments affecting the Facilities. The use of the Facilities complies with all applicable Laws and Loan Parties have provided to Administrative Agent evidence of such compliance.

 

(b) Utilities. To the best of Loan Parties’ knowledge, all utility services necessary for the full development, construction, equipping and operation of the Improvements are available at no cost or expenses and at the title lines of the Facility (or, if they pass through adjoining private land, in accordance with valid public or unencumbered private easements which inure to the benefit of Loan Parties and run with the Facility) including public sanitary sewer service, storm sewers, public water, electricity, gas and telephone service. All material Permits have been obtained or are available so that the Improvements may be connected to the sanitary sewer service, which sanitary sewer service shall be available to the full extent required for the full operation of the Improvements and shall permit the discharge of sewage for the types and amounts anticipated to be produced from the Building.

 

Section 5.22. Full Disclosure.

 

To the knowledge of Loan Parties after due inquiry of each Responsible Officer of Loan Parties, none of the representations or warranties made by any Loan Party in the Loan Documents to which it is a party as of the date such representations and warranties are made or deemed made, and none of the statements contained in any exhibit, report, statement or certificate furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party in connection with the Loan Documents (including the disclosure materials delivered by or on behalf of any Loan Party to Lending Parties (or any of the foregoing Persons) prior to the Effective Date), contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading as of the time when made or delivered; provided that, with respect to any projections and forecasts provided by Loan Parties (whether with respect of Borrowers or any other Loan Party): (a) Loan Parties represent that such projections and forecasts were prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time of the preparation thereof; and (b) Lending Parties acknowledge that such projections and forecasts are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered thereby may differ from the projected or forecasted results.

 

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Section 5.23. Interrelated Businesses.

 

Borrowers and Guarantors make up a related organization of various entities constituting an overall economic and business enterprise such that any benefit from the Loans or other financial accommodations hereunder received by any one of them benefits the others. Borrowers and Guarantors render services to or for the benefit of the other Borrowers and/or Guarantors, purchase or sell and supply goods to or from or for the benefit of the others, make loans, advances and provide other financial accommodations to or for the benefit of the other Borrowers and Guarantors and provide administrative, marketing, payroll and management services to or for the benefit of the other Borrowers and Guarantors, as the case may be. Borrowers and Guarantors have the same chief executive office, certain centralized accounting and legal services, and certain common officers, directors and/or managers.

 

Section 5.24. Consummation of the Dissolution.

 

(a) The Dissolutions of AgroCrush and AgroReco have been consummated.

 

(b) Administrative Loan Party has delivered, or caused to be delivered, to Administrative Agent true, correct and complete copies of the date stamped copy of the Certificate of Termination as filed with the Secretary of State of Georgia in respect of the Dissolution of AgroCrush and AgroReco.

 

ARTICLE VI.

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

So long as any Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) have not been repaid in full:

 

Section 6.01. Financial Statements.

 

Administrative Loan Party shall deliver or shall cause to be delivered to Administrative Agent, which delivery may be by electronic mail (to the email address(es) for Administrative Agent set forth in Section 10.02), for delivery by Administrative Agent to each Lender, in form and detail satisfactory to Administrative Agent and Required Lenders:

 

(a) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available, but in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2018 and within ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year thereafter, (i) a consolidating and consolidated balance sheet for Parent and its Subsidiaries, as at the end of such Fiscal Year, and the related consolidating and consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year (setting forth, in comparative form, the figures for the previous Fiscal Year), all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, such consolidating and consolidated statements to be audited and accompanied by (A) a report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent (it being understood that Parent’s current independent auditors, Thomas Howell Ferguson, P.A., are acceptable), which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit (the “Auditors’ Opinion”), and (B) management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, including Parent and its Subsidiaries’ liquidity and capital resources, and (ii) a consolidating and consolidated balance sheet for the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, as at the end of such Fiscal Year, the related consolidating and consolidated statements of income or operations, and the consolidated shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year (setting forth, in comparative form, the figures for the previous Fiscal Year), all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, such consolidated statements to be audited and included within the scope of the Auditors’ Opinion referenced in clause (A) above;

 

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(b) Fiscal Quarter Financial Statements. As soon as available, but in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the Fiscal Quarters (including the fourth Fiscal Quarter), (i) unaudited consolidating and consolidated balance sheets for Parent and its Subsidiaries, as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter, and the related consolidating and consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Quarter and the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended (setting forth, in each case in comparative form, (A) the figures for the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year and (B) the figures from the corresponding portion of Parent’s consolidated budget for the current Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail, such consolidating and consolidated statements to be certified by a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows of Parent and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes, and (ii) unaudited consolidating and consolidated balance sheets for the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter, the related consolidating and consolidated statements of income or operations, and the consolidated shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Quarter and the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended (setting forth, in each case in comparative form, (A) the figures for the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year and (B) the figures from the corresponding portion of Loan Parties’ budget for the current Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail, such consolidated statements to be certified by a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

 

(c) Fiscal Month Financial Statements. As soon as available, but in any event within forty five (45) days after the end of each Fiscal Month of the first Fiscal Quarter of 2019 and thirty (30) days after the end of each Fiscal Month thereafter (including the last Fiscal Month of each Fiscal Quarter and of each Fiscal Year), (i) unaudited consolidating and consolidated balance sheets for Parent and its Subsidiaries, as at the end of such Fiscal Month, and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income or operations, shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Month and the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended (setting forth, in each case in comparative form, (A) the figures for the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year (if applicable) and (B) the figures from the corresponding portion of Parent and its Subsidiaries’ budget for the current Fiscal Year), all in reasonable detail, such consolidated statements to be certified by a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of Parent and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes, and (ii) unaudited consolidating and consolidated balance sheets for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, as at the end of such Fiscal Month, the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income or operations, and the consolidated shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Month and the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended (setting forth, in each case in comparative form, (A) the figures for the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year (if applicable) and (B) the figures from the corresponding portion of Loan Parties’ budget for the current Fiscal Year), all in reasonable detail, such consolidated statements to be certified by a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

 

(d) Forecasts and Budgets. As soon as available, but in any event no later than thirty (30) days after the end of each Fiscal Year: (i) forecasts prepared by the management of Loan Parties, in form reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, of consolidated balance sheets and statements of income or operations and cash flows for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries for the immediately following Fiscal Year (and each Fiscal Year thereafter through the Fiscal Year immediately following the Fiscal Year in which the Maturity Date occurs); and (ii) budgets prepared by the management of Administrative Loan Party, in form reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, for such new Fiscal Year. In further clarification of the foregoing, unless and until Administrative Agent advises Administrative Loan Party to the contrary, the form of forecasts and budgets submitted by Administrative Loan Party pursuant hereto, if submitted in substantially the form such items were submitted to Administrative Agent prior to the Effective Date, will be deemed acceptable to Administrative Agent as to form. Upon the approval of such budgets by the chief executive officer and the Board of Directors of Parent, the Loan Parties shall deliver to Administrative Agent and Lenders a copy of such final budget for such Fiscal Year. During any Fiscal Year, upon there occurring any material variance from budget to actual in such Fiscal Year, the Loan Parties will at the request of the Administrative Agent provide a management–prepared updated forecast for the balance of such Fiscal Year;

 

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(e) Collateral and Other Reporting. Provide Administrative Agent with opportunities to meet (either in person or via telephone, as requested by Administrative Agent) with senior members of management of Borrowers and the following documents, at the following times in form satisfactory to Administrative Agent:

 

Monthly (or more frequently if so requested by Administrative Agent):

(i)      not later than forty five (45) days after the end of each Fiscal Month of the first Fiscal Quarter of 2019 and thirty (30) days after the end of each Fiscal Month thereafter: (A) accounts receivable listings and agings and Inventory reports for the preceding Fiscal Month; and (B) accounts payable listings and agings as at the preceding Fiscal month end; and

 

(ii)     not later than forty five (45) days after the end of each Fiscal Month of the first Fiscal Quarter of 2019 and thirty (30) days after the end of each Fiscal Month thereafter: a schedule including each new customer added in such month, each existing customer lost in such month and, as to each of such new customers and lost customers, the revenues associated with each such customer in such Fiscal Month (and in the case of a customer that has been lost, such revenues of that customer in the preceding Fiscal Month); and

  (iii)    a breakdown of items comprising “prepaid expenses” and “accrued expenses” set forth in Loan Parties’ balance sheets; and
  (iv)    update reports on the project implementation status and expense relative to the constructive timeline and budget delivered to Administrative Agent prior to the Effective Date with respect to the Facility located in Kentucky; and
 

(v)     such Responsible Officers of the Borrowers as requested by Administrative Agent, shall meet and cooperate with representatives of Administrative Agent at reasonable times and during normal business hours, to engage in a discussion of, and respond to Administrative Agent’s questions regarding, the Borrowers’ business, prospects, opportunities, results of operations, variances to budget and such other matters as Administrative Agent shall reasonably request; and

  (vi)     not later than thirty (30) days after the end of each Fiscal Month: a written Certification by the Chief Financial Officer of Danimer Holdings, setting forth an itemized breakdown of all amounts paid by the Borrowers (or any of them) to Parent pursuant to the Management Services Agreement during the preceding Fiscal Month.
 
Upon request by Administrative Agent: (i)      a revised budget of Loan Parties; and
 

(ii)      such other reports as to the Collateral, or the financial condition of Loan Parties, as Administrative Agent may request; and

 

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(f) Calculation of Consolidated Excess Cash Flow. As soon as available, but in any event not later than the 105th day after the end of each Fiscal Year commencing with the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2019, a Consolidated Excess Cash Flow Certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party with respect to the immediately preceding Fiscal Year.

 

Section 6.02. Certificates; Other Information.

 

Loan Parties shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Administrative Agent, which delivery may be by electronic mail (to the email address(es) for Administrative Agent referred to in Section 10.02), for delivery by Administrative Agent to each Lender, in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent and Required Lenders:

 

(a) Accountants’ Certificate. Concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 6.01(a), a certificate of the independent certified public accountants of Loan Parties that certified such financial statements stating that, in connection with their audit, nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries failed to comply with the terms, covenants, provisions or conditions of Section 6.13, insofar as such terms, covenants, provisions or conditions relate to financial and accounting matters, but also noting that their audit was not directed primarily toward obtaining knowledge of or noncompliance with Section 6.13;

 

(b) Compliance Certificate. Concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in subsections (a) and (b) and (c) of Section 6.01, a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by an appropriate Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party;

 

(c) Additional Accountant Reports. Promptly after any request by Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party, copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or recommendations submitted to the board of directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors) of Loan Parties by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof, or any audit of any of them;

 

(d) Equity Interest Holder Reports and Certain Public Filings. If and when applicable, promptly after the same are available, copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or communication sent to the holders of Equity Interests of Parent or any Subsidiary and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements that Parent or any Subsidiary may file or be required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and, in each case, not otherwise required to be delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant hereto;

 

(e) Debt Holder Reports. Promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any statement or report furnished to any holder of debt securities of any Loan Party pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement that are not otherwise required to be furnished to Lending Parties pursuant to Section 6.01 or any other clause of this Section 6.02;

 

(f) Materials from or to Governmental Authorities. Promptly, and in any event within five (5) Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party, copies of each material notice or other correspondence received from, or delivered to, any Governmental Authority concerning any investigation or possible investigation or other inquiry by such agency regarding any material financial or other material operational results of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof;

 

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(g) Changes in Officers and Directors. Promptly, and in any event within five (5) Business Days after a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party becoming aware thereof, written notice of any change in the Persons constituting any of the officers, directors or managers of any Loan Party, and if such Person is to constitute a member of the Senior Management Team, a copy of the employment agreement to be entered into between the related Loan Party and such Person;

 

(h) Tax Returns. No later than five (5) Business Days after the date they are required to be filed (subject to any permitted extensions), copies of the executed and dated federal income tax returns of Loan Parties and each of their Subsidiaries and all related schedules, and copies of any extension requests;

 

(i) Additional Information. Promptly upon (but no later than three (3) Business Days after) request therefor by any Lending Party, such additional information (including budgets, sales projections, operating plans and other financial information and any information requested by Administrative Agent that is required to be delivered pursuant to the terms of the Patriot Act) regarding the business or the financial or corporate affairs of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof or the compliance by Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof with the terms of the Loan Documents as Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request;

 

(j) Operational Data and Key Performance Indicators. Promptly upon the preparation thereof as part of its business operations or the date of the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 6.01(a), whichever is earlier, (A) a report of the Loan Parties’ key performance indicators and (B) an operational report of the Loan Parties, including a report of progress against operational priorities during the preceding month and a forecast of operational priorities to be advanced during the upcoming month; and

 

(k) Board Information. Concurrently with distributions to the Board of Directors of Parent, copies of all information distributed to such Board of Directors.

 

At the request of Administrative Agent, Loan Parties shall deliver or shall cause to be delivered all documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 or Section 6.02(b) electronically (and in such format(s) as may be specified by such Lending Party (acting reasonably)). If such documents are so delivered, they shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date: (i) on which Loan Parties post such documents, or provides a link thereto on Loan Parties’ website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 10.02; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on Loan Parties’ behalf on an Electronic Platform to which each Lending Party has access; provided that Loan Parties shall notify Administrative Agent (by facsimile or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to in this paragraph, and in any event Administrative Agent shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by Loan Parties with any such request by a Lender for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

 

Section 6.03. Notices.

 

Loan Parties shall, upon any Responsible Officer of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof becoming aware thereof, promptly notify each Lending Party in writing of:

 

(a) Defaults. The occurrence of any Default;

 

(b) Matters Involving a Material Adverse Effect. Any matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, including any such matter arising from: (i) any breach or nonperformance of, or any default under, a Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof; (ii) any dispute, Proceeding or suspension between any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof and any Governmental Authority; (iii) the commencement of, or any material development in, any Proceeding affecting any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws; or (iv) the loss of all or any material portion of the Collateral;

 

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(c) ERISA Events. The occurrence of any ERISA Event (together with a copy of any notice to or from the PBGC regarding such ERISA Event);

 

(d) Swap Contracts. Upon request from time to time of any Lending Party, the swap termination values thereof, together with a description of the method by which such values were determined, relating to any then-outstanding Swap Contracts to which any Loan Party that is a party hereto is a party;

 

(e) Labor Controversies. Any material labor controversy resulting in or threatening to result in any strike, work stoppage, boycott, shutdown or other material labor disruption against or involving any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof;

 

(f) Financial Matters. Any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by Loan Parties or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party;

 

(g) Certain Dispositions. Any material Disposition of collateral the subject of any Collateral Document, or the incurrence of any Contractual Obligations with respect to any Disposition of collateral the Subject of any Collateral Document, contemplated by: (i) Section 7.05(e) or Section 7.05(f); or (ii) Section 7.05(a) or Section 7.05(h) if the aggregate cash and non-cash consideration (including assumption of Debt) in connection with such Disposition is (or could reasonably be expected to become) Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) or more, which notice shall identify the related purchaser(s), the anticipated closing date of such Disposition and the aggregate cash and non-cash consideration (including assumption of Debt) to be received by the applicable Loan Party in connection with such Disposition;

 

(h) Material Contracts. Any termination (other than termination upon expiry of the stated term of the agreement) or loss of a Material Contract, any default or event of default (however defined) under a Material Contract that gives the non-defaulting party the right to terminate such Material Contract, or any modification, amendment, or supplement to a Material Contract that reduces the aggregate expected revenue from such Material Contract in any Fiscal Year by an amount equal to or greater than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000); and

 

(i) NatureWorks. NatureWorks and/or Total Corbion PLA cease for any reason to provide the Loan Parties with the required supply of polylactic acid polymers.

 

Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.03 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action, if any, Loan Parties (or the other applicable Person) has taken or proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice given pursuant to Section 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been (or could reasonably be expected to be) breached or violated.

 

Section 6.04. Payment of Certain Obligations.

 

Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary of each Loan Party will pay in full before delinquency or before the expiration of any extension period all Taxes imposed, levied, or assessed against it, or any of its assets or in respect of any of its income, businesses, or franchises, except to the extent that the validity of such governmental assessment or Tax is the subject of a Permitted Protest. Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary of each Loan Party will: (a) timely and correctly file all Tax Returns required to be filed by it; and (b) withhold, collect and remit all Taxes that it is required to collect, withhold or remit.

 

Section 6.05. Preservation of Existence, Etc.

 

Each of the Loan Parties shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to: (a) preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect their respective legal existence and good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of their organization except in a transaction expressly permitted by Section 7.04 or Section 7.05; (b) take all reasonable actions to maintain all rights, privileges, Permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of their respective businesses, except to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (c) use the standard of care typical in the industry in the operation and maintenance of its facilities; and (d) preserve or renew all of their respective registered Intellectual Property, the non-preservation of which would have or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 6.06. Maintenance of Properties.

 

Each of the Loan Parties shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to: (a) maintain, preserve and protect all of their respective Facilities, material properties and material equipment necessary to the operation of their respective businesses in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear and permitted Dispositions hereunder excepted; (b) make all commercially reasonable repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof; in each of the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), except where the failure to do so does not have and could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) operate the facilities owned, leased or operated by such Person now or in the future in a manner consistent with Environmental Laws, zoning codes, contractual requirements and applicable prevailing industry standards in the locations where the facilities exist from time to time, except to the extent failure to do so does not and could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Loan Party shall maintain all records required to be maintained by all applicable Environmental Laws.

 

Section 6.07. Maintenance of Insurance.

 

Each of the Loan Parties shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of any Loan Party, insurance with respect to their respective properties and businesses against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons. Without limiting the foregoing, such insurance shall include insurance providing coverages for risks relating to the ownership and operation of its real estate (land and improvements), its personal property, and general liability insurance, each in amounts satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion (it being agreed that, subject to changes in the size, nature, insurable risk profile, or scope of the business of the Loan Parties which would reasonably necessitate modifications thereto, the existing amounts of coverage in each of the foregoing areas are satisfactory), and key man life insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 on Parent’s chief executive officer. All property policies shall have a lender’s loss payable endorsement showing Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lending Parties, as primary loss payee and waive subrogation against the Lending Parties, and all liability policies shall show Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lending Parties, or have endorsements showing Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lending Parties, as an additional insured. All policies (or the loss payable and additional insured endorsements) shall provide that the insurer shall endeavor to give Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lending Parties, at least thirty (30) days’ notice before canceling, amending, or declining to renew its policy and ten (10) days’ notice of any non-payment of premiums. The Loan Parties will also cause Parent to maintain Director and Officer Liability Insurance in amounts and on terms acceptable to Administrative Agent, as determined by Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion; it being agreed that unless and until hereafter advised to the contrary, the current coverage amounts are acceptable to Administrative Agent. At any Lending Party’s request, Loan Parties shall deliver certified copies of all of the insurance policies of Loan Parties and its Subsidiaries and evidence of all premium payments. Subject to the provisions hereof, proceeds payable under any policy shall, during the existence of an Event of Default, be payable to Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lending Parties on account of the Obligations. If any Loan Party that is a party hereto fails to obtain insurance as required under this Section 6.07 or to pay any amount or furnish any required proof of payment to third persons and Lenders, Administrative Agent or Lenders may make all or part of such payments or obtain such insurance policies required in this Section 6.07 and take any action under the policies that Lenders and Administrative Agent deem necessary or prudent.

 

Section 6.08. Compliance with Laws.

 

Each of the Loan Parties shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all Orders applicable to them or to their respective properties or businesses, except in such instances in which: (a) such requirement of Laws or Order is being contested in good faith by appropriate Proceedings timely instituted and diligently conducted; or (b) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 6.09. Books and Records.

 

Each of the Loan Parties shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to: (a) maintain proper Books and Records, in which full, true and correct (in all material respects) entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied are made of all financial transactions and matters involving their respective properties and businesses; and (b) maintain such Books and Records in material conformity with all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory jurisdiction over them, as the case may be.

 

Section 6.10. Inspection Rights; Lender Meetings.

 

Each of the Loan Parties shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to permit representatives and independent contractors of Administrative Agent to visit and inspect any of their respective properties, including the Facilities to examine their corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, to examine and audit the Collateral and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective directors, officers, members, managers and independent public accountants, at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice (which the parties contemplate to be at least two (2) days advance notice, other than under exigent circumstances as determined in Administrative Agent’s reasonable judgment, where less than two (2) days advance notice may be given) to such Person; provided that, unless an Event of Default exists, the cost of only two (2) examination and audits of the Collateral per calendar year shall be borne by Loan Parties at the then applicable rate charged by Administrative Agent (which rate is subject to change from time to time and is currently One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) per eight hour day (including travel time) per analyst), plus actual and reasonable out of pocket expenses; provided further that, when an Event of Default exists, Administrative Agent (or any of its representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of Loan Parties at any time and without advance notice and as many times as Administrative Agent may require. Loan Parties shall cause its senior management to hold meetings with Administrative Agent in person (if requested by Administrative Agent), on a semi-annual basis, to discuss Loan Parties’ financial performance and projections. Loan Parties shall reimburse Administrative Agent if (but only if) a Default then exists for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with Administrative Agent’s attendance at such meetings.

 

Section 6.11. Use of Proceeds.

 

Borrowers shall use the proceeds of the Term Loans solely for the purposes set forth on Schedule 5.08. Section

 

6.12. Collateral Accounts and Excluded Accounts.

 

Schedule 6.12 sets forth details with respect to all Collateral Accounts and Excluded Accounts of each of the Loan Parties and its Subsidiaries in existence on the Effective Date. Each of the Loan Parties shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to provide Administrative Agent five (5) days (or such shorter period as Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, may otherwise agree) prior written notice before: (a) establishing any Collateral Account or Excluded Account at or with any bank or other financial institution; or (b) terminating or otherwise materially modifying any Collateral Account or Excluded Account. In addition, for each Collateral Account that any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries at any time maintains, such Loan Party or its Subsidiaries shall (except to the extent specifically not required by Administrative Agent in writing) cause the applicable bank or financial institution at or with which such Collateral Account is maintained to execute and deliver a Control Agreement or other appropriate instrument with respect to such Collateral Account to perfect Administrative Agent’s Lien, for the ratable benefit of each Lender, in such Collateral Account in accordance with the terms hereof and the Collateral Documents.

 

Section 6.13. Financial Covenants.

 

(a) Reserved.

 

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(b) Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio. Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries shall maintain, on a consolidated basis, as at the end of each Fiscal Quarter set forth below, a Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio not greater than the ratio specified for the end of such Fiscal Quarter as set forth below:

 

Fiscal Quarter End   Maximum Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio
March 31, 2019   8.15 to 1.00
June 30, 2019   8.15 to 1.00
September 30, 2019   6.90 to 1.00
December 31, 2019   6.05 to 1.00
March 31, 2020   4.50 to 1.00
June 30, 2020   4.00 to 1.00
September 30, 2020   3.50 to 1.00
December 31, 2020   3.00 to 1.00
March 31, 2021   2.50 to 1.00
June 30, 2021   2.00 to 1.00
September 30, 2021   2.00 to 1.00
December 31, 2021   2.00 to 1.00
March 31, 2022   2.00 to 1.00
June 30, 2022   2.00 to 1.00
September 30, 2022   2.00 to 1.00
December 31, 2022   2.00 to 1.00
March 31, 2023   2.00 to 1.00
June 30, 2023   2.00 to 1.00
September 30, 2023 and each Fiscal Quarter end thereafter (if any)   2.00 to 1.00

 

(c) Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries shall maintain, on a consolidated basis, as at the end of each Fiscal Quarter set forth below, a Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (calculated as at the end of each such Fiscal Quarter for the period of four Fiscal Quarters then ended) in an amount not less than the amount specified for the end of such Fiscal Quarter set forth below:

 

Fiscal Quarter End   Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
March 31, 2019   0.65 to 1.00
June 30, 2019   0.70 to 1.00
September 30, 2019   0.85 to 1.00
December 31, 2019   0.95 to 1.00
March 31, 2020   1.25 to 1.00
June 30, 2020   1.25 to 1.00
September 30, 2020   1.25 to 1.00
December 31, 2020   1.25 to 1.00
March 31, 2021   1.50 to 1.00
June 30, 2021   1.50 to 1.00
September 30, 2021   1.50 to 1.00
December 31, 2021   1.50 to 1.00
March 31, 2022   1.50 to 1.00
June 30, 2022   1.50 to 1.00
September 30, 2022   1.50 to 1.00
December 31, 2022   1.50 to 1.00
March 31, 2023   1.50 to 1.00
June 30, 2023   1.50 to 1.00
September 30, 2023 and each Fiscal Quarter end thereafter (if any)   1.50 to 1.00

 

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Section 6.14. Protection of Intellectual Property Rights.

 

Each of the Loan Parties shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to: (a) protect, defend and maintain the validity and enforceability of their respective Intellectual Property, except to the extent that the failure to do so does not and could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; (b) promptly advise Administrative Agent in writing of material infringements of their respective Intellectual Property; and (c) not allow any Intellectual Property that is material to the business of Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries to be abandoned, forfeited or dedicated to the public without Administrative Agent’s written consent.

 

Section 6.15. Litigation Cooperation.

 

Loan Parties shall make available to Lending Parties, without expense to Lending Parties, each Loan Party and its officers, employees and agents and such Loan Party’s Books and Records, to the extent that any Lending Party may deem them reasonably necessary to prosecute or defend any third-party Proceeding instituted by or against any Lending Party with respect to any collateral the subject of any Collateral Document or relating to such Loan Party.

 

Section 6.16. ERISA Compliance.

 

Loan Parties shall comply and shall cause each of their Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions of ERISA with respect to any Plans to which Loan Parties or any such Subsidiary is a party as employer.

 

Section 6.17. Additional Items in Connection with the Facilities.

 

(a) Payment of Claims. Loan Parties shall pay and discharge all claims for labor done and materials and services furnished (except to the extent that such claim are the subject of a bona fide dispute being negotiated in good faith), and shall in any event take all other steps to forestall the assertion of claims against or Liens upon the Facilities.

 

(b) Compliance with Laws and Agreements. Loan Parties shall comply in all material respects with all Laws and with all contracts, leases, agreements and restrictions pertaining to the Facilities.

 

Section 6.18. Management Team Employment Agreements.

 

Except to the extent otherwise covered by the terms of the Management Services Agreement, the Senior Management Team of each Loan Party shall at all times be party to an employment agreement with the related Loan Party during such Person’s employment, and such employment agreements shall be consistent with the terms of the employment agreements with the Parent’s Senior Management Team reviewed and approved by Administrative Agent on the Effective Date or otherwise acceptable to Administrative Agent (but with no duplication of remuneration). A background check shall be conducted on each new member of the Senior Management Team hired during the term of this Agreement and such results shall be shared with Administrative Agent.

 

Section 6.19. Further Assurances.

 

Promptly upon the written request by Administrative Agent, each of the Loan Parties shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to take such further acts (including the acknowledgment, execution, delivery, recordation, filing and registering of documents) as may reasonably be required from time to time to: (a) carry out more effectively the purposes of this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (b) subject to the Liens created by any of the Collateral Documents any of the properties, rights or interests covered by any of the Collateral Documents or any other properties, rights or interests (including real property) acquired by Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof following the Effective Date; (c) perfect and maintain the validity, effectiveness and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created by any of the Loan Documents; and (d) better assure, convey, grant, assign, transfer, preserve, protect and confirm to Lending Parties the rights, remedies and privileges existing or granted or now or hereafter intended to be granted to such Persons under any Loan Document or other document executed in connection therewith. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Loan Parties hereby agree that, concurrently upon any Person becoming a Subsidiary of a Loan Party (notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement prohibiting the creation or acquisition of any such Subsidiary) following the Effective Date, Loan Parties shall cause such Person to: (a) enter into a Joinder Agreement or otherwise deliver a Guaranty; and (b) enter into such Collateral Documents as shall be required by Administrative Agent or Required Lenders so as to create, perfect and protect a Lien in favor of Administrative Agent in all of the properties of such Person.

 

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Section 6.20. Reserved.

 

Section 6.21. Qalicb Initial Collateral

 

To the extent that any QALICB Initial Collateral is at any time stored, used or otherwise located at any of the Facilities, such QALICB Initial Collateral will be conspicuously marked to identify such assets as being the property of QALICB and not the property of the Loan Parties (or any of them).

 

ARTICLE VII.

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

So long as any Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) have not been repaid in full, Loan Parties shall not and shall not permit any Subsidiary of Loan Parties directly or indirectly to do any of the following:

 

Section 7.01. Liens.

 

Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, including on the Collateral, Facilities, or any materials, equipment, or other property used in the Facilities other than any of the following (collectively, “Permitted Liens”):

 

(a) any Lien created in favor of any Lending Party under any Loan Document;

 

(b) any Lien existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.01 and any renewals or extensions thereof, provided that: (i) the property encumbered thereby is not changed; (ii) the amount secured or benefited thereby is not increased; (iii) the direct or any contingent obligor with respect thereto is not changed; (iv) the priority of any Liens referenced in Section 7.01(a) are not adversely affected thereby; and (v) any renewal or extension of the obligations secured or benefited thereby is permitted by Section 7.03(b);

 

(c) any Lien for tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies not yet due or to the extent that non-payment thereof is permitted by Section 6.04; provided that no notice of lien has been filed or recorded under the Code;

 

(d) any landlord’s, supplier’s, producer’s, carrier’s, warehouseman’s, mechanic’s, materialman’s, repairman’s or other like Lien arising in the ordinary course of business that is not overdue for a period of more than thirty (30) days or that is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings timely instituted and diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto, if any are required under GAAP, are set aside on the financial statements of the applicable Person;

 

(e) any pledge or deposit in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation, other than any Lien imposed by ERISA;

 

(f) any deposit to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts or leases (other than Debt), statutory obligations, surety bonds (other than bonds related to judgments or litigation), performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(g) any sublease of real property in the ordinary course of business and any lease, sublease, easement, right-of-way, encroachment, restriction or other similar encumbrance affecting real property that, when aggregated with all other such Liens, does not in any case materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or adversely affect the priority or value of any rights arising from or related to such property, or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person;

 

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(h) any Lien securing a judgment for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(h) or securing an appeal or other surety bond related to any such judgment;

 

(i) any Lien existing on any property prior to the acquisition thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof or existing on any property of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary of a Loan Party after the date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of such Loan Party; provided that: (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Subsidiary of a Loan Party, as the case may be; (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof; (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary of a Loan Party, as the case may be; and (iv) such Lien does not adversely affect the priority of any Liens referenced in Section 7.01(a);

 

(j) subject to the restrictions on Capital Expenditures set forth in Section 7.07, any Lien securing obligations in respect of a capital lease on the assets subject to such lease; provided that such capital lease is otherwise permitted hereunder;

 

(k) any Lien arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository institution; provided that: (i) such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the FRB; and (ii) such deposit account is not intended by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof to provide collateral to the depository institution;

 

(l) subject to the restrictions on Capital Expenditures set forth in Section 7.07, any Lien securing Debt permitted under Section 7.03(d)(ii) to the extent that the aggregate amount of all Debt at any time outstanding secured by all such Liens does not exceed One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000); provided that: (i) any such Lien does not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by the related Debt; and (ii) the Debt secured thereby does not exceed the cost or fair market value, whichever is lower, of the property being acquired on the date of the acquisition thereof;

 

(m) the right of a licensee under a license agreement entered into by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, as licensor, in the ordinary course of business for the use of Intellectual Property or other intangible assets of a Loan Party or any such Subsidiary; provided that, in the case of any such license granted by a Loan Party or any such Subsidiary on an exclusive basis: (i) such Person shall have determined in its reasonable business judgment that such Intellectual Property or other intangible assets are no longer useful in the ordinary course of business; (ii) such license is for the use of Intellectual Property or other intangible assets in geographic regions in which a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof does not have material operations or in connection with the exploitation of any product not then produced or planned to be produced by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof; or (iii) such license is granted in connection with a transaction otherwise permitted by this Agreement in which a third party acquires the right to manufacture or sell any product covered by such Intellectual Property or other intangible assets from a Loan Party or such Subsidiary; provided further that, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) of this subsection (m), a Loan Party or such Subsidiary has determined that it is in its best economic interest to grant such license;

 

(n) any Lien securing Subordinated Indebtedness;

 

(o) any Lien securing a Working Capital Facility, as contemplated by Section 3.05, to the extent permitted by Administrative Agent; and

 

(p) any Lien on cash or certificates of deposit securing one or more letters of credit permitted under Section 7.03(l).

 

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Section 7.02. Investments.

 

Make or suffer to exist any Investments, except:

 

(a) Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

(b) Investments arising from transactions by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof with customers or suppliers in the ordinary course of business, including Investments (including debt obligations) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of customers and suppliers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers or suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

(c) advances to officers, directors, shareholders, members, managers, partners or employees of Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices not to exceed, in the aggregate outstanding at any time, One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000);

 

(d) Investments of Loan Parties on the Effective Date disclosed on Schedule 5.16;

 

(e) Investments made for the benefit of employees of Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof for the purposes of deferred compensation in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practices;

 

(f) Guarantees permitted by Section 7.03(c);

 

(g) Investments consisting of Capital Expenditures permitted by Section 7.07;

 

(h) Investments existing as of the date hereof and disclosed in the Audited Closing Financial Statements;

 

(i) Permitted Investments.

 

Section 7.03. Debt.

 

Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Debt, except (without duplication):

 

(a) Debt under the Loan Documents;

 

(b) Debt outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.03, and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that: (i) the amount of such Debt is not increased at the time of such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder; and (ii) the terms relating to principal amount, amortization, maturity, collateral (if any) and subordination (if any), and other material terms taken as a whole, of any such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Debt, and of any agreement entered into and of any instrument issued in connection therewith, are no less favorable in any material respect to Loan Parties or Lenders than the terms of any agreement or instrument governing the Debt being refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended and the interest rate applicable to any such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Debt does not exceed the then applicable market interest rate;

 

(c) Guarantees by Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof of Debt otherwise permitted hereunder of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries;

 

(d) subject to the restrictions on Capital Expenditures set forth in Section 7.07, Debt in respect of: (i) capital leases; and (ii) purchase money obligations for fixed or capital assets within the limitations set forth in Section 7.01(j) and Section 7.01(l);

 

(e) Subordinated Indebtedness;

 

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(f) Debt in respect of: (i) workers’ compensation claims or obligations in respect of health, disability or other employee benefits; (ii) property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance; (iii) completion, bid, performance, appeal or surety bonds issued for the account of Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof; (iv) taxes, assessments or other government charges not yet delinquent or which are being contested in compliance with Section 6.04; or (v) bankers’ acceptances and other similar obligations not constituting Debt for borrowed money; in each of the foregoing cases, to the extent incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(g) intercompany Debt of Loan Parties or any Subsidiary owing to and held by Loan Parties or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) if Loan Parties or any Guarantor is the obligor on such Debt and any Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor) is the obligee thereof, such Debt must be unsecured and expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations (including, with respect to any Guarantor, its obligations under Section 10.14), and (ii) Debt owed to Loan Parties or any Guarantor must be evidenced by an unsubordinated promissory note pledged to Administrative Agent under the applicable Collateral Document;

 

(h) Debt arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Debt is promptly extinguished;

 

(i) Debt arising in connection with endorsement of instruments for deposit in the ordinary course of business;

 

(j) Debt of Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries that may be deemed to exist in connection with agreements providing for indemnification, contribution, earnouts, purchase price adjustments and payments and similar obligations (including letters of credit, surety bonds or performance bonds securing any obligations of Loan Parties or any Subsidiary pursuant to such agreements) in connection with Dispositions otherwise permitted hereunder;

 

(k) Debt of Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries arising from customary cash management services or in connection with any automated clearinghouse transfer of funds in the ordinary course of business;

 

(l) Debt of Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries, in an aggregate outstanding face amount not to exceed at any time Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000), arising under or in respect of letters of credit that secure obligations under real property leases and subleases.

 

In addition, neither Loan Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries shall maintain any Collateral Account other than in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.12.

 

Section 7.04. Fundamental Changes.

 

(a) Engage in any material line of business other than a Related Business;

 

(b) Merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, or Dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except that:

 

(i) any Loan Party or Subsidiary of a Loan Party may merge with: (A) a Loan Party, provided that the continuing or surviving Person in any such merger involving a Borrower shall be the Borrower and the continuing or surviving Person in any such merger involving a Loan Party and a Subsidiary of any Loan Party shall be the Loan Party; or (B) any one or more other Subsidiaries of Loan Parties, provided that, when any wholly-owned Subsidiary of a Borrower is merging with another Subsidiary of Loan Parties, the wholly-owned Subsidiary of a Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person; and

 

(ii) any Loan Party or Subsidiary of a Loan Party may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to a Loan Party or to another Subsidiary of a Loan Party; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a Borrower, then the transferee must be a Borrower and if the transferor in such a transaction is a wholly-owned Subsidiary of a Borrower, then the transferee must either be a Borrower or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of a Borrower.

 

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(c) Make any voluntary, optional payment or prepayment on account of, or optional redemption or acquisition for value of any portion of, any Debt for borrowed money (other than that arising under: (i) the Loan Documents in accordance with the provisions thereof; and (ii) corporate credit cards to the extent such Debt is otherwise permitted under Section 7.03);

 

(d) Without at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to Administrative Agent: (i) change its jurisdiction of organization; (ii) change its organizational structure or type; (iii) change its legal name; or

 

(e) Create or acquire any Subsidiary except for a Permitted Investment.

 

Section 7.05. Dispositions.

 

Make any Disposition or enter into any agreement to make any Disposition, except:

 

(a) Dispositions of used, obsolete, surplus or worn out property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business and the abandonment or other Disposition of Intellectual Property that is, in the reasonable judgment of the management of a Loan Party, no longer economically practicable to maintain or useful in the conduct of the business of such Loan Party and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

(b) Dispositions of: (i) inventory or Intellectual Property in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices; or (ii) Intellectual Property pursuant to licenses permitted by Section 7.01(m);

 

(c) Dispositions of equipment to the extent that: (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement equipment; or (ii) the proceeds of such Disposition are reasonably promptly applied to the acquisition of such replacement equipment;

 

(d) Dispositions permitted by Section 7.04(b);

 

(e) (i) the unwinding of any Swap Contract; (ii) to the extent permitted hereunder, Restricted Payments; and (iii) to the extent permitted hereunder and otherwise constituting Dispositions, Investments;

 

(f) Dispositions of cash and Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business;

 

(g) Dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(h) Dispositions of property for cash consideration that are not otherwise permitted under this Section 7.05 to Persons who are not Affiliates of any Loan Party if:

 

(i) (A) immediately prior to and immediately after giving effect to any such Disposition, there does not exist a Default; and (B) such Disposition could not reasonably be expected to result in a Default;

 

(ii) the aggregate fair market value of all assets so sold by Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries does not exceed One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000) in Fiscal Year 2019 or Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($750,000) in any Fiscal Year occurring thereafter; and

 

(iii) to the extent the Net Proceeds of such Disposition exceed, together with the other Dispositions permitted under Section 7.05(a), One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000) in the aggregate for all such Dispositions in any Fiscal Year, such Net Proceeds are, if and to the extent required by Section 2.03(c), applied within one hundred and eighty (180) days of receipt thereof by Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof to the repayment of the Obligations; provided that a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party shall have notified Administrative Agent promptly after its determination to so apply or use the Net Proceeds and shall have certified the receipt of not less than fair market value for such property and the proper application of such Net Proceeds in accordance with this Section 7.05(h); provided that any Disposition pursuant to any of the foregoing subsections of this Section 7.05 shall be for not less than fair market value.

 

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Section 7.06. Restricted Payments.

 

Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that: (a) each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to Loan Parties and to wholly-owned Subsidiaries (and, in the case of a Restricted Payment by a non-wholly-owned Subsidiary, to Loan Parties and to any Subsidiary and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Subsidiary on a pro rata basis based on their relative ownership interests); (b) Loan Parties and each Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in common Equity Interests of such Person; (c) Loan Parties and each Subsidiary may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire its common Equity Interests or warrants or options to acquire any such common Equity Interests (i) with the proceeds received from the substantially concurrent issue of new common Equity Interests or (ii) from service providers at cost upon termination of employment or service; (d) as a one-time accommodation to Loan Parties, on the Effective Date, Danimer Holdings may declare and make a cash dividend payment to Parent in order to payoff Parent’s existing Debt owing to the specific parties and in the amounts set forth on Schedule 5.08, and (e) so long as a Loan Party is a “pass-through” tax entity for United States federal income tax purposes and so long as no Default exists and Loan Parties have sufficient working capital to pay their debts as they come due, cash distributions paid by Loan Parties to the holders of Equity Interests in Loan Parties in an aggregate amount equal to such holders’ of Equity Interests actual federal and state income tax liability for such taxable year (or portion thereof) attributable to such Loan Parties taxable income, provided that (i) as a condition precedent to any such payment, Administrative Loan Party shall deliver to Administrative Agent a letter from its tax accountants, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, detailing the amount necessary to be applied to such holders of Equity Interests tax liabilities, which letter may relate to the estimated tax payments for the next succeeding four quarters, (ii) such payment or distribution shall be limited to the amounts specified in said letter, and (iii) after any redetermination of such Loan Party’s taxable income for such period, such Loan Party shall receive from each of its holders of Equity Interests a repayment of the aggregate amount (if any) by which any such distribution exceeded the allocable amount of such holders of Equity Interests actual tax liability. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to any Change of Control that might occur by virtue thereof, nothing else contained herein shall restrict holders of securities convertible into Equity Interests of Loan Parties from converting such convertible securities into Equity Interests of Loan Parties pursuant to the terms applicable to such convertible securities.

 

Section 7.07. Capital Expenditures.

 

Make (whether in one transaction or a series of transactions) any financed or unfinanced Capital Expenditures in an aggregate amount for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries during any period set forth below in an aggregate amount more than the amount specified for the end of such period set forth below; provided, however, that any Capital Expenditures made with the proceeds of an offering of Parent’s Equity Interests shall not be counted for purposes of the limitation in this Section 7.07.

 

Calendar Year   Maximum Capital Expenditures  
For the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2019   $ 29,600,000  
For the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2020   $ 7,500,000  
For the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2021   $ 5,500,000  
For the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2022   $ 5,500,000  
For the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2023 and each Fiscal Year thereafter   $ 5,500,000  

 

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If Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries do not utilize the entire amount of such Capital Expenditures permitted in any Fiscal Year, Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries may carry forward to the immediately succeeding Fiscal Year only, 100% of such unutilized amount (with such Capital Expenditures made by Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in such succeeding Fiscal Year applied first to such carried-forward amount).

 

Section 7.08. Transactions with Affiliates.

 

Enter into any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate of Loan Parties, irrespective of whether in the ordinary course of business, other than on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to Loan Parties or a Subsidiary of Loan Parties as would be obtainable by such Person at the time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate, provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to: (a) transactions between or among Loan Parties; (b) Restricted Payments permitted hereunder; (c) Guarantees permitted by Section 7.03(c); and (d) the Management Services Agreement.

 

Section 7.09. Burdensome Agreements.

 

(a) Enter into any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement or any other Loan Document) that: (i) limits the ability: (A) of any Subsidiary of Loan Parties to make Restricted Payments to Loan Parties or to otherwise transfer property to Loan Parties; (B) of any Subsidiary of Loan Parties to Guarantee the Debt of Loan Parties; or (C) of Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person; provided that this sub-clause (C) shall not prohibit any negative pledge incurred or provided in favor of any holder of Debt under Section 7.03(b), Section 7.03(d) or Section 7.03(f) solely to the extent that any such negative pledge relates to the property financed by or the subject of such Debt; or (ii) requires the grant of a Lien to secure an obligation of such Person if a Lien is granted to secure another obligation of such Person;

 

(b) (i) Amend, supplement, modify, waive or alter (or agree to do so): (A) any of its material rights or material obligations, including any of the foregoing arising under any Material Contract, without the express prior written consent of Administrative Agent unless no Default exists or could reasonably be expected to result by virtue thereof; or (B) its Organizational Documents unless no Default exists or could reasonably be expected to result by virtue thereof; or (ii) terminate any Material Contract other than as a result of a material breach by the counterparty(ies) thereunder; or

 

(c) Pay salaries, bonuses, commissions, consultant fees or other compensation to any officer, director, manager, equity holder or consultant of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any family member of any of the foregoing unless the board of directors of such Loan Party, acting in good faith, has determined that such amounts are not excessive or unreasonable.

 

Section 7.10. Use of Proceeds.

 

Use the proceeds of any Term Loan, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose. This language is supplemental to, and not in lieu of the provisions of Section 5.08.

 

Section 7.11. Certain Governmental Regulations.

 

(a) Be or become subject at any time to any law, regulation, or list of any government agency (including the OFAC list) that prohibits or limits any Lending Party from making any loans or extensions of credit to any Loan Party or from otherwise conducting business with any Loan Party, or (b) fail to provide documentary and other evidence of any Loan Party’s identity as may be requested by any Lending Party at any time to enable such Lending Party to verify any Loan Party’s identity or to comply with any applicable Laws, including Section 326 of the Patriot Act.

 

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Section 7.12. Disqualified Equity Interests.

 

(a) Issue any Disqualified Equity Interests, or (b) be or become liable in respect of any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to purchase, redeem, retire, acquire or make any other payment in respect of any Equity Interests of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, except as permitted under Section 7.06.

 

Section 7.13. Parent as Holding Company.

 

Permit Parent to (a) incur any liabilities, other than (i) liabilities under the Loan Documents, (ii) liabilities under the Subordinated Advantage Loan Documents, (iii) tax liabilities in the ordinary course of business, and (iv) corporate, administrative and operating expenses in the ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to, such expenses inherent in providing the services to Loan Parties contemplated under the Management Services Agreement, (b) own or acquire any assets, other than (i) the Equity Interests of Parent (by way of repurchase) or any Loan Party, (ii) the Equity Interests of QALICB, (iii) cash and Cash Equivalents, (iv) hold a leasehold interest in any Facility, including as lessee or sublessor, or (c) engage in any trade or business, other than (i) owning the Equity Interests of Loan Parties and activities incidental thereto, (ii) owning the Equity Interests of QALICB and activities incidental thereto, (iii) acting as a Guarantor and granting to Administrative Agent, a Lien on certain Collateral, (iv) being the employer of executive officers of Parent and/or Loan Parties under executive officer employment agreements and (v) providing services under the Management Services Agreement.

 

ARTICLE VIII.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

Section 8.01. Events of Default.

 

Each of the following shall constitute an event of default hereunder (each, an “Event of Default”):

 

(a) Non-Payment. Borrowers or any other Loan Party fails to pay: (i) when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Term Loan; (ii) within three (3) Business Days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Term Loan or any fee due hereunder; or (iii) within five (5) Business Days after the same becomes due, any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or

 

(b) Specific Covenants. (i) Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof fails to perform or observe: (A) any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 6.01, Section 6.02, Section 6.03, Section 6.05, Section 6.07, Section 6.10, Section 6.11, Section 6.13, Section 6.17, or Article VII; or (B) any other term, covenant or agreement contained in any Loan Document, which failure is determined by Required Lenders (acting reasonably) not to be capable of being cured; or (ii) any Guarantor fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in its Guaranty; or

 

(c) Representations and Warranties. Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of Borrowers or any other Loan Party herein, in any other Loan Document or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made; or

 

(d) Other Defaults. Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in Section 8.01(a), Section 8.01(b) or Section 8.01(c)) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for thirty (30) days; or

 

(e) Cross-Default. Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof: (i) subject to any applicable cure period, fails to make any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) in respect of any Debt (other than Debt hereunder and Debt under Swap Contracts) having an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn committed or available amounts and including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) of more than the Threshold Amount; or (ii) subject to any applicable cure period fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such other Debt or contained in any document evidencing, securing or relating to any of the foregoing, or any other default or event occurs, the effect of which failure, default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Debt (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Debt to be demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Debt to be made, prior to its stated maturity; or

 

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(f) Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof institutes or consents to the institution of any Proceeding under any Bankruptcy Laws, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for sixty (60) days; or any Proceeding under any Bankruptcy Laws relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for sixty (60) days, or an order for relief is entered in any such Proceeding; or

 

(g) Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment. (i) Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due; or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of any such Person and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within thirty (30) days after its issue or levy; or

 

(h) Judgments. There is entered against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof: (i) a final Order for the payment of money in an aggregate amount exceeding the Threshold Amount (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage); or (ii) any one or more non-monetary final Orders that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case: (A) enforcement Proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such Order; or (B) there is a period of thirty (30) consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such Order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or

 

(i) ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of Loan Parties under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount; or (ii) Loan Parties or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount; or

 

(j) Invalidity of Loan Documents. Any Loan Document or any provision thereof, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or the satisfaction in full of all of the Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) and other than as a result of an action or inaction by Administrative Agent or any Lender, ceases to be in full force and effect in accordance with its terms; or any Loan Party or any other Person (other than a Lending Party) contests in any manner in writing the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or any provision thereof; or any Loan Party denies that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any Loan Document or any provision thereof; or

 

(k) Impairment of Collateral. Any Lien purported to be created by any Collateral Document shall cease to be, or shall be asserted by any Loan Party not to be, a valid, perfected, first-priority Lien (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or such Collateral Document and subject to Permitted Liens) in the assets covered thereby, other than in respect of assets that, individually and in the aggregate, are not material to Loan Parties, taken as a whole, or in respect of which the failure of the Lien thereon to be a valid, perfected first priority (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or such Collateral Document) Lien could not in the reasonable judgment of Administrative Agent or Required Lenders, be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

(l) Default Under Subordinated Indebtedness Documents. Any Person (other than Administrative Agent) party to any document subordinating Subordinated Indebtedness shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in such document; or

 

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(m) Certain Actions. Any Loan Party or any of its senior officers is criminally indicted or convicted of (i) a felony or (ii) violating any state or federal Laws (including the Controlled Substances Act, Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 and Illegal Exportation of War Materials Act) that has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, a forfeiture of any material property or any assets (including the Collateral) upon which such Loan Party has granted a Lien to Administrative Agent or the right to conduct a material part of its business; or

 

(n) Change of Control. There occurs a Change of Control; or

 

(o) Material Contracts. Any termination (other than termination upon expiry of the stated term of the agreement) of a Material Contract, any default or event of default (however defined) under a Material Contract that gives the non-defaulting party the right to terminate such Material Contract; or

 

(p) NatureWorks. NatureWorks and Total Corbion PLA cease for any reason to provide the Loan Parties with the required supply of polylactic acid polymers and no other adequate source of supply of polylactic acid polymers capable of meeting Borrowers’ quantity requirements, at prices consistent with historical norms, is available;

 

(q) Material Adverse Effect. There occurs a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(r) Investment Fund Put (Danimer). If, (i) prior to the end of the Put Exercise Period (Danimer), USBCDC does not deliver a Put Exercise Notice (Danimer), or (ii) following the delivery of a Put Exercise Notice (Danimer), the Investment Fund Put (Danimer) is not consummated on or before the earlier of (a) the Investment Fund Put Closing Date (Danimer), or (b) ninety (90) days following the mailing of the Put Exercise Notice (Danimer); or

 

(s) Investment Fund Put (Meredian). If, (i) prior to the end of the Put Exercise Period (Meredian), USBCDC does not deliver a Put Exercise Notice (Meredian), or (ii) following the delivery of a Put Exercise Notice (Meredian), the Investment Fund Put (Meredian) is not consummated on or before the earlier of (a) the Investment Fund Put Closing Date (Meredian), or (b) ninety (90) days following the mailing of the Put Exercise Notice (Meredian).

 

Section 8.02. Rights and Remedies.

 

(a) Rights and Remedies Generally. While an Event of Default exists, Administrative Agent may (or, upon the request of the Required Lenders, shall), without notice or demand, do any or all of the following:

 

(i) declare all Obligations (including the applicable Prepayment Fee) immediately due and payable (but if an Event of Default described in Section 8.01(f) occurs, all Obligations (including any applicable Prepayment Fee) shall immediately be due and payable without any action by Administrative Agent or any Lender);

 

(ii) stop advancing money or extending credit for Borrowers’ benefit under this Agreement or under any other agreement among Borrowers and Administrative Agent or any Lender;

 

(iii) settle or adjust disputes and claims directly with Account Debtors on accounts of any Loan Party that is a party hereto for amounts on terms and in any order that Administrative Agent considers advisable, notify any Person owing money to any Loan Party that is a party hereto, of Administrative Agent’s Lien on such funds, and verify the amount of such account. Each Loan Party that is a party hereto shall collect all payments in trust for Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders and, if requested by Administrative Agent, immediately deliver the payments to Lenders in the form received from the Account Debtor, with proper endorsement for deposit;

 

(iv) make any payments and do any acts it considers necessary or reasonable to protect the Collateral and/or its Lien upon the Collateral. Each Loan Party that is a party hereto shall assemble the Collateral if Administrative Agent so requests and make it available as Administrative Agent so designates. Administrative Agent or any Lender may enter the premises where the Collateral is located, take and maintain possession of any part of the Collateral, and pay, purchase, contest, or compromise any Lien which appears to be prior or superior to Administrative Agent’s Lien thereon and pay all expenses incurred. Each Loan Party that is a party hereto grants Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders a license to enter and occupy any of its premises, without charge, to exercise any of Administrative Agent’s or any other Lending Party’s rights or remedies;

 

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(v) apply to the Obligations any (A) balances and deposits of any Loan Party that is a party hereto that it holds, or (B) amount held by Administrative Agent or Lenders owing to or for the credit or the account of any Loan Party that is a party hereto;

 

(vi) ship, reclaim, recover, store, finish, maintain, repair, prepare for sale, advertise for sale, and sell the Collateral. Administrative Agent is hereby granted a non-exclusive, royalty-free license or other right to use without charge, Loan Parties’ or any of their Subsidiaries’ labels, patents, copyrights, mask works, rights of use of any name, trade secrets, trade names, trademarks, service marks, and advertising matter, other Intellectual Property, or any similar property as it pertains to the Collateral, in completing production of, advertising for sale, and selling any Collateral and, in connection with Administrative Agent’s exercise of its rights under this Section, Loan Parties’ and each of their Subsidiaries’ rights under all licenses and all franchise agreements inure to Administrative Agent for benefit of Lenders;

 

(vii) place a “hold” on any account maintained with Administrative Agent and/or deliver a notice of exclusive control, any entitlement order, or other directions or instructions pursuant to any Control Agreement or similar agreements providing control of any Collateral;

 

(viii) demand and receive possession of the Books and Records of each Loan Party; and

 

(ix) exercise all default rights and remedies available to Lending Parties under the Loan Documents or at law or equity, including all default remedies provided under the Uniform Commercial Code (including disposal of the collateral (including all Collateral) pursuant to the terms thereof).

 

(b) Power of Attorney. Each Loan Party that is a party hereto hereby irrevocably appoints Administrative Agent as its lawful attorney-in-fact, to: (i) at any time that an Event of Default has occurred that has not been waived in writing by Administrative Agent: (A) endorse such Loan Party’s name on any checks or other forms of payment or security, sign such Loan Party’s name on any invoice or bill of lading for any account or drafts against Account Debtors or sign such Loan Party’s name on any notices to Account Debtors; (B) endorse such Loan Party’s name on any collection item that may come into Administrative Agent’s possession; (C) make, settle, and adjust all claims under such Loan Party’s policies of insurance and make all determinations and decisions with respect to such policies of insurance; (D) take control, in any manner, of any item of payment or proceeds relating to any Collateral; (E) prepare, file, and sign such Loan Party’s name to a proof of claim in bankruptcy or similar document against any Account Debtor, or to any notice of lien, assignment, or satisfaction of lien or similar document in connection with any of the Collateral; (F) receive, open and dispose of all mail addressed to such Loan Party, and upon Administrative Agent’s commencement of any enforcement action, notify postal authorities to change the address for delivery thereof to such address as Administrative Agent may designate; (G) use the information recorded on or contained in any data processing equipment, computer hardware, and software relating to the Collateral; (H) settle and adjust disputes and claims respecting the Accounts, Chattel Paper or General Intangibles directly with Account Debtors, for amounts and upon terms that Administrative Agent determines to be reasonable, and Administrative Agent may cause to be executed and delivered any documents and releases that Administrative Agent determines to be necessary; (I) cause an Account Debtor’s insurers to add Administrative Agent as loss payee under the relevant insurance policy; (J) pay, contest or settle any Lien, charge or adverse claim in, to or upon any or all of the Collateral, or any judgment based thereon, or otherwise take any action to terminate or discharge the same; (K) transfer any Collateral into the name of Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders or a third party as the Uniform Commercial Code permits; and (L) do all other acts and things necessary, in Administrative Agent’s determination, to fulfill such Loan Party’s obligations under this Agreement; and (ii) at any time: (A) send request for verification of Accounts; and (B) file UCC-3 assignments reflecting Administrative Agent as assignee of such Loan Party with respect to any UCC-1 financing statements filed by such Loan Party in connection with Collateral. Each Loan Party that is a party hereto hereby appoints Administrative Agent as its lawful attorney-in-fact to sign such Loan Party’s name on any documents necessary to perfect or continue the perfection of any security interest or other Lien in the Collateral regardless of whether an Event of Default has occurred until all Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) have been repaid in full. Administrative Agent’s foregoing appointment as the attorney-in-fact for each Loan Party that is a party hereto, and all of Administrative Agent’s rights and powers, being coupled with an interest, are irrevocable until all Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) have been fully paid and performed when due (as applicable).

 

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(c) Protective Advances. Administrative Agent for itself or on behalf of Lenders (shall be authorized, in its sole discretion, regardless of (i) the existence of a Default or an Event of Default, or (ii) any other contrary provision of this Agreement, to make loans on behalf of Borrowers (or any of them), if and to the extent that Administrative Agent deems such loans are necessary or desirable (A) to preserve or protect the Collateral, or any portion thereof, (B) to enhance the likelihood of, or maximize the amount of, repayment of the Obligations, or (C) to pay for insurance or any other amount which a Loan Party is obligated to pay under this Agreement, any other Loan Document or otherwise (each such loan, a “Protective Advance”). Administrative Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts, to the extent practicable, to consult with Lenders (as applicable) prior to making any Protective Advance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Administrative Agent or any Lender have any duty or obligation to make any Protective Advance. All Protective Advances shall constitute expenses reimbursable under Section 10.04, shall be immediately due and payable, shall bear cash interest until paid at the then highest interest rate applicable to any of the Obligations and shall be secured by the Collateral. Required Lenders may at any time revoke Administrative Agent’s authority to make Protective Advances hereunder by written notice to Administrative Agent. The making of any Protective Advances shall not be or be deemed to be an agreement to make Protective Advances in similar or different circumstances in the future and shall not operate or be deemed to operate as a waiver by Administrative Agent or any Lender of any Event of Default.

 

(d) Application of Funds.

 

(i) No Loan Party shall have the right to specify the order or the accounts to which Administrative Agent shall allocate or apply any payments required to be made by Borrowers to Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lending Parties or otherwise received by Administrative Agent on behalf of Lenders under this Agreement when any such allocation or application is not specified elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

(ii) All payments, prepayments, and proceeds of collateral (including the Collateral) and any other amounts received on account of the Obligations shall be applied by Administrative Agent until exhausted in the following order:

 

(A) first, to Administrative Agent, to pay all fees, costs, expenses and indemnification payments then due to Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents (excluding all Protective Advances made by Administrative Agent);

 

(B) second, pro rata, to Administrative Agent and any Lender which has made a Protective Advance, to pay all accrued but unpaid interest (including interest at the Default Rate) in respect of all Protective Advances made by such Persons;

 

(C) third, pro rata, to Administrative Agent and any Lender which has made a Protective Advance, to pay the principal of all Protective Advances made by such Persons;

 

(D) fourth, pro rata, to Lenders according to their respective Percentage Shares, to pay all accrued but unpaid interest (including interest at the Default Rate) on the Term Loans owing to Lenders;

 

(E) fifth, pro rata, to Lenders according to their respective Percentage Shares, to pay the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans, pro rata, until such time as the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans has been paid in full; and

 

(F) sixth, pro rata, to Administrative Agent and Lenders, to pay all remaining Credit Outstandings and other Obligations owing to Administrative Agent or any Lenders;

 

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After payment in full of all Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations), any surplus remaining shall be paid to Borrowers or other Persons legally entitled thereto; if any deficiency exists, Borrowers shall remain liable to Administrative Agent and Lenders for such deficiency. If Administrative Agent or any Lender, in its good faith business judgment, directly or indirectly enters into a deferred payment or other credit transaction with any purchaser at any sale of any collateral (including the Collateral), Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable, shall have the option, exercisable at any time, of either reducing the Obligations by the principal amount of the purchase price or deferring the reduction of the Obligations until the actual receipt by Administrative Agent or such Lender of cash therefor.

 

(iii) Unless otherwise expressly provided for herein, all payments made to any Lending Party for the benefit of Lenders (or any of them) on account of the Obligations (other than that portion of the Obligations consisting of the Outstanding Amount of all Credit Outstandings or any fees payable in connection with the retirement, prepayment or termination of all or a portion of the Obligations) shall be treated as interest for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

(e) Administrative Agent’s Liability for Collateral. So long as Administrative Agent and Lenders comply with reasonable banking practices regarding the safekeeping of any collateral the subject of the Collateral Documents, Administrative Agent and Lenders shall not be liable or responsible for: (i) the safekeeping of all or any such collateral; (ii) any loss or damage to all or any such collateral; (iii) any diminution in the value of all or any such collateral; or (iv) any act or default of any carrier, warehouseman, bailee, or other Person. Loan Parties bear all risk of loss, damage or destruction of any collateral the subject of the Collateral Documents.

 

(f) No Waiver. Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s failure, at any time or times, to require strict performance by any Loan Party of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall not waive, affect, or diminish any right of Administrative Agent or such Lender thereafter to demand strict performance and compliance herewith or therewith. Administrative Agent and Lenders have all rights and remedies provided under the Uniform Commercial Code, by law, or in equity. Any amounts paid by Administrative Agent or any Lender on any Loan Party’s behalf as provided herein are expenses reimbursable under Section 10.04 and shall bear interest at the highest interest rate then applicable to any of the Obligations and shall be secured by the collateral the subject of the Collateral Documents. No payments by Administrative Agent or any Lender shall be deemed an agreement to make similar payments in the future or a waiver of any Event of Default by Administrative Agent or any Lender.

 

Section 8.03. Equity Cure Rights

 

In the event Borrowers fail to comply with the Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio covenants set forth in Section 6.13 (a “Leverage Covenant Default”), Borrowers shall have the right to cure such Leverage Covenant Default on the following terms and conditions (the “Equity Cure Right”):

 

(a) Administrative Loan Party shall deliver to Administrative Agent irrevocable written notice of its intent to cure a Leverage Covenant Default (a “Cure Notice”) no later than five (5) Business Days after the date on which financial statements and a Compliance Certificate for the period ending on the last day of the Fiscal Quarter with respect to which such Leverage Covenant Default occurred (the “Testing Date”) are required to be delivered. The Cure Notice shall set forth the calculation of the applicable “Leverage Covenant Cure Amount” (as hereinafter defined).

 

(b) Borrowers shall cause Parent, no later than ten (10) Business Days after the date on which financial statements and a Compliance Certificate for the period ending on the Testing Date are required to be delivered (the “Required Contribution Date”), to make cash capital contributions to Danimer Holdings (any such cash equity contribution, a “Specified Equity Contribution”) in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the amount by which the aggregate Consolidated Senior Debt outstanding on the Testing Date exceeds the maximum amount of Consolidated Senior Debt that would need to be then outstanding, in order for the Borrowers to be in pro forma compliance with the Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio covenant contained in Section 6.13 as of such Testing Date (such amount, the “Leverage Covenant Cure Amount”), by (ii) 110%.

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Equity Cure Right (i) shall not be exercisable if an Event of Default (other than the related Leverage Covenant Default) shall have occurred and be continuing as of the date of the Leverage Covenant Default, (ii) shall not be exercised more than two (2) times during the term of this Agreement, and (iii) shall not be exercisable unless after giving effect to the Specified Equity Contribution and the payment thereof to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(vi), Borrowers have Qualified Cash in an amount of not less than $11,000,000. Further, any single Leverage Covenant Cure Amount may not exceed Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000) and the aggregate sum of the Leverage Covenant Cure Amounts paid in connection with the two permitted Specified Equity Contributions may not exceed Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000).

 

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(d) Upon timely receipt by the Borrowers in cash of a Specified Equity Contribution and payment of such amount to the Administrative Agent for application to the Term Loans as a mandatory prepayment under Section 2.03(c)(vi), the Leverage Covenant Default shall be deemed cured.

 

(e) Until the earlier of (i) the Required Contribution Date or (ii) the date on which the Administrative Agent has been notified that Parent does not intend to make a Specified Equity Contribution, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall exercise the right to accelerate the Term Loans, and neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall exercise any right to foreclose upon, or take possession of, the Collateral, in each case, solely on the basis of a Leverage Covenant Default; provided, however, that (A) this Section 8.03 shall not affect or limit the rights of Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to any other Default or Event of Default under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents and (B) prior to the receipt by Administrative Loan Party in cash of the Specified Equity Contribution and payment of such amount to Administrative Agent for application to the Term Loans, an Event of Default that has occurred as a result of a Leverage Covenant Default shall be deemed to be continuing and, as a result, Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to all of their rights with respect thereto (including, without limitation, the imposition of interest at the Default Rate as contemplated by this Agreement), except as otherwise set forth in this Section 8.03(e).

 

ARTICLE IX.

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

Section 9.01. Appointment and Authorization of Administrative Agent.

 

Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints White Oak to act on its behalf as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Except for the provisions of Section 9.06, the provisions of this Article IX are solely for the benefit of Lending Parties, and neither Borrowers nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.

 

Section 9.02. Rights as a Lender.

 

If the Person serving as Administrative Agent hereunder is also a Lender, such Person shall have the same rights and powers in such capacity(ies) as any other Person in such capacity(ies) and may exercise the same as though it were not Administrative Agent. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with Loan Parties or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of Loan Parties as if such Person were not Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to any other Lending Party.

 

Section 9.03. Exculpatory Provisions.

 

Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Administrative Agent:

 

(a) No Fiduciary Duties. Shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

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(b) No Obligations Regarding Certain Actions. Shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in any other Loan Documents); provided that Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Laws;

 

(c) Disclosure Obligations. Shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity; and

 

(d) Limitation on Liability. Shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it: (i) with the consent or at the request of Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of Lenders as shall be necessary, or as Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section 8.02 and Section 10.01); or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default, unless and until a Loan Party, or a Lending Party provides written notice to Administrative Agent describing such Default. Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into: (A) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (B) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith; (C) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default; (D) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document; or (E) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to Administrative Agent.

 

Section 9.04. Reliance by Administrative Agent.

 

Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of the Term Loans that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a specified Lending Party, Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lending Party, unless Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lending Party prior to the making of the Term Loans. Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for any Loan Party), independent accountants and other experts it selects and shall not be liable for any action it takes or does not take in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

Section 9.05. Delegation of Duties.

 

Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents it appoints. Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article IX shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

 

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Section 9.06. Resignation of Administrative Agent.

 

Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to Lending Parties and Administrative Loan Party. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, Required Lenders shall have the right, with, unless an Event of Default exists, the consent of Administrative Loan Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), to appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may on behalf of the Lending Parties, appoint a successor Administrative Agent; provided that, if Administrative Agent shall notify Lending Parties and Administrative Loan Party that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (a) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by Administrative Agent on behalf of any Lending Party under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and (b) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lending Party directly, until such time as Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for in this Section 9.06. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided in this Section 9.06). The fees payable by Borrowers to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed among Borrowers and such successor. After the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article IX and Section 10.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.

 

Section 9.07. Non-reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.

 

Each Lending Party acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon Administrative Agent, any other Lending Party or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lending Party also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon Administrative Agent, any other Lending Party or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

 

Section 9.08. No Other Duties, Etc.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Person identified herein or on the facing page or signature pages hereof as a “Documentation Administrative Agent,” “Co-Administrative Agent,” “Book Manager,” “Book Runner,” “Arranger,” “Lead Arranger,” “Co-Lead Arranger” or “Co-Arranger,” if any, shall have or be deemed to have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, other than: (a) in such Person’s capacity as: (i) Administrative Agent or a Lender hereunder; and (ii) an Indemnitee hereunder; or (b) under Section 9.05.

 

Section 9.09. Administrative Agent May File Proofs Of Claim.

 

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other Proceeding relative to any Loan Party, Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of the Term Loans shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on Borrowers) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise: (a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Term Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of Lending Parties (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of Lending Parties and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due Lending Parties under Section 2.04, Section 2.09 and Section 10.04) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and (b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lending Party to make such payments to Administrative Agent and, in the event that Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to Lenders, to pay to Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due Administrative Agent under Section 2.09 and Section 10.04. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any of the Lending Parties any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any of the Lending Parties or to authorize Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any of the Lending Parties in any such proceeding.

 

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Section 9.10. Guaranty Matters.

 

Each Lending Party hereby: (a) irrevocably authorizes Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to release any Guarantor from its obligations under a Guaranty if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder; and (b) agrees that, upon request by Administrative Agent at any time, it will confirm in writing Administrative Agent’s authority to release any such Guarantor pursuant to this Section 9.10.

 

Section 9.11. Collateral and Other Matters.

 

(a) Directions by Lenders. Each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs Administrative Agent: (i) to enter into the Collateral Documents for the benefit of such Person; (ii) without the necessity of any notice to or further consent from any such Person from time to time prior to an Event of Default, to take any action with respect to any Collateral Documents or the collateral the subject thereof that may be necessary to perfect and maintain perfected the Liens upon the collateral granted pursuant to the Collateral Documents; (iii) to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by Administrative Agent under any Loan Document: (A) upon termination of the Aggregate Term Commitments and payment in full of all Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations); (B) that is sold or to be sold as part of or in connection with any Disposition permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document; (C) subject to Section 10.01, if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by Required Lenders; or (D) in connection with any foreclosure sale or other Disposition of any collateral the subject of any Collateral Document after the occurrence of an Event of Default; and (iv) to subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by this Agreement or any other Loan Document to be senior to the Lien of Administrative Agent. Upon request by Administrative Agent at any time, each Lender will confirm in writing Administrative Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of collateral the subject of any Collateral Document pursuant to this Section 9.11.

 

(b) Certain Actions by Administrative Agent. Subject to Section 9.11(a)(iii) and Section 9.11(a)(iv), Administrative Agent shall (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender to) execute such documents as may be necessary to evidence the release or subordination of Liens granted to Administrative Agent herein or pursuant hereto upon the applicable collateral; provided that: (i) Administrative Agent shall not be required to execute any such document on terms that, in Administrative Agent’s opinion, would expose Administrative Agent to or create any liability or entail any consequence other than the release or subordination of such Liens without recourse or warranty; and (ii) such release or subordination shall not in any manner discharge, affect or impair the Obligations or any Liens upon (or obligations of Borrowers or any other Loan Party in respect of) all interests retained by Borrowers or any other Loan Party, including the proceeds of the sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the collateral the subject of the Collateral Documents. In the event of any sale or transfer of any collateral the subject of any of the Collateral Documents, or any foreclosure with respect to any of the collateral the subject of any of the Collateral Documents, Administrative Agent shall be authorized to deduct all expenses reasonably incurred by Administrative Agent from the proceeds of any such sale, transfer or foreclosure.

 

(c) No Obligations Regarding Certain Actions. Administrative Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to any Lending Party or any other Person to assure that all or any of the collateral the subject of the Collateral Documents exists or is owned by Borrowers or any other Loan Party or is cared for, protected or insured or that the Liens granted to Administrative Agent herein or in any of the Collateral Documents or pursuant hereto or thereto have been properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected or enforced or are entitled to any particular priority, or to exercise or to continue exercising at all or in any manner or under any duty of care, disclosure or fidelity any of the rights, authorities and powers granted or available to Administrative Agent in this Section 9.11 or in any of the Collateral Documents, it being understood and agreed that in respect of the collateral the subject of the Collateral Documents, or any act, omission or event related thereto, Administrative Agent may act in any manner it may deem appropriate, in its sole discretion, if Administrative Agent has an interest in the collateral the subject of the Collateral Documents by virtue of being one of the Lending Parties.

 

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(d) Appointment of Lending Parties as Agents. Each Lending Party hereby appoints each other such Person as agent for the purpose of perfecting Administrative Agent’s or such Person’s security interest or other Lien in assets that, in accordance with Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, can be perfected only by possession. Should any such Person (other than Administrative Agent) obtain possession of any collateral the subject of the Collateral Documents, such Person shall notify Administrative Agent thereof, and, promptly upon Administrative Agent’s request therefor, shall deliver such collateral to Administrative Agent or in accordance with Administrative Agent’s instructions.

 

ARTICLE X.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 10.01. Amendments, Etc.

 

No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by Borrowers or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by Required Lenders and Administrative Agent, or Administrative Agent acting at the written request of Required Lenders, and Borrowers or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, with receipt acknowledged by Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:

 

(a) Unless in writing and signed by Administrative Loan Party and by any such Lender as to whom such amendment, waiver or consent is intended to apply, with receipt acknowledged by Administrative Agent, do any of the following:

 

(i) increase, or extend the expiry of, the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any such Commitment to the extent terminated pursuant to Section 8.02);

 

(ii) postpone or delay any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment of principal, interest, any applicable Prepayment Fee, fees or other amounts due to any Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document, including any prepayments specified under Section 2.03, or reduce the amount due to any Lender on any such date;

 

(iii) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest or the Prepayment Fee specified herein on, any or all of the Term Loans or other amounts payable to any Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or

 

(b) Unless in writing and signed by all Lenders and Administrative Loan Party, with receipt acknowledged by Administrative Agent, do any of the following:

 

(i) amend this Section 10.01, Section 2.09 or Section 8.02(d) or any provision herein providing for consent or other action by all Lenders;

 

(ii) release, compromise or subordinate all or any portion of the collateral the subject of the Collateral Documents and securing the Obligations, except as otherwise expressly provided in any of the Collateral Documents, or amend the definition of the obligations secured by any of the Collateral Documents;

 

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(iii) increase the Aggregate Term Commitments,

 

(iv) release, compromise, subordinate or terminate any of the Guaranties except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in any of the Loan Documents;

 

(v) amend the definition of “Maturity Date” contained in Section 1.01;

 

(vi) amend the definition of “Required Lenders” contained in Section 1.01; or

 

(vii) amend Section 10.06(b)(v); provided further that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein: (1) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by Administrative Agent in addition to such Lenders as are otherwise required by this Section 10.1, affect the rights or duties of Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (2) no consent of Loan Parties shall be required with respect to any amendment or waiver described in Section 10.01(b)(i), or Section 10.01(b)(vi), if, at the time of such amendment or waiver, a Default exists, (3) any amendment, waiver, or consent with respect to, any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that relates only to the relationship of the Lending Parties among themselves, and that does not affect the rights or obligations of Loan Parties (or any of them), shall not require consent by or the agreement of any Loan Party, and (4) Administrative Agent and Administrative Loan Party may amend any Loan Document without the consent of any other party in order to correct technical errors, omissions or inconsistencies within or between the Loan Documents.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Lender who is at the time a Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder, except that no Commitment of such Lender may be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender.

 

Section 10.02. Notices; Electronic Communications.

 

(a) Notices Generally. All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail, sent by facsimile transmission or sent by approved electronic communication in accordance with Section 10.02(b), and all notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

 

(i) if to Borrowers, Administrative Loan Party, any Guarantor or Administrative Agent, to the address, facsimile number, e-mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 10.02; and

 

(ii) if to any Lender, to the address, facsimile number, e-mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Detail Form.

 

Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received, and notices sent by facsimile transmission or by means of approved electronic communication shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient); provided that notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided by Section 10.02(b) shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).

 

(b) Electronic Communications.

 

(i) Each Lender agrees that notices and other communications to it hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Article II if such Lender has notified Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under Article II by electronic communication; provided further that, as of the date hereof, each Lender that is a party hereto confirms that it is capable of receiving notices under Article II by electronic communication. In furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender hereby agrees to notify Administrative Agent in writing, on or before the date such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement, of such Lender’s e-mail address to which a notice may be sent (and from time to time thereafter to ensure that Administrative Agent has on record an effective e-mail address for such Lender). Each of Administrative Agent and Administrative Loan Party, on behalf of Loan Parties, may, in such Person’s discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by means of electronic communication pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

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(ii) Unless Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes: (A) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement); provided that, if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient; and (B) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (A) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

 

(iii) Each Loan Party that is party hereto hereby acknowledges that: (A) Administrative Agent may make Specified Materials available to Lending Parties by posting some or all of the Specified Materials on an Electronic Platform; (B) the distribution of materials and information through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure and that there are confidentiality and other risks associated with any such distribution; (C) the Electronic Platform is provided and used on an “As Is,” “As Available” basis; and (D) neither Administrative Agent nor any of its Affiliates warrants the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, sufficiency or sequencing of the Specified Materials posted on the Electronic Platform. Each Loan Party that is a party hereto further acknowledges that certain of the Lending Parties (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to Loan Parties or their Subsidiaries or Affiliates or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. Each Loan Party that is a party hereto hereby agrees that: (1) all Specified Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC,” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (2) by marking Specified Materials “PUBLIC,” each Loan Party that is a party hereto shall be deemed to have authorized Lending Parties to treat such Specified Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to each Loan Party that is a party hereto or its securities for purposes of United States federal and state securities laws (provided that, to the extent such Specified Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.07); (3) all Specified Materials marked “PUBLIC” may be made available through a portion of the Electronic Platform designated “Public Investor” (or words to similar effect); and (4) Administrative Agent shall be entitled to treat any Specified Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Electronic Platform not designated “Public Investor” (or words of similar effect).

 

(iv) Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, expressly and specifically disclaims, with respect to the Electronic Platform, delays in posting or delivery, or problems accessing the Specified Materials posted on the Electronic Platform, and any liability for any losses, costs, expenses or liabilities that may be suffered or incurred in connection with the Electronic Platform. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in connection with the Electronic Platform.

 

(v) Each Lender hereby agrees that notice to it in accordance with this Section 10.02(b) specifying that any Specified Materials have been posted to the Electronic Platform shall, for purposes of this Agreement, constitute effective delivery to such Lender of such Specified Materials. Each Lender: (A) acknowledges that the Specified Materials, including information furnished to it by any Loan Party or Administrative Agent pursuant to, or in the course of administering, the Loan Documents, may include material, non-public information concerning Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates or their respective securities; and (B) confirms that: (1) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material, nonpublic information; (2) it will handle such material, non-public information in accordance with such procedures and applicable Laws, include federal and state securities laws; and (3) to the extent it has such a person, it has identified in its Administrative Detail Form a contact person who may receive Specified Materials that may contain material, non-public information in accordance with its compliance procedures and applicable Laws.

 

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(c) Change of Address, Etc. Administrative Loan Party, for itself and for Loan Parties, and Administrative Agent may change their respective address(es), facsimile number(s), telephone number(s) or e-mail address(es) for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each Lender may change its address(es), facsimile number(s), telephone number(s) or e-mail address(es) for notices and other communications hereunder by written notice to Administrative Loan Party and Administrative Agent.

 

(d) Reliance by Lending Parties. Lending Parties shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices purportedly given by or on behalf of any Loan Party that is a party hereto even if: (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein; or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. Loan Parties shall indemnify each Indemnitee from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of any Loan Party that is a party hereto. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with Administrative Agent may be recorded by Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

 

Section 10.03. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.

 

No failure by Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; no single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

 

Section 10.04. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

 

(a) Costs and Expenses. Borrowers shall pay: (i) subject to clause (ii) of this Section 10.04(a): (A) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including all wire transfer and other bank charges incurred in connection with this Agreement) incurred by Administrative Agent, White Oak, Lenders and their respective Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for Administrative Agent), in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of, or consents relating to, the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated); and (ii) all actual and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for Administrative Agent and any other Lending Party), and shall pay all fees and time charges for attorneys, who may be employees of Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights: (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section 10.04; or (B) in connection with the Term Loans made hereunder, including all such actual and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout or restructuring (or negotiations in connection with the foregoing) in respect of the Term Loans or any Commitment.

 

(b) Indemnification by Loan Parties. Subject to Section 10.04(a), Loan Parties shall indemnify each Indemnitee against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee) incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of: (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any document contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; (ii) any Term Loan or the use or proposed use of the proceeds thereof; (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof or any Environmental Claim or Environmental Liability related in any way to Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof; or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee and no Loan Party shall be liable for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) other than in connection with any claims or losses asserted by a Loan Party. This Section 10.04(b) shall not apply to Taxes other than any Taxes that constitute losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses arising from any non-Tax action, claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding.

 

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(c) Reimbursement by Lenders. If Borrowers for any reason fails to pay when due any amount that it is required to pay under Section 10.04(a) or Section 10.04(b) to Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (based on its Percentage Share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) in connection with such capacity. The obligations of Lenders under this subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.10(d).

 

(d) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws, each Loan Party that is a party hereto shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any document contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any of the Term Loans or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in Section 10.04(b) shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

 

(e) Payments. All amounts due under this Section 10.04 shall be payable not later than three (3) Business Days after demand therefor.

 

(f) Survival. The agreements in this Section 10.04 shall survive the resignation of Administrative Agent, the termination of the Aggregate Term Commitments and the payment in full, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.

 

Section 10.05. Marshalling; Payments Set Aside.

 

Neither Administrative Agent nor any other Lending Party shall be under any obligation to marshal any asset in favor of Loan Parties or any other Person or against or in payment of any or all of the Obligations. To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of Loan Parties is made to Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party, or Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party in such Person’s discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any Proceeding under any Bankruptcy Laws or otherwise, then: (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred; and (b) each Lending Party severally agrees to pay to Administrative Agent upon demand its Percentage Share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by Administrative Agent plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. The obligations of each Lending Party under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

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Section 10.06. Successors and Assigns.

 

(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither Borrowers nor any other Loan Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent and each Lending Party, and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligation hereunder except: (i) in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06(b); (ii) by way of a participation recorded in a Participant Register in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06(d); or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a Lien subject to the restrictions of Section 10.06(f); and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in Section 10.06(d) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of Administrative Agent and each other Lending Party) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b) Assignments by any Lender. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Term Loans at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

(i) Minimum Amounts.

 

(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitments (if any) and the Term Loans at the time owing to it, no minimum amount need be assigned;

 

(B) in any case not described in the immediately preceding sub-clause (A), the aggregate amount of any Commitments (which, for this purpose, includes the Outstanding Amount of all Term Loans) or, if the applicable Commitments are not then in effect, the Outstanding Amount of all Term Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to Administrative Agent shall not be less than Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000), in the case of any assignment in respect of the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans, unless (I) Administrative Agent consents (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and (II) so long as a Default has not occurred and is continuing, Administrative Loan Party consents (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that Administrative Loan Party shall be deemed to have consented to any such amount unless it shall have objected thereto by written notice to Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days following the date it receives notice of such amount.

 

(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Term Loans or Commitments assigned.

 

(iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment other than:

 

(A) any consent required by required by Section 10.06(b)(i)(B);

 

(B) the consent of Administrative Loan Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that Administrative Loan Party shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall have objected thereto by written notice to Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days following the date it received notice of such assignment; provided further that no consent of Administrative Loan Party shall be required under this Section 10.06(b)(iii)(B) if (I) a Default has occurred and is continuing or (II) such assignment is to an Eligible Assignee; and

 

(C) the consent of Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) if such assignment is: (I) an assignment of a Commitment to a Person (irrespective of whether such Person is an Eligible Assignee) who does not then have a Commitment; or (II) an assignment of Term Loans to a Person that is not an Eligible Assignee.

 

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(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500); provided that Administrative Agent: (A) may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment; and (B) shall waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment by a Lender to an Eligible Assignee. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to Administrative Agent an Administrative Detail Form.

 

(v) No Assignment to any Loan Party. No such assignment shall be made to any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries.

 

(vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made to a natural person.

 

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 10.06(c), and receipt by Administrative Agent of all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act for the assignee, from and after the recordation date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of the assigning Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lending Party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lending Party shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.07, Section 2.08 and Section 10.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment. Upon request, Borrowers (at their expense) shall execute and deliver Notes to the assignee Lending Party. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 10.06(d). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents: (A) no Lender shall be required to comply with this Section 10.06(b) in connection with any assignment of all or any portion of its rights and other obligations under or relating to the Term Loans, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to any Affiliate of such Lender (other than any Loan Party, any Affiliate thereof or a natural person) or any Approved Fund related to such Lender, and such Lender shall have no obligation to disclose any such assignment to any such Person; provided that such Lender shall continue to be liable as a “Lender” under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents until such time, if at all, that such Lender and such other Person have complied with the provisions of this Section 10.06(b) in order for such other Person to become a “Lender” hereunder; (B) a Lender may pledge, or grant a Lien in, all or any portion of its rights and other obligations under or relating to the Term Loans, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to a financial institution or other funding source (other than any Loan Party, any Affiliate thereof or any natural person) or any trustee or agent therefor in support of obligations owing by such Lender to such Person(s); and (C) any Lender which is a fund may pledge, or grant a Lien in, all or any portion of its rights and other obligations under or relating to the Term Loans, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to its trustee (except if such trustee is any Loan Party, any Affiliate thereof or a natural person) in support of its obligation to its trustee; and (D) no pledge or grant of a Lien pursuant to the immediately preceding clauses (B) or (C) shall release the transferor Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents and such Lender such Lender shall continue to be liable as a “Lender” under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents until such time, if at all, that such Lender and such other Person have complied with the provisions of this Section 10.06(b) in order for such other Person to become a “Lender” hereunder.

 

(c) Register. Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of Borrowers, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a Register. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and Borrowers and Lending Parties may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by Borrowers and each Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior written notice. In addition, at any time that a request for a consent for a material or substantive change to the Loan Documents is pending, any Lender wishing to consult with other Lenders in connection therewith may request and receive from Administrative Agent a copy of the Register.

 

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(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, Administrative Loan Party or Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person, any Loan Party or any Loan Party’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and/or the Term Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) Borrowers, Administrative Agent and Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 2.08(d) with respect to any payments made by such Lender to its Participant(s). Any document pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Person shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided that such document may provide that such Person will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 10.01 that affects such Participant. Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.07 and Section 2.08, (subject to the requirements and limitations therein) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.08(g) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 10.06(b); provided that such Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.07 or Section 2.08, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. To the extent permitted by applicable Laws, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.08 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.09 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Term Loan or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

(e) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a Lien in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure any obligations of such Lender, including, without limitation, any pledge or assignment to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

(f) Electronic Execution of Assignments. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable Laws, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

 

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Section 10.07. Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality.

 

Administrative Agent and each other Lending Party each agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information, except that Information may be disclosed (including by means of the Electronic Platform): (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors, representatives and funding and financing sources (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and agree to keep such Information confidential on the same terms as provided herein); (b) to the extent requested by any Governmental Authority, purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), provided that to the extent permitted by applicable Law, Administrative Agent will use reasonably commercial efforts to provide Administrative Loan Party with notice of any such request so received prior to the release thereof, however, Administrative Agent’s failure to so provide such notice (or any notice) will not be deemed a violation of any obligation of Administrative Agent to Borrowers hereunder or otherwise expose Administrative Agent to any claim or liability to any Person as a result of such failure; (c) to the extent required by applicable Laws or by any subpoena or similar legal process, provided that to the extent permitted by applicable Law, Administrative Agent will use reasonably commercial efforts to provide Administrative Loan Party with notice of any such required disclosure prior to the release thereof, however, Administrative Agent’s failure to so provide such notice (or any notice) will not be deemed a violation of any obligation of Administrative Agent to Borrowers hereunder or otherwise expose Administrative Agent to any claim or liability to any Person as a result of such failure; (d) to any other party hereto; (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any Proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder; (f) to “Gold Sheets” or other similar bank trade publications; provided that such information consist solely of deal terms and other information customarily found in such publications; (g) unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 10.07 to: (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement; or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to any Loan Party; (h) with the consent of Borrowers; or (i) to the extent such Information: (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 10.07; or (ii) becomes available to Administrative Agent, any Lending Party or any of their respective Affiliates on a non-confidential basis from a source other any Loan Party and not in contravention of this Section 10.07. For purposes of this Section 10.07, “Information” means all information (including financial information) received from any Loan Party relating to such Loan Party or its business, other than any such information that is available to Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party on a nonconfidential basis, and not in contravention of this Section 10.07, prior to disclosure by such Loan Party. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 10.07: (A) shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information, provided that it shall not be less than reasonable care; and (B) shall not disclose any financial information concerning any Loan Party or its business (including any information based on any such financial information) or use any such financial information for commercial purposes without the prior written consent of the applicable Loan Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) each Loan Party authorizes each Lending Party to make appropriate announcements of the financial arrangements entered into among Loan Parties, Administrative Agent, and Lenders, including announcements which are commonly known as “tombstones,” in such publications and to such selected parties as each Lending Party may in its sole and absolute discretion deem appropriate; provided that such Lending Party provides a copy of such announcement to Loan Parties prior to public disclosure and Loan Parties consent to such announcement, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, and (ii) each Loan Party shall be permitted to make appropriate announcements of the financial arrangements entered into among Loan Parties, Administrative Agent, and Lenders, including announcements which are commonly known as “tombstones,” in such publications and to such selected parties as each Loan Party may in its sole and absolute discretion deem appropriate; provided that such Loan Party provides a copy of such announcement to each Lending Party prior to public disclosure and Lending Parties consent to such announcement, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

Section 10.08. Right of Setoff.

 

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each of Lending Parties and their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lending Party to or for the credit or the account of Borrowers or any other Loan Party against any and all of the Obligations to such Lending Party or such Affiliate, irrespective of whether or not such Lending Party shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of Borrowers or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lending Party different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such obligations. The rights of each Lending Party and its Affiliates under this Section 10.08 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lending Party or its Affiliates may have. Each Lending Party agrees to notify Administrative Loan Party and Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Lending Party shall exercise, or attempt to exercise, any right of set-off, banker’s lien, or the like, against any deposit account or property of Borrowers or any other Loan Party held or maintained by such Lending Party without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent.

 

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Section 10.09. Interest Rate Limitation.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the Maximum Rate. If Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Term Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to Borrowers. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Laws: (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest; (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof; and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

 

Section 10.10. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.

 

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous documents, agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Subject to the limitations provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed and delivered by Administrative Agent and when Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or in portable document format shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

Section 10.11. Survival of Representations and Warranties.

 

All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of the making of any Term Loan, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Term Loans or any other Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) have not been paid in full.

 

Section 10.12. Severability.

 

If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

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Section 10.13. Patriot Act Notice.

 

Each Lending Party that is subject to the Patriot Act and Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lending Party) hereby notify Loan Parties that, pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, they are each required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies Loan Parties, which information includes the name and address of Loan Parties and other information that will allow such Lending Party or Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify Loan Parties in accordance with the Patriot Act.

 

Section 10.14. Guaranty.

 

(a) Guaranty. Each Guarantor unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties the full and prompt payment when due (whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise) and performance of the Obligations (the “Guaranteed Obligations”). The Guaranteed Obligations include interest that, but for a Proceeding under any Bankruptcy Laws, would have accrued on such Guaranteed Obligations, whether or not a claim is allowed against Borrowers for such interest in any such Proceeding.

 

(b) Separate Obligation. Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that: (i) the Guaranteed Obligations are separate and distinct from any Debt arising under or in connection with any other document, including under any provision of this Agreement other than this Section 10.14, executed at any time by such Guarantor in favor of Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party; and (ii) such Guarantor shall pay and perform all of the Guaranteed Obligations as required under this Section 10.14, and Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties may enforce any and all of their respective rights and remedies hereunder, without regard to any other document, including any provision of this Agreement other than this Section 10.14, at any time executed by such Guarantor in favor of Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party, irrespective of whether any such other document, or any provision thereof or hereof, shall for any reason become unenforceable or any of the Debt thereunder shall have been discharged, whether by performance, avoidance or otherwise. Each Guarantor acknowledges that, in providing benefits to Borrowers, Lending Parties are relying upon the enforceability of this Section 10.14 and the Guaranteed Obligations as separate and distinct Debt of such Guarantor, and each Guarantor agrees that Lending Parties would be denied the full benefit of their bargain if at any time this Section 10.14 or the Guaranteed Obligations were treated any differently. The fact that the guaranty is set forth in this Agreement rather than in a separate guaranty document is for the convenience of Borrowers and Guarantors and shall in no way impair or adversely affect the rights or benefits of Lending Parties under this Section 10.14. Each Guarantor agrees to execute and deliver a separate document, immediately upon request at any time of Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party, evidencing such Guarantor’s obligations under this Section 10.14. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, a separate action or actions may be brought against such Guarantor, whether or not Borrowers, any other Guarantor or any other Person is joined therein or a separate action or actions are brought against Borrowers, any such other Guarantor or any such other Person.

 

(c) Limitation of Guaranty. To the extent that any court of competent jurisdiction shall impose by final judgment under applicable Laws (including sections 544 and 548 of the Bankruptcy Code) any limitations on the amount of any Guarantor’s liability with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations that Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party can enforce under this Section 10.14, Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties by their acceptance hereof accept such limitation on the amount of such Guarantor’s liability hereunder to the extent needed to make this Section 10.14 fully enforceable and non-avoidable.

 

(d) Liability of Guarantors. The liability of any Guarantor under this Section 10.14 shall be irrevocable, absolute, independent and unconditional, and shall not be affected by any circumstance that might constitute a discharge of a surety or Guarantor other than the indefeasible payment and performance in full of all Guaranteed Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations). In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, each Guarantor agrees as follows:

 

(i) such Guarantor’s liability hereunder shall be the immediate, direct, and primary obligation of such Guarantor and shall not be contingent upon Administrative Agent’s or any Lending Party’s exercise or enforcement of any remedy it may have against Borrowers or any other Person, or against any collateral or other security for any Guaranteed Obligations;

 

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(ii) this Guaranty is a guaranty of payment when due and not merely of collectability;

 

(iii) Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties may enforce this Section 10.14 upon the occurrence of an Event of Default notwithstanding the existence of any dispute among Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties, on the one hand, and Borrowers or any other Person, on the other hand, with respect to the existence of such Event of Default;

 

(iv) such Guarantor’s payment of a portion, but not all, of the Guaranteed Obligations shall in no way limit, affect, modify or abridge such Guarantor’s liability for any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations remaining unsatisfied; and

 

(v) such Guarantor’s liability with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations shall remain in full force and effect without regard to, and shall not be impaired or affected by, nor shall such Guarantor be exonerated or discharged by, any of the following events:

 

(A) any Proceeding under any Bankruptcy Laws;

 

(B) any limitation, discharge, or cessation of the liability of Borrowers or any other Person for any Guaranteed Obligations due to any Law, or any invalidity or unenforceability in whole or in part of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or the Loan Documents;

 

(C) any merger, acquisition, consolidation or change in structure of Borrowers, any Subsidiary thereof or any other Guarantor or Person, or any sale, lease, transfer or other Disposition of any or all of the assets or shares of Borrowers or any other Person;

 

(D) any assignment or other transfer, in whole or in part, of Administrative Agent’s or any Lending Party’s interests in and rights under this Agreement (including this Section 10.14) or the other Loan Documents;

 

(E) any claim, defense, counterclaim or setoff, other than that of prior performance, that Borrowers, such Guarantor, any other Guarantor or any other Person may have or assert, including any defense of incapacity or lack of corporate or other authority to execute any of the Loan Documents;

 

(F) Administrative Agent’s or any other Lending Party’s amendment, modification, renewal, extension, cancellation or surrender of any Loan Document or any Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(G) Administrative Agent’s or any Lending Party’s exercise or non-exercise of any power, right or remedy with respect to any Guaranteed Obligations or any collateral;

 

(H) Administrative Agent’s or any Lending Party’s vote, claim, distribution, election, acceptance, action or inaction in any Proceeding under any Bankruptcy Laws; or

 

(I) any other guaranty, whether by such Guarantor or any other Person, of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of Borrowers to Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party.

 

(e) Consents of Guarantors. Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally consents and agrees that, without notice to or further assent from such Guarantor:

 

(i) the principal amount of the Guaranteed Obligations may be increased or decreased and additional indebtedness or obligations of Borrowers under the Loan Documents may be incurred and the time, manner, place or terms of any payment under any Loan Document may be extended or changed, by one or more amendments, modifications, renewals or extensions of any Loan Document or otherwise;

 

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(ii) the time for Borrowers’ (or any other Person’s) performance of or compliance with any term, covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed under any Loan Document may be extended, or such performance or compliance waived, or failure in or departure from such performance or compliance consented to, all in such manner and upon such terms as Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties (as applicable under the relevant Loan Documents) may deem proper;

 

(iii) Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties may request and accept other guaranties and may take and hold security as collateral for the Guaranteed Obligations, and may, from time to time, in whole or in part, exchange, sell, surrender, release, subordinate, modify, waive, rescind, compromise or extend such other guaranties or security and may permit or consent to any such action or the result of any such action, and may apply such security and direct the order or manner of sale thereof; and

 

(iv) Administrative Agent or the other Lending Parties may exercise, or waive or otherwise refrain from exercising, any other right, remedy, power or privilege even if the exercise thereof affects or eliminates any right of subrogation or any other right of such Guarantor against Borrowers.

 

(f) Guarantor’s Waivers. Each Guarantor waives and agrees not to assert:

 

(i) any right to require Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party to proceed against Borrowers, any other Guarantor or any other Person, or to pursue any other right, remedy, power or privilege of Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party whatsoever;

 

(ii) the defense of the statute of limitations in any action hereunder or for the collection or performance of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(iii) any defense arising by reason of any lack of corporate or other authority or any other defense of Borrowers, such Guarantor or any other Person;

 

(iv) any defense based upon Administrative Agent’s or any Lending Party’s errors or omissions in the administration of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(v) any rights to set-offs and counterclaims;

 

(vi) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the fullest extent permitted by Laws, any defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by applicable Laws limiting the liability of or exonerating guarantors or sureties, or that may conflict with the terms of this Section 10.14; and

 

(vii) any and all notice of the acceptance of this Guaranty, and any and all notice of the creation, renewal, modification, extension or accrual of the Guaranteed Obligations, or the reliance by Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties upon this Guaranty, or the exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder. The Guaranteed Obligations shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted, incurred and permitted to exist in reliance upon this Guaranty. Each Guarantor waives promptness, diligence, presentment, protest, demand for payment, notice of default, dishonor or nonpayment and all other notices to or upon Borrowers, each Guarantor or any other Person with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

(g) Financial Condition of Borrowers. No Guarantor shall have any right to require Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party to obtain or disclose any information with respect to: the financial condition or character of Borrowers or the ability of Borrowers to pay and perform the Guaranteed Obligations; the Guaranteed Obligations; any collateral or other security for any or all of the Guaranteed Obligations; the existence or nonexistence of any other guarantees of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations; any action or inaction on the part of Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party or any other Person; or any other matter, fact or occurrence whatsoever. Each Guarantor hereby acknowledges that it has undertaken its own independent investigation of the financial condition of Borrowers and all other matters pertaining to this Guaranty and further acknowledges that it is not relying in any manner upon any representation or statement of Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party with respect thereto.

 

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(h) Subrogation. Until the Guaranteed Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) shall be paid in full and the Aggregate Term Commitments shall be terminated, each Guarantor shall not have, and shall not directly or indirectly exercise: (i) any rights that it may acquire by way of subrogation under this Section 10.14, by any payment hereunder or otherwise; (ii) any rights of contribution, indemnification, reimbursement or similar suretyship claims arising out of this Section 10.14; or (iii) any other right that it might otherwise have or acquire (in any way whatsoever) that could entitle it at any time to share or participate in any right, remedy or security of Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party as against any Borrower or other Guarantors or any other Person, whether in connection with this Section 10.14, any of the other Loan Documents or otherwise. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of the foregoing rights at any time when all the Guaranteed Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties and shall forthwith be paid to Administrative Agent to be credited and applied to the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents.

 

(i) Subordination. All payments on account of all indebtedness, liabilities and other obligations of Borrowers to any Guarantor, whether now existing or hereafter arising, and whether due or to become due, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, determined or undetermined (the “Guarantor Subordinated Debt”) shall be subject, subordinate and junior in right of payment and exercise of remedies, to the extent and in the manner set forth herein, to the prior payment in full in cash or cash equivalents of the Guaranteed Obligations. As long as any of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than Unasserted Obligations) shall remain outstanding and unpaid, each Guarantor shall not accept or receive any payment or distribution by or on behalf of Borrowers or any other Guarantor, directly or indirectly, or assets of Borrowers or any other Guarantor, of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, including on account of the purchase, redemption or other acquisition of Guarantor Subordinated Debt, as a result of any collection, sale or other Disposition of collateral, or by setoff, exchange or in any other manner, for or on account of the Guarantor Subordinated Debt (“Guarantor Subordinated Debt Payments”), except that, so long as an Event of Default does not then exist, any Guarantor shall be entitled to accept and receive payments on its Guarantor Subordinated Debt, in accordance with past business practices of such Guarantor and Borrowers (or any other applicable Guarantor) and not in contravention of any Laws or the terms of the Loan Documents. If any Guarantor Subordinated Debt Payments shall be received in contravention of this Section 10.14, such Guarantor Subordinated Debt Payments shall be held in trust for the benefit of Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties and shall be paid over or delivered to Administrative Agent for application to the payment in full in cash or cash equivalents of all Guaranteed Obligations remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to give effect to this Section 10.14 after giving effect to any concurrent payments or distributions to Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

(j) Continuing Guaranty. This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and agreement of subordination and shall continue in effect and be binding upon each Guarantor until termination of the Aggregate Term Commitments and payment and performance in full of the Guaranteed Obligations, including Guaranteed Obligations which may exist continuously or which may arise from time to time under successive transactions, and each Guarantor expressly acknowledges that this Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding that there may be periods in which no Guaranteed Obligations exist. This Guaranty shall continue in effect and be binding upon each Guarantor until actual receipt by Administrative Agent of written notice from such Guarantor of its intention to discontinue this Guaranty as to future transactions (which notice shall not be effective until 11:00 a.m. on the day that is five (5) Business Days following such receipt); provided that no revocation or termination of this Guaranty shall affect in any way any rights of Administrative Agent, or any Lending Party hereunder with respect to any Guaranteed Obligations arising or outstanding on the date of receipt of such notice, including any subsequent continuation, extension, or renewal thereof, or change in the terms or conditions thereof, or any Guaranteed Obligations made or created after such date to the extent made or created pursuant to a legally binding commitment of any Lending Party in existence as of the date of such revocation (collectively, “Existing Guaranteed Obligations”), and the sole effect of such notice shall be to exclude from this Guaranty Guaranteed Obligations thereafter arising which are unconnected to any Existing Guaranteed Obligations.

 

(k) Reinstatement. This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or shall be reinstated and revived, as the case may be, if, for any reason, any payment of the Guaranteed Obligations by or on behalf of Borrowers (or receipt of any proceeds of collateral) shall be rescinded, invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, voided or otherwise required to be repaid to Borrowers, its estate, trustee, receiver or any other Person (including under any Bankruptcy Laws), or must otherwise be restored by Administrative Agent or any other Lending Party, whether as a result of Proceedings under any Bankruptcy Laws or otherwise. All losses, damages, costs and expenses that Administrative Agent, or any Lending Party may suffer or incur as a result of any voided or otherwise set aside payments shall be specifically covered by the indemnity in favor of Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties contained in Section 10.04.

 

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(l) Substantial Benefits. The Credit Extensions provided to or for the benefit of Borrowers hereunder by Lending Parties have been and are to be contemporaneously used for the benefit of Borrowers and each Guarantor. It is the position, intent and expectation of the parties that Borrowers and each Guarantor have derived and will derive significant and substantial benefits from the Credit Extensions to be made available by Lending Parties under the Loan Documents. Each Guarantor has received at least “reasonably equivalent value” (as such phrase is used in Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code and in comparable provisions of other applicable Laws) and more than sufficient consideration to support its obligations hereunder in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations. Immediately prior to and after and giving effect to the incurrence of each Guarantor’s obligations under this Guaranty, such Guarantor will be Solvent.

 

(m) Knowing and Explicit Waivers. Each Guarantor acknowledges that it either has obtained the advice of legal counsel or has had the opportunity to obtain such advice in connection with the terms and provisions of this Section 10.14. Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that each of the waivers and consents set forth herein is made with full knowledge of its significance and consequences, that all such waivers and consents herein are explicit and knowing and that each Guarantor expects such waivers and consents to be fully enforceable.

 

(n) If, while any Guarantor Subordinated Debt is outstanding, any Proceeding under any Bankruptcy Laws is commenced by or against Borrowers or their property, Administrative Agent, when so instructed by Required Lenders, is hereby irrevocably authorized and empowered (in the name of Lending Parties or in the name of any Guarantor or otherwise), but shall have no obligation, to demand, sue for, collect and receive every payment or distribution in respect of all Guarantor Subordinated Debt and give acquittances therefor and to file claims and proofs of claim and take such other action (including voting the Guarantor Subordinated Debt) as it may deem necessary or advisable for the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights or interests of Administrative Agent and the other Lending Parties; and each Guarantor shall promptly take such action as Administrative Agent (on instruction from Required Lenders) may reasonably request: (i) to collect the Guarantor Subordinated Debt for the account of the Lending Parties and to file appropriate claims or proofs of claim in respect of the Guarantor Subordinated Debt; (ii) to execute and deliver to Administrative Agent such powers of attorney, assignments and other instruments as it may request to enable it to enforce any and all claims with respect to the Guarantor Subordinated Debt; and (iii) to collect and receive any and all Guarantor Subordinated Debt Payments.

 

(o) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the provisions of this Section 10.14 shall not apply to the Parent Guarantor. The obligations of the Parent Guarantor to Administrative Agent are set forth in the Parent Guaranty.

 

Section 10.15. Time of the Essence.

 

Time is of the essence of the Loan Documents.

 

Section 10.16. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

 

(a) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS, OTHER THAN NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW 5-1401 AND 5-1402.

 

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(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. EACH LOAN PARTY HEREUNDER HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT TO WHICH EACH IS A PARTY, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH STATE COURTS OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURTS. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY OR ANY OF ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

 

(c) WAIVER OF VENUE. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAWS, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION 10.16. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAWS, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

(d) SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 10.02. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAWS.

 

Section 10.17. Waiver of Right to Jury Trial.

 

TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO REPRESENTS THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ON SUCH MATTERS. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

 

Section 10.18. Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the writedown and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

 

(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

 

(b) the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

 

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

 

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(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

 

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the writedown and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

  BORROWERS:
   
  DANIMER SCIENTIFIC, HOLDINGS LLC
     
  By: /s/ John A. Dowdy III  
  Name: John A. Dowdy III
  Title: CFO

 

  MEREDIAN, INC.
     
  By: /s/ John A. Dowdy III
  Name: John A. Dowdy III
  Title: CFO

 

  DANIMER SCIENTIFIC, L.L.C.
     
  By: /s/ John A. Dowdy III
  Name: John A. Dowdy III
  Title: CFO

 

  DANIMER SCIENTIFIC KENTUCKY, INC.
     
  By: /s/ John A. Dowdy III
  Name: John A. Dowdy III
  Title: CFO

 

  MEREDIAN BIOPLASTICS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ John A. Dowdy III
  Name: John A. Dowdy III
  Title: CFO

 

  DANIMER BIO ST1CS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ John A. Dowdy III
  Name: John A. Dowdy III
  Title: CFO

 

Signature Page to Loan and Security Agreement

 

 

 

 

  ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:
   
  WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Dave Hackett
  Name: Dave Hackett
  Title: Co-President

 

  LENDERS:
   
  WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC, as investment manager for the Lender identified on Schedule 2.01 as BESPOKE
     
  By: /s/ Dave Hackett
  Name: Dave Hackett
  Title: Co-President

 

  WAITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC, as portfolio manager for the Lender identified on Schedule 2.01 as BRPD2
     
  By: /s/ Dave Hackett
  Name: Dave Hackett
  Title: Co-President

 

Signature Page to Loan and Security Agreement

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1.01-A

 

Equity Holder Pledgors

 

1. Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC

 

2. Meredian, Inc.

 

3. Danimer Scientific, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1.01-B

 

Certain Material Contracts

 

1. QLICI Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of July 23, 2012 by and among Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., (“Borrower”) in favor of AmCREF Fund XI, LLC, Meredian/NCF Sub-CDE, LLC and Empowerment Reinvestment Fund XX, LLC (“Lenders”).

 

2. Trademark and Patent Security Agreement, dated as of July 23, 2012 by and among Meredian Bioplastics, Inc. (“Grantor”) in favor of AmCREF Fund XI, LLC, Meredian/NCF Sub-CDE, LLC and Empowerment Reinvestment Fund XX, LLC (“Secured Parties”).

 

3. Guaranty Agreement, dated as of July 23, 2012, made by Meredian, Inc., Daniel Carraway and Blake Lindsey (“Guarantors”) in favor of AmCREF Fund XI, LLC, Meredian/NCF Sub-CDE, LLC and Empowerment Reinvestment Fund XX, LLC (“Lenders”).

 

4. Deed to Secure Debt and Security Agreement, dated as of July 23, 2012 made by Meredian Bioplastics, Inc. (“Grantor”) in favor of AmCREF Fund XI, LLC, Meredian/NCF Sub-CDE, LLC and Empowerment Reinvestment Fund XX, LLC (“Grantees”).

 

5. QLICI Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2013 by and between Danimer Bioplastics, Inc. and CCM Community Development LVI LLC (“Lender”).

 

6. Intellectual Property Security Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2013, entered into among Danimer Bioplastics, Inc. (“Grantor”) in favor of CCM Community Development LVI LLC (“Secured Party”).

 

7. Guaranty Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2013, made by Danimer Scientific L.L.C. (“Guarantor”) in favor of CCM Community Development LVI LLC (“Lender”).

 

8. Deed to Secure Debt and Security Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2013, made by Danimer Bioplastics, Inc. (“Grantor”) in favor of CCM Community Development LVI LLC (“Grantee”).

 

9. Master Lease Agreement, dated as of December 14, 2018, by and between Store Capital Acquisitions, LLC (“Lessor”) and Guarantor (“Lessee”).

 

10. Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019, among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC and Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., as borrowers, Meredian, Inc., Danimer Scientific, L.L.C., Danimer Bioplastics, Inc. and Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc., as guarantors, the lenders party thereto and Southeast Community Development Fund X, L.L.C., as administrative agent (“SCDFX”).

 

11. Intellectual Property Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019, executed by Danimer Bioplastics, Inc., Meredian, Inc., Meredian Bioplastics, Inc. and Danimer Scientific, L.L.C. in favor of SCDFX

 

12. Pledge Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019, executed by Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. in favor of SCDFX.

 

13. Deed to secure Debt and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019 executed by Danimer Bioplastics in favor of SCDFX.

 

14. Absolute Assignment of Lessor’s Interest in Leases and Rents, dated as of March 13, 2019 executed by Danimer Bioplastics in favor of SCDFX.

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1.01-C

 

QALICB Assets

 

Group: Lab Equipment

Asset #    
40   MiniPV 1 Bath 155V
42   Mini PV 1 Bath additions
47   Optima 8300 Spectrometer
48   CEAST HV6 HDT?VICAT
54   Randcastle Lab Sheet
55   Freezer - Minus 86 degrees C
56   DSC 8500 Lab System
57   Randcastle - A West
58   Mocoon
59   QX200 drPCR Sys, w Laptop
60   DSC 8500 - Airgas
61   DSC 8500 - Ga Valve
75   Mocoon-Travel
99   Randcastle -Lowe Electric
100   QX200 Touch Cycler
102   Rapid N Exceed - Protein Analyzer
     
     
Group: Machinery & Equipment
 
Asset #    
76   Tie Points PID 110
77   Lysis Tanks PID 120
78   Seperator PID 130
79   RO & CIP Water PID 140
80   Press Filter #1 PID 150
81   Press Filter #2 PID 160
82   Drying PID 180
83   Utility PID 190
84   750 Fermenter
85   CDP Fermentor
86   3500 Fermenter
87   20 KL Fermenter
88   Lab Filter Press
89   Lab Seperator
90   Bioflows in Lab
91   RO Skid

 

 

92   Off Gas Analyzer
93   Forklift
103   GEA & Separator Frame
104   Off Gas Analyzer
105   Wyssmont
106   20 kl add
107   Lysis Tanks - MB
108   3500 Ferm - MB
109   20 KL from MB
110   Press Filter #2 from MB
111   20 KL from MB
132   Drying PID 180 - Labor
147   150 ABEC Tescom
148   20KL Add
149   3500 ABEC add
150   750 ABEC add
151   Dryer (PID) 180 add
537   103mm Extruder

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 2.01

 

Lenders; Commitments; Percentage Shares

 

The Aggregate Commitments total: Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000). On and as of the Effective Date, the Commitments of Lenders are as follows:

 

Lenders   Commitment     Percentage Share  
BESPOKE     $15,365, 854.00       51.22 %
BRPD2   $ 14,634,146.00       48.78 %
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
TOTAL:   $ 30,000,000       100.00 %

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 5.05

 

Certain Litigation

 

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., Meredian, Inc., Danimer Scientific, LLC and Meredian Bioplastics, Inc. v. Paul Pereira, The Alton Group, LLC n/k/a Alton Consulting Group, LLC, Altong Group, Inc., Alton Bio, LLC, Rachael Pereira and The House of Miami, LLC, Civil Action No. 1:16-CV-124, United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia (Albany Division)

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 5.08

 

Permitted Uses of Proceeds of Term Loans

 

See attached.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 5.19

 

Certain Labor Issues

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 6.12

 

Collateral Accounts and Excluded Accounts

 

1. Collateral Accounts

 

Loan Party   Account Number   Bank   Type of Account
             
Danimer
Bioplastics, Inc.
  1000212608045   SunTrust Bank   Checking
Operating Account and Payroll
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   1000212608102   SunTrust Bank   Checking
Operating Account and Payroll
Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc.   1000212608227   SunTrust Bank   Checking
Operating Account and Payroll
Meredian, Inc.   1000212608284   SunTrust Bank   Checking
Operating Account
Danimer Scientific, L.L.C.   1000212608292   SunTrust Bank   Checking
Operating Account
Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC   1000212608334   SunTrust Bank   Checking
Operating Account and Payroll

 

The addresses for SunTrust Bank are as follows:

 

SunTrust Restricted Accounts

Mail Code: GA-Atlanta-1761

3333 Peachtree Road, NE, 3rd Floor

Atlanta, GA 30326

Phone: 404-926-5717

Fax: 404-926-5654

Email Address: DL.Wholesale.RestrictedAccounts@suntrust.com

 

And

 

SunTrust Bank

Deposit Account Compliance and Regulatory Review Dept.

Mail Code: FL-Orlando-7128

7455 Chancellor Drive

Orlando, FL 32809

Phone: 407-762-5106

Fax: 407-762-7155

Email Address: Restricted.Accounts@suntrust.com

 

 

 

 

2. Excluded Accounts

 

Loan Party   Account Number   Bank   Type of Account
             
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   2008282(*)   First National Bank of Decatur County   Checking
Operating Account and Payroll
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   113247(*)   United National Bank   Checking
Operating Account
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   9402(**)   United National Bank   Certificate of Deposit
Danimer Scientific, L.L.C.   2000248(*)   First National Bank of Decatur County   Checking
Operating Account
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   2008878(*)   First National Bank of Decatur County   Checking
Operating Account and Payroll
Meredian, Inc.   901710(*)   United National Bank   Checking
Operating Account
Meredian, Inc.   2007423(*)   First National Bank of Decatur County   Checking
Operating Account
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   152313868910   US Bank   Restricted Checking
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   252305132851   US Bank   Restricted Checking
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   252305132844   US Bank   Restricted Checking
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   4003539(***)   First National Bank of Decatur County   Restricted Checking
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   1000212608441   SunTrust Bank   Escrow Account

 

(*) Account to be closed 90 days after the Effective Date.

(**) Account to be closed once the certificate of deposit matures on October 27, 2019. The current balance of this CD is $36,627.10.

(***) Scholarship fund established in connection with the Danimer Bioplastics NMTC transaction. Account may be closed once the Danimer Bioplastics NMTC transaction unwinds in September 2020.

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 7.01

 

Certain Permitted Liens

 

 Loan Party   Name of Holder of Lien/Encumbrance   Description of Property Encumbered
         
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   Toyota Industries Commercial Finance, Inc.   Toyota Forklift Model 8FGCU25
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   Wells Fargo Equipment Finance   2017 Cat XR Rider Floor Scrubber
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   AmCREF Fund XI, LLC   All assets of Meredian Bioplastics, Inc. (subordinate), US Bank account 152313868910
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   Meredian/NCF Sub-CDE, LLC   All assets of Meredian Bioplastics, Inc. (subordinate), US Bank accounts 152313868910 and 252305132851.Pa
Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   Empowerment Reinvestment Fund XX, LLC   All assets of Meredian Bioplastics, Inc. (subordinate). US Bank accounts 152313868910 and 252305132844.
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   Bank of the West   Hyster H50FT
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   Bank OZK   1911 Gragg St. Bainbridge GA 39819
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   Prime Meridian Bank   240 Back of the Moon Road Brinson, GA 39825
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   Ford Credit   2018 F-250
VIN: 1FT7W2B67JEB25205
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   Ford Credit   2018 F-150
VIN: 1FT3W1E51JFB63320
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   CCM Community Development LVI   All assets of Danimer Bioplastics, Inc. (subordinate lien)
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   First National Bank of Decatur County   2011 Ford 750
VIN: 3FRWF7FC7BV367641
Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc.   First National Bank of Decatur County   2018 Ford Expedition
VIN: 1FMJK1JT7JEA10621
Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc.   First National Bank of Decatur County   2018 Ford Explorer
VIN: 1FM5K8F83JGA37799
Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   First National Bank of Decatur County   2018 GMC Sierra 2500H VIN: 1GT12UEY3JF258449

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 7.03

 

Certain Permitted Debt

 

Lender   Subsidiary   Principal Outstanding as of February 14, 2019  
         
           
Bank of the West   Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 3,614  
Bank OZK   Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 70,867  
Prime Meridian Bank   Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 236,775  
Ford Credit (2018 Ford F-250)   Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 50,362  
Ford Credit (2018 Ford F-150)   Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 42,592  
First National Bank of Decatur County (Box Truck)   Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 32,902  
Toyota Industries Commercial Finance, Inc.   Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 15,269  
Wells Fargo Equipment Finance   Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 19,062  
First National Bank of Decatur County (2018 Ford Expedition)   Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc.   $ 53,537  
First National Bank of Decatur County (2018 Ford Explorer)   Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc.   $ 37,052  
AmCREF Fund XI (Loan A)   Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 9,196,595  
AmCREF Fund XI (Loan B)   Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 1,740,319  
Empowerment Reinvestment Fund XX (Loan A)   Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 4,979,681  
Empowerment Reinvestment Fund XX (Loan B)   Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 1,740,319  
Meredian/NCF Sub-CDE (Loan A)   Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 6,301,755  
Meredian/NCF Sub-CDE (Loan B)   Meredian Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 2,028,245  
CCM Community Development LVI (Loan A)   Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 14,733,800  
CCM Community Development LVI (Loan B)   Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 5,266,200  
First National Bank of Decatur County (2018 GMC Sierra)   Danimer Bioplastics, Inc.   $ 57,615.28 *

 

* This loan was incurred after February 14, 2019 and, therefore, the outstanding principal amount is as of March 1, 2019.

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 10.02

 

Administrative Agent’s Office; Certain Addresses for Notices

 

If to Loan Parties:

 

c/o Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC

140 Industrial Boulevard

Bainbridge, Georgia 39817

Facsimile:

Email Address: croskrey@danimer.com

Attention: Stephen E. Croskrey, CEO

 

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

 

Kane Kessler, P.C.

666 Third Avenue, 23rd Floor

New York, New York 10017

Facsimile: 212-245-3009

Email Address: rlawrence@kanekessler.com

Attention: Robert L. Lawrence, Esq.

 

If to Administrative Agent:

 

White Oak Global Advisors, LLC

3 Embarcadero Center, Suite 550

San Francisco, CA 94111

Attention: Nnamdi Iwuagwu

Email Address: middleoffice@whiteoaksf.com

Telephone: 415-644-4172

 

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

 

Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP

100 Park Avenue, Suite 2000

New York, New York 10017

Facsimile No.: 646-682-7180

Email Address: gscharmett@stradley.com

Attention: Gary P. Scharmett, Esq.

 

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

 

Cortland Capital Market Services LLC

225 W. Washington Street, 9th Floor

Chicago IL, 60606

Attention: Agency Services-White Oak Global Advisors

Facsimile: 312-376-0751

Email Address: whiteoakagency@whiteoaksf.com

Telephone: 415-644-4172

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION]
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

This Assignment and Assumption (the Assignment and Assumption) is dated as of the date hereof and is entered into by and between the Assignor identified in item 1 below (the Assignor) and the assignees identified in item 2 and further described in item 6 below (collectively, the Assignee). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Loan Agreement identified below (as amended, the Loan Agreement), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

 

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Loan Agreement, as of the date hereof (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Loan Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including any letters of credit, guarantees, and swingline loans included in such facilities), and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Loan Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned by the Assignor to the Assignee pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as an Assigned Interest). Each such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

1. Assignor: Assignee: [___________].
     
2.   WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC as investment manager for the funds and managed accounts listed in Section 6 hereof.
     
3.    Borrowers:   _________, a_________  _________(“_________ ”), and _________a _________ _________ (“______”, and, together with _________, individually and collectively, jointly and severally, “Borrowers”)
     
4. Administrative Agent: WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC, as administrative agent under the Loan Agreement.
     
5. Loan Agreement: The Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 13, 2019 among _________, a _________ _________(“_________”), and _________a _________ _________(“______”, and, together with _________, individually and collectively, jointly and severally, “Borrowers”), the entities party thereto as Guarantors, the entities party thereto as Lenders, and WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC, as Administrative Agent.

 

  A-1  

 

 

6. Assigned Interests:  

 

Assignor   Assignee   Facility
Assigned
  Aggregate
Amount of
Commitment/
Loans for all
Lenders
  Amount of
Commitment/
Loans
Assigned
  Percentage
Assigned of
Commitment/
Loans
[________]   [________]   [________]   $[________]   $[________]   [________]%
                     
                     

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

  A-2  

 

 

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

  ASSIGNOR:
   
   
   
  By:                      
  Title:
   
  ASSIGNEE:
   
  WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC, as investment manager on behalf of each of the funds and managed accounts listed in Section 6 hereof
   
  By:  
  Title:
   
  [ADMINISTRATIVE LOAN PARTY:
   
   
   
  By:  
  Title:]1

 

Consented to and Accepted:  
   
WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC, as Administrative Agent  
   
By:                    
Title:  

 

 

1 To the extent required by Section 10.06(b)(iii) of the Loan Agreement.

 

[Signature Page to Exhibit A – Assignment and Assumption]

 

 

 

 

ANNEX 1

 

The Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019 (as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), among Borrowers, the Affiliates of Borrowers from time to time party thereto as Guarantors, the entities from time to time party thereto as Lenders, and WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as administrative agent (“Administrative Agent”) for such Lenders.

 

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

1. Representations and Warranties.

 

1.1 Assignor. The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim, (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (iv) it is not a Defaulting Lender; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of Borrowers, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document, or the performance or observance by Borrowers, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

 

1.2 Assignee. The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is an Eligible Assignee, (ii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Loan Agreement, it meets all the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.06 of the Loan Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required thereunder), (ii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Loan Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iii) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by the Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire the Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (iv) it has received a copy of the Loan Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest, and (v) it has, independently and without reliance upon Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Assignment and Assumption to the contrary, the obligations of Assignee under this Agreement are several (and not joint and several) among the assignees identified in item 6 above as follows: (A) each assignee is responsible only for breaches of representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of such assignee (and not those of any other Assignee) set forth herein and (B) with respect to any obligation of an assignee hereunder not covered by clause (A) above, such obligation shall be allocated severally (and not jointly) among the assignees in the proportions set forth in item 6 above.

 

1.3 Payments. From and after the Effective Date, Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Administrative Agent shall make all payments of interest, fees or other amounts paid or payable in kind from and after the Effective Date to the Assignee.

 

2. General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of law other than New York General Obligations Law 5-1401 and 5-1402.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

[FORM OF] COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

Financial Statement Date: ________________, 20__

 

The undersigned, __________________, hereby refers to that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019 (as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), among Borrowers, the Affiliates of Borrowers from time to time party thereto as Guarantors, the entities from time to time party thereto as Lenders, and WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as administrative agent (“Administrative Agent”) for such Lenders. Unless otherwise defined herein, each capitalized term used herein has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Loan Agreement.

 

The undersigned hereby certifies, as of the date hereof, to Administrative Agent and Lenders, on behalf of Loan Parties as an officer of Administrative Loan Party and not in his or her individual capacity, that: (a) s/he holds the office of __________________ of Administrative Loan Party and is a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party; (b) as a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party, s/he is authorized to execute and deliver this Compliance Certificate to Administrative Agent and Lenders on behalf of Loan Parties; and (c):

 

1. Attached hereto is [please check as appropriate]:

 

a consolidated balance sheet for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as at the end of the Fiscal Year of Loan Parties ended [_________ __, 20__ ] (the Subject Fiscal Year), and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, setting forth, in each case in comparative form, the figures for the previous Fiscal Year and the figures from Loan Parties’ budget for the current Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, such consolidated statements to be audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant [of nationally recognized standing] reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent (with the accounting firm _______ being acceptable to Administrative Agent), which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any going concernor like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit.

 

consolidated balance sheets for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as at the end of the Fiscal Quarter of Loan Parties ended [_________ __, 20 ] (the Subject Fiscal Quarter), and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Quarter and the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, setting forth, in each case in comparative form, the figures for the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year and the figures from the corresponding portion of Loan Parties’ budget for the current Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail, such consolidated statements to be certified by a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

☐ unaudited consolidated balance sheets for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Month, and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income or operations, shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Month and the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended (setting forth, in each case in comparative form, (i) the figures for the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year (if applicable) and (ii) the figures from the corresponding portion of Loan Parties’ budget for the current Fiscal Year), all in reasonable detail, in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

  B-1  

 

 

2. The financial statements referred to in Paragraph (c)(1) fairly present the consolidated financial position, the results of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

3. The undersigned has reviewed and is familiar with the terms of the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents and has made, or has caused to be made under my supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and conditions (financial or otherwise) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements.

 

4. The financial condition covenants and other compliance calculations and information set forth on Schedule I attached hereto are true, complete and accurate on and as of the date hereof.

 

5. To the undersigned’s knowledge Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries have, during such period, observed, performed and/or satisfied and/or have caused to be observed, performed and/or satisfied all of their respective covenants and other agreements contained in the Loan Documents to which they are a party, and have satisfied every condition in the Loan Documents to which they are a party to be observed, performed and/or satisfied by them, and the undersigned has no knowledge of any condition, event or occurrence, which constitutes a Default or Event of Default, except as set forth below:

 

[Describe below (or in a separate attachment to this Certificate) the exceptions, if any, to Paragraph 5 hereof by listing, in detail and with reference to specific sections of the Loan Agreement or applicable Loan Document, the nature of the condition, event or occurrence, the period during which it has existed and the actions that Loan Parties have taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect to such condition, event or occurrence.]

 

The foregoing certifications are made as of ___________ _, 20__ pursuant to the provisions of the Loan Agreement.

 

   
  as Administrative Loan Party
     
  By:              
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

  B-2  

 

 

SCHEDULE I

 

To Compliance Certificate

 

Compliance Calculations

for the Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 13, 2019 (the “Loan Agreement”)

 

Calculations as of ____________________, ________]

for [Fiscal Quarter][Fiscal Year] ending [________________, ____]

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

[FORM OF] CONSOLIDATED EXCESS CASH FLOW CERTIFICATE

 

Consolidated Excess Cash Flow Certificate Date: ____________, 20 __

 

The undersigned, _____________________________________________, hereby refers to that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019 (as amended, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time, the Loan Agreement), among __________________ (Administrative Loan Party), the entities from time to time party thereto as borrowers and guarantors, the several entities from time to time party thereto as lenders (collectively, Lenders), and WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Administrative Agent), as Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders. Unless otherwise defined herein, each capitalized term used herein has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Loan Agreement.

 

The undersigned hereby certifies, as of the date hereof, to Administrative Agent and Lenders, on behalf of Loan Parties as an officer of Administrative Loan Party and not in his or her individual capacity, that:

 

(a) s/he holds the office of ___________of Administrative Loan Party and is a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party;

 

(b) as a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party s/he is authorized to execute and deliver this Consolidated Excess Cash Flow Certificate to Administrative Agent and Lenders on behalf of Loan Parties;

 

(c) this Consolidated Excess Cash Flow Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(f) of the Loan Agreement;

 

(d) attached hereto as Schedule A is Loan Parties’ calculation of Consolidated Excess Cash Flow based upon the financial statements for the following calendar month: [insert applicable mm/yyyy being measured], delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(c) of the Loan Agreement;

 

(e) the Consolidated Excess Cash Flow Percentage is __%; and

 

(f) the Consolidated Excess Cash Flow Percentage multiplied by the Consolidated Excess Cash Flow is $___________________.

 

The foregoing certifications are made as of the date first written above pursuant to the provisions of the Loan Agreement.

 

  ;
  as Administrative Loan Party
     
  By:              
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

  C-1  

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

EXCESS CASH FLOW CALCULATIONS

 

 

 

A. Consolidated Excess Cash Flow

 

1.   Consolidated Net income (or net loss) for such period:   $    
             
2.   Consolidated Interest Expense (net of interest income) to the extent included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income:   $    
             
3.   All amounts treated as expenses for depreciation and the amortization of intangibles of any kind, but in each case only to the extent included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income:   $    
             
4.   All accrued taxes on or measured by income (whether net income or gross income), but in each case only to the extent included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income:   $    
             
5.   Line A1 plus Line A2 plus Line A3 plus Line A4:   $    
             
6.   Capital Expenditures actually made in cash by Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (net of any insurance proceeds, condemnation awards or proceeds relating to any financing with respect to such expenditures):   $    
             
7.   Taxes on or measured by income paid in cash by Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (including any distributions to Loan Parties’ holders of Equity Interests in respect of taxes for such period, if any Loan Party is a disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes):   $    
             
8.   Consolidated Interest Expense (exclusive of any debt discount) paid in cash by Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries:   $    
             
9.   Scheduled principal payments on account of capital leases and other Debt (other than Debt outstanding under the Loan Agreement) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, but in each of the foregoing cases solely to the extent paid in cash:   $    
             
10.   Optional principal payments on account of the Term Loans in accordance with Section 2.03(b) of the Loan Agreement:   $    
             
11.   The amount, if any, by which (A) the current assets (exclusive of cash and Cash Equivalents) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries at the end of such period is greater than the current assets (exclusive of cash and Cash Equivalents) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries at the beginning of such period:   $    
             
12.   The amount if any by which (A) the current liabilities (exclusive of the current portion of long term Debt) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries at the end of such period is less than (B) the current liabilities (exclusive of the current portion of long term Debt) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries at the beginning of such period;   $    

 

 

 

 

13.   Line A6 plus Line A7 plus Line A8 plus Line A9 plus Line A10 plus Line A11 plus Line A12;   $    
             
14.   The amount, if any, by which (A) the current assets (exclusive of cash and Cash Equivalents) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries at the end of such period is less than (B) the current assets (exclusive of cash and Cash Equivalents) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries at the beginning of such period   $    
             
15.   The amount if any by which (A) the current liabilities (exclusive of the current portion of long term Debt) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries at the end of such period is greater than (B) the current liabilities (exclusive of the current portion of long term Debt) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries at the beginning of such period   $    
             
16.   Line 13 minus Line 14 minus Line 15   $    
             
17.   Line A5 minus Line A16   $    

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

[FORM OF] NOTICE OF BORROWING

 

[Date]

 

White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, as Administrative Agent

for the Lenders party to the Loan Agreement referred to below

 

3 Embarcadero Center, 5th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94111

Attention: ________________
Facsimile No.: (415) 276-1751

E-mail: __________________

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned, _____________, a ___________ ___________ (the “Administrative Loan Party”) refers to the Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019 (as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”, the capitalized terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Borrowers, the Affiliates of Borrowers from time to time party thereto as Guarantors, the entities from time to time party thereto as Lenders, and WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as administrative agent (“Administrative Agent”) for such Lenders, and hereby gives you notice, irrevocably, pursuant to Section 2.01(b) of the Loan Agreement), that the undersigned hereby requests a Term Loan under the Loan Agreement, and in that connection sets forth below the information relating to such Term Loan (the “Proposed Term Loan”) as required by Section 2.01(b) of the Loan Agreement:

 

(a) Aggregate Principal Amount of the proposed Term Loan: $__________________

 

(b) Date of the Proposed Term Loan: _____________

 

(c) Funds are requested to be disbursed on behalf of Borrower to each of the payees and their respective accounts set forth on Schedule 1 hereto.

 

(d) The undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements are true on the date hereof and will be true on the date of the Proposed Term Loan:

 

(i) the representations and warranties of Borrowers and each other Loan Party contained in Article V of the Loan Agreement and in any other Loan Document, or that are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct on and as of the [Effective Date][date of the Proposed Term Loan], except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date; and

 

(ii) no Default shall then exist or shall result, or could reasonably be expected to result, from the use of proceeds of the Proposed Term Loan on the Effective Date.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank].

 

  D-1  

 

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  ;
  as Administrative Loan Party
     
  By:            
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

  D-2  

 

 

Schedule 1

to

Notice of Borrowing

 

[See Attached]

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT E

 

[FORM OF] U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

[For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)]

 

Reference is made to that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019 (as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), among Borrowers, the Affiliates of Borrowers from time to time party thereto as Guarantors, the entities from time to time party thereto as Lenders, and WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as administrative agent (“Administrative Agent”) for such Lenders, as Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders. Unless otherwise defined herein, each capitalized term used herein has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Loan Agreement.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.08 of the Loan Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (a) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Obligations (as well as the Note evidencing the Obligations) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (b) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (c) it is not a ten percent shareholder of any Loan Party within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (d) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to any Loan Party as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Agent with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN-E. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (a) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Agent, and (b) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]

 

By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
Date:    

 

 

E-1

 

 

Exhibit 10.22

 

CONSENT AND MODIFICATION UNDER Loan and Security Agreement

 

This Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of November 5, 2019 (the “Effective Date”), is among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Danimer Holdings”), Meredian, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian”), Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian Bioplastics”), Danimer Scientific, L.L.C., a Georgia limited liability company (“Danimer Scientific”), Danimer Bioplastics, INC., a Georgia corporation (“Danimer Bioplastics”), Danimer Scientific Kentucky, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Danimer Kentucky”; together with Danimer Holdings, Meredian, Inc., Meredian Bioplastics, Danimer Scientific, Danimer Bioplastics and with any other Person that at any time after the date hereof becomes a Borrower, each a “Borrower” and collectively, “Borrowers”), the Subsidiaries of Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Parent”) and Borrowers from time to time party hereto as Guarantors; the several entities party hereto as Lenders and White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as administrative agent (“Administrative Agent”).

 

Recitals:

 

A. Borrowers, the Affiliates of Borrowers from time to time party thereto as Guarantors, the entities from time to time party thereto as Lenders and Administrative Agent are party to that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019 (the “Existing Loan Agreement”, as the same is further amended pursuant to this Agreement and as it may be further amended, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”).

 

B. Contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement, Danimer Holdings and Parent are entering into an amendment to the Management Services Agreement whereby Danimer Holdings will agree to pay the Supplemental Fee (as defined below) (the “Management Services Agreement Amendment”).

 

C. Pursuant to Section 7.13 of the Loan Agreement, Borrowers may not permit Parent to incur any liabilities, other than those specifically provided for in such section. Pursuant to a Consent and Waiver Agreement under Loan and Security Agreement dated as of August 28, 2019 (the “August 2019 Consent”), Lenders previously consented to the incurrence by Parent of $2,000,000 of indebtedness (referred to in the August 2019 Consent as the “Parent $2,000,000 Debt”) to be contributed by Parent to Borrowers for a plant optimization study and general working capital purposes. Borrowers have now requested, in lieu of the Parent $2,000,000 Debt, that Lenders consent to the increase in the aggregate amount of unsecured indebtedness permitted to be incurred by the Parent to an aggregate amount up to $5,000,000 (the “Parent $5,000,000 Debt”), pursuant to loan documents and instruments, including, without limitation, the Investor Notes (as defined below) in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its discretion (the “Parent $5,000,000 Debt Documents”).

 

D. Borrowers have requested that Administrative Agent and the Lenders (a) consent to the execution and delivery of the Management Services Agreement Amendment, (b) consent to the Parent $5,000,000 Debt, pursuant to the Parent $5,000,000 Debt Documents and (c) amend certain provisions of the Existing Loan Agreement as provided herein, on and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein. Administrative Agent, on behalf of and at the direction of Lenders, is willing to agree to the requests of Borrowers, but only on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

 

 

 

Agreement:

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and conditions contained herein, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby specifically acknowledged, the parties hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions; References; Interpretation.

 

(a) Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, each capitalized term used herein (including in the Recitals hereof) that is defined in the Loan Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Loan Agreement.

 

(b) Each reference to “this Agreement,” “hereof,” “hereunder,” “herein” and “hereby” and each other similar reference contained in the Loan Agreement, and each reference to “the Loan Agreement” and each other similar reference in the other Loan Documents, shall from and after the date of this Agreement, refer to the Loan Agreement, as amended hereby. This Agreement is a Loan Document.

 

(c) The rules of interpretation set forth in Section 1.02 of the Loan Agreement shall be applicable to this Agreement, mutatis mutandis.

 

2. Acknowledgments of Obligations and Related Matters.

 

(a) Acknowledgment of Obligations. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that Borrowers are, jointly and severally, unconditionally indebted to Administrative Agent and Lenders as of the close of business on November 5, 2019, in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations in the aggregate principal amount of not less than $28,875,000, together with interest accrued and accruing thereon, and all fees, costs, expenses and other sums and charges now or hereafter payable by Borrowers to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, all of which are unconditionally owing by Borrowers to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to the Loan Documents, in each case without offset, defense or counterclaim of any kind, nature or description whatsoever.

 

(b) Acknowledgment of Security Interests. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that Administrative Agent and Lenders have, and shall continue to have, valid, enforceable and perfected security interests in and liens upon the Collateral heretofore granted by Borrowers to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Lenders, pursuant to the Loan Documents or otherwise granted to or held by Administrative Agent.

 

(c) Binding Effect of Loan Documents. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that: (i) each of the Loan Documents to which any Borrower is a party has been duly executed and delivered to Administrative Agent and Lenders by such Borrower and each is in full force and effect as of the date hereof, (ii) the agreements and obligations of Borrowers contained in such Loan Documents to which any Borrower is a party and in this Agreement constitute the legal, valid and binding Obligations of Borrowers, enforceable against Borrowers in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability, and Borrowers have no valid defense to the enforcement of such Obligations, and (iii) Administrative Agent and Lenders are and shall be entitled to the rights, remedies and benefits provided for in the Loan Documents and pursuant to applicable law, but subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

3. Modifications to the Loan Agreement. Upon the effectiveness of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions hereof and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Existing Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents:

 

(a)  Modification of Certain Defined Terms Under Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement. Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby modified as of the Effective Date of this Agreement to amend and restate in its entirety the defined term “Restricted Payment” contained therein to read as follows:

 

Restricted Payment” means, as to any Person: (a) any dividend or other distribution by such Person (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests of such Person; (b) any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interest; (c) any payment of principal or interest or any purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition or defeasance with respect to any Debt of such Person which is subordinated to the payment of the Obligations; (d) the acquisition for value by such Person of any Equity Interests issued by such Person or any other Person that Controls such Person; (e) any management, servicing or other similar fees payable to any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof (other than any such fees payable in the form of cash or cash equivalents, pursuant to the Management Services Agreement); (f) notwithstanding clause (e), the Supplemental Fee; and (g) any other transaction that has a similar effect as clauses (a) through (f) of this definition.

 

2

 

 

(b) Modification to Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement to Add Certain New Defined Terms. Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby modified as of the Effective Date of this Agreement to add the following new defined terms therein in alphabetical order:

 

Consent and Modification Agreement” means that certain Consent and Modification Agreement dated as of November 5, 2019, as amended, restated, renewed, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time

 

Investor Note” means an 8% Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note issued by Parent to the investor named therein on or about November 5, 2019. “Investor Notes” means the collective reference to all Investor Notes.

 

Management Services Agreement Amendment” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Consent and Modification Agreement.

 

Parent $5,000,000 Debt” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Consent and Modification Agreement.

 

Parent $5,000,000 Debt Documents” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Consent and Modification Agreement.

 

Supplemental Fee” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Management Services Agreement, after giving effect to the Management Services Agreement Amendment.

 

(c) Modification to Section 7.06 of the Existing Loan Agreement. Section 7.06 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, in its entirety to read as follows:

 

“Section 7.06. Restricted Payments.

 

Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that: (a) each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to Loan Parties and to wholly-owned Subsidiaries (and, in the case of a Restricted Payment by a non-wholly-owned Subsidiary, to Loan Parties and to any Subsidiary and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Subsidiary on a pro rata basis based on their relative ownership interests); (b) Loan Parties and each Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in common Equity Interests of such Person; (c) Loan Parties and each Subsidiary may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire its common Equity Interests or warrants or options to acquire any such common Equity Interests (i) with the proceeds received from the substantially concurrent issue of new common Equity Interests or (ii) from service providers at cost upon termination of employment or service; (d) as a one-time accommodation to Loan Parties, on the Effective Date, Danimer Holdings may declare and make a cash dividend payment to Parent in order to payoff Parent’s existing Debt owing to the specific parties and in the amounts set forth on Schedule 5.08; (e) so long as a Loan Party is a “pass-through” tax entity for United States federal income tax purposes and so long as no Default exists and Loan Parties have sufficient working capital to pay their debts as they come due, cash distributions paid by Loan Parties to the holders of Equity Interests in Loan Parties in an aggregate amount equal to such holders’ of Equity Interests actual federal and state income tax liability for such taxable year (or portion thereof) attributable to such Loan Parties taxable income, provided that (i) as a condition precedent to any such payment, Administrative Loan Party shall deliver to Administrative Agent a letter from its tax accountants, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, detailing the amount necessary to be applied to such holders of Equity Interests tax liabilities, which letter may relate to the estimated tax payments for the next succeeding four quarters, (ii) such payment or distribution shall be limited to the amounts specified in said letter, and (iii) after any redetermination of such Loan Party’s taxable income for such period, such Loan Party shall receive from each of its holders of Equity Interests a repayment of the aggregate amount (if any) by which any such distribution exceeded the allocable amount of such holders of Equity Interests actual tax liability; and (f) so long as no Event of Default exists or is continuing or would occur as a result thereof, Danimer Holdings may pay the Supplemental Fee on a monthly basis. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to any Change of Control that might occur by virtue thereof, nothing else contained herein shall restrict holders of securities convertible into Equity Interests of Loan Parties from converting such convertible securities into Equity Interests of Loan Parties pursuant to the terms applicable to such convertible securities.”

 

3

 

 

4. Consents.

 

(a) Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 7 hereof, Administrative Agent consents, on behalf of itself and the Lenders, to Danimer Holdings and Parent executing and delivering the Management Services Agreement Amendment.

 

(b) Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 7 hereof and pursuant to Section 7.13 of the Loan Agreement, Administrative Agent consents, on behalf of itself and the Lenders, to Parent entering into the Parent $5,000,000 Debt Documents and incurring the Parent $5,000,000 Debt.

 

(c) Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the foregoing consent shall not constitute (a) a modification or alteration of the terms, conditions or covenants of the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, or (b) a waiver, release or limitation upon the exercise by Administrative Agent or any Lender of any of its rights, legal or equitable, thereunder.

 

5. Reserved.

 

6. Representations and Warranties. Each Borrower hereby represents and warrants to Administrative Agent and Lenders as follows:

 

(a) No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (or would result from the amendment of the Existing Loan Agreement contemplated hereby).

 

(b) The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and other action and do not and will not require any registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to or action by, any Person other than such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect.

 

(c) On and as of the date of this Agreement, all representations and warranties of each Loan Party contained in the Loan Agreement and in each other Loan Document are true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly refer to an earlier or specified date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier or specified date).

 

(d) The Subordinated Meredian Bioplastics Debt has been repaid in full and the documents evidencing the Subordinated Meredian Bioplastics Debt have been terminated as of July 31, 2019.

 

4

 

 

7. Conditions of Effectiveness.

 

(a) The Agreement shall become effective as of the Effective Date of this Agreement upon the satisfaction of all of the following conditions:

 

(i) Borrowers shall have delivered to Administrative Agent an original (or executed faxed or electronic copy) of this Agreement, duly executed by each of the Loan Parties;

 

(ii) Administrative Agent shall have received a duly executed copy of the Management Services Agreement Amendment and the same shall be in full force and effect, and shall be satisfactory in all respects to Administrative Agent;

 

(iii) Borrowers shall have delivered to Administrative Agent fully executed copies of the Parent $5,000,000 Debt Documents and the same shall be in full force and effect, and shall be satisfactory in all respects to Administrative Agent;

 

(iv) Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that the full proceeds of the Investor Notes received by Parent shall have been contributed as equity to the capital of Danimer Holdings in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent;

 

(v) each of the representations and warranties contained in Section 6 of this Agreement shall be true, correct and accurate as of the date of this Agreement; and

 

(vi) the receipt by Administrative Agent of the payment, in immediately available funds, of all reasonable out-of-pocket fees, costs, charges and expenses incurred by Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the transactions arising hereunder or otherwise related hereto or referred to herein, including any actual out-of-pocket costs, expenses, charges or expenses of Administrative Agent and the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for Administrative Agent.

 

(b) The parties hereto specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not be deemed to create a course of dealing or otherwise obligate Administrative Agent or Lenders to execute similar agreements under the same, similar or different circumstances in the future; and (ii) neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any obligation to further amend provisions of, or waive compliance with or consent to a departure from the requirements of, the Existing Loan Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. Except as expressly amended pursuant hereto, the Existing Loan Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects, and the Collateral described in the Loan Documents shall continue to secure the Obligations. Each of the Guarantors party hereto: (i) specifically consents to the terms of this Agreement; (ii) reaffirms its obligations under its Guaranty and under all other Loan Documents to which it is a party; (iii) reaffirms the waivers of each and every one of the defenses to such obligations as set forth in such Guaranty and each such other Loan Document; and (iv) reaffirms that its obligations under such Guaranty and each such other Loan Document are separate and distinct from the obligations of any other party under the Loan Documents.

 

5

 

 

8. General Release. On and as of the Effective Date of this Agreement and in consideration of the agreements set forth herein, each Loan Party which is a party hereto, on behalf of itself and its successors and assigns, does hereby: (a) release, acquit and forever discharge Administrative Agent and each Lender, all of Administrative Agent’s and each Lender’s predecessors-in-interest, and all of Administrative Agent’s and each Lender’s past and present officers, directors, managers, members, attorneys, affiliates, employees and agents, of and from any and all claims, demands, obligations, liabilities, indebtedness, breaches of contract, breaches of duty or of any relationship, acts, omissions, misfeasance, malfeasance, causes of action, defenses, offsets, debts, sums of money, accounts, compensation, contracts, controversies, promises, damages, costs, losses and expenses, of every type, kind, nature, description or character, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, liquidated or unliquidated (each of the foregoing, a “Claim”), each as though fully set forth herein at length, that any Borrower, any Loan Party or any of their respective successors or assigns now has or may have as of the Effective Date of this Agreement in any way arising out of, connected with or related to any or all of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them or any provision or failure to provide credit or other accommodations to any Borrower or any other Person under the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them or any other agreement, document or instrument referred to, or otherwise related to, any or all of the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them (each, a “Released Claim”); and (b) specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) none of the provisions of the release contained in Section 6(a) above (the “General Release”) shall be construed as or constitute an admission of any liability on the part of Administrative Agent or Lenders (or any of them); (ii) the provisions of the General Release shall constitute an absolute bar to any Released Claim of any kind, whether any such Released Claim is based on contract, tort, warranty, mistake or any other theory, whether legal, statutory or equitable; and (iii) any attempt to assert a Released Claim barred by the provisions of the General Release shall subject it to the provisions of applicable law setting forth the remedies for the bringing of groundless, frivolous or baseless claims or causes of action.

 

9. General Provisions.

 

(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties to the Loan Agreement and their respective successors and assigns.

 

(b) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Each of the parties hereto understands and agrees that this document (and any other document required herein) may be delivered by the other party thereto either in the form of an executed original or an executed original sent by facsimile or electronic transmission to be followed promptly by mailing of a hard copy original, and that receipt by Administrative Agent of an electronically or telecopier facsimile document purportedly bearing the signature of Borrowers and shall bind Borrowers with the same force and effect as the delivery of a hard copy original.

 

(c) This Agreement contains the entire and exclusive agreement of the parties to the Loan Agreement with reference to the matters discussed herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior drafts and communications with respect hereto. This Agreement may not be amended except in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Agreement.

 

(d) Article X of the Existing Loan Agreement (except Section 10.14 thereof) is incorporated herein by this reference and made applicable as if set forth herein in full, mutatis mutandis.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

6

 

 

In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

BORROWERS:      
         
DANIMER SCIENTIFIC HOLDINGS, LLC   MEREDIAN, INC.
         
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III   By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name: John A. Dowdy, III   Name:  John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO
         
MEREDIAN BIOPLASTICS, INC.   DANIMER SCIENTIFIC, L.L.C.
         
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III   By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name: John A. Dowdy, III   Name: John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO
         
DANIMER BIOPLASTICS, INC.   DANIMER SCIENTIFIC KENTUCKY, INC.
         
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III   By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name: John A. Dowdy, III   Name: John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO

 

 

GUARANTOR:  
     
Acknowledged and Agreed to, including, without  
limitation, the provisions of Section 7(b) herein:  
     
MEREDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.  
     
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III  
Name: John A. Dowdy, III  
Title: CFO  

 

7

 

 

Administrative Agent:  
     
WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company
 
     
By: /s/ David Hackett  
Name:  David Hackett  
Title: Co-President  
     
Lenders:  
     

White Oak Global Advisors, LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company, as

investment manager for the Lender identified on Schedule 2.01 to Loan Agreement as BESPOKE

 
     
By: /s/ David Hackett  
Name: David Hackett  
Title: Co-President  
     

White Oak Global Advisors, LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company, as

investment manager for the Lender identified on Schedule 2.01 to Loan Agreement as BRPD2

 
     
By: David Hackett  
Name:

David Hackett

 
Title: Co-President  

 

 

8

 

 

 

eXHIBIT 10.23

 

aCONSENT AND MODIFICATION UNDER Loan and Security Agreement

 

This Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of December 18, 2019 (the “Effective Date”), is among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Danimer Holdings”), Meredian, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian”), Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian Bioplastics”), Danimer Scientific, L.L.C., a Georgia limited liability company (“Danimer Scientific”), Danimer Bioplastics, INC., a Georgia corporation (“Danimer Bioplastics”), Danimer Scientific Kentucky, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Danimer Kentucky”; together with Danimer Holdings, Meredian, Inc., Meredian Bioplastics, Danimer Scientific, Danimer Bioplastics and with any other Person that at any time after the date hereof becomes a Borrower, each a “Borrower” and collectively, “Borrowers”), the Subsidiaries of Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Parent”) and Borrowers from time to time party hereto as Guarantors; the several entities party hereto as Lenders and White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as administrative agent (“Administrative Agent”).

 

Recitals:

 

A. Borrowers, the Affiliates of Borrowers from time to time party thereto as Guarantors, the entities from time to time party thereto as Lenders and Administrative Agent are party to that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019, as amended by that certain Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement dated as of November 5, 2019 (the “First Amendment”) (as so amended, the “Existing Loan Agreement”, as the same is further amended pursuant to this Agreement and as it may be further amended, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”).

 

B. Pursuant to Section 7.13 of the Loan Agreement, Borrowers may not permit Parent to incur any liabilities, other than those specifically provided for in such section. Pursuant to the First Amendment, Lenders previously consented to the incurrence by Parent of the Parent $5,000,000 Debt. Borrowers have now requested that Lenders consent to Parent’s incurrence of an additional $5,000,000 of unsecured indebtedness (the “Parent Second $5,000,000 Debt”), pursuant to loan documents and instruments, including, without limitation, the Investor Notes (as defined below) in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its discretion (the “Parent Second $5,000,000 Debt Documents”).

 

C. Borrowers have requested that Administrative Agent and the Lenders (a) consent to the Parent Second $5,000,000 Debt, pursuant to the Parent Second $5,000,000 Debt Documents and (c) amend certain provisions of the Existing Loan Agreement as provided herein, on and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein. Administrative Agent, on behalf of and at the direction of Lenders, is willing to agree to the requests of Borrowers, but only on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

Agreement:

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and conditions contained herein, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby specifically acknowledged, the parties hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions; References; Interpretation.

 

(a) Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, each capitalized term used herein (including in the Recitals hereof) that is defined in the Loan Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Loan Agreement.

 

(b) Each reference to “this Agreement,” “hereof,” “hereunder,” “herein” and “hereby” and each other similar reference contained in the Loan Agreement, and each reference to “the Loan Agreement” and each other similar reference in the other Loan Documents, shall from and after the date of this Agreement, refer to the Loan Agreement, as amended hereby. This Agreement is a Loan Document.

 

 

 

 

(c) The rules of interpretation set forth in Section 1.02 of the Loan Agreement shall be applicable to this Agreement, mutatis mutandis.

 

2. Acknowledgments of Obligations and Related Matters.

 

(a) Acknowledgment of Obligations. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that Borrowers are, jointly and severally, unconditionally indebted to Administrative Agent and Lenders as of the close of business on December 17, 2019, in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations in the aggregate principal amount of not less than $28,875,000.00, together with interest accrued and accruing thereon, and all fees, costs, expenses and other sums and charges now or hereafter payable by Borrowers to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, all of which are unconditionally owing by Borrowers to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to the Loan Documents, in each case without offset, defense or counterclaim of any kind, nature or description whatsoever.

 

(b) Acknowledgment of Security Interests. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that Administrative Agent and Lenders have, and shall continue to have, valid, enforceable and perfected security interests in and liens upon the Collateral heretofore granted by Borrowers to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Lenders, pursuant to the Loan Documents or otherwise granted to or held by Administrative Agent.

 

(c) Binding Effect of Loan Documents. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that: (i) each of the Loan Documents to which any Borrower is a party has been duly executed and delivered to Administrative Agent and Lenders by such Borrower and each is in full force and effect as of the date hereof, (ii) the agreements and obligations of Borrowers contained in such Loan Documents to which any Borrower is a party and in this Agreement constitute the legal, valid and binding Obligations of Borrowers, enforceable against Borrowers in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability, and Borrowers have no valid defense to the enforcement of such Obligations, and (iii) Administrative Agent and Lenders are and shall be entitled to the rights, remedies and benefits provided for in the Loan Documents and pursuant to applicable law, but subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

3. Modifications to the Loan Agreement. Upon the effectiveness of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions hereof and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Existing Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents:

 

(a) Modification of Certain Defined Terms Under Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement. Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby modified as of the Effective Date of this Agreement to amend and restate in their entirety the following defined terms contained therein to read as follows:

 

Investor Note” means a promissory note or notes evidencing Parent Subordinated Debt in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent and Lenders, including, without limitation, the Parent $5,000,000 Debt Documents and the Parent Second $5,000,000 Debt Documents. “Investor Notes” means the collective reference to all Investor Notes.

 

(b) Modification to Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement to Add Certain New Defined Terms. Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby modified as of the Effective Date of this Agreement to add the following new defined terms therein in alphabetical order:

 

December Consent and Modification Agreement” means that certain Consent and Modification Agreement dated as of December 18, 2019, as amended, restated, renewed, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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Parent Second $5,000,000 Debt” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the December Consent and Modification Agreement.

 

Parent Second $5,000,000 Debt Documents” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the December Consent and Modification Agreement.

 

Parent Subordinated Debt” means unsecured, subordinated indebtedness of Parent consented to in writing from time to time by Administrative Agent and Lenders in an original principal amount not to exceed in the aggregate $10,000,000, inclusive of the Parent $5,000,000 Debt and the Parent Second $5,000,000 Debt.

 

(c) Modification to Section 7.13 of the Existing Loan Agreement. Section 7.13 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, in its entirety to read as follows:

 

“Section 7.13. Parent as Holding Company.

 

Permit Parent to (a) incur any liabilities, other than (i) liabilities under the Loan Documents, (ii) liabilities under the Subordinated Advantage Loan Documents, (iii) tax liabilities in the ordinary course of business, (iv) Parent Subordinated Debt, and (v) corporate, administrative and operating expenses in the ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to, such expenses inherent in providing the services to Loan Parties contemplated under the Management Services Agreement, (b) own or acquire any assets, other than (i) the Equity Interests of Parent (by way of repurchase) or any Loan Party, (ii) the Equity Interests of QALICB, (iii) cash and Cash Equivalents, (iv) hold a leasehold interest in any Facility, including as lessee or sublessor, or (c) engage in any trade or business, other than (i) owning the Equity Interests of Loan Parties and activities incidental thereto, (ii) owning the Equity Interests of QALICB and activities incidental thereto, (iii) acting as a Guarantor and granting to Administrative Agent, a Lien on certain Collateral, (iv) being the employer of executive officers of Parent and/or Loan Parties under executive officer employment agreements and (v) providing services under the Management Services Agreement.”

 

4. Consents.

 

(a) Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 7 hereof and pursuant to Section 7.13 of the Loan Agreement, Administrative Agent consents, on behalf of itself and the Lenders, to Parent entering into the Parent Second $5,000,000 Debt Documents and incurring the Parent Second $5,000,000 Debt.

 

(b) Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the foregoing consent shall not constitute (a) a modification or alteration of the terms, conditions or covenants of the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, or (b) a waiver, release or limitation upon the exercise by Administrative Agent or any Lender of any of its rights, legal or equitable, thereunder.

 

5. Reserved.

 

6. Representations and Warranties. Each Borrower hereby represents and warrants to Administrative Agent and Lenders as follows:

 

(a) No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (or would result from the amendment of the Existing Loan Agreement contemplated hereby).

 

(b) The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and other action and do not and will not require any registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to or action by, any Person other than such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect.

 

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(c) On and as of the date of this Agreement, all representations and warranties of each Loan Party contained in the Loan Agreement and in each other Loan Document are true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly refer to an earlier or specified date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier or specified date).

 

7. Conditions of Effectiveness.

 

(a) The Agreement shall become effective as of the Effective Date of this Agreement upon the satisfaction of all of the following conditions:

 

(i) Borrowers shall have delivered to Administrative Agent an original (or executed faxed or electronic copy) of this Agreement, duly executed by each of the Loan Parties;

 

(ii) Borrowers shall have delivered to Administrative Agent fully executed copies of the Parent Second $5,000,000 Debt Documents and the same shall be in full force and effect, and shall be satisfactory in all respects to Administrative Agent;

 

(iii) Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that the full proceeds of the Parent Second $5,000,000 Debt received by Parent shall have been contributed as equity to the capital of Danimer Holdings in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent;

 

(iv) each of the representations and warranties contained in Section 6 of this Agreement shall be true, correct and accurate as of the date of this Agreement; and

 

(v) the receipt by Administrative Agent of the payment, in immediately available funds, of all reasonable out-of-pocket fees, costs, charges and expenses incurred by Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the transactions arising hereunder or otherwise related hereto or referred to herein, including any actual out-of-pocket costs, expenses, charges or expenses of Administrative Agent and the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for Administrative Agent.

 

(b) The parties hereto specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not be deemed to create a course of dealing or otherwise obligate Administrative Agent or Lenders to execute similar agreements under the same, similar or different circumstances in the future; and (ii) neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any obligation to further amend provisions of, or waive compliance with or consent to a departure from the requirements of, the Existing Loan Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. Except as expressly amended pursuant hereto, the Existing Loan Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects, and the Collateral described in the Loan Documents shall continue to secure the Obligations. Each of the Guarantors party hereto: (i) specifically consents to the terms of this Agreement; (ii) reaffirms its obligations under its Guaranty and under all other Loan Documents to which it is a party; (iii) reaffirms the waivers of each and every one of the defenses to such obligations as set forth in such Guaranty and each such other Loan Document; and (iv) reaffirms that its obligations under such Guaranty and each such other Loan Document are separate and distinct from the obligations of any other party under the Loan Documents.

 

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8. General Release. On and as of the Effective Date of this Agreement and in consideration of the agreements set forth herein, each Loan Party which is a party hereto, on behalf of itself and its successors and assigns, does hereby: (a) release, acquit and forever discharge Administrative Agent and each Lender, all of Administrative Agent’s and each Lender’s predecessors-in-interest, and all of Administrative Agent’s and each Lender’s past and present officers, directors, managers, members, attorneys, affiliates, employees and agents, of and from any and all claims, demands, obligations, liabilities, indebtedness, breaches of contract, breaches of duty or of any relationship, acts, omissions, misfeasance, malfeasance, causes of action, defenses, offsets, debts, sums of money, accounts, compensation, contracts, controversies, promises, damages, costs, losses and expenses, of every type, kind, nature, description or character, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, liquidated or unliquidated (each of the foregoing, a “Claim”), each as though fully set forth herein at length, that any Borrower, any Loan Party or any of their respective successors or assigns now has or may have as of the Effective Date of this Agreement in any way arising out of, connected with or related to any or all of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them or any provision or failure to provide credit or other accommodations to any Borrower or any other Person under the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them or any other agreement, document or instrument referred to, or otherwise related to, any or all of the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them (each, a “Released Claim”); and (b) specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) none of the provisions of the release contained in Section 6(a) above (the “General Release”) shall be construed as or constitute an admission of any liability on the part of Administrative Agent or Lenders (or any of them); (ii) the provisions of the General Release shall constitute an absolute bar to any Released Claim of any kind, whether any such Released Claim is based on contract, tort, warranty, mistake or any other theory, whether legal, statutory or equitable; and (iii) any attempt to assert a Released Claim barred by the provisions of the General Release shall subject it to the provisions of applicable law setting forth the remedies for the bringing of groundless, frivolous or baseless claims or causes of action.

 

9. General Provisions.

 

(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties to the Loan Agreement and their respective successors and assigns.

 

(b) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Each of the parties hereto understands and agrees that this document (and any other document required herein) may be delivered by the other party thereto either in the form of an executed original or an executed original sent by facsimile or electronic transmission to be followed promptly by mailing of a hard copy original, and that receipt by Administrative Agent of an electronically or telecopier facsimile document purportedly bearing the signature of Borrowers and shall bind Borrowers with the same force and effect as the delivery of a hard copy original.

 

(c) This Agreement contains the entire and exclusive agreement of the parties to the Loan Agreement with reference to the matters discussed herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior drafts and communications with respect hereto. This Agreement may not be amended except in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Agreement.

 

(d) Article X of the Existing Loan Agreement (except Section 10.14 thereof) is incorporated herein by this reference and made applicable as if set forth herein in full, mutatis mutandis.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

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In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

BORROWERS:      
     
DANIMER SCIENTIFIC HOLDINGS, LLC   MEREDIAN, INC. 
     
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III   By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name: John A. Dowdy, III   Name: John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO
     
MEREDIAN BIOPLASTICS, INC.   DANIMER SCIENTIFIC, L.L.C. 
     
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III   By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name: John A. Dowdy, III   Name: John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO
     
DANIMER BIOPLASTICS, INC.   DANIMER SCIENTIFIC KENTUCKY, INC. 
     
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III   By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name: John A. Dowdy, III   Name: John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO
         
GUARANTOR:      
         
Acknowledged and Agreed to, including, without    
limitation, the provisions of Section 7(b) herein:    
       
MEREDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.      
         
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III      
Name: John A. Dowdy, III      
Title: CFO      

 

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Administrative Agent:  
   
WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC,  
a Delaware limited liability company  
   
By: /s/ David Hackett  
Name: David Hackett  
Title: Head of Underwriting  
   
Lenders:  
   
White Oak Global Advisors, LLC,  
   
a Delaware limited liability company, as  
investment manager for the Lender identified on Schedule 2.01 to Loan Agreement as BESPOKE  
   
By: /s/ David Hackett  
Name: David Hackett  
Title: Head of Underwriting  
   
   
White Oak Global Advisors, LLC,  
   
a Delaware limited liability company, as  
investment manager for the Lender identified on Schedule 2.01 to Loan Agreement as BRPD2  
   
By: /s/ David Hackett  
Name: David Hackett  
Title: Head of Underwriting  

 

 

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Exhibit 10.24

 

CONSENT AND MODIFICATION UNDER Loan and Security Agreement

 

This Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of January 23, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), is among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Danimer Holdings”), Meredian, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian”), Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian Bioplastics”), Danimer Scientific, L.L.C., a Georgia limited liability company (“Danimer Scientific”), Danimer Bioplastics, INC., a Georgia corporation (“Danimer Bioplastics”), Danimer Scientific Kentucky, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Danimer Kentucky”; together with Danimer Holdings, Meredian, Inc., Meredian Bioplastics, Danimer Scientific, Danimer Bioplastics and with any other Person that at any time after the date hereof becomes a Borrower, each a “Borrower” and collectively, “Borrowers”), the Subsidiaries of Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Parent”) and Borrowers from time to time party hereto as Guarantors; the several entities party hereto as Lenders and White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as administrative agent (“Administrative Agent”).

 

Recitals:

 

A. Borrowers, the Affiliates of Borrowers from time to time party thereto as Guarantors, the entities from time to time party thereto as Lenders and Administrative Agent are party to that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019, as amended by that certain Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement dated as of November 5, 2019 (the “First Modification Agreement”), as amended by that certain Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 18, 2019 (the “Second Modification Agreement”) (as so amended, the “Existing Loan Agreement”, as the same is further amended pursuant to this Agreement and as it may be further amended, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”).

 

B. Pursuant to Section 7.13 of the Loan Agreement, Borrowers may not permit Parent to incur any liabilities, other than those specifically provided for in such section. Pursuant to the First Modification Agreement and the Second Modification Agreement, Lenders previously consented to the incurrence by Parent of the Parent Subordinated Debt in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000. Borrowers have now requested that Lenders consent to Parent’s incurrence of up to an additional $1,000,000 of Parent Subordinated Debt, pursuant to loan documents and instruments, including, without limitation, the Investor Notes (as defined below) in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its discretion.

 

C. Borrowers have requested that Administrative Agent and the Lenders (a) consent to an increase in the permitted aggregate amount of Parent Subordinated Debt, and (c) amend certain provisions of the Existing Loan Agreement as provided herein, on and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein. Administrative Agent, on behalf of and at the direction of Lenders, is willing to agree to the requests of Borrowers, but only on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

Agreement:

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and conditions contained herein, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby specifically acknowledged, the parties hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions; References; Interpretation.

 

(a) Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, each capitalized term used herein (including in the Recitals hereof) that is defined in the Loan Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Loan Agreement.

 

(b) Each reference to “this Agreement,” “hereof,” “hereunder,” “herein” and “hereby” and each other similar reference contained in the Loan Agreement, and each reference to “the Loan Agreement” and each other similar reference in the other Loan Documents, shall from and after the date of this Agreement, refer to the Loan Agreement, as amended hereby. This Agreement is a Loan Document.

 

(c) The rules of interpretation set forth in Section 1.02 of the Loan Agreement shall be applicable to this Agreement, mutatis mutandis.

 

 

 

 

2. Acknowledgments of Obligations and Related Matters.

 

(a) Acknowledgment of Obligations. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that Borrowers are, jointly and severally, unconditionally indebted to Administrative Agent and Lenders as of the close of business on January __, 2020, in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations in the aggregate principal amount of not less than $[_______________], together with interest accrued and accruing thereon, and all fees, costs, expenses and other sums and charges now or hereafter payable by Borrowers to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, all of which are unconditionally owing by Borrowers to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to the Loan Documents, in each case without offset, defense or counterclaim of any kind, nature or description whatsoever.

 

(b) Acknowledgment of Security Interests. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that Administrative Agent and Lenders have, and shall continue to have, valid, enforceable and perfected security interests in and liens upon the Collateral heretofore granted by Borrowers to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Lenders, pursuant to the Loan Documents or otherwise granted to or held by Administrative Agent.

 

(c) Binding Effect of Loan Documents. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that: (i) each of the Loan Documents to which any Borrower is a party has been duly executed and delivered to Administrative Agent and Lenders by such Borrower and each is in full force and effect as of the date hereof, (ii) the agreements and obligations of Borrowers contained in such Loan Documents to which any Borrower is a party and in this Agreement constitute the legal, valid and binding Obligations of Borrowers, enforceable against Borrowers in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability, and Borrowers have no valid defense to the enforcement of such Obligations, and (iii) Administrative Agent and Lenders are and shall be entitled to the rights, remedies and benefits provided for in the Loan Documents and pursuant to applicable law, but subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

3. Modifications to the Loan Agreement. Upon the effectiveness of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions hereof and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Existing Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents:

 

(a)  Modification of Certain Defined Terms Under Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement. Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby modified as of the Effective Date of this Agreement to amend and restate in their entirety the following defined terms contained therein to read as follows:

 

Parent Subordinated Debt” means unsecured, subordinated indebtedness of Parent consented to in writing from time to time by Administrative Agent and Lenders in an original principal amount not to exceed in the aggregate $11,000,000, inclusive of the Parent $5,000,000 Debt and the Parent Second $5,000,000 Debt, pursuant to and evidenced by Investor Notes.

 

(b) Modification to Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement to Add Certain New Defined Terms. Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby modified as of the Effective Date of this Agreement to add the following new defined terms therein in alphabetical order:

 

First Modification Agreement” means that certain Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement dated as of November 5, 2019, as amended, restated, renewed, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (formerly defined as the “Consent and Modification Agreement” in the First Modification Agreement).

 

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Second Modification Agreement” means that certain Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 18, 2019, as amended, restated, renewed, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (formerly defined as the “December Consent and Modification Agreement” in the Second Modification Agreement).

 

Third Modification Agreement” means that certain Consent and Modification Agreement dated as of January __, 2020, as amended, restated, renewed, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

4.  Consents.

 

(a) Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 7 hereof and pursuant to Section 7.13 of the Loan Agreement, Administrative Agent consents, on behalf of itself and the Lenders, to Parent incurring up to an additional $1,000,000 of Parent Subordinated Debt on or after the date hereof.

 

(b) Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the foregoing consent shall not constitute (a) a modification or alteration of the terms, conditions or covenants of the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, or (b) a waiver, release or limitation upon the exercise by Administrative Agent or any Lender of any of its rights, legal or equitable, thereunder.

 

5. Reserved.

 

6. Representations and Warranties. Each Borrower hereby represents and warrants to Administrative Agent and Lenders as follows:

 

(a) No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (or would result from the amendment of the Existing Loan Agreement contemplated hereby).

 

(b) The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and other action and do not and will not require any registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to or action by, any Person other than such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect.

 

(c) On and as of the date of this Agreement, all representations and warranties of each Loan Party contained in the Loan Agreement and in each other Loan Document are true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly refer to an earlier or specified date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier or specified date).

 

7. Conditions of Effectiveness.

 

(a) The Agreement shall become effective as of the Effective Date of this Agreement upon the satisfaction of all of the following conditions:

 

(i) Borrowers shall have delivered to Administrative Agent an original (or executed faxed or electronic copy) of this Agreement, duly executed by each of the Loan Parties;

 

(ii) Borrowers shall have delivered to Administrative Agent fully executed copies of any Investor Notes executed in connection with the increase in Parent Subordinated Debt contemplated hereunder and the same shall be in full force and effect, and shall be satisfactory in all respects to Administrative Agent;

 

(iii) Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that the full proceeds of the additional Parent Subordinated Debt contemplated hereunder received by Parent shall have been contributed as equity to the capital of Danimer Holdings in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent;

 

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(iv) each of the representations and warranties contained in Section 6 of this Agreement shall be true, correct and accurate as of the date of this Agreement; and

 

(v) the receipt by Administrative Agent of the payment, in immediately available funds, of all reasonable out-of-pocket fees, costs, charges and expenses incurred by Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the transactions arising hereunder or otherwise related hereto or referred to herein, including any actual out-of-pocket costs, expenses, charges or expenses of Administrative Agent and the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for Administrative Agent.

 

(b) The parties hereto specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not be deemed to create a course of dealing or otherwise obligate Administrative Agent or Lenders to execute similar agreements under the same, similar or different circumstances in the future; and (ii) neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any obligation to further amend provisions of, or waive compliance with or consent to a departure from the requirements of, the Existing Loan Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. Except as expressly amended pursuant hereto, the Existing Loan Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects, and the Collateral described in the Loan Documents shall continue to secure the Obligations. Each of the Guarantors party hereto: (i) specifically consents to the terms of this Agreement; (ii) reaffirms its obligations under its Guaranty and under all other Loan Documents to which it is a party; (iii) reaffirms the waivers of each and every one of the defenses to such obligations as set forth in such Guaranty and each such other Loan Document; and (iv) reaffirms that its obligations under such Guaranty and each such other Loan Document are separate and distinct from the obligations of any other party under the Loan Documents.

 

8. General Release. On and as of the Effective Date of this Agreement and in consideration of the agreements set forth herein, each Loan Party which is a party hereto, on behalf of itself and its successors and assigns, does hereby: (a) release, acquit and forever discharge Administrative Agent and each Lender, all of Administrative Agent’s and each Lender’s predecessors-in-interest, and all of Administrative Agent’s and each Lender’s past and present officers, directors, managers, members, attorneys, affiliates, employees and agents, of and from any and all claims, demands, obligations, liabilities, indebtedness, breaches of contract, breaches of duty or of any relationship, acts, omissions, misfeasance, malfeasance, causes of action, defenses, offsets, debts, sums of money, accounts, compensation, contracts, controversies, promises, damages, costs, losses and expenses, of every type, kind, nature, description or character, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, liquidated or unliquidated (each of the foregoing, a “Claim”), each as though fully set forth herein at length, that any Borrower, any Loan Party or any of their respective successors or assigns now has or may have as of the Effective Date of this Agreement in any way arising out of, connected with or related to any or all of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them or any provision or failure to provide credit or other accommodations to any Borrower or any other Person under the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them or any other agreement, document or instrument referred to, or otherwise related to, any or all of the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them (each, a “Released Claim”); and (b) specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) none of the provisions of the release contained in Section 6(a) above (the “General Release”) shall be construed as or constitute an admission of any liability on the part of Administrative Agent or Lenders (or any of them); (ii) the provisions of the General Release shall constitute an absolute bar to any Released Claim of any kind, whether any such Released Claim is based on contract, tort, warranty, mistake or any other theory, whether legal, statutory or equitable; and (iii) any attempt to assert a Released Claim barred by the provisions of the General Release shall subject it to the provisions of applicable law setting forth the remedies for the bringing of groundless, frivolous or baseless claims or causes of action.

 

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9. General Provisions.

 

(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties to the Loan Agreement and their respective successors and assigns.

 

(b) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Each of the parties hereto understands and agrees that this document (and any other document required herein) may be delivered by the other party thereto either in the form of an executed original or an executed original sent by facsimile or electronic transmission to be followed promptly by mailing of a hard copy original, and that receipt by Administrative Agent of an electronically or telecopier facsimile document purportedly bearing the signature of Borrowers and shall bind Borrowers with the same force and effect as the delivery of a hard copy original.

 

(c) This Agreement contains the entire and exclusive agreement of the parties to the Loan Agreement with reference to the matters discussed herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior drafts and communications with respect hereto. This Agreement may not be amended except in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Agreement.

 

(d) Article X of the Existing Loan Agreement (except Section 10.14 thereof) is incorporated herein by this reference and made applicable as if set forth herein in full, mutatis mutandis.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

5

 

 

In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

BORROWERS:    
     
DANIMER SCIENTIFIC HOLDINGS, LLC   MEREDIAN, INC.
         
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III   By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name:  John A. Dowdy, III   Name:  John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO
         
MEREDIAN BIOPLASTICS, INC.   DANIMER SCIENTIFIC, L.L.C.
         
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III   By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name: John A. Dowdy, III   Name: John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO
         
DANIMER BIOPLASTICS, INC.   DANIMER SCIENTIFIC KENTUCKY, INC.
         
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III   By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name: John A. Dowdy, III   Name: John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO

 

GUARANTOR:

 

Acknowledged and Agreed to, including, without

limitation, the provisions of Section 7(b) herein:

 

MEREDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.  
     
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III  
Name:  John A. Dowdy, III  
Title: CFO  

 

 

 

 

Administrative Agent:  
   
WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC,  
a Delaware limited liability company  
     
By: /s/ David Hackett  
Name:  David Hackett  
Title: Head of Underwriting  
     
Lenders:  
     
White Oak Global Advisors, LLC,  
a Delaware limited liability company, as  
investment manager for the Lender identified on Schedule 2.01 to Loan Agreement as BESPOKE  
     
By: /s/ David Hackett  
Name: David Hackett  
Title: Head of Underwriting  
     
White Oak Global Advisors, LLC,  
a Delaware limited liability company, as  
investment manager for the Lender identified on Schedule 2.01 to Loan Agreement as BRPD2  
     
By: /s/ David Hackett  
Name: David Hackett  
Title: Head of Underwriting  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.25

 

CONSENT AND MODIFICATION UNDER Loan and Security Agreement

 

This Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of March 27, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), is among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Danimer Holdings”), Meredian, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian”), Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian Bioplastics”), Danimer Scientific, L.L.C., a Georgia limited liability company (“Danimer Scientific”), Danimer Bioplastics, INC., a Georgia corporation (“Danimer Bioplastics”), Danimer Scientific Kentucky, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Danimer Kentucky”; together with Danimer Holdings, Meredian, Inc., Meredian Bioplastics, Danimer Scientific, Danimer Bioplastics and with any other Person that at any time after the date hereof becomes a Borrower, each a “Borrower” and collectively, “Borrowers”), the Subsidiaries of Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Parent”) and Borrowers from time to time party hereto as Guarantors; the several entities party hereto as Lenders and White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as administrative agent (“Administrative Agent”).

 

Recitals:

 

A. Borrowers, the Affiliates of Borrowers from time to time party thereto as Guarantors, the entities from time to time party thereto as Lenders and Administrative Agent are party to that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019, as amended by that certain Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement dated as of November 5, 2019 (the “First Modification Agreement”), as amended by that certain Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 18, 2019 (the “Second Modification Agreement”) as amended by that certain Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement dated as of January 23, 2020 (the “Third Modification Agreement”) (as so amended, the “Existing Loan Agreement”, as the same is further amended pursuant to this Agreement and as it may be further amended, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”).

 

B. Pursuant to Section 7.13 of the Loan Agreement, Borrowers may not permit Parent to incur any liabilities, other than those specifically provided for in such section. Borrowers have requested that Lenders consent to Parent’s entering into that certain Disbursement Agreement dated on or about the date hereof (the “Disbursement Agreement”) by and between Parent and Store Capital Acquisitions, LLC, whereby Parent will incur additional indebtedness for the purposes stated therein, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its discretion.

 

C. Borrowers have requested that Administrative Agent and the Lenders (a) consent to Parent entering into the Disbursement Agreement, and (b) amend certain provisions of the Existing Loan Agreement as provided herein, on and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein. Administrative Agent, on behalf of and at the direction of Lenders, is willing to agree to the requests of Borrowers, but only on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

Agreement:

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and conditions contained herein, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby specifically acknowledged, the parties hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions; References; Interpretation.

 

(a) Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, each capitalized term used herein (including in the Recitals hereof) that is defined in the Loan Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Loan Agreement.

 

(b) Each reference to “this Agreement,” “hereof,” “hereunder,” “herein” and “hereby” and each other similar reference contained in the Loan Agreement, and each reference to “the Loan Agreement” and each other similar reference in the other Loan Documents, shall from and after the date of this Agreement, refer to the Loan Agreement, as amended hereby. This Agreement is a Loan Document.

 

 

 

 

(c) The rules of interpretation set forth in Section 1.02 of the Loan Agreement shall be applicable to this Agreement, mutatis mutandis.

 

2. Acknowledgments of Obligations and Related Matters.

 

(a) Acknowledgment of Obligations. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that Borrowers are, jointly and severally, unconditionally indebted to Administrative Agent and Lenders as of the close of business on March 24, 2020, in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations in the aggregate principal amount of not less than $28,500,000, together with interest accrued and accruing thereon, and all fees, costs, expenses and other sums and charges now or hereafter payable by Borrowers to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, all of which are unconditionally owing by Borrowers to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to the Loan Documents, in each case without offset, defense or counterclaim of any kind, nature or description whatsoever.

 

(b) Acknowledgment of Security Interests. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that Administrative Agent and Lenders have, and shall continue to have, valid, enforceable and perfected security interests in and liens upon the Collateral heretofore granted by Borrowers to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Lenders, pursuant to the Loan Documents or otherwise granted to or held by Administrative Agent.

 

(c) Binding Effect of Loan Documents. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that: (i) each of the Loan Documents to which any Borrower is a party has been duly executed and delivered to Administrative Agent and Lenders by such Borrower and each is in full force and effect as of the date hereof, (ii) the agreements and obligations of Borrowers contained in such Loan Documents to which any Borrower is a party and in this Agreement constitute the legal, valid and binding Obligations of Borrowers, enforceable against Borrowers in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability, and Borrowers have no valid defense to the enforcement of such Obligations, and (iii) Administrative Agent and Lenders are and shall be entitled to the rights, remedies and benefits provided for in the Loan Documents and pursuant to applicable law, but subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

3. Modifications to the Loan Agreement. Upon the effectiveness of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions hereof and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Existing Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents:

 

(a)  Modification to Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement to Add Certain New Defined Terms. Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby modified as of the Effective Date of this Agreement to add the following new defined terms therein in alphabetical order:

 

Disbursement Agreement” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Fourth Modification Agreement.

 

Fourth Modification Agreement” means that certain Consent and Modification Agreement dated as of March 27, 2020, as amended, restated, renewed, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

(b) Modification to Section 7.13 of the Existing Loan Agreement. Section 7.13 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, in its entirety to read as follows:

 

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“Section 7.13. Parent as Holding Company.

 

Permit Parent to (a) incur any liabilities, other than (i) liabilities under the Loan Documents, (ii) liabilities under the Subordinated Advantage Loan Documents, (iii) tax liabilities in the ordinary course of business, (iv) Parent Subordinated Debt, (v) liabilities under the Disbursement Agreement and (vi) corporate, administrative and operating expenses in the ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to, such expenses inherent in providing the services to Loan Parties contemplated under the Management Services Agreement, (b) own or acquire any assets, other than (i) the Equity Interests of Parent (by way of repurchase) or any Loan Party, (ii) the Equity Interests of QALICB, (iii) cash and Cash Equivalents, (iv) hold a leasehold interest in any Facility, including as lessee or sublessor, or (c) engage in any trade or business, other than (i) owning the Equity Interests of Loan Parties and activities incidental thereto, (ii) owning the Equity Interests of QALICB and activities incidental thereto, (iii) acting as a Guarantor and granting to Administrative Agent, a Lien on certain Collateral, (iv) being the employer of executive officers of Parent and/or Loan Parties under executive officer employment agreements and (v) providing services under the Management Services Agreement.”

 

4.  Consents.

 

(a) Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 7 hereof and pursuant to Section 7.13 of the Loan Agreement, Administrative Agent consents, on behalf of itself and the Lenders, to Parent entering into the Disbursement Agreement on or after the date hereof and consummating the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

(b) Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the foregoing consent shall not constitute (a) a modification or alteration of the terms, conditions or covenants of the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, or (b) a waiver, release or limitation upon the exercise by Administrative Agent or any Lender of any of its rights, legal or equitable, thereunder.

 

5. Reserved.

 

6. Representations and Warranties. Each Borrower hereby represents and warrants to Administrative Agent and Lenders as follows:

 

(a) No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (or would result from the amendment of the Existing Loan Agreement contemplated hereby).

 

(b) The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and other action and do not and will not require any registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to or action by, any Person other than such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect.

 

(c) On and as of the date of this Agreement, all representations and warranties of each Loan Party contained in the Loan Agreement and in each other Loan Document are true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly refer to an earlier or specified date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier or specified date).

 

7. Conditions of Effectiveness.

 

(a) The Agreement shall become effective as of the Effective Date of this Agreement upon the satisfaction of all of the following conditions:

 

(i) Borrowers shall have delivered to Administrative Agent an original (or executed faxed or electronic copy) of this Agreement, duly executed by each of the Loan Parties;

 

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(ii) Borrowers shall have delivered to Administrative Agent a fully executed copy of the Disbursement Agreement and any other documents or instruments executed in connection therewith and the same shall be in full force and effect, and shall be satisfactory in all respects to Administrative Agent;

 

(iii) each of the representations and warranties contained in Section 6 of this Agreement shall be true, correct and accurate as of the date of this Agreement; and

 

(iv) the receipt by Administrative Agent of the payment, in immediately available funds, of all reasonable out-of-pocket fees, costs, charges and expenses incurred by Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the transactions arising hereunder or otherwise related hereto or referred to herein, including any actual out-of-pocket costs, expenses, charges or expenses of Administrative Agent and the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for Administrative Agent.

 

(b) The parties hereto specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not be deemed to create a course of dealing or otherwise obligate Administrative Agent or Lenders to execute similar agreements under the same, similar or different circumstances in the future; and (ii) neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any obligation to further amend provisions of, or waive compliance with or consent to a departure from the requirements of, the Existing Loan Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. Except as expressly amended pursuant hereto, the Existing Loan Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects, and the Collateral described in the Loan Documents shall continue to secure the Obligations. Each of the Guarantors party hereto: (i) specifically consents to the terms of this Agreement; (ii) reaffirms its obligations under its Guaranty and under all other Loan Documents to which it is a party; (iii) reaffirms the waivers of each and every one of the defenses to such obligations as set forth in such Guaranty and each such other Loan Document; and (iv) reaffirms that its obligations under such Guaranty and each such other Loan Document are separate and distinct from the obligations of any other party under the Loan Documents.

 

8. General Release. On and as of the Effective Date of this Agreement and in consideration of the agreements set forth herein, each Loan Party which is a party hereto, on behalf of itself and its successors and assigns, does hereby: (a) release, acquit and forever discharge Administrative Agent and each Lender, all of Administrative Agent’s and each Lender’s predecessors-in-interest, and all of Administrative Agent’s and each Lender’s past and present officers, directors, managers, members, attorneys, affiliates, employees and agents, of and from any and all claims, demands, obligations, liabilities, indebtedness, breaches of contract, breaches of duty or of any relationship, acts, omissions, misfeasance, malfeasance, causes of action, defenses, offsets, debts, sums of money, accounts, compensation, contracts, controversies, promises, damages, costs, losses and expenses, of every type, kind, nature, description or character, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, liquidated or unliquidated (each of the foregoing, a “Claim”), each as though fully set forth herein at length, that any Borrower, any Loan Party or any of their respective successors or assigns now has or may have as of the Effective Date of this Agreement in any way arising out of, connected with or related to any or all of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them or any provision or failure to provide credit or other accommodations to any Borrower or any other Person under the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them or any other agreement, document or instrument referred to, or otherwise related to, any or all of the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them (each, a “Released Claim”); and (b) specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) none of the provisions of the release contained in Section 6(a) above (the “General Release”) shall be construed as or constitute an admission of any liability on the part of Administrative Agent or Lenders (or any of them); (ii) the provisions of the General Release shall constitute an absolute bar to any Released Claim of any kind, whether any such Released Claim is based on contract, tort, warranty, mistake or any other theory, whether legal, statutory or equitable; and (iii) any attempt to assert a Released Claim barred by the provisions of the General Release shall subject it to the provisions of applicable law setting forth the remedies for the bringing of groundless, frivolous or baseless claims or causes of action.

 

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9. General Provisions.

 

(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties to the Loan Agreement and their respective successors and assigns.

 

(b) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Each of the parties hereto understands and agrees that this document (and any other document required herein) may be delivered by the other party thereto either in the form of an executed original or an executed original sent by facsimile or electronic transmission to be followed promptly by mailing of a hard copy original, and that receipt by Administrative Agent of an electronically or telecopier facsimile document purportedly bearing the signature of Borrowers and shall bind Borrowers with the same force and effect as the delivery of a hard copy original.

 

(c) This Agreement contains the entire and exclusive agreement of the parties to the Loan Agreement with reference to the matters discussed herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior drafts and communications with respect hereto. This Agreement may not be amended except in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Agreement.

 

(d) Article X of the Existing Loan Agreement (except Section 10.14 thereof) is incorporated herein by this reference and made applicable as if set forth herein in full, mutatis mutandis.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

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In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

BORROWERS:      
         
DANIMER SCIENTIFIC HOLDINGS, LLC   MEREDIAN, INC.
         
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III   By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name: John A. Dowdy, III   Name:  John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO
         
MEREDIAN BIOPLASTICS, INC.   DANIMER SCIENTIFIC, L.L.C.
         
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III   By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name: John A. Dowdy, III   Name: John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO
         
DANIMER BIOPLASTICS, INC.   DANIMER SCIENTIFIC KENTUCKY, INC.
         
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III   By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name: John A. Dowdy, III   Name: John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO
         
GUARANTOR:      
         
Acknowledged and Agreed to, including, without      
limitation, the provisions of Section 7(b) herein:      
       
MEREDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.      
         
         
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III      
Name: John A. Dowdy, III      
Title: CFO      

 

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Administrative Agent:
WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company
 
     
By: /s/ David Hackett  
Name: David Hackett  
Title: Head of Underwriting  
     
Lenders:  
     
White Oak Global Advisors, LLC,  
a Delaware limited liability company, as  
investment manager for the Lender identified on Schedule 2.01 to Loan Agreement as BESPOKE  
     
By: /s/ David Hackett  
Name: David Hackett  
Title: Head of Underwriting  

 

White Oak Global Advisors, LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company, as

investment manager for the Lender identified on Schedule 2.01 to Loan Agreement as BRPD2

 

 
By: /s/ David Hackett  
Name:  David Hackett  
Title: Head of Underwriting  

 

 

7

 

Exhibit 10.26

 

FIFTH CONSENT AND MODIFICATION UNDER Loan and Security Agreement

 

This Fifth Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 14, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), is among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Danimer Holdings”), Meredian, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian”), Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian Bioplastics”), Danimer Scientific, L.L.C., a Georgia limited liability company (“Danimer Scientific”), Danimer Bioplastics, INC., a Georgia corporation (“Danimer Bioplastics”), Danimer Scientific Kentucky, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Danimer Kentucky”; together with Danimer Holdings, Meredian, Inc., Meredian Bioplastics, Danimer Scientific, Danimer Bioplastics and with any other Person that at any time after the date hereof becomes a Borrower, each a “Borrower” and collectively, “Borrowers”), the Subsidiaries of Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Parent”) and Borrowers from time to time party hereto as Guarantors; the several entities party hereto as Lenders and White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as administrative agent (“Administrative Agent”).

 

Recitals:

 

A. Borrowers, the Affiliates of Borrowers from time to time party thereto as Guarantors, the entities from time to time party thereto as Lenders and Administrative Agent are party to that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019, as amended by that certain Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement dated as of November 5, 2019, as amended by that certain Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 18, 2019, as amended by that certain Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement dated as of January 23, 2020, as amended by that certain Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 27, 2020 (the “Fourth Modification Agreement”) (as so amended, the “Existing Loan Agreement”, as the same is further amended pursuant to this Agreement and as it may be further amended, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”).

 

B. Pursuant to Section 7.13 of the Loan Agreement, Borrowers may not permit Parent to incur any liabilities, other than those specifically provided for in such section. Borrowers have requested that Lenders consent to Parent’s entering into that certain Paycheck Protection Program Promissory Note dated as of April 18, 2020 (the “Parent PPP Loan Note”) by and between Parent and Truist Bank in the maximum principal amount of $1,776,000, whereby Parent will incur indebtedness for the purposes stated therein (the “Parent PPP Loan”), in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its discretion.

 

C. Borrowers have requested that Administrative Agent and the Lenders (a) consent to the Parent PPP Loan, (b) consent to the Intercompany Forgivable PPP Loan (as defined herein), and (c) amend certain provisions of the Existing Loan Agreement as provided herein, on and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein. Administrative Agent, on behalf of and at the direction of Lenders, is willing to agree to the requests of Borrowers, but only on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

Agreement:

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and conditions contained herein, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby specifically acknowledged, the parties hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions; References; Interpretation.

 

(a) Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, each capitalized term used herein (including in the Recitals hereof) that is defined in the Loan Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Loan Agreement.

 

(b) Each reference to “this Agreement,” “hereof,” “hereunder,” “herein” and “hereby” and each other similar reference contained in the Loan Agreement, and each reference to “the Loan Agreement” and each other similar reference in the other Loan Documents, shall from and after the date of this Agreement, refer to the Loan Agreement, as amended hereby. This Agreement is a Loan Document.

 

(c) The rules of interpretation set forth in Section 1.02 of the Loan Agreement shall be applicable to this Agreement, mutatis mutandis.

 

 

 

 

2. Acknowledgments of Obligations and Related Matters.

 

(a) Acknowledgment of Obligations. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that Borrowers are, jointly and severally, unconditionally indebted to Administrative Agent and Lenders as of the close of business on May 6, 2020, in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations in the aggregate principal amount of not less than $28,125,000, together with interest accrued and accruing thereon, and all fees, costs, expenses and other sums and charges now or hereafter payable by Borrowers to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, all of which are unconditionally owing by Borrowers to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to the Loan Documents, in each case without offset, defense or counterclaim of any kind, nature or description whatsoever.

 

(b) Acknowledgment of Security Interests. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that Administrative Agent and Lenders have, and shall continue to have, valid, enforceable and perfected security interests in and liens upon the Collateral heretofore granted by Borrowers to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Lenders, pursuant to the Loan Documents or otherwise granted to or held by Administrative Agent.

 

(c) Binding Effect of Loan Documents. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that: (i) each of the Loan Documents to which any Borrower is a party has been duly executed and delivered to Administrative Agent and Lenders by such Borrower and each is in full force and effect as of the date hereof, (ii) the agreements and obligations of Borrowers contained in such Loan Documents to which any Borrower is a party and in this Agreement constitute the legal, valid and binding Obligations of Borrowers, enforceable against Borrowers in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability, and Borrowers have no valid defense to the enforcement of such Obligations, and (iii) Administrative Agent and Lenders are and shall be entitled to the rights, remedies and benefits provided for in the Loan Documents and pursuant to applicable law, but subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

3. Modifications to the Loan Agreement. Upon the effectiveness of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions hereof and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Existing Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents:

 

(a)  Modification to Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement to Add Certain New Defined Terms. Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby modified as of the Effective Date of this Agreement to add the following new defined terms therein in alphabetical order:

 

Fifth Modification Agreement” means that certain Fifth Consent and Modification Agreement dated as of May 14, 2020, as amended, restated, renewed, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Intercompany Forgivable PPP Loan” means the loan dated on or about the date of the Fifth Modification Agreement from Parent to Danimer Holdings, to be funded in one or more draws upon the request of Danimer Holdings and which will be reflected by updating the outstanding principal amount under the note evidencing the Intercompany Forgivable PPP Loan at the time of each such funding, but which in the aggregate shall not exceed the original amount of the Parent PPP Loan, on substantially the same terms and conditions of the Parent PPP Loan, including, without limitation, a fixed interest rate of 1.00% per annum and forgiveness of the principal balance in accordance with the PPP Program (but having different loan parties and a potentially different aggregate principal amount than the Parent PPP Loan); provided, however, that the outstanding principal amount on the Intercompany Forgivable PPP Loan shall be forgiven in an amount equal to the percentage of the outstanding principal amount forgiven by the lender under the Parent PPP Loan immediately upon such forgiveness of principal under the Parent PPP Loan.

 

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PPP Loan Expense Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1.

 

PPP Program” means the Paycheck Protection Program under Division A, Title I of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, as amended.

 

Parent PPP Loan” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Fifth Modification Agreement.

 

Parent PPP Loan Account” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.22.

 

Parent PPP Loan Forgiveness Date” means the earliest date upon which the principal balance of the Parent PPP Loan, or any portion thereof, is forgiven in accordance with the PPP Program.

 

Parent PPP Loan Note” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Fifth Modification Agreement.

 

(b) Modification of Certain Defined Terms Under Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement. Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby modified as of the Effective Date of this Agreement to amend and restate in their entirety the following defined terms contained therein to read as follows:

 

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA” means, as of any date of determination, for any period, for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum for such period of (without duplication): (a) Consolidated Net Income; plus (b) Consolidated Interest Expense (net of interest income) to the extent included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income; plus (c) all amounts treated as expenses for depreciation and the amortization of intangibles of any kind, but in each case only to the extent included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income; plus (d) all accrued taxes on or measured by income, but in each case only to the extent included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income. For the avoidance of doubt, any effect on Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA resulting from the Intercompany Forgivable PPP Loan shall not be included in any calculation of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA.

 

Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, subject to Section 1.02(f), the ratio of: (a) the sum of (i) Consolidated Senior Debt as of such date and (ii) after the Parent PPP Loan Forgiveness Date, the outstanding principal balance of the Intercompany Forgivable PPP Loan as of such date; to (b) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the period consisting of the four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending on such date, except that with respect to the determination of Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the individual Fiscal Quarters ended June 30, 2018, September 30, 2018, and December 31, 2018, will be deemed to be $1,986,302.28, $838,447.65, and $3,190,123.07, respectively.

 

(c) Modification to Article VI of the Existing Loan Agreement. Article VI of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following new section to such Article:

 

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Section 6.22. Parent PPP Loan.

 

(a) Parent shall (i) establish a deposit account with Truist Bank, a North Carolina banking corporation for the sole purpose of administering the Parent PPP Loan (the “Parent PPP Loan Account”), (ii) ensure that at all times the funds on deposit in the Parent PPP Loan Account are limited solely to the proceeds of the Parent PPP Loan, (iii) promptly following the final disbursement of the Parent PPP Loan proceeds from the Parent PPP Loan Account, provide evidence satisfactory to Administrative Agent that the Parent PPP Loan Account has been closed and (iv) reduce any amounts owed by the Loan Parties with respect to the Management Services Agreement dollar-for-dollar by the amount of the Parent PPP Loan not otherwise funded to Danimer Holdings pursuant to the Intercompany Forgivable PPP Loan.

 

(b) Until the payment in full whether by forgiveness or otherwise of the Parent PPP Loan, commencing May 20, 2020 and continuing every other week on Wednesdays thereafter, Loan Parties shall provide Administrative Agent with the PPP Loan Expense Certificate for the immediately preceding two-week period.

 

(c) Until the payment in full whether by forgiveness or otherwise of the Parent PPP Loan, as soon as available, but in any event within thirty (30) days after the end of each Fiscal Month, Loan Parties shall provide Administrative Agent with (i) account statements for the Parent PPP Loan Account, and (ii) such other information as Administrative Agent may reasonably require from time to time, including without limitation, all certificates, instruments and other documents provided to Truist Bank.

 

(d) Promptly upon the filing thereof, Loan Parties shall provide Administrative Agent with copies of any applications or other documents submitted in connection with the forgiveness of the Parent PPP Loan.

 

(e) Promptly upon receipt thereof by Parent, Loan Parties shall provide Administrative Agent with copies of all notices received in connection with the Parent PPP Loan.”

 

(d) Modification to Section 7.03 of the Existing Loan Agreement. Section 7.03 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended as of the Effective Date of this Agreement by adding the following new subsection (m):

 

“(m) The Intercompany Forgivable PPP Loan to Danimer Holdings, with fundings thereunder from time to time for the purpose of funding payroll costs of Danimer Holdings and the other Borrowers.”

 

(e)  Modification to Section 7.04(c) of the Existing Loan Agreement. Section 7.04(c) of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, in its entirety to read as follows:

 

“(c) Make any voluntary, optional payment or prepayment on account of, or optional redemption or acquisition for value of any portion of, any Debt for borrowed money (other than that arising under: (i) the Loan Documents in accordance with the provisions thereof, (ii) prepayments under the Intercompany Forgivable PPP Loan by virtue of the forgiveness of any principal balance owed thereunder, and (iii) corporate credit cards to the extent such Debt is otherwise permitted under Section 7.03).”

 

(f) Modification to Section 7.06 of the Existing Loan Agreement. Section 7.06 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, in its entirety to read as follows:

 

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Section 7.06. Restricted Payments.

 

Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that: (a) each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to Loan Parties and to wholly-owned Subsidiaries (and, in the case of a Restricted Payment by a non-wholly-owned Subsidiary, to Loan Parties and to any Subsidiary and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Subsidiary on a pro rata basis based on their relative ownership interests); (b) Loan Parties and each Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in common Equity Interests of such Person; (c) Loan Parties and each Subsidiary may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire its common Equity Interests or warrants or options to acquire any such common Equity Interests (i) with the proceeds received from the substantially concurrent issue of new common Equity Interests or (ii) from service providers at cost upon termination of employment or service; (d) as a one-time accommodation to Loan Parties, on the Effective Date, Danimer Holdings may declare and make a cash dividend payment to Parent in order to payoff Parent’s existing Debt owing to the specific parties and in the amounts set forth on Schedule 5.08; (e) so long as no Default exists or would result therefrom and Loan Parties have reasonably sufficient working capital to pay their debts as they come due, Loan Parties and each Subsidiary may make regularly scheduled principal and interest payments under the Intercompany Forgivable PPP Loan; and (f) so long as a Loan Party is a “pass-through” tax entity for United States federal income tax purposes and so long as no Default exists and Loan Parties have sufficient working capital to pay their debts as they come due, cash distributions paid by Loan Parties to the holders of Equity Interests in Loan Parties in an aggregate amount equal to such holders’ of Equity Interests actual federal and state income tax liability for such taxable year (or portion thereof) attributable to such Loan Parties taxable income, provided that (i) as a condition precedent to any such payment, Administrative Loan Party shall deliver to Administrative Agent a letter from its tax accountants, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, detailing the amount necessary to be applied to such holders of Equity Interests tax liabilities, which letter may relate to the estimated tax payments for the next succeeding four quarters, (ii) such payment or distribution shall be limited to the amounts specified in said letter, and (iii) after any redetermination of such Loan Party’s taxable income for such period, such Loan Party shall receive from each of its holders of Equity Interests a repayment of the aggregate amount (if any) by which any such distribution exceeded the allocable amount of such holders of Equity Interests actual tax liability. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to any Change of Control that might occur by virtue thereof, nothing else contained herein shall restrict holders of securities convertible into Equity Interests of Loan Parties from converting such convertible securities into Equity Interests of Loan Parties pursuant to the terms applicable to such convertible securities.”

 

(g) Modification to Section 7.13 of the Existing Loan Agreement. Section 7.13 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, in its entirety to read as follows:

 

Section 7.13. Parent as Holding Company.

 

Permit Parent to (a) incur any liabilities, other than (i) liabilities under the Loan Documents, (ii) liabilities under the Subordinated Advantage Loan Documents, (iii) tax liabilities in the ordinary course of business, (iv) Parent Subordinated Debt, (v) liabilities under the Disbursement Agreement, (vi) the Parent PPP Loan, and (vii) corporate, administrative and operating expenses in the ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to, such expenses inherent in providing the services to Loan Parties contemplated under the Management Services Agreement, (b) own or acquire any assets, other than (i) the Equity Interests of Parent (by way of repurchase) or any Loan Party, (ii) the Equity Interests of QALICB, (iii) cash and Cash Equivalents, (iv) hold a leasehold interest in any Facility, including as lessee or sublessor, or (c) engage in any trade or business, other than (i) owning the Equity Interests of Loan Parties and activities incidental thereto, (ii) owning the Equity Interests of QALICB and activities incidental thereto, (iii) acting as a Guarantor and granting to Administrative Agent, a Lien on certain Collateral, (iv) being the employer of executive officers of Parent and/or Loan Parties under executive officer employment agreements and (v) providing services under the Management Services Agreement.”

 

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(h) Modification to Article VII of the Existing Loan Agreement. Article VII of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following new section to such Article:

 

Section 7.14. Parent PPP Loan.

 

Suffer Parent to (a) amend or modify the Parent PPP Loan Note, application or documents in connection with the Parent PPP Loan which expand the obligations of Parent or are otherwise adverse to the Lenders, or (b) fail to comply with any obligation or other agreement under the Parent PPP Loan.”

 

(i) Addition of Exhibit B-1. The Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended by adding Exhibit B-1 attached hereto as the new Exhibit B-1 under the Loan Agreement.

 

4.  Consents.

 

(a) Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 7 hereof and pursuant to Section 7.13 of the Loan Agreement, Administrative Agent consents, on behalf of itself and the Lenders, to Parent entering into (i) the Parent PPP Loan and (ii) the Intercompany Forgivable PPP Loan.

 

(b) Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the foregoing consent shall not constitute (a) a modification or alteration of the terms, conditions or covenants of the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, or (b) a waiver, release or limitation upon the exercise by Administrative Agent or any Lender of any of its rights, legal or equitable, thereunder.

 

5. Reserved.

 

6. Representations and Warranties. Each Borrower hereby represents and warrants to Administrative Agent and Lenders as follows:

 

(a) No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (or would result from the amendment of the Existing Loan Agreement contemplated hereby).

 

(b) The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and other action and do not and will not require any registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to or action by, any Person other than such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect.

 

(c) On and as of the date of this Agreement, all representations and warranties of each Loan Party contained in the Loan Agreement and in each other Loan Document are true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly refer to an earlier or specified date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier or specified date).

 

(d) The representations and warranties in Parent’s application for the Parent PPP Loan, the Parent PPP Loan Note and any other documents or agreements executed or delivered in connection therewith are true and correct in all material respects.

 

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7. Conditions of Effectiveness.

 

(a) The Agreement shall become effective as of the Effective Date of this Agreement upon the satisfaction of all of the following conditions:

 

(i) Borrowers shall have delivered to Administrative Agent an original (or executed faxed or electronic copy) of this Agreement, duly executed by each of the Loan Parties;

 

(ii) Borrowers shall have delivered to Administrative Agent a fully executed copy of the Parent PPP Loan Note, the application submitted in connection with the Parent PPP Loan and any other documents or instruments executed or delivered in connection therewith and the same shall be in full force and effect, and shall be satisfactory in all respects to Administrative Agent;

 

(iii) Administrative Agent shall have received evidence of the first Intercompany Forgivable PPP Loan, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, provided that Borrowers shall deliver to the Administrative Agent evidence of each subsequent Intercompany Forgivable PPP Loan promptly following the execution and delivery of such loan;

 

(iv) Administrative Agent shall have received a PPP Loan Expense Certificate for the period prior to the date hereof;

 

(v) each of the representations and warranties contained in Section 6 of this Agreement shall be true, correct and accurate as of the date of this Agreement; and

 

(vi) the receipt by Administrative Agent of the payment, in immediately available funds, of all reasonable out-of-pocket fees, costs, charges and expenses incurred by Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the transactions arising hereunder or otherwise related hereto or referred to herein, including any actual out-of-pocket costs, expenses, charges or expenses of Administrative Agent and the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for Administrative Agent.

 

(b) The parties hereto specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not be deemed to create a course of dealing or otherwise obligate Administrative Agent or Lenders to execute similar agreements under the same, similar or different circumstances in the future; and (ii) neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any obligation to further amend provisions of, or waive compliance with or consent to a departure from the requirements of, the Existing Loan Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. Except as expressly amended pursuant hereto, the Existing Loan Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects, and the Collateral described in the Loan Documents shall continue to secure the Obligations. Each of the Guarantors party hereto: (i) specifically consents to the terms of this Agreement; (ii) reaffirms its obligations under its Guaranty and under all other Loan Documents to which it is a party; (iii) reaffirms the waivers of each and every one of the defenses to such obligations as set forth in such Guaranty and each such other Loan Document; and (iv) reaffirms that its obligations under such Guaranty and each such other Loan Document are separate and distinct from the obligations of any other party under the Loan Documents.

 

8. General Release. On and as of the Effective Date of this Agreement and in consideration of the agreements set forth herein, Parent and each Loan Party which is a party hereto, on behalf of itself and its successors and assigns, does hereby: (a) release, acquit and forever discharge Administrative Agent and each Lender, all of Administrative Agent’s and each Lender’s predecessors-in-interest, and all of Administrative Agent’s and each Lender’s past and present officers, directors, managers, members, attorneys, affiliates, employees and agents, of and from any and all claims, demands, obligations, liabilities, indebtedness, breaches of contract, breaches of duty or of any relationship, acts, omissions, misfeasance, malfeasance, causes of action, defenses, offsets, debts, sums of money, accounts, compensation, contracts, controversies, promises, damages, costs, losses and expenses, of every type, kind, nature, description or character, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, liquidated or unliquidated (each of the foregoing, a “Claim”), each as though fully set forth herein at length, that any Borrower, any Loan Party or any of their respective successors or assigns now has or may have as of the Effective Date of this Agreement in any way arising out of, connected with or related to any or all of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them or any provision or failure to provide credit or other accommodations to any Borrower or any other Person under the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them or any other agreement, document or instrument referred to, or otherwise related to, any or all of the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them (each, a “Released Claim”); and (b) specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) none of the provisions of the release contained in Section 6(a) above (the “General Release”) shall be construed as or constitute an admission of any liability on the part of Administrative Agent or Lenders (or any of them); (ii) the provisions of the General Release shall constitute an absolute bar to any Released Claim of any kind, whether any such Released Claim is based on contract, tort, warranty, mistake or any other theory, whether legal, statutory or equitable; and (iii) any attempt to assert a Released Claim barred by the provisions of the General Release shall subject it to the provisions of applicable law setting forth the remedies for the bringing of groundless, frivolous or baseless claims or causes of action.

 

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9. General Provisions.

 

(a) Parent and the Loan Parties hereby acknowledge that they did not rely on any opinion, representation, advice, guidance or otherwise from Administrative Agent, the Lenders or their respective partners, managers, officers, directors, agents, representatives or affiliates in connection with eligibility matters relating to the Parent PPP Loan or other matters pertaining to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, as amended.

 

(b) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties to the Loan Agreement and their respective successors and assigns.

 

(c) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Each of the parties hereto understands and agrees that this document (and any other document required herein) may be delivered by the other party thereto either in the form of an executed original or an executed original sent by facsimile or electronic transmission to be followed promptly by mailing of a hard copy original, and that receipt by Administrative Agent of an electronically or telecopier facsimile document purportedly bearing the signature of Borrowers and shall bind Borrowers with the same force and effect as the delivery of a hard copy original.

 

(d) This Agreement contains the entire and exclusive agreement of the parties to the Loan Agreement with reference to the matters discussed herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior drafts and communications with respect hereto. This Agreement may not be amended except in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Agreement.

 

(e) Article X of the Existing Loan Agreement (except Section 10.14 thereof) is incorporated herein by this reference and made applicable as if set forth herein in full, mutatis mutandis.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

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In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

BORROWERS:

 

DANIMER SCIENTIFIC HOLDINGS, LLC   MEREDIAN, INC.
         
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III   By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name:  John A. Dowdy, III   Name:  John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO
         
MEREDIAN BIOPLASTICS, INC.   DANIMER SCIENTIFIC, L.L.C.
         
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III   By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name: John A. Dowdy, III   Name: John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO
         
DANIMER BIOPLASTICS, INC.   DANIMER SCIENTIFIC KENTUCKY, INC.
         
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III   By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name: John A. Dowdy, III   Name: John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO

 

GUARANTOR:

 

Acknowledged and Agreed to, including, without

limitation, the provisions of Sections 7, 8 and 9 herein:

 

MEREDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.

 

By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III  
Name:  John A. Dowdy, III  
Title: CFO  

 

 

 

 

Administrative Agent:  
   
WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC,  
a Delaware limited liability company  
     
By: /s/ David Hackett  
Name:  David Hackett  
Title: Head of Underwriting  
     
Lenders:  
   
White Oak Global Advisors, LLC,  
a Delaware limited liability company, as  
investment manager for the Lender identified on Schedule 2.01 to Loan Agreement as BESPOKE  
     
By: /s/ David Hackett  
Name: David Hackett  
Title: Head of Underwriting  
     
White Oak Global Advisors, LLC,  
a Delaware limited liability company, as  
investment manager for the Lender identified on Schedule 2.01 to Loan Agreement as BRPD2  
     
By: /s/ David Hackett  
Name: David Hackett  
Title: Head of Underwriting  

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B-1

 

[FORM OF] PPP LOAN EXPENSE CERTIFICATE

 

The undersigned hereby certifies to Administrative Agent, as of the date hereof, on behalf of Loan Parties as an officer of Company and not in his or her individual capacity, that:  (a) s/he holds the office of _____________________of Company and is a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party; (b) as a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party, s/he is authorized to execute and deliver this PPP Loan Expense Certificate to Administrative Agent on behalf of Loan Parties; (c) as of [____ __, 20__], the outstanding principal balance of the Intercompany Forgivable PPP Loan is $______________ and (d) set forth below is a report as of the end of the seven day period ending [____ __, 20__] reflecting the amount and type of expense from the proceeds of the PPP Loan for such period and on a cumulative basis from the date the proceeds of the PPP Loan were first received by the Borrowers:

 

Use of Proceeds   During the seven day
period ending
[____ __, 20__]
  On a cumulative basis   Percentage of
Cumulative Total
 
1.   Payroll costs of Parent   $_________________   $_________________   ___ %
2.   Payroll costs of Borrowers   $_________________   $_________________   ___ %
3.   Mortgage interest payments of Parent   $_________________   $_________________   ___ %
4.   Mortgage interest payments of Parent   $_________________   $_________________   ___ %
5.   Rent of Parent   $_________________   $_________________   ___ %
6.   Rent of Borrowers              
7.   Utilities of Parent   $_________________   $_________________   ___ %
8.   Utilities of Borrower              
9.   Other   $_________________   $_________________   ___ %
TOTAL   $_________________   $_________________   ___ %

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.27

 

SIXTH MODIFICATION AND WAIVER UNDER Loan and Security Agreement

 

This Sixth Modification and Waiver under Loan and Security Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of July 13, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), is among Danimer Scientific Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Danimer Holdings”), Meredian, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian”), Meredian Bioplastics, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Meredian Bioplastics”), Danimer Scientific, L.L.C., a Georgia limited liability company (“Danimer Scientific”), Danimer Bioplastics, INC., a Georgia corporation (“Danimer Bioplastics”), Danimer Scientific Kentucky, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Danimer Kentucky”; together with Danimer Holdings, Meredian, Inc., Meredian Bioplastics, Danimer Scientific, Danimer Bioplastics and with any other Person that at any time after the date hereof becomes a Borrower, each a “Borrower” and collectively, “Borrowers”), the Subsidiaries of Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Parent”) and Borrowers from time to time party hereto as Guarantors; the several entities party hereto as Lenders and White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as administrative agent (“Administrative Agent”).

 

Recitals:

 

A. Borrowers, the Affiliates of Borrowers from time to time party thereto as Guarantors, the entities from time to time party thereto as Lenders and Administrative Agent are party to that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019, as amended by that certain Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement dated as of November 5, 2019, as amended by that certain Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 18, 2019, as amended by that certain Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement dated as of January 23, 2020, as amended by that certain Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 27, 2020, as amended by that certain Fifth Consent and Modification under Loan and Security Agreement dated as of May 14, 2020 (as so amended, the “Existing Loan Agreement”, as the same is further amended pursuant to this Agreement and as it may be further amended, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”).

 

B. Certain Events of Default have occurred and are continuing under the Existing Loan Agreement as Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries have, among other things, (i) failed to deliver their annual audited financial statements for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2019, in accordance with Section 6.01(a) of the Existing Loan Agreement, which failure constitutes an Event of Default under Section 8.01(b) of the Existing Loan Agreement, and (ii) made Capital Expenditures in excess of the limits set forth in Section 7.07 of the Existing Loan Agreement for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2019, which failure constitutes an Event of Default under Section 8.01(b) of the Existing Loan Agreement (collectively, the “Specified Defaults”).

 

C. Borrowers have requested that Lenders (a) waive the Specified Defaults and (b) amend certain provisions of the Existing Loan Agreement as provided herein, on and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein. Administrative Agent, on behalf of and at the direction of Lenders, is willing to agree to the requests of Borrowers, but only on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

Agreement:

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and conditions contained herein, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby specifically acknowledged, the parties hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions; References; Interpretation.

 

(a) Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, each capitalized term used herein (including in the Recitals hereof) that is defined in the Loan Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Loan Agreement.

 

 

 

 

(b) Each reference to “this Agreement,” “hereof,” “hereunder,” “herein” and “hereby” and each other similar reference contained in the Loan Agreement, and each reference to “the Loan Agreement” and each other similar reference in the other Loan Documents, shall from and after the date of this Agreement, refer to the Loan Agreement, as amended hereby. This Agreement is a Loan Document.

 

(c) The rules of interpretation set forth in Section 1.02 of the Loan Agreement shall be applicable to this Agreement, mutatis mutandis.

 

2. Acknowledgments of Obligations and Related Matters.

 

(a) Acknowledgment of Obligations. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that Borrowers are, jointly and severally, unconditionally indebted to Administrative Agent and Lenders as of the close of business on July 10, 2020, in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations in the aggregate principal amount of not less than $27,750,000, together with interest accrued and accruing thereon, and all fees, costs, expenses and other sums and charges now or hereafter payable by Borrowers to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, all of which are unconditionally owing by Borrowers to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to the Loan Documents, in each case without offset, defense or counterclaim of any kind, nature or description whatsoever.

 

(b) Acknowledgment of Security Interests. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that Administrative Agent and Lenders have, and shall continue to have, valid, enforceable and perfected security interests in and liens upon the Collateral heretofore granted by Borrowers to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Lenders, pursuant to the Loan Documents or otherwise granted to or held by Administrative Agent.

 

(c) Binding Effect of Loan Documents. Borrowers hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that: (i) each of the Loan Documents to which any Borrower is a party has been duly executed and delivered to Administrative Agent and Lenders by such Borrower and each is in full force and effect as of the date hereof, (ii) the agreements and obligations of Borrowers contained in such Loan Documents to which any Borrower is a party and in this Agreement constitute the legal, valid and binding Obligations of Borrowers, enforceable against Borrowers in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability, and Borrowers have no valid defense to the enforcement of such Obligations, and (iii) Administrative Agent and Lenders are and shall be entitled to the rights, remedies and benefits provided for in the Loan Documents and pursuant to applicable law, but subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

(d) Waiver of the Specified Defaults. Upon the effectiveness of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions hereof, as a one-time accommodation to Borrowers and in consideration for the agreements set forth herein, Administrative Agent and Lenders hereby waive the Specified Defaults. This waiver shall not constitute Administrative Agent’s and Lenders’ waiver of any other Events of Default that may be continuing on the date hereof or of any Defaults or Events of Default that may occur after the date hereof.

 

3. Modifications to the Loan Agreement. Upon the effectiveness of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions hereof and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Existing Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents:

 

(a) Modification to Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement to Add Certain New Defined Terms. Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby modified as of the Effective Date of this Agreement to add the following new defined terms therein in alphabetical order:

 

Liquidity” means at any given time, the sum of (a) Qualified Cash, plus (b) Cash Equivalents.

 

NMTC Loan Forgiveness Amount” means the amount of Debt of Borrowers under the New Market Tax Credit program that is forgiven during the period from October 1, 2020 through and including October 31, 2020. For the avoidance of doubt, any NMTC Loan Forgiveness Amount which occurs during such period shall be considered for all purposes under this Agreement to have occurred during the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2020.

 

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Sixth Modification Agreement” means that certain Sixth Modification and Waiver under Loan and Security Agreement dated as of the Sixth Modification Effective Date, as amended, restated, renewed, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Sixth Modification Effective Date” means July 13, 2020.

 

(b) Modification of Certain Defined Terms Under Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement. Section 1.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby modified as of the Effective Date of this Agreement to amend and restate in their entirety the following defined terms contained therein to read as follows:

 

Applicable Margin” means, as of any date of determination, the applicable margin set forth in the table below corresponding to the applicable Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio set forth opposite thereto:

 

Level

  Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio   LIBOR Loan     ABR Loan  
I   < 1.50 to 1.00     4.50 %     4.50 %
II   ≥ 1.50 to 1.00 and < 1.75 to 1.00     4.85 %     4.85 %
III   ≥ 1.75 to 1.00 and < 2.00 to 1.00     5.35 %     5.35 %
IV   ≥ 2.00 to 1.00 and < 2.25 to 1.00     5.85 %     5.85 %
V   ≥ 2.25 to 1.00     6.35 %     6.35 %

 

For the period from and including the Sixth Amendment Effective Date to but excluding the First Adjustment Date (as defined below), the Applicable Margin shall be set at Level V in the table above. The Applicable Margin shall be (a) adjusted as of the first (1st) day of the first full Fiscal Quarter of Loan Parties after the delivery of the annual audited financial statements for the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2020 in accordance with Section 6.01(a) (the “First Adjustment Date”), and as of the first (1st) day of each Fiscal Quarter thereafter, based upon the Compliance Certificate (and related information) delivered to Administrative Agent for the last month of the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter in accordance with Section 6.02(b) (each an “Adjustment Date”), and (b) based upon the calculation of the Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio set forth in the most recently delivered Compliance Certificate for the Fiscal Quarter immediately preceding the applicable Adjustment Date. In the event that quarterly financial statements and a Compliance Certificate for any Fiscal Quarter is not provided to Administrative Agent in accordance with the Section 6.01(b), the Applicable Margin shall remain at the Applicable Margin as in effect for the preceding Fiscal Quarter for the period from the first (1st) day of the Fiscal Quarter following the date on which such financial statements and Compliance Certificate were required to be delivered through and including the date on which such financial statements and Compliance Certificate are delivered (on which date (but not retroactively), without constituting a waiver of any Default or Event of Default or forgoing any remedies in connection therewith arising as a result of Loan Parties’ failure to timely deliver such financial statements and Compliance Certificate, the Applicable Margin shall be set at the relevant Applicable Margin set forth in the table above based upon the calculation of the Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio set forth in such Compliance Certificate).

 

3

 

 

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA” means, as of any date of determination, for any period, for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum for such period of (without duplication): (a) Consolidated Net Income; plus (b) Consolidated Interest Expense (net of interest income) to the extent included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income; plus (c) all amounts treated as expenses for depreciation and the amortization of intangibles of any kind, but in each case only to the extent included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income; plus (d) all accrued taxes on or measured by income, but in each case only to the extent included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income; plus (e) any NMTC Loan Forgiveness Amount. For the avoidance of doubt, any effect on Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA resulting from the Intercompany Forgivable PPP Loan shall not be included in any calculation of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA.

 

Prepayment Fee” means in connection with any prepayment or repayment of all or any portion of the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans (whether such payment is voluntary or after an Event of Default, involuntary): (a) (i) after the first anniversary of the Effective Date but on or prior to September 13, 2021, two percent (2.00%) of the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans being, or required to be, prepaid or repaid, or (ii) after September 13, 2021, but on or prior to September 13, 2022, one percent (1.00%) of the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans being, or required to be, prepaid or repaid, or (iii) thereafter, zero percent (0.00%) of the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans being, or required to be, prepaid or repaid, or (b) if a Default or Event of Default then exists, and such prepayment is made on or after the Effective Date but on or prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date, five percent (5%) of the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans being, or required to be, prepaid, or repaid; provided, however, that any with respect to any such prepayment made on or prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date, pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(vi), the amount shall be two percent (2%) of the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans being, or required to be, prepaid or repaid.

 

(c) Amendment of Sections 6.13(a) of the Existing Loan Agreement. Section 6.13(a) of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated as of the Effective Date of this Agreement in its entirety, to read as follows:

 

“(a) Liquidity. Borrowers shall maintain at all times until all outstanding Obligations (other than unasserted contingent indemnification obligations) are paid in full, Liquidity, minus all amounts due and owing to any Loan Party’s trade creditors which are outstanding sixty (60) days or more past their due date, in an amount not less than $3,000,000.00.”

 

(d) Amendment of Sections 6.13(b) of the Loan Agreement. Section 6.13(b) of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated as of the Effective Date of this Agreement in its entirety, to read as follows:

 

4

 

 

“(b) Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio. Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries shall maintain, on a consolidated basis, as at the end of each Fiscal Quarter set forth below, a Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio not greater than the ratio specified for the end of such Fiscal Quarter as set forth below:

 

Fiscal Quarter End     Maximum Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio  
March 31, 2019     8.15 to 1.00  
June 30, 2019     8.15 to 1.00  
September 30, 2019     6.90 to 1.00  
December 31, 2019     6.05 to 1.00  
March 31, 2020     4.50 to 1.00  
June 30, 2020     4.50 to 1.00  
September 30, 2020     6.15 to 1.00  
December 31, 2020     4.00 to 1.00  
March 31, 2021     3.75 to 1.00  
June 30, 2021     3.50 to 1.00  
September 30, 2021     3.25 to 1.00  
December 31, 2021     3.00 to 1.00  
March 31, 2022     2.00 to 1.00  
June 30, 2022     2.00 to 1.00  
September 30, 2022     2.00 to 1.00  
December 31, 2022     2.00 to 1.00  
March 31, 2023     2.00 to 1.00  
June 30, 2023     2.00 to 1.00  
September 30, 2023 and each Fiscal Quarter end thereafter (if any)     2.00 to 1.00  

 

(e) Amendment of Section 6.13(c) of the Existing Loan Agreement. Section 6.13(c) of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, in its entirety to read as follows:

 

“(c) Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries shall maintain, on a consolidated basis, as at the end of each Fiscal Quarter set forth below, a Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (calculated as at the end of each such Fiscal Quarter for the period of four Fiscal Quarters then ended) in an amount not less than the amount specified for the end of such Fiscal Quarter set forth below:

 

Fiscal Quarter End     Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio  
March 31, 2019     0.65 to 1.00  
June 30, 2019     0.70 to 1.00  
September 30, 2019     0.85 to 1.00  
December 31, 2019     0.95 to 1.00  
March 31, 2020     1.00 to 1.00  
June 30, 2020     0.95 to 1.00  
September 30, 2020     0.70 to 1.00  
December 31, 2020     0.95 to 1.00  
March 31, 2021     1.10 to 1.00  
June 30, 2021     1.25 to 1.00  
September 30, 2021     1.25 to 1.00  
December 31, 2021     1.25 to 1.00  
March 31, 2022     1.50 to 1.00  
June 30, 2022     1.50 to 1.00  
September 30, 2022     1.50 to 1.00  
December 31, 2022     1.50 to 1.00  
March 31, 2023     1.50 to 1.00  
June 30, 2023     1.50 to 1.00  
September 30, 2023 and each Fiscal Quarter end thereafter (if any)     1.50 to 1.00  

 

5

 

 

(f) Amendment of Exhibit B (Compliance Certificate) of the Existing Loan Agreement. Exhibit B of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety with Exhibit B attached hereto.

 

4. Reserved.

 

5. Sixth Modification Fee. In consideration for the agreements set forth herein, Borrowers shall pay to Administrative Agent, for the pro rata account of the Lenders, an amendment and waiver fee in the amount of $50,000 (the “Sixth Modification Fee”). The entire amount of the Sixth Modification Fee shall be fully earned on the date of this Agreement.

 

6. Representations and Warranties. Each Borrower hereby represents and warrants to Administrative Agent and Lenders as follows:

 

(a) No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (or would result from the amendment of the Existing Loan Agreement contemplated hereby), after giving effect to this Agreement.

 

(b) The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and other action and do not and will not require any registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to or action by, any Person other than such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect.

 

(c) On and as of the date of this Agreement, all representations and warranties of each Loan Party contained in the Loan Agreement and in each other Loan Document are true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly refer to an earlier or specified date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier or specified date).

 

7. Conditions of Effectiveness.

 

(a) The Agreement shall become effective as of the Effective Date of this Agreement upon the satisfaction of all of the following conditions:

 

(i) Borrowers shall have delivered to Administrative Agent an original (or executed faxed or electronic copy) of this Agreement, duly executed by each of the Loan Parties;

 

(ii) the receipt by Administrative Agent of the payment, in immediately available funds, of the Sixth Modification Fee that is due and payable on the date hereof;

 

(iii) each of the representations and warranties contained in Section 6 of this Agreement shall be true, correct and accurate as of the date of this Agreement; and

 

(iv) the receipt by Administrative Agent of the payment, in immediately available funds, of all reasonable out-of-pocket fees, costs, charges and expenses incurred by Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the transactions arising hereunder or otherwise related hereto or referred to herein, including any actual out-of-pocket costs, expenses, charges or expenses of Administrative Agent and the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for Administrative Agent.

 

6

 

 

(b) The parties hereto specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not be deemed to create a course of dealing or otherwise obligate Administrative Agent or Lenders to execute similar agreements under the same, similar or different circumstances in the future; and (ii) neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any obligation to further amend provisions of, or waive compliance with or consent to a departure from the requirements of, the Existing Loan Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. Except as expressly amended pursuant hereto, the Existing Loan Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects, and the Collateral described in the Loan Documents shall continue to secure the Obligations. Each of the Guarantors party hereto: (i) specifically consents to the terms of this Agreement; (ii) reaffirms its obligations under its Guaranty and under all other Loan Documents to which it is a party; (iii) reaffirms the waivers of each and every one of the defenses to such obligations as set forth in such Guaranty and each such other Loan Document; and (iv) reaffirms that its obligations under such Guaranty and each such other Loan Document are separate and distinct from the obligations of any other party under the Loan Documents.

 

8. General Release. On and as of the Effective Date of this Agreement and in consideration of the agreements set forth herein, Parent and each Loan Party which is a party hereto, on behalf of itself and its successors and assigns, does hereby: (a) release, acquit and forever discharge Administrative Agent and each Lender, all of Administrative Agent’s and each Lender’s predecessors-in-interest, and all of Administrative Agent’s and each Lender’s past and present officers, directors, managers, members, attorneys, affiliates, employees and agents, of and from any and all claims, demands, obligations, liabilities, indebtedness, breaches of contract, breaches of duty or of any relationship, acts, omissions, misfeasance, malfeasance, causes of action, defenses, offsets, debts, sums of money, accounts, compensation, contracts, controversies, promises, damages, costs, losses and expenses, of every type, kind, nature, description or character, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, liquidated or unliquidated (each of the foregoing, a “Claim”), each as though fully set forth herein at length, that any Borrower, any Loan Party or any of their respective successors or assigns now has or may have as of the Effective Date of this Agreement in any way arising out of, connected with or related to any or all of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them or any provision or failure to provide credit or other accommodations to any Borrower or any other Person under the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them or any other agreement, document or instrument referred to, or otherwise related to, any or all of the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) or any of them (each, a “Released Claim”); and (b) specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) none of the provisions of the release contained in Section 6(a) above (the “General Release”) shall be construed as or constitute an admission of any liability on the part of Administrative Agent or Lenders (or any of them); (ii) the provisions of the General Release shall constitute an absolute bar to any Released Claim of any kind, whether any such Released Claim is based on contract, tort, warranty, mistake or any other theory, whether legal, statutory or equitable; and (iii) any attempt to assert a Released Claim barred by the provisions of the General Release shall subject it to the provisions of applicable law setting forth the remedies for the bringing of groundless, frivolous or baseless claims or causes of action.

 

9. General Provisions.

 

(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties to the Loan Agreement and their respective successors and assigns.

 

(b) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Each of the parties hereto understands and agrees that this document (and any other document required herein) may be delivered by the other party thereto either in the form of an executed original or an executed original sent by facsimile or electronic transmission to be followed promptly by mailing of a hard copy original, and that receipt by Administrative Agent of an electronically or telecopier facsimile document purportedly bearing the signature of Borrowers and shall bind Borrowers with the same force and effect as the delivery of a hard copy original.

 

(c) This Agreement contains the entire and exclusive agreement of the parties to the Loan Agreement with reference to the matters discussed herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior drafts and communications with respect hereto. This Agreement may not be amended except in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Agreement.

 

(d) Article X of the Existing Loan Agreement (except Section 10.14 thereof) is incorporated herein by this reference and made applicable as if set forth herein in full, mutatis mutandis.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

7

 

 

In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

BORROWERS:

 

DANIMER SCIENTIFIC HOLDINGS, LLC   MEREDIAN, INC.
         
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III   By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name: John A. Dowdy, III   Name:  John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO
         
         
MEREDIAN BIOPLASTICS, INC.   DANIMER SCIENTIFIC, L.L.C.
         
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III    By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name:  John A. Dowdy, III   Name: John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO
         
DANIMER BIOPLASTICS, INC.   DANIMER SCIENTIFIC KENTUCKY, INC.
         
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III   By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
Name: John A. Dowdy, III   Name: John A. Dowdy, III
Title: CFO   Title: CFO

 

GUARANTOR:  
     
Acknowledged and Agreed to, including, without  
limitation, the provisions of Sections 7, 8 and 9 herein:
     
MEREDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.  
     
By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III  
Name:  John A. Dowdy, III  
Title: CFO  

 

 

 

 

Administrative Agent:  
   
WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC,  
a Delaware limited liability company  
   
By: /s/ David Hackett  
Name: David Hackett  
Title: Head of Underwriting  
     
Lenders:  
   
White Oak Global Advisors, LLC,  
a Delaware limited liability company, as  
investment manager for the Lender identified on Schedule 2.01 to Loan Agreement as BESPOKE  
   
By: /s/ David Hackett  
Name: David Hackett  
Title: Head of Underwriting  
   
White Oak Global Advisors, LLC,  
a Delaware limited liability company, as  
investment manager for the Lender identified on Schedule 2.01 to Loan Agreement as BRPD2  
   
By: /s/ David Hackett  
Name:  David Hackett  
Title: Head of Underwriting  

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

[FORM OF] COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

Financial Statement Date: ________________, 20__

 

The undersigned, ______________________, hereby refers to that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2019 (as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), among Borrowers, the Affiliates of Borrowers from time to time party thereto as Guarantors, the entities from time to time party thereto as Lenders, and WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as administrative agent (“Administrative Agent”) for such Lenders. Unless otherwise defined herein, each capitalized term used herein has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Loan Agreement.

 

The undersigned hereby certifies, as of the date hereof, to Administrative Agent and Lenders, on behalf of Loan Parties as an officer of Administrative Loan Party and not in his or her individual capacity, that: (a) s/he holds the office of _____________________of Administrative Loan Party and is a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party; (b) as a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party, s/he is authorized to execute and deliver this Compliance Certificate to Administrative Agent and Lenders on behalf of Loan Parties; and (c):

 

Attached hereto is [please check as appropriate]:

 

a consolidated balance sheet for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as at the end of the Fiscal Year of Loan Parties ended [_______ __, 20__ ] (the Subject Fiscal Year), and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, setting forth, in each case in comparative form, the figures for the previous Fiscal Year and the figures from Loan Parties’ budget for the current Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, such consolidated statements to be audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant [of nationally recognized standing] reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent (with the accounting firm _______ being acceptable to Administrative Agent), which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any going concern or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit.

 

consolidated balance sheets for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as at the end of the Fiscal Quarter of Loan Parties ended [_______ __, 20__] (the Subject Fiscal Quarter), and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Quarter and the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, setting forth, in each case in comparative form, the figures for the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year and the figures from the corresponding portion of Loan Parties’ budget for the current Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail, such consolidated statements to be certified by a Responsible Officer of Administrative Loan Party as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

unaudited consolidated balance sheets for Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Month, and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income or operations, shareholders’ (or members’) equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Month and the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended (setting forth, in each case in comparative form, (i) the figures for the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year (if applicable) and (ii) the figures from the corresponding portion of Loan Parties’ budget for the current Fiscal Year), all in reasonable detail, in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

The financial statements referred to in Paragraph (c)(1) fairly present the consolidated financial position, the results of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

The undersigned has reviewed and is familiar with the terms of the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents and has made, or has caused to be made under my supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and conditions (financial or otherwise) of Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements.

 

 

 

 

The financial condition covenants and other compliance calculations and information set forth on Schedule I attached hereto are true, complete and accurate on and as of the date hereof.

 

The Borrowers maintained Liquidity greater than or equal to $3,000,000 at all times during such period in accordance with Section 6.13(a).

 

To the undersigned’s knowledge Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries have, during such period, observed, performed and/or satisfied and/or have caused to be observed, performed and/or satisfied all of their respective covenants and other agreements contained in the Loan Documents to which they are a party, and have satisfied every condition in the Loan Documents to which they are a party to be observed, performed and/or satisfied by them, and the undersigned has no knowledge of any condition, event or occurrence, which constitutes a Default or Event of Default, except as set forth below:

 

[Describe below (or in a separate attachment to this Certificate) the exceptions, if any, to Paragraph 5 hereof by listing, in detail and with reference to specific sections of the Loan Agreement or applicable Loan Document, the nature of the condition, event or occurrence, the period during which it has existed and the actions that Loan Parties have taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect to such condition, event or occurrence.]

 

The foregoing certifications are made as of ___________ __, 20__ pursuant to the provisions of the Loan Agreement.

 

   
  as Administrative Loan Party
     
  By:        
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.28

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER LEASE AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER LEASE AGREEMENT (this “Lease”) is made as of May 29, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), by and between STORE CAPITAL ACQUISITIONS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Lessor”), whose address is 8377 E. Hartford Drive, Suite 100, Scottsdale, Arizona 85255, and MEREDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC., a Georgia corporation (“Lessee”), whose address is 140 Industrial Boulevard, Bainbridge, Georgia 39817. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

 

This Lease amends and restates in its entirety that certain Master Lease Agreement dated December 14, 2018, together with any and all amendments thereto (the “Original Lease”) by and between Lessor and Lessee. The terms of the Original Lease shall remain in force and effect as to the period ending on 11:59 P.M. prior to the Effective Date hereof. The terms contained in this Lease shall apply to and be effective with respect to the period from and after the Effective Date, without novation, replacement or substitution of the Original Lease, and the leasehold estate of Lessee shall mean the leasehold estate commencing under the Original Lease.

 

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, Lessor and Lessee hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

Basic Lease Terms

 

Section 1.01. Properties. The street addresses and legal descriptions of the Properties are set forth on Exhibit B attached hereto and incorporated herein.

 

Section 1.02. Initial Term Expiration Date. December 31, 2038.

 

Section 1.03. Extension Options. Four (4) extensions of five (5) years each, as described in Section 3.02.

 

Section 1.04. Term Expiration Date (if fully extended). December 31, 2058.

 

Section 1.05. Current Base Annual Rental. $3,127,727.29, as described in Article IV.

 

Section 1.06. Rental Adjustment. The lesser of (i) 2.0%, or (ii) 1.25 times the change in the Price Index, as described in Section 4.02.

 

Section 1.07. Adjustment Date. January 1, 2021 and annually on every January 1st thereafter during the Lease Term (including any Extension Term).

 

Section 1.08. Security Deposit. None.

 

Section 1.09. Guarantor. None.

 

Section 1.10. Lessee Tax Identification No. 47-1087239.

 

  STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

Section 1.11. Lessor Tax Identification No. 45-2674893.

 

ARTICLE II

Lease of Properties

 

Section 2.01. Lease. In consideration of Lessee’s payment of the Rental and other Monetary Obligations and Lessee’s performance of all other obligations hereunder, Lessor hereby leases to Lessee, and Lessee hereby takes and hires, the Properties, “AS IS” and “WHERE IS” without representation or warranty by Lessor, and subject to the existing state of title, the parties in possession, any statement of facts which an accurate survey or physical inspection might reveal, and all Legal Requirements now or hereafter in effect.

 

Section 2.02. Quiet Enjoyment. So long as Lessee shall pay the Rental and other Monetary Obligations provided in this Lease and shall keep and perform all of the terms, covenants and conditions on its part contained herein and subject to the rights of Lessor under Section 12.02, Lessee shall have, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the right to the peaceful and quiet enjoyment and occupancy of the Properties.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Lease Term; Extension

 

Section 3.01. Initial Term. The remaining term of this Lease (“Initial Term”) shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2038, unless terminated sooner as provided in this Lease and as may be extended as provided herein. The time period during which this Lease shall actually be in effect, including any Extension Term, is referred to as the “Lease Term.”

 

Section 3.02. Extensions. Unless this Lease has expired or has been sooner terminated, or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time any extension option is exercised, Lessee shall have the right and option (each, an “Extension Option”) to extend the Initial Term for all and not less than all of the Properties for four (4) additional successive periods of five (5) years each (each, an “Extension Term”), pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Lease then in effect.

 

Section 3.03. Notice of Exercise. Lessee may only exercise an Extension Option by giving written notice thereof to Lessor of its election to do so no later than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the expiration of the then-current Lease Term. If written notice of the exercise of any Extension Option is not received by Lessor by the applicable dates described above, then this Lease shall terminate on the last day of the Initial Term or, if applicable, the last day of the Extension Term then in effect. Upon the request of Lessor or Lessee, the parties hereto will, at the expense of Lessee, execute and exchange an instrument in recordable form setting forth the extension of the Lease Term in accordance with this Section 3.03.

 

Section 3.04. Removal of Personalty. During the Lease Term, Lessee may remove from the Properties any or all of the personal property belonging to Lessee. Upon the expiration of the Lease Term, Lessee may remove from the Properties all personal property belonging to Lessee. Lessee shall repair any damage caused by such removal and shall leave all of the Properties clean and in good and working condition and repair inside and out, subject to normal wear and tear, casualty and condemnation. Any property of Lessee left on the Properties on the tenth day following the expiration of the Lease Term and the date that Lessee vacates the Properties shall, at Lessor’s option, automatically and immediately become the property of Lessor.

 

2 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

ARTICLE IV

Rental and Other Monetary Obligations

 

Section 4.01. Base Monthly Rental. During the Lease Term, on or before the first day of each calendar month, Lessee shall pay in advance the Base Monthly Rental then in effect. If the Effective Date is a date other than the first day of the month, Lessee shall pay to Lessor on the Effective Date the Base Monthly Rental prorated by multiplying the Base Monthly Rental by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days remaining in the month (including the Effective Date) for which Rental is being paid, and the denominator of which is the total number of days in such month.

 

Section 4.02. Adjustments. During the Lease Term (including any Extension Term), on the first Adjustment Date and on each Adjustment Date thereafter, the Base Annual Rental shall increase by an amount equal to the Rental Adjustment; provided, however, that in no event shall Base Annual Rental be reduced as a result of the application of the Rental Adjustment.

 

Section 4.03. Additional Rental. Lessee shall pay and discharge, as additional rental (“Additional Rental”), all sums of money required to be paid by Lessee under this Lease which are not specifically referred to as Rental. Lessee shall pay and discharge any Additional Rental when the same shall become due, provided that amounts which are billed to Lessor or any third party, but not to Lessee, shall be paid within fifteen (15) days after Lessor’s demand for payment thereof (together with reasonable supporting documentation) or, if earlier, when the same are due. In no event shall Lessee be required to pay to Lessor any item of Additional Rental that Lessee is obligated to pay and has paid to any third party pursuant to any provision of this Lease.

 

Section 4.04. Rentals to be Net to Lessor. The Base Annual Rental payable hereunder shall be net to Lessor, so that this Lease shall yield to Lessor the Rentals specified during the Lease Term, and all Costs and obligations of every kind and nature whatsoever relating to the Properties shall be performed and paid by Lessee. Lessee shall perform all of its obligations under this Lease at its sole cost and expense. All Rental and other Monetary Obligations which Lessee is required to pay hereunder shall be the unconditional obligation of Lessee and shall be payable in full when due and payable, without notice or demand, and without any setoff, abatement, deferment, deduction or counterclaim whatsoever.

 

Section 4.05. ACH Authorization. Upon execution of this Lease, Lessee shall deliver to Lessor a complete Authorization Agreement – Pre-Arranged Payments in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, together with a voided check for account verification, establishing arrangements whereby payments of the Base Monthly Rental are transferred by Automated Clearing House Debit initiated by Lessor from an account established by Lessee at a United States bank or other financial institution to such account as Lessor may designate. Lessee shall continue to pay all Rental by Automated Clearing House Debit unless otherwise directed by Lessor. For avoidance of doubt, Additional Rental payments shall not be initiated by Lessor. Any Additional Rental payments, which must be made to Lessor shall be initiated by Lessee from an account established by Lessee at a United States bank or other financial institution to such account as Lessor may designate.

 

3 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

Section 4.06. Late Charges; Default Interest. Any delinquent payment for a period of five (5) days past the date due shall, in addition to any other remedy of Lessor, incur a late charge of five percent (5%) (which late charge is intended to compensate Lessor for the cost of handling and processing such delinquent payment and should not be considered interest) and bear interest at the Default Rate, such interest to be computed from and including the date such payment was due through and including the date of the payment; provided, however, in no event shall Lessee be obligated to pay a sum of late charge and interest higher than the maximum legal rate then in effect.

 

Section 4.07. Holdover. If Lessee remains in possession of the Properties after the expiration of the term hereof, Lessee, at Lessor’s option and within Lessor’s sole discretion, may be deemed a tenant on a month-to-month basis and shall continue to pay Rentals and other Monetary Obligations in the amounts herein provided, except that the Base Monthly Rental shall be automatically increased to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the last Base Monthly Rental payable under this Lease, and Lessee shall comply with all the terms of this Lease; provided that nothing herein nor the acceptance of Rental by Lessor shall be deemed a consent to such holding over.

 

ARTICLE V

Representations and Warranties

 

Section 5.01. Lessee Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The representations and warranties of Lessee contained in this Section 5.01 are being made to induce Lessor to enter into this Lease, and Lessor has relied, and will continue to rely, upon such representations and warranties. Lessee represents and warrants to Lessor as follows as of the Effective Date:

 

(a) Organization, Authority and Status of Lessee. Lessee has been duly organized or formed, is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of formation and is qualified as a foreign corporation to do business in the jurisdictions where the Properties are located. All necessary corporate and appropriate action has been taken to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by Lessee of this Lease and of the other documents, instruments and agreements provided for herein. Lessee is not, and if Lessee is a “disregarded entity,” the owner of such disregarded entity is not, a “nonresident alien,” “foreign corporation,” “foreign partnership,” “foreign trust,” “foreign estate,” or any other “person” that is not a “United States Person” as those terms are defined in the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. The Person who has executed this Lease on behalf of Lessee is duly authorized to do so.

 

(b) Enforceability. This Lease constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Lessee, enforceable against Lessee in accordance with its terms.

 

(c) Litigation. There are no suits, actions, proceedings or investigations pending, or to the best of its knowledge, threatened against or involving any Lessee Entity or the Properties before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority which might reasonably result in any Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(d) Absence of Breaches or Defaults. Lessee is not in default under any document, instrument or agreement to which Lessee is a party or by which Lessee, the Properties or any of Lessee’s property is subject or bound, which has had, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect. The authorization, execution, delivery and performance Lessee of this Lease and the documents, instruments and agreements provided for herein will not result in any breach of or default under any document, instrument or agreement to which Lessee is a party or by which Lessee, the Properties or any of Lessee’s property is subject or bound.

 

(e) Compliance with OFAC Laws. None of the Lessee Entities, and no individual or entity owning directly or indirectly any interest in any of the Lessee Entities, is an individual or entity whose property or interests are subject to being blocked under any of the OFAC Laws or is otherwise in violation of any of the OFAC Laws; provided, however, that the representation contained in this sentence shall not apply to any Person to the extent such Person’s interest is in or through a U.S. Publicly Traded Entity.

 

(f) Solvency. There is no contemplated, pending or threatened Insolvency Event or similar proceedings, whether voluntary or involuntary, affecting Lessee or any Lessee Entity.

 

(g) Ownership. None of (i) Lessee, (ii) any Affiliate of Lessee, or (iii) any Person owning ten percent (10%) or more of Lessee, owns, directly or indirectly, ten percent (10%) or more of the total voting power or total value of capital stock in STORE Capital Corporation.

 

Section 5.02. Lessor Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The representations and warranties of Lessor contained in this Section 5.02 are being made to induce Lessee to enter into this Lease, and Lessee has relied, and will continue to rely, upon such representations and warranties. Lessor represents and warrants to Lessee as follows as of the Effective Date:

 

(a) Organization, Authority and Status of Lessor. Lessor has been duly organized or formed, is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of formation and is qualified as a foreign corporation to do business in the jurisdictions where the Properties are located. All necessary corporate and appropriate action has been taken to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by Lessor of this Lease and of the other documents, instruments and agreements provided for herein. Lessor is not, and if Lessor is a “disregarded entity,” the owner of such disregarded entity is not, a “nonresident alien,” “foreign corporation,” “foreign partnership,” “foreign trust,” “foreign estate,” or any other “person” that is not a “United States Person” as those terms are defined in the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. The Person who has executed this Lease on behalf of Lessor is duly authorized to do so.

 

(b) Enforceability. This Lease constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Lessor, enforceable against Lessor in accordance with its terms.

 

(c) Litigation. There are no suits, actions, proceedings or investigations pending, or to the best of its knowledge, threatened against or involving any Lessor Entities before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority which might reasonably result in any Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(d) Absence of Breaches or Defaults. As of the date hereof, Lessor is not in default under any document, instrument or agreement to which Lessor is a party or by which Lessor, the Properties or any of Lessor’s property is subject or bound, which has had, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect. The authorization, execution, delivery and performance by Lessor of this Lease and the documents, instruments and agreements provided for herein will not result in any breach of or default under any document, instrument or agreement to which Lessor is a party or by which Lessor, the Properties or any of Lessor’s property is subject or bound.

 

(e) Compliance with OFAC Laws. None of the Lessor Entities, and no individual or entity owning directly or indirectly any interest in any of the Lessor Entities, is an individual or entity whose property or interests are subject to being blocked under any of the OFAC Laws or is otherwise in violation of any of the OFAC Laws; provided, however, that the representation contained in this sentence shall not apply to any Person to the extent such Person’s interest is in or through a U.S. Publicly Traded Entity.

 

(f) Solvency. There is no contemplated, pending or threatened Insolvency Event or similar proceedings, whether voluntary or involuntary, affecting Lessor or any Lessor Entity.

 

ARTICLE VI

Taxes and Assessments; UTILITIES; INSURANCE

 

Section 6.01. Taxes.

 

(a) Payment. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.01(b) below, Lessee shall pay, prior to the earlier of delinquency or the accrual of interest on the unpaid balance, all taxes and assessments of every type or nature assessed against or imposed upon the Properties, Lessee or Lessor during the Lease Term related to or arising out of this Lease and the activities of the parties hereunder, including without limitation, (i) all taxes or assessments upon the Properties or any part thereof and upon any personal property, trade fixtures and improvements located on the Properties, whether belonging to Lessor or Lessee, or any tax or charge levied in lieu of such taxes and assessments; (ii) all taxes, charges, license fees and or similar fees imposed by reason of the use of the Properties by Lessee; (iii) all excise, franchise, transaction, privilege, license, sales, use and other taxes upon the Rental or other Monetary Obligations hereunder, the leasehold estate of either party or the activities of either party pursuant to this Lease; and (iv) all franchise, privilege or similar taxes of Lessor calculated on the value of the Properties or on the amount of capital apportioned to the Properties. Notwithstanding anything in clauses (i) through (iv) to the contrary, Lessee shall not be obligated to pay or reimburse Lessor for any taxes based on the net income of Lessor, franchise, gift, estate, inheritance, succession, penalties, interest, and/or capital stock taxes, and Lessee shall not be obligated to pay any taxes resulting from, or in connection with, a sale or other transfer of a Property or the building(s) or improvements located thereon.

 

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(b) Right to Contest. Within thirty (30) days after each tax and assessment payment is required by this Section 6.01 to be paid, Lessee shall provide Lessor with evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lessor that taxes and assessments have been timely paid by Lessee. In the event tax bills are received by Lessor, Lessor shall promptly after receipt deliver a copy to Lessee. Lessor shall endeavor to cause all tax bills to be directly to Lessee. Lessee may, at its own expense, contest or cause to be contested (in the case of any item involving more than $10,000, after prior written notice to Lessor, which shall be given within fifteen (15) days of Lessee’s determination to contest any matter as permitted herein), by appropriate legal proceedings conducted in good faith and with due diligence, any above-described item or lien with respect thereto, provided that (i) neither the Properties nor any interest therein would be in any danger of being sold, forfeited or lost by reason of such proceedings; (ii) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; (iii) if and to the extent required by the applicable taxing authority and/or Lessor, Lessee posts a bond or takes other steps acceptable to such taxing authority and/or Lessor that removes such lien or stays enforcement thereof; (iv) Lessee shall promptly provide Lessor with copies of all notices received or delivered by Lessee and filings made by Lessee in connection with such proceeding; and (v) upon termination of such proceedings, it shall be the obligation of Lessee to pay the amount of any such tax and assessment or part thereof as finally determined in such proceedings, the payment of which may have been deferred during the prosecution of such proceedings, together with any costs, fees (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements), interest, penalties or other liabilities in connection therewith. Lessor shall at the request of Lessee, execute or join in the execution of any instruments or documents necessary in connection with such contest or proceedings, but Lessor shall incur no cost or obligation thereby.

 

Section 6.02. Utilities. Lessee shall contract, in its own name, for and pay when due all charges for the connection and use of water, gas, electricity, telephone, garbage collection, sewer use and other utility services supplied to the Properties during the Lease Term. Unless related to the acts, omissions, gross negligence and/or willful misconduct of Lessor, Lessor’s employees, agents and/or contractors, under no circumstances shall Lessor be responsible for any interruption of any utility service.

 

Section 6.03. Insurance.

 

(a) Coverage. Throughout the Lease Term, Lessee shall maintain, with respect to each of the Properties, at its sole expense, the following types and amounts of insurance, in addition to such other insurance as Lessor may reasonably require from time to time:

 

(i) Insurance against loss or damage to real property and personal property under an “all risk” or “special form” insurance policy, which shall include coverage against all risks of direct physical loss, including but not limited to loss by fire, lightning, wind, terrorism, and other risks normally included in the standard ISO special form (and shall also include National Flood and Excess Flood insurance for any Property located in Flood Zone A or Flood Zone V, as designated by FEMA, or otherwise located in a flood zone area identified by FEMA as a 100-year flood zone or special hazard area, and earthquake insurance if any Property is located within a moderate to high earthquake hazard zone as determined by an approved insurance company set forth in Section 6.03(b)(x) below). Such policy shall also include soft costs, a joint loss agreement, coverage for ordinance or law covering the loss of value of the undamaged portion of the Properties, costs to demolish and the increased costs of construction if any of the improvements located on, or the use of, the Properties shall at any time constitute legal non-conforming structures or uses. Ordinance or law limits shall be in an amount equal to the full replacement cost for the loss of value of the undamaged portion of the Properties and no less than 25% of the replacement cost for costs to demolish and the increased cost of construction, or in an amount otherwise specified by Lessor. Such insurance shall be in amounts not less than 100% of the full insurable replacement cost values (without deduction for depreciation), with an agreed amount endorsement or without any coinsurance provision, and with sublimits reasonably satisfactory to Lessor, as determined from time to time at Lessor’s request but not more frequently than once in any 12-month period.

 

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(ii) Commercial general liability insurance, including products and completed operation liability, covering Lessor (as additional insured) and Lessee against bodily injury liability, property damage liability and personal and advertising injury, including without limitation any liability arising out of the ownership, maintenance, repair, condition or operation of the Properties or adjoining ways, streets, parking lots or sidewalks. Such insurance policy or policies shall contain a broad form contractual liability endorsement under which the insurer agrees to insure Lessee’s obligations under Article X hereof to the extent insurable, and a “severability of interest” clause or endorsement which precludes the insurer from denying the claim of Lessee or Lessor because of the negligence or other acts of the other, shall be in amounts of not less than $10,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage, and $10,000,000 general aggregate per location, or such higher limits as Lessor may reasonably require from time to time, and shall be of form and substance satisfactory to Lessor. Such limits of insurance can be acquired through Commercial General liability and Umbrella liability policies.

 

(iii) Workers’ compensation and Employers Liability insurance with statutorily mandated limits covering all persons employed by Lessee on the Properties in connection with any work done on or about any of the Properties for which claims for death or bodily injury could be asserted against Lessor, Lessee or the Properties.

 

(iv) Business interruption insurance including Rental Value Insurance payable to Lessor at all locations for a period of not less than twelve (12) months. Such insurance is to follow the form of the real property “all risk” or “special form” coverage and is not to contain a co-insurance clause. Such insurance is to have a minimum of 180 days of extended period of indemnity.

 

(v) Automobile liability insurance, including owned, non-owned and hired car liability insurance for combined limits of liability of $5,000,000 per occurrence. The limits of liability can be provided in a combination of an automobile liability policy and an umbrella liability policy.

 

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(vi) Comprehensive Boiler and Machinery or Equipment Breakdown Insurance against loss or damage from explosion of any steam or pressure boilers or similar apparatus, if any, and other building equipment including HVAC units located in or about each Property and in an amount equal to the lesser of 25% of the 100% replacement cost of each Property or $5,000,000.

 

(vii) Such additional and/or other insurance and in such amounts as at the time is customarily carried by prudent owners or tenants with respect to improvements and personal property similar in character, location and use and occupancy to each Property.

 

(b) Insurance Provisions. All insurance policies shall:

 

(i) provide for a waiver of subrogation by the insurer as to claims against Lessor, its employees and agents;

 

(ii) be primary and provide that any “other insurance” clause in the insurance policy shall exclude any policies of insurance maintained by Lessor and the insurance policy shall not be brought into contribution with insurance maintained by Lessor;

 

(iii) contain deductibles not to exceed $25,000;

 

(iv) contain a standard non-contributory mortgagee clause or endorsement in favor of any Lender designated by Lessor;

 

(v) if available, provide that the policy of insurance shall not be terminated, cancelled or amended without at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to Lessor and to any Lender covered by any standard mortgagee clause or endorsement;

 

(vi) provide that the insurer shall not have the option to restore the Properties if Lessor elects to terminate this Lease in accordance with the terms hereof;

 

(vii) be in amounts sufficient at all times to satisfy any coinsurance requirements thereof;

 

(viii) except for workers’ compensation insurance referred to in Section 6.03(a)(iii) above, name Lessor and any Lessor Affiliate or Lender requested by Lessor, as an “additional insured” with respect to liability insurance, and as an “additional named insured” or “additional insured” with respect to real property and rental value insurance, as appropriate and as their interests may appear;

 

(ix) be evidenced by delivery to Lessor and any Lender designated by Lessor of an Acord Form 28 for property, business interruption and boiler & machinery coverage (or any other form requested by Lessor) and an Acord Form 25 for commercial general liability, workers’ compensation and umbrella coverage (or any other form requested by Lessor); provided that in the event that either such form is no longer available, such evidence of insurance shall be in a form reasonably satisfactory to Lessor and any Lender designated by Lessor; and

 

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(x) be issued by insurance companies licensed to do business in the states where the Properties are located and which are rated no less than A-X by Best’s Insurance Guide or are otherwise approved by Lessor.

 

(c) Additional Obligations. It is expressly understood and agreed that (i) if any insurance required hereunder, or any part thereof, shall expire, be withdrawn, become void by breach of any condition thereof by Lessee, or become void or in jeopardy by reason of the failure or impairment of the capital of any insurer, Lessee shall immediately obtain new or additional insurance reasonably satisfactory to Lessor and any Lender designated by Lessor; (ii) the minimum limits of insurance coverage set forth in this Section 6.03 shall not limit the liability of Lessee for its acts or omissions as provided in this Lease; (iii) Lessee shall procure policies for all insurance for periods of not less than one year and shall provide to Lessor and any servicer or Lender of Lessor certificates of insurance or, upon Lessor’s request, duplicate originals of insurance policies evidencing that insurance satisfying the requirements of this Lease is in effect at all times; (iv) Lessee shall pay as they become due all premiums for the insurance required by this Section 6.03; (v) in the event that Lessee fails to comply with any of the requirements set forth in this Section 6.03, within ten (10) days of the giving of written notice by Lessor to Lessee, (A) Lessor shall be entitled to procure such insurance; and (B) any sums expended by Lessor in procuring such insurance shall be Additional Rental and shall be repaid by Lessee, together with interest thereon at the Default Rate, from the time of payment by Lessor until fully paid by Lessee promptly upon written demand therefor by Lessor (together with reasonable supporting documentation); and (vi) Lessee shall maintain all insurance policies required in this Section 6.03 not to be cancelled, invalidated or suspended on account of the conduct of Lessee, its officers, directors, managers, members, employees or agents, or anyone acting for Lessee or any subtenant or other occupant of the Properties, and shall comply with all policy conditions and warranties at all times to avoid a forfeiture of all or a part of any insurance payment.

 

(d) Blanket Policies. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6.03, any insurance which Lessee is required to obtain pursuant to this Section 6.03 may be carried under a “blanket” policy or policies covering other properties or liabilities of Lessee provided that such “blanket” policy or policies otherwise comply with the provisions of this Section 6.03.

 

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2 Properties in GA and KY
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Section 6.04. Tax Impound. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and with respect to each Event of Default, in addition to any other remedies, Lessor may require Lessee to pay to Lessor on the first day of each month the amount that Lessor reasonably estimates will be necessary in order to accumulate with Lessor sufficient funds in an impound account (which shall not be deemed a trust fund) (the “Reserve”) for Lessor to pay any and all real estate taxes (“Real Estate Taxes”) for the Properties for the ensuing twelve (12) months, or, if due sooner, Lessee shall pay the required amount within five (5) Business Days following Lessor’s written demand therefor. Lessor shall, upon prior written request of Lessee, provide Lessee with evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lessee that payment of the Real Estate Taxes was made in a timely fashion. In the event that the Reserve does not contain sufficient funds to timely pay any Real Estate Taxes, upon Lessor’s written notification thereof, Lessee shall, within five (5) Business Days of such notice, provide funds to Lessor in the amount of such deficiency. Lessor shall pay or cause to be paid directly to the applicable taxing authorities any Real Estate Taxes then due and payable for which there are funds in the Reserve; provided, however, that in no event shall Lessor be obligated to pay any Real Estate Taxes in excess of the funds held in the Reserve, and Lessee shall remain liable for any and all Real Estate Taxes, including fines, penalties, interest or additional costs imposed by any taxing authority (unless incurred as a result of Lessor’s failure to timely pay Real Estate Taxes for which it had funds in the Reserve). Lessee shall cooperate fully with Lessor in assuring that the Real Estate Taxes are timely paid. Lessor may deposit all Reserve funds in accounts insured by any federal or state agency and may commingle such funds with other funds and accounts of Lessor. Interest or other gains from such funds, if any, shall be the sole property of Lessor. Upon an Event of Default, in addition to any other remedies, Lessor may apply all impounded funds in the Reserve against any sums due from Lessee to Lessor. Lessor shall give to Lessee an annual accounting showing all credits and debits to and from such impounded funds received from Lessee.

 

Section 6.05. Environmental Insurance. Throughout the first ten (10) years of the Lease Term, Lessor shall include the Properties in the Master Environmental Policy; provided that, on or before the December 2018 Lessee shall pay a one-time premium payment of $40,000 to Lessor for the Properties’ pro rata share of the premium of for such Master Environmental Policy for a ten (10) year policy. Thereafter (following the aforementioned ten year period), Lessee shall, upon not less than thirty (30) days written notice from Lessor, reimburse Lessor for the Properties’ reasonable pro rata share of the premium paid by Lessor at the time of each renewal of such Master Environmental Policy. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time during the Lease Term (i) Lessor is not able to include the Properties in the Master Environmental Policy and has provided not less than thirty (30) days written notice to Lessee of such inability, or (ii) upon not less than thirty (30) days written notice to Lessor, Lessee elects not to be included under the Master Environmental Policy, then in either case, Lessee shall maintain, at its sole cost and expense, an Environmental Policy with respect to the Properties in form reasonably satisfactory to Lessor in its reasonable discretion in lieu of the Master Environmental Policy. Lessor and Lessee each acknowledge and agree that (i) no party shall amend or terminate the Environmental Policy without the prior written consent of the other party; and (ii) this Lease shall be referenced as an “insured contract” under the Environmental Policy.

 

Master Environmental Policy” means a master environmental insurance policy maintained by Lessor (or any Affiliate thereof) that covers other real property owned by Lessor (or any Affiliate thereof).

 

Environmental Policy” means a pollution legal liability insurance policy, in the name of and for the benefit of Lessor, issued by an environmental insurer reasonably acceptable to Lessor and Lessor’s lender, which Environmental Policy shall be in form and substance satisfactory to Lessor and shall be in amounts reasonably acceptable to Lessor aggregate for losses caused by known and unknown pollution conditions that arise from the operations of the tenant, their contractors, or their sub-contractors, with coverage to include: (a) bodily injury or death, (b) property damage, including physical injury to or destruction of tangible property, (c) clean-up costs, and (d) defense, including costs, charges and expenses incurred in the investigation, adjustment or defense of claims for damages.

 

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ARTICLE VII

MAINTENANCE; ALTERATIONS

 

Section 7.01. Condition of Property; Maintenance. Lessee hereby accepts the Properties “AS IS” and “WHERE IS” with no representation or warranty of Lessor as to the condition thereof. Lessee shall, at its sole cost and expense, be responsible for (a) keeping all of the building, structures and improvements erected on each of the Properties in good order and repair, free from actual or constructive waste; (b) subject to provisions of Article XI, the repair or reconstruction of any building, structures or improvements erected on the Properties damaged or destroyed by a Casualty; (c) subject to Section 7.02, making all necessary structural, non-structural, exterior and interior repairs and replacements to any building, structures or improvements erected on the Properties; (d) (i) ensuring that no party encroaches upon any Property, (ii) protecting, defending, indemnifying, releasing and holding the Indemnified Parties harmless from and against any and all claims and Losses arising out of or in any way relating to any encroachments and/or activities upon any Property caused by any Person (other than any encroachments onto a Property shown on the survey and in the title report obtained by Purchaser in connection with its purchase of the Properties); and (iii) prosecuting any claims that Lessee seeks to bring against any Person relating to Lessee’s use and possession of any Property; and (e) paying all operating costs of the Properties in the ordinary course of business. Lessee waives any right to require Lessor to maintain, repair or rebuild all or any part of the Properties or make repairs at the expense of Lessor pursuant to any Legal Requirements at any time in effect.

 

Section 7.02. Alterations and Improvements. During the Lease Term, Lessee shall not alter the exterior, structural, plumbing or electrical elements of the Properties in any manner without the consent of Lessor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or conditioned; provided, however, Lessee may undertake nonstructural alterations to the Properties, individually, costing less than $150,000 without Lessor’s prior written consent. If Lessor’s consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or conditioned) is required hereunder and Lessor consents to the making of any such alterations, the same shall be made by Lessee at Lessee’s sole expense by a licensed contractor and according to plans and specifications reasonably approved by Lessor and subject to such other conditions as Lessor shall reasonably require. Any work at any time commenced by Lessee on the Properties shall be prosecuted diligently to completion, shall be of good workmanship and materials and shall comply fully with all the terms of this Lease and all Legal Requirements. Upon completion of any alterations individually costing $50,000 or more, Lessee shall promptly provide Lessor with evidence of full payment to all laborers and materialmen contributing to the alterations. Additionally, upon completion of any alterations, Lessee shall promptly provide Lessor with (a) an architect’s certificate certifying the alterations to have been completed in conformity with the plans and specifications (if the alterations are of such a nature as would require the issuance of such a certificate from the architect); (b) a certificate of occupancy (if the alterations are of such a nature as would require the issuance of a certificate of occupancy); and (c) any other documents or information reasonably requested by Lessor. Lessee shall keep the Properties free from any liens arising out of any work performed on, or materials furnished to, the Properties by or on behalf of Lessee. To the extent applicable in the jurisdiction where the Properties are located, Lessee shall execute and file or record, as appropriate, a “Notice of Non-Responsibility,” or any equivalent notice permitted under applicable Law in the states where the Properties are located which provides that Lessor is not responsible for the payment of any costs or expenses relating to the additions or alterations performed by or on behalf of Lessee. Any addition to or alteration of the Properties shall be deemed a part of the Properties and belong to Lessor, and Lessee shall execute and deliver to Lessor such instruments as Lessor may require to evidence the ownership by Lessor of such addition or alteration. The foregoing shall not include equipment installed at the Properties, which shall remain the property of Lessee.

 

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Section 7.03. Encumbrances. During the Lease Term, Lessor shall have the right to grant easements on, over, under and above the Properties with the prior consent of Lessee, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, provided that such easement does not interfere with Lessee’s use and enjoyment of the Properties and Lessee’s operations thereon. Without Lessor’s prior written consent, Lessee shall not grant any easements on, over, under or above the Properties.

 

ARTICLE VIII

Use of the Properties; Compliance

 

Section 8.01. Use. During the Lease Term, each of the Properties shall be used solely for the operation of a Permitted Facility. Except during periods when a Property is untenantable due to Casualty or Condemnation (and provided that Lessee continues to strictly comply with the other terms and conditions of this Lease), Lessee shall at all times during the Lease Term occupy the Properties and shall diligently operate its business on the Properties. In the event that Lessee shall change the use of the Properties or the concept or brand operated on the Properties, only as may be expressly permitted herein or consented to by Lessor in writing, Lessee shall provide Lessor with written notice of any such change and copies of the franchise agreement(s) related to such new concept or brand, if any.

 

Section 8.02. Compliance. Lessee’s use and occupation of each of the Properties, and the condition thereof, shall, at Lessee’s sole cost and expense, comply fully with all Legal Requirements and all restrictions, covenants and encumbrances of record, and any owner obligations under such Legal Requirements, or restrictions, covenants and encumbrances of record, with respect to the Properties, in either event, the failure with which to comply could have a Material Adverse Effect. Without in any way limiting the foregoing provisions, Lessee shall comply with all Legal Requirements relating to anti-terrorism, trade embargos, economic sanctions, Anti-Money Laundering Laws, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as such act may be amended from time to time, and all regulations promulgated thereunder, as it affects the Properties now or hereafter in effect. Lessee shall obtain, maintain and comply with all required licenses and permits, both governmental and private, to use and operate the Properties as Permitted Facilities. Upon Lessor’s written request from time to time during the Lease Term, Lessee shall certify in writing to Lessor that Lessee’s representations, warranties and obligations under Section 5.05 and this Section 8.02 remain true and correct and have not been breached. Lessee shall immediately notify Lessor in writing if any of such representations, warranties or covenants are no longer true or have been breached or if Lessee has a reasonable basis to believe that they may no longer be true or have been breached. In connection with such an event, Lessee shall comply with all Legal Requirements and directives of Governmental Authorities and, at Lessor’s request, provide to Lessor copies of all notices, reports and other communications exchanged with, or received from, Governmental Authorities relating to such an event. Lessee shall also reimburse Lessor for all Costs incurred by Lessor in evaluating the effect of such an event on the Properties and this Lease, in obtaining any necessary license from Governmental Authorities as may be necessary for Lessor to enforce its rights under the Transaction Documents, and in complying with all Legal Requirements applicable to Lessor as the result of the existence of such an event and for any penalties or fines imposed upon Lessor as a result thereof. Lessee will use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent any act or condition to exist on or about the Properties that will materially increase any insurance rate thereon, except when such acts are required in the normal course of its business and Lessee shall pay for such increase. Lessee agrees that it will defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Parties from and against any and all Losses caused by, incurred or resulting from Lessee’s failure to comply with its obligations under this Section.

 

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2 Properties in GA and KY
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Section 8.03. Environmental.

 

(a) Covenants.

 

(i) Lessee covenants to Lessor during the Lease Term, subject to the limitations of subsection (ii) below, as follows:

 

(A) All uses and operations on or of the Properties, whether by Lessee or any other Person, shall be in compliance with all Environmental Laws and permits issued pursuant thereto.

 

(B) There shall be no Releases in, on, under or from the Properties, except in Permitted Amounts.

 

(C) There shall be no Hazardous Materials or Regulated Substances in, on or under the Properties, except in Permitted Amounts. Above and below ground storage tanks shall be properly permitted and only used as permitted.

 

(D) Lessee shall keep the Properties or cause the Properties to be kept free and clear of all Environmental Liens, whether due to any act or omission of Lessee or any other Person.

 

(E) Lessee shall not act or fail to act or allow any other tenant, occupant, guest, customer or other user of the Properties to act or fail to act in any way that (1) materially increases a risk to human health or the environment, (2) poses an unreasonable or unacceptable risk of harm to any Person or the environment (whether on or off any of the Properties), (3) has a Material Adverse Effect, (4) is contrary to any material requirement set forth in the insurance policies maintained by Lessee or Lessor, (5) constitutes a public or private nuisance or constitutes waste, (6) violates any covenant, condition, agreement or easement applicable to the Properties, or (7) would result in any reopening or reconsideration of any prior investigation or causes a new investigation by a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over any Property.

 

(F) Lessee shall, at its sole cost and expense, fully and expeditiously cooperate in all activities pursuant to this Section 8.03, including but not limited to providing all relevant information and making knowledgeable persons available for interviews.

 

14 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

(ii) Notwithstanding any provision of this Lease to the contrary, an Event of Default shall not be deemed to have occurred as a result of the failure of Lessee to satisfy any one or more of the covenants set forth in subsections (A) through (E) above provided that Lessee shall be in compliance with the requirements of any Governmental Authority with respect to the Remediation of any Release at the Properties.

 

(b) Notification Requirements. Lessee shall immediately notify Lessor in writing upon Lessee obtaining actual knowledge of (i) any Releases or Threatened Releases in, on, under or from any of the Properties other than in Permitted Amounts, or migrating towards any of the Properties; (ii) any non-compliance with any Environmental Laws related in any way to any of the Properties; (iii) any actual or potential Environmental Lien or activity use limitation; (iv) any required or proposed Remediation of environmental conditions relating to any of the Properties required by applicable Governmental Authorities; and (v) any written or oral notice or other communication of which Lessee becomes aware from any source whatsoever (including but not limited to a Governmental Authority) relating in any way to Hazardous Materials, Regulated Substances or above or below ground storage tanks, or Remediation thereof at or on any of the Properties, other than in Permitted Amounts, possible liability of any Person relating to any of the Properties pursuant to any Environmental Law, other environmental conditions in connection with any of the Properties, or any actual or potential administrative or judicial proceedings in connection with anything referred to in this Section. Lessee shall, upon Lessor’s written request, deliver to Lessor a certificate stating that Lessee is and has been in full compliance with all of the environmental representations, warranties and covenants in this Lease.

 

(c) Remediation. Lessee shall, at its sole cost and expense, and without limiting any other provision of this Lease, effectuate any Remediation required by any Governmental Authority of any condition (including, but not limited to, a Release or Threatened Release) in, on, under or from the Properties and take any other reasonable action deemed necessary by any Governmental Authority for protection of human health or the environment. Should Lessee fail to undertake any required Remediation in accordance with the preceding sentence, Lessor, after written notice to Lessee and Lessee’s failure to promptly undertake such Remediation, shall be permitted to complete such Remediation, and all Costs incurred in connection therewith shall be paid by Lessee. Any Cost so paid by Lessor, together with interest at the Default Rate, shall be deemed to be Additional Rental hereunder and shall be immediately due from Lessee to Lessor.

 

(d) Indemnification. Lessee shall, at its sole cost and expense, protect, defend, indemnify, release and hold harmless each of the Indemnified Parties from and against any and all Losses, including, but not limited to, all Costs of Remediation (whether or not performed voluntarily), arising out of or in any way relating to any Environmental Laws, Hazardous Materials, Regulated Substances, above or below ground storage tanks, or other environmental matters concerning the Properties. It is expressly understood and agreed that Lessee’s obligations under this Section shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease for any reason.

 

15 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

(e) Right of Entry. In the event that Lessor has a reasonable basis to believe that a Release or a violation of any Environmental Law has occurred, Lessor and any other Person designated by Lessor, including but not limited to any receiver, any representative of a Governmental Authority, and any environmental consultant, shall have the right, but not the obligation, to enter upon the Properties at all reasonable times upon reasonable advance notice to Lessee to assess any and all aspects of the environmental condition of any Property and its use, including but not limited to conducting any environmental assessment or audit (the scope of which shall be determined in Lessor’s sole and absolute discretion) and taking samples of soil, groundwater or other water, air, or building materials, and conducting other invasive testing. Lessee shall cooperate with and provide access to Lessor and any other Person designated by Lessor. Any such assessment or investigation identifying a Release or violation of Environmental Law shall be at Lessee’s sole cost and expense. To the extent possible, Lessor’s access and inspections hereunder shall be done in a way to minimize interference with Lessee’s business operations, and for avoidance of doubt.

 

(f) Survival. The obligations of Lessee and the rights and remedies of Lessor under this Section 8.03 shall survive the termination, expiration and/or release of this Lease.

 

ARTICLE IX

additional COVENANTS

 

Section 9.01. Performance at Lessee’s Expense. Lessee acknowledges and confirms that Lessor may impose reasonable administrative, processing or servicing fees, and collect its reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses in connection with (a) any extension (other than the exercise of Extension Options), renewal, modification, amendment and termination of this Lease requested by Lessee; (b) any release or substitution of Properties requested by Lessee; (c) the procurement of consents, waivers and approvals with respect to the Properties or any matter related to this Lease requested by Lessee; (d) the review of any assignment or sublease or proposed assignment or sublease or the preparation or review of any subordination or non-disturbance agreement requested by Lessee; (e) the collection, maintenance and/or disbursement of reserves created under this Lease or the other Transaction Documents (following an Event of Default); and (f) inspections required to make certain determinations under this Lease or the other Transaction Documents following Lessor’s reasonable belief of a breach under this Lease or any other Transaction Documents.

 

Section 9.02. Inspection. Lessor and its authorized representatives shall have the right, at all mutually agreeable times and upon giving reasonable prior notice (except in the event of an emergency, in which case no prior notice shall be required), to enter the Properties or any part thereof and inspect the same.

 

16 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

Section 9.03. Financial Information.

 

(a) Financial Statements. Within forty five (45) days after the end of each fiscal quarter and within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year of Lessee and Lessee Reporting Entities, Lessee shall deliver to Lessor (i) complete consolidated financial statements that consolidate Lessee and Lessee Reporting Entities, including a balance sheet, profit and loss statement, statement of stockholders’ equity and statement of cash flows and all other related schedules for the fiscal period then ended, such statements to detail separately interest expense, income taxes, non-cash expenses, non-recurring expenses, operating lease expense and current portion of long-term debt – capital leases; (ii) income statements for the business at each of the Properties; and (iii) the supplemental financial information set forth on Schedule 9.03. All such financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP, and shall be certified to be accurate and complete by an officer or director of each Lessee Reporting Entity. In the event that Lessee’s business at the Properties is ordinarily consolidated with other business for financial statements purposes, a separate profit and loss statement shall be provided showing separately the sales, profits and losses pertaining to each Property with interest expense, income taxes, non-cash expenses, non-recurring expenses and operating lease expense (rent), with the basis for allocation of overhead or other charges being clearly set forth in accordance with Schedule 9.03. The financial statements delivered to Lessor need not be audited, but Lessee shall deliver to Lessor copies of any audited financial statements of the Lessee Reporting Entities which may be prepared, as soon as they are available.

 

(b) Other Information. Notwithstanding any provision contained herein, upon request at any time, Lessee will provide to Lessor, at no additional cost or expense to Lessee, any and all financial information and/or financial statements of Lessee Reporting Entities (and in the form or forms) as reasonably requested by Lessor including, but not limited to, as requested by Lessor in connection with Lessor’s filings with or disclosures to the Securities and Exchange Commission or other Governmental Authority.

 

Section 9.04. OFAC Laws. Upon receipt of notice or upon actual knowledge thereof, Lessee shall immediately notify Lessor in writing if any Person owning (directly or indirectly) any interest in any of the Lessee Entities, or any director, officer, shareholder, member, manager or partner of any of such holders is a Person whose property or interests are subject to being blocked under any of the OFAC Laws, or is otherwise in violation of any of the OFAC Laws, or is under investigation by any Governmental Authority for, or has been charged with, or convicted of, drug trafficking, terrorist-related activities or any violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Laws, has been assessed civil penalties under these or related Laws, or has had funds seized or forfeited in an action under these or related Laws; provided, however, that the covenant in this Section 9.04 shall not apply to any Person to the extent such Person’s interest is in or through a U.S. Publicly Traded Entity.

 

Section 9.05. Estoppel Certificate. At any time, and from time to time, Lessee shall, promptly and in no event later than ten (10) Business Days after a request from Lessor or any Lender or mortgagee of Lessor, execute, acknowledge and deliver to Lessor or such Lender or mortgagee, as the case may be, a certificate in the form supplied by Lessor, certifying: (a) that Lessee has accepted the Properties; (b) that this Lease is in full force and effect and has not been modified (or if modified, setting forth all modifications), or, if this Lease is not in full force and effect, the certificate shall so specify the reasons therefor; (c) the commencement and expiration dates of the Lease Term; (d) the date to which the Rentals have been paid under this Lease and the amount thereof then payable; (e) whether there are then any existing defaults by Lessor in the performance of its obligations under this Lease, and, if there are any such defaults, specifying the nature and extent thereof; (f) that no notice has been received by Lessee of any default under this Lease which has not been cured, except as to defaults specified in the certificate; (g) the capacity of the Person executing such certificate, and that such Person is duly authorized to execute the same on behalf of Lessee; and (h) any other information reasonably requested by Lessor or any Lender or mortgagee, as the case may be.

 

17 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

ARTICLE X

RELEASE AND Indemnification

 

Section 10.01. Release and Indemnification. Lessee agrees to use and occupy the Properties at its own risk and hereby releases Lessor and Lessor’s agents and employees from all claims for any damage or injury to the full extent permitted by Law (excluding MATTERS arising out of the ACTS, OMISSIONS, GROSS NEGLIGENCE AND/OR willful misconduct of such LESSOR Or LESSOR’s AGENTS and EMPLOYEES occurring on or after the Effective Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE TERM “GROSS NEGLIGENCE” SHALL NOT INCLUDE GROSS NEGLIGENCE IMPUTED AS A MATTER OF LAW TO LESSOR SOLELY BY REASON OF LESSOR’S INTEREST IN ANY PROPERTY OR LESSOR’S FAILURE TO ACT IN RESPECT OF MATTERS WHICH ARE OR WERE THE OBLIGATION OF LESSEE UNDER THIS LEASE). Lessee agrees that Lessor shall not be responsible or liable to Lessee or Lessee’s employees, agents, customers, licensees or invitees for bodily injury, personal injury or property damage occasioned by the acts or omissions of any other lessee or any other Person. Lessee agrees that any employee or agent to whom the Properties or any part thereof shall be entrusted by or on behalf of Lessee shall be acting as Lessee’s agent with respect to the Properties or any part thereof, and neither Lessor nor Lessor’s agents, employees or contractors shall be liable for any loss of or damage to the Properties or any part thereof. Lessee shall indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless each of the Indemnified Parties from and against any and all Losses (excluding Losses suffered by an Indemnified Party arising out of the ACTS, OMISSIONS, GROSS NEGLIGENCE AND/OR willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party occurring on or after the Effective Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE TERM “GROSS NEGLIGENCE” SHALL NOT INCLUDE GROSS NEGLIGENCE IMPUTED AS A MATTER OF LAW TO ANY OF THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES SOLELY BY REASON OF LESSOR’S INTEREST IN ANY PROPERTY OR LESSOR’S FAILURE TO ACT IN RESPECT OF MATTERS WHICH ARE OR WERE THE OBLIGATION OF LESSEE UNDER THIS LEASE) caused by, incurred or resulting from Lessee’s operations or by Lessee’s use and occupancy of the Properties, whether relating to its original design or construction, latent defects, alteration, maintenance, use by Lessee or any Person thereon, supervision or otherwise, or from any breach of, default under, or failure to perform, any term or provision of this Lease by Lessee, its officers, employees, agents or other Persons. It is expressly understood and agreed that Lessee’s obligations under this Section shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease for any reason whatsoever.

 

18 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

ARTICLE XI

Condemnation and Casualty

 

Section 11.01. Notification. Lessee shall promptly give Lessor written notice of (a) any Condemnation of any of the Properties, (b) the commencement of any proceedings or negotiations which might result in a Condemnation of any of the Properties, and (c) any Casualty to any of the Properties or any part thereof. Such notice shall provide a general description of the nature and extent of such Condemnation, proceedings, negotiations or Casualty, and shall include copies of any documents or notices received in connection therewith. Thereafter, Lessee shall promptly send Lessor copies of all notices, correspondence and pleadings relating to any such Condemnation, proceedings, negotiations or Casualty.

 

Section 11.02. Total Condemnation. In the event of a Condemnation of all or substantially all of any of the Properties, and if as a result of such Condemnation: (i) access to the Property to and from the publicly dedicated roads adjacent to the Property as of the Effective Date is permanently and materially impaired such that Lessee no longer has access to such dedicated road; (ii) there is insufficient parking to operate the Property as a Permitted Facility under applicable Laws; or (iii) the Condemnation includes a portion of the building such that the remaining portion is unsuitable for use as a Permitted Facility, as determined by Lessee in the exercise of good faith business judgment (and Lessee provides to Lessor an officer’s certificate executed by an officer of Lessee certifying to the same) (each such event, a “Total Condemnation”), then, in such event:

 

(a) Termination of Lease. On the date of the Total Condemnation, all obligations of either party hereunder with respect to the applicable Property shall cease and the Base Annual Rental shall be reduced as set forth in Section 11.03(c) below; provided, however, that Lessee’s obligations to the Indemnified Parties under any indemnification provisions of this Lease with respect to such Property and Lessee’s obligation to pay Rental and all other Monetary Obligations (whether payable to Lessor or a third party) accruing under this Lease with respect to such Property prior to the date of termination shall survive such termination. If the date of such Total Condemnation is other than the first day of a month, the Base Monthly Rental for the month in which such Total Condemnation occurs shall be apportioned based on the date of the Total Condemnation.

 

(b) Net Award. Subject to Section 11.07 below, Lessor shall be entitled to receive the entire Net Award in connection with a Total Condemnation without deduction for any estate vested in Lessee by this Lease, and Lessee hereby expressly assigns to Lessor all of its right, title and interest in and to every such Net Award and agrees that Lessee shall not be entitled to any Net Award or other payment for the value of Lessee’s leasehold interest in this Lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Lessee shall be entitled to assert a claim for moving expenses and Lessee’s fixtures and equipment, provided Lessor’s reward is not reduced thereby.

 

Section 11.03. Partial Condemnation or Casualty. In the event of a Condemnation which is not a Total Condemnation (each such event, a “Partial Condemnation”), or in the event of a Casualty:

 

(a) Net Awards. All Net Awards shall be paid to Lessor.

 

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A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

(b) Continuance of Lease. This Lease shall continue in full force and effect upon the following terms:

 

(i) All Rental and other Monetary Obligations due under this Lease shall continue unabated.

 

(ii) Subject to the time required for receipt of the insurance proceeds, Lessee shall promptly commence and diligently prosecute restoration of such Property to the same condition, as nearly as practicable, as prior to such Partial Condemnation or Casualty as approved by Lessor. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Mortgages and upon the written request of Lessee (accompanied by evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lessor that such amount has been paid or is due and payable and is properly part of such costs, and that Lessee has complied with the terms of Section 7.02 in connection with the restoration), Lessor shall promptly make available to Lessee in installments, subject to reasonable conditions for disbursement imposed by Lessor, an amount up to but not exceeding the amount of any Net Award received by Lessor with respect to such Partial Condemnation or Casualty. Prior to the disbursement of any portion of the Net Award with respect to a Casualty, Lessee shall provide evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lessor of the payment of restoration expenses by Lessee up to the amount of the insurance deductible applicable to such Casualty. Lessor shall be entitled to keep any portion of the Net Award which may be in excess of the cost of restoration, and Lessee shall bear all additional Costs of such restoration in excess of the Net Award.

 

(c) Rental. Upon removal of a Property pursuant to Section 11.02 or Section 11.03, the Base Annual Rental shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Lease Rate multiplied by the Net Award.

 

Section 11.04. Temporary Taking. In the event of a Condemnation of all or any part of any Property for a temporary use (a “Temporary Taking”), this Lease shall remain in full force and effect without any reduction of Base Annual Rental, Additional Rental or any other Monetary Obligation payable hereunder. Except as provided below, Lessee shall be entitled to the entire Net Award for a Temporary Taking, unless the period of occupation and use by the condemning authorities shall extend beyond the date of expiration of this Lease, in which event the Net Award made for such Temporary Taking shall be apportioned between Lessor and Lessee as of the date of such expiration. At the termination of any such Temporary Taking, Lessee will, at its own cost and expense and pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.02, promptly commence and complete restoration of such Property.

 

Section 11.05. Adjustment of Losses. Any loss under any property damage insurance required to be maintained by Lessee shall be adjusted by Lessor and Lessee. Any Net Award relating to a Total Condemnation or a Partial Condemnation shall be adjusted by Lessor or, at Lessor’s election, Lessee. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provisions of this Section 11.05 to the contrary, if at the time of any Condemnation or any Casualty or at any time thereafter an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Lessor is hereby authorized and empowered but shall not be obligated, in the name and on behalf of Lessee and otherwise, to file and prosecute Lessee’s claim, if any, for a Net Award on account of such Condemnation or such Casualty and to collect such Net Award and apply the same to the curing of such Event of Default and any other then existing Event of Default under this Lease and/or to the payment of any amounts owed by Lessee to Lessor under this Lease, in such order, priority and proportions as Lessor in its discretion shall deem proper.

 

20 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

Section 11.06. Lessee Obligation in Event of Casualty. During all periods of time following a Casualty, Lessee shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the affected Property is secure and does not pose any risk of harm to any adjoining property and Persons (including owners or occupants of such adjoining property).

 

Section 11.07. Lessee Awards and Payments. Notwithstanding any provision contained in this Article XI, Lessee shall be entitled to claim and receive any award or payment from the condemning authority expressly granted for the taking of any personal property owned by Lessee, any insurance proceeds with respect to any personal property owned by Lessee, the interruption of its business and moving expenses (subject, however, to the provisions of Section 6.03(a)(iv) above), but only if such claim or award does not adversely affect or interfere with the prosecution of Lessor’s claim for the Condemnation or Casualty, or otherwise reduce the amount recoverable by Lessor for the Condemnation or Casualty.

 

ARTICLE XII

Default, Conditional Limitations,
Remedies and Measure of Damages

 

Section 12.01. Event of Default. Each of the following shall be an event of default by Lessee under this Lease (each, an “Event of Default”):

 

(a) if any representation or warranty of Lessee set forth in this Lease is false in any material respect when made, or if Lessee renders any materially false statement or account when made;

 

(b) if any Rental or other Monetary Obligation due under this Lease is not paid when due if such failure continues for more than three (3) Business Days after written notice from Lessor; provided, however, any delay in the payment of Rental as a result of a technical error in the wiring and/or automated clearinghouse process shall not constitute an Event of Default hereunder so long as the same is corrected within one (1) Business Day of the date Lessee receives notice thereof;

 

(c) if Lessee fails to pay, prior to delinquency, any taxes, assessments or other charges the failure of which to pay will result in the imposition of a lien against any of the Properties; provided, however that Lessee shall not be deemed to be in default if Lessee discharges, bonds or takes other reasonable steps to remove the lien or stay enforcement thereof;

 

(d) if there is an Insolvency Event affecting Lessee;

 

21 STORE/Danimer Science
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2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

(e) if Lessee fails to observe or perform any of the other covenants, conditions or obligations of Lessee in this Lease; provided, however, if any such failure does not involve the payment of any Monetary Obligation, is not willful or intentional, does not place any Property or any rights or property of Lessor in immediate jeopardy, and is within the reasonable power of Lessee to promptly cure, all as determined by Lessor in its reasonable discretion, then such failure shall not constitute an Event of Default hereunder, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, unless and until Lessor shall have given Lessee written notice thereof and a period of thirty (30) days shall have elapsed, during which period Lessee may correct or cure such failure, upon failure of which an Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred hereunder without further notice or demand of any kind being required. If such failure cannot reasonably be cured within such thirty (30)-day period, as determined by Lessor in its reasonable discretion, and Lessee is diligently pursuing a cure of such failure, then Lessee shall have a reasonable period to cure such failure beyond such thirty (30)-day period, which shall in no event exceed one hundred twenty (120) days after receiving notice of such failure from Lessor. If Lessee shall fail to correct or cure such failure within such one hundred twenty (120)-day period, an Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred hereunder without further notice or demand of any kind being required;

 

(f) if a final, nonappealable judgment is rendered by a court against Lessee which has a Material Adverse Effect, and is not discharged or provision made for such discharge within ninety (90) days from the date of entry thereof;

 

(g) if Lessee shall be liquidated or dissolved or shall begin proceedings towards its liquidation or dissolution;

 

(h) if the estate or interest of Lessee in any of the Properties shall be levied upon or attached in any proceeding and such estate or interest is about to be sold or transferred or such process shall not be vacated or discharged within ninety (90) days after it is made.

 

Section 12.02. Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, with or without notice or demand, except as otherwise expressly provided herein or such other notice as may be required by statute and cannot be waived by Lessee, Lessor shall be entitled to exercise, at its option, concurrently, successively, or in any combination, all remedies available at Law or in equity, including, without limitation, any one or more of the following:

 

(a) to terminate this Lease, whereupon Lessee’s right to possession of the Properties shall cease and this Lease, except as to Lessee’s liability, shall be terminated;

 

(b) to the extent not prohibited by applicable Law, to (i) re-enter and take possession of the Properties (or any part thereof), and (ii) expel Lessee and those claiming under or through Lessee, without being deemed guilty in any manner of trespass or becoming liable for any loss or damage resulting therefrom, without resort to legal or judicial process, procedure or action. No notice from Lessor hereunder or under a forcible entry and detainer statute or similar Law shall constitute an election by Lessor to terminate this Lease unless such notice specifically so states. If Lessee shall, after default, voluntarily give up possession of the Properties to Lessor, deliver to Lessor or its agents the keys to the Properties, or both, such actions shall be deemed to be in compliance with Lessor’s rights and the acceptance thereof by Lessor or its agents shall not be deemed to constitute a termination of the Lease. Lessor reserves the right following any re-entry and/or reletting to exercise its right to terminate this Lease by giving Lessee written notice thereof, in which event this Lease will terminate;

 

22 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

(c) to bring an action against Lessee for any damages sustained by Lessor or any equitable relief available to Lessor and to the extent not prohibited by applicable Law, to seize all personal property or fixtures upon the Properties which Lessee owns or in which it has an interest, in which Lessor shall have a landlord’s lien and/or security interest pursuant to applicable Law, and to dispose thereof in accordance with the Laws prevailing at the time and place of such seizure or to remove all or any portion of such property and cause the same to be stored in a public warehouse or elsewhere at Lessee’s sole expense, without becoming liable for any loss or damage resulting therefrom and without resorting to legal or judicial process, procedure or action;

 

(d) to relet the Properties or any part thereof for such term or terms (including a term which extends beyond the original Lease Term), at such rentals and upon such other terms as Lessor, in its sole discretion, may determine, with all proceeds received from such reletting being applied to the Rental and other Monetary Obligations due from Lessee in such order as Lessor may, in its sole discretion, determine, which other Monetary Obligations include, without limitation, all repossession costs, brokerage commissions, attorneys’ fees and expenses, alteration, remodeling and repair costs and expenses of preparing for such reletting. Except to the extent required by applicable Law, Lessor shall have no obligation to relet the Properties or any part thereof and shall in no event be liable for refusal or failure to relet the Properties or any part thereof, or, in the event of any such reletting, for refusal or failure to collect any rent due upon such reletting, and no such refusal or failure shall operate to relieve Lessee of any liability under this Lease or otherwise to affect any such liability; provided, however that nothing contained herein shall be construed as a waiver of any obligation of Lessor to mitigate damages to the extent required under applicable Law and in no event shall Lessor’s obligation to mitigate its damages be interpreted to require Lessor to lease a Property to any Person other than a lessee with sufficient creditworthiness and operating history and on terms and conditions reasonably comparable to the terms and conditions of this Lease. Lessor reserves the right following any re-entry and/or reletting to exercise its right to terminate this Lease by giving Lessee written notice thereof, in which event this Lease will terminate as specified in said notice;

 

(e) Lessor may terminate this Lease without any right of Lessee to reinstate Lessee’s rights by payment of any rentals due under this Lease, including Base Annual Rental and Additional Rental, or other performance of the terms and conditions of this Lease, whereupon Lessee’s right to possession of the Properties shall cease (and Lessee shall immediately surrender possession of the Properties to Lessor) and this Lease, except as to Lessee’s liability, shall be terminated. Lessee expressly waives any and all rights of redemption granted by or under present or future law if this Lease is terminated or if Lessee is evicted or dispossessed by reason of any breach by Lessee of the provisions of this Lease. Upon any termination of this Lease, or upon demand without termination, at Lessor’s sole discretion, Lessor may recover from Lessee the following:

 

(i) All unpaid Rental scheduled to be paid prior to the effective date of the Event of Default; and

 

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2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

(ii) Lessor may accelerate all Rental due from the date of such Event of Default through the end of the Lease Term. Such “Accelerated Rent” shall be deemed liquidated damages hereunder, as Lessor’s injury caused by such Event of Default is difficult or impossible to estimate accurately; the parties intend for this “Accelerated Rent” to provide for damages rather than a penalty; and such “Accelerated Rent” is a reasonable pre-estimate of Lessor’s probable loss in the event of such Event of Default. Such “Accelerated Rent” amount shall be reduced by the fair market rental amount Lessor reasonably expects to receive if the Properties were relet for the time period to which the “Accelerated Rent” applies, which “Accelerated Rent” amount as so adjusted (to reduce such amounts by the rent collected by such relet) shall be discounted at a rate equal to the discount rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at the time of such “Accelerated Rent” determination, plus 1%; and

 

(iii) Lessor shall be entitled to any other amounts reasonably necessary to compensate Lessor for all actual reasonable loss, damage and detriment proximately caused by such Event of Default, including without limitation, all court costs, expenses and reasonable attorneys’ fees but specifically excluding punitive, consequential, special and indirect damages.

 

(f) to recover from Lessee all Costs paid or incurred by Lessor as a result of such breach, regardless of whether or not legal proceedings are actually commenced;

 

(g) to immediately or at any time thereafter, and with or without notice, at Lessor’s sole option but without any obligation to do so, correct such breach or default and charge Lessee all Costs incurred by Lessor therein. Any sum or sums so paid by Lessor, together with interest at the Default Rate, shall be deemed to be Additional Rental hereunder and shall be immediately due from Lessee to Lessor. Any such acts by Lessor in correcting Lessee’s breaches or defaults hereunder shall not be deemed to cure said breaches or defaults or constitute any waiver of Lessor’s right to exercise any or all remedies set forth herein;

 

(h) to immediately or at any time thereafter, and with or without notice, except as required herein, set off any money of Lessee held by Lessor under this Lease or any other Transaction Document against any sum owing by Lessee hereunder;

 

(i) without limiting the generality of the foregoing or limiting in any way the rights of Lessor under this Lease or otherwise under applicable Laws, at any time after the occurrence, and during the continuance, of an Event of Default, Lessor shall be entitled to apply for and have a receiver appointed under applicable Law by a court of competent jurisdiction (by ex parte motion for appointment without notice) in any action taken by Lessor to enforce its rights and remedies hereunder in order to protect and preserve Lessor’s interest under this Lease or in the Properties and the Personalty, and in connection therewith, LESSEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO AND WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO OBJECT TO OR OTHERWISE CONTEST THE APPOINTMENT OF A RECEIVER AFTER THE OCCURRENCE, AND DURING THE CONTINUANCE, OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT; and/or

 

(j) to seek any equitable relief available to Lessor, including, without limitation, the right of specific performance.

 

24 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

Section 12.03. Cumulative Remedies. All powers and remedies given by Section 12.02 to Lessor, subject to applicable Law, shall be cumulative and not exclusive of one another or of any other right or remedy or of any other powers and remedies available to Lessor under this Lease, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements of Lessee contained in this Lease, and no delay or omission of Lessor to exercise any right or power accruing upon the occurrence of any Event of Default shall impair any other or subsequent Event of Default or impair any rights or remedies consequent thereto. Every power and remedy given by this Section or by Law to Lessor may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by Lessor, subject at all times to Lessor’s right in its sole judgment to discontinue any work commenced by Lessor or change any course of action undertaken by Lessor.

 

Section 12.04. Lessee Waiver. Lessee hereby expressly waives, for itself and all Persons claiming by, through and under Lessee, including creditors of all kinds, (a) any right and privilege which Lessee has under any present or future Legal Requirements to redeem the Properties or to have a continuance of this Lease for the Lease Term after termination of Lessee’s right of occupancy by order or judgment of any court or by any legal process or writ, or under the terms of this Lease; and (b) any present or future Legal Requirement relating to notice or delay in levy of execution in case of eviction of a tenant for nonpayment of rent.

 

ARTICLE XIII

Mortgage, Subordination and Attornment

 

Section 13.01. No Liens. Lessor’s interest in this Lease and/or the Properties shall not be subordinate to any liens or encumbrances placed upon the Properties by or resulting from any act of Lessee, and nothing herein contained shall be construed to require such subordination by Lessor. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT LESSEE IS NOT AUTHORIZED TO PLACE OR ALLOW TO BE PLACED ANY LIEN, MORTGAGE, DEED OF TRUST, DEED TO SECURE DEBT, SECURITY INTEREST OR ENCUMBRANCE OF ANY KIND UPON ALL OR ANY PART OF THE PROPERTIES OR LESSEE’S LEASEHOLD INTEREST THEREIN, AND ANY SUCH PURPORTED TRANSACTION SHALL BE VOID.

 

Section 13.02. Subordination. This Lease at all times shall automatically be subordinate to the lien of any and all ground leases and Mortgages now or hereafter placed upon any of the Properties by Lessor, and Lessee covenants and agrees to execute and deliver, upon demand, such further instruments subordinating this Lease to the lien of any or all such ground leases and Mortgages as shall be desired by Lessor, or any present or proposed mortgagees under trust deeds, upon the condition that Lessee shall have the right to remain in possession of the Properties under the terms of this Lease, notwithstanding any default in any or all such ground leases or Mortgages, or after the foreclosure of any such Mortgages, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Lessor shall obtain from the holder of any such ground lease and/or Mortgages a subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreement on the form of the holder of such ground lease and/or Mortgages with reasonable modifications as may be requested by Lessee.

 

25 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

Section 13.03. Attornment. In the event any purchaser or assignee of any Lender at a foreclosure sale acquires title to any of the Properties, or in the event that any Lender or any purchaser or assignee otherwise succeeds to the rights of Lessor as landlord under this Lease, Lessee shall attorn to Lender or such purchaser or assignee, as the case may be (a “Successor Lessor”), and recognize the Successor Lessor as lessor under this Lease, and, subject to the provisions of this Article XIII, this Lease shall continue in full force and effect as a direct lease between the Successor Lessor and Lessee, provided that the Successor Lessor shall only be liable for any obligations of Lessor under this Lease which accrue after the date that such Successor Lessor acquires title. The foregoing provision shall be self-operative and effective without the execution of any further instruments.

 

Section 13.04. Execution of Additional Documents. Although the provisions in this Article XIII shall be self-operative and no future instrument of subordination shall be required, upon request by Lessor, Lessee shall execute and deliver such additional reasonable instruments as may be reasonably required for such purposes.

 

Section 13.05. Notice to Lender. Lessee shall give written notice to any Lender having a recorded lien upon any of the Properties or any part thereof of which Lessee has been notified of any breach or default by Lessor of any of its obligations under this Lease and give such Lender at least sixty (60) days beyond any notice period to which Lessor might be entitled to cure such default before Lessee may exercise any remedy with respect thereto.

 

ARTICLE XIV

Assignment

 

Section 14.01. Assignment by Lessor. As a material inducement to Lessor’s willingness to enter into the transactions contemplated by this Lease (the “Transaction”) and the other Transaction Documents, Lessee hereby agrees that Lessor may, from time to time and at any time and without the consent of Lessee, engage in all or any combination of the following, or enter into agreements in connection with any of the following or in accordance with requirements that may be imposed by applicable securities, tax or other Laws: (a) the sale, assignment, grant, conveyance, transfer, financing, re-financing of all, less than all or any portion of the Properties, this Lease or any other Transaction Document, Lessor’s right, title and interest in this Lease or any other Transaction Document, the servicing rights with respect to any of the foregoing, or participations in any of the foregoing; or (b) a Securitization and related transactions. Without in any way limiting the foregoing, the parties acknowledge and agree that Lessor, in its sole discretion, may assign this Lease or any interest herein to another Person in order to maintain Lessor’s or any of its Affiliates’ status as a REIT. In the event of any such sale or assignment other than a security assignment, Lessee shall attorn to such purchaser or assignee (so long as Lessor and such purchaser or assignee notify Lessee in writing of such transfer and such purchaser or assignee expressly assumes in writing the obligations of Lessor hereunder from and after the date of such assignment). At the request of Lessor, Lessee will execute such documents confirming the sale, assignment or other transfer and such other agreements as Lessor may reasonably request, provided that the same do not increase the liabilities and obligations of Lessee hereunder. Lessor shall be relieved, from and after the date of such transfer or conveyance, of liability for the performance of any obligation of Lessor contained herein, except for obligations or liabilities accrued prior to such assignment or sale.

 

26 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

Section 14.02. Assignment by Lessee.

 

(a) Consent Required. Lessee acknowledges that Lessor has relied both on the business experience and creditworthiness of Lessee and upon the particular purposes for which Lessee intends to use the Properties in entering into this Lease. Lessee shall not assign, transfer, convey, pledge or mortgage this Lease or any interest herein or any interest in Lessee (except in connection with the conversion of Lessee to a U.S. Publically Traded Entity), whether by operation of Law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Lessor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, considering such matters as the operational history, creditworthiness and financial strength of any assignee. At the time of any assignment of this Lease which is approved by Lessor, the assignee shall affirm the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5.01 and assume all of the obligations of Lessee under this Lease pursuant to a written assumption agreement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lessor. Such assignment of this Lease pursuant to this Section 14.02(a) shall not relieve Lessee of its obligations respecting this Lease unless otherwise agreed to by Lessor. Any assignment, transfer, conveyance, pledge or mortgage in violation of this Section 14.02 shall be voidable at the sole option of Lessor. Any consent to an assignment given by Lessor hereunder shall not be deemed a consent to any subsequent assignment.

 

(b) Permitted Assignment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 14.02 and provided that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of the proposed assignment or other transfer, and provided further that any assignee agrees to assume all of Lessee’s obligations under this Lease by written agreement approved by Lessor, Lessee shall have the right to assign or otherwise transfer all, but not less than all, of its interest in, to and under this Lease without Lessor’s consent to (i) an Affiliate, parent or subsidiary of Lessee, (ii) any entity which purchases or otherwise acquires all or substantially all of the assets of Lessee in a bona fide sale for fair market value, or (iii) a Qualified Operator (each, a “Permitted Transfer”). A “Qualified Operator” shall mean a Person who (x) for two (2) consecutive years immediately prior to the date of assignment or transfer and (y) on a proforma basis following the consummation of such assignment or transfer (all as determined by Lessor upon review of financial statements provided by the assignee prior to the proposed lease assignment and in a form reasonably satisfactory to Lessor), (A) has a CFCCR (defined below) of at least 1.50x; (B) generates EBITDA (defined below) of at least $8,500,000.00, and (C) has an Effective Debt (defined below) to EBITDAR (defined below) ratio that does not exceed 6.0x; provided, however, that Lessee may satisfy the foregoing conditions of a Qualified Operator by providing, or causing to be provided, a guaranty agreement, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to and approved by Lessor, in writing, which guaranty shall be from an entity that meets the requirements of (A), (B) and (C) set forth in this Section 14.02. Lessee shall provide Lessor with at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of a proposed Permitted Transfer, which, if the proposed Permitted Transfer is to a Qualified Operator, must include financial information satisfying the Qualified Operator requirements set forth herein. In the event that Lessee effects an assignment to a Qualified Operator, Lessee shall be released from any liability arising under this Lease from and after the date of such assignment.

 

27 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

For purposes hereof:

 

CFCCR” means with respect to the twelve month period of time immediately preceding the date of determination, the ratio calculated for such period of time, each as determined in accordance with GAAP, of (i) the sum of Consolidated Net Income (excluding non-cash income), Depreciation and Amortization, Interest Expense, income taxes, Operating Lease Expense and non-cash expenses to (ii) the sum of Operating Lease Expense (excluding non-cash rent adjustments), scheduled principal payments of long term Debt, scheduled maturities of all Capital Leases, dividends and Interest Expense (excluding non-cash interest expense and amortization of non-cash financing expenses). For purposes of calculating the CFCCR, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

 

Capital Lease” shall mean all leases of any property, whether real, personal or mixed, by a Person, which leases would, in conformity with GAAP, be required to be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of such Person. The term “Capital Lease” shall not include any operating lease.

 

“Consolidated Net Income” shall mean with respect to the period of determination, the net income or net loss of a Person. In determining the amount of Consolidated Net Income, (i) adjustments shall be made for nonrecurring gains and losses or non-cash items allocable to the period of determination, (ii) deductions shall be made for, among other things, Depreciation and Amortization, Interest Expense, Operating Lease Expense, and (iii) no deductions shall be made for income taxes or charges equivalent to income taxes allocable to the period of determination, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Debt” shall mean with respect to a Person, and for the period of determination (i) indebtedness for borrowed money, (ii) subject to the limitation set forth in sub item (iv) below, obligations evidenced by bonds, indentures, notes or similar instruments, (iii) obligations under leases which should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as Capital Leases, and (iv) obligations under direct or indirect guarantees in respect of, and obligations (contingent or otherwise) to purchase or otherwise acquire, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss in respect of, indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above, except for guaranty obligations of such Person, which, in conformity with GAAP, are not included on the balance sheet of such Person.

 

Depreciation and Amortization” shall mean the depreciation and amortization accruing during any period of determination with respect to a Person, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Interest Expense” shall mean for any period of determination, the sum of all interest accrued or which should be accrued in respect of all Debt of a Person, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Operating Lease Expense” shall mean the sum of all payments and expenses incurred by a Person, under any operating leases during the period of determination, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“EBITDA” means for the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of determination, the sum of a Person’s net income (loss) for such period plus, in each case to the extent previously deducted in calculating net income (loss): (i) income taxes, (ii) interest payments on all of its debt obligations (including any borrowings under short term credit facilities), (iii) all non-cash charges including depreciation and amortization, and (iv) Non-Recurring Items (defined below).

 

28 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

“EBITDAR” means the sum of a Person’s EBITDA and its total land and building rent for the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of determination.

 

Effective Debt” shall mean with respect to a Person or Property, as appropriate, and for the period of determination the sum of (i) the Person’s Debt and (ii) eight (8) multiplied by the annual rental payments due under leases which should not be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as Capital Leases.

 

“Non-Recurring Items” shall mean with respect to a Person, items of the sum (whether positive or negative) of revenue minus expenses that, in the judgment of Lessor, are unusual in nature, occur infrequently and are not representative of the ongoing or future earnings or expenses of such Person.

 

Section 14.03. No Sale of Assets. Except in connection with a Permitted Transfer, without the prior written consent of Lessor, Lessee shall not sell all or substantially all of Lessee’s assets. Any sale of Lessee’s assets in violation of this Section 14.03, shall be voidable at the sole option of Lessor. Any consent to a sale of Lessee’s assets given by Lessor hereunder shall not be deemed a consent to any subsequent sale of Lessee’s assets.

 

Section 14.04. No Subletting. Lessee shall not sublet any or all of the Properties without the prior written consent of Lessor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that without Lessor’s consent, Lessee may sublet any part or all of the Properties to any operating entity that is an Affiliate, parent or subsidiary of Lessee, provided that (a) the related sublease is subject and subordinate to this Lease, does not contain any terms inconsistent with this Lease (other than the rent under such sublease), and terminates upon the expiration or sooner termination of this Lease, (b) Lessee at all times remains liable hereunder irrespective of any such sublease, (c) the rent due under any sublease shall be fixed rent and shall not be based on the net profits of any sublessee, and (d) each sublease is on substantially similar terms to this Lease (other than rent), (each, an “Operating Sublease”). Lessee shall promptly provide Lessor with a copy of each Operating Sublease.

 

ARTICLE XV

 

Notices

 

Section 15.01. Notices. All notices, demands, designations, certificates, requests, offers, consents, approvals, appointments and other instruments given pursuant to this Lease shall be in writing and given by any one of the following: (a) hand delivery; (b) express overnight delivery service; or (c) certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, and shall be deemed to have been delivered upon (i) receipt, if hand delivered; (ii) the next Business Day, if delivered by a reputable express overnight delivery service; or (iii) the third Business Day following the day of deposit of such notice with the United States Postal Service, if sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Notices shall be provided by an acceptable method of delivery to the parties at the addresses specified below:

 

If to Lessee:

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc.

140 Industrial Blvd.

Bainbridge, GA 39817

Attention: Stephen Croskrey

Email: croskrey@danimer.com

 

29 STORE/Danimer Science
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2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

With a copy to:

Kane Kessler, P.C.

666 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10017

Attention: Robert L. Lawrence, Esq.

Email: rlawrence@kanekessler.com

 

If to Lessor:

STORE Capital Acquisitions, LLC

8377 E. Hartford Drive, Suite 100

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Attention: Asset Management

Email: customerservice@storecapital.com

 

With a copy to:

Kutak Rock LLP

1801 California Street, Suite 3000

Denver, CO 80202

Attention: Nathan P. Humphrey, Esq.

Email: nathan.humphrey@kutakrock.com

 

or to such other address or such other person as either party may from time to time hereafter specify to the other party in a notice delivered in the manner provided above.

 

ARTICLE XVI

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 16.01. Force Majeure. Any prevention, delay or stoppage due to strikes, lockouts, acts of God, enemy or hostile governmental action, civil commotion, fire or other casualty beyond the control of the party obligated to perform (each, a “Force Majeure Event”) shall excuse the performance by such party for a period equal to any such prevention, delay or stoppage, expressly excluding, however, the obligations imposed with respect to Rental and other Monetary Obligations to be paid hereunder.

 

Section 16.02. No Merger. There shall be no merger of this Lease nor of the leasehold estate created by this Lease with the fee estate in or ownership of any of the Properties by reason of the fact that the same person, corporation, firm or other entity may acquire or hold or own, directly or indirectly, (a) this Lease or the leasehold estate created by this Lease or any interest in this Lease or in such leasehold estate, and (b) the fee estate or ownership of any of the Properties or any interest in such fee estate or ownership. No such merger shall occur unless and until all persons, corporations, firms and other entities having any interest in (i) this Lease or the leasehold estate created by this Lease, and (ii) the fee estate in or ownership of the Properties or any part thereof sought to be merged shall join in a written instrument effecting such merger and shall duly record the same.

 

30 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

Section 16.03. Interpretation. Lessor and Lessee acknowledge and warrant to each other that each has been represented by independent counsel and has executed this Lease after being fully advised by said counsel as to its effect and significance. This Lease shall be interpreted and construed in a fair and impartial manner without regard to such factors as the party which prepared the instrument, the relative bargaining powers of the parties or the domicile of any party. Whenever in this Lease any words of obligation or duty are used, such words or expressions shall have the same force and effect as though made in the form of a covenant.

 

Section 16.04. Characterization. The following expressions of intent, representations, warranties, covenants, agreements, stipulations and waivers are a material inducement to Lessor entering into this Lease:

 

(a) Lessor and Lessee intend that (i) this Lease constitutes an unseverable, unitary and single lease of all, but not less than all, of the Properties, and, if at any time this Lease covers other real property in addition to the Properties, neither this Lease, nor Lessee’s obligations or rights hereunder may be allocated or otherwise divided among such properties by Lessee; (ii) this Lease is a “true lease,” is not a financing lease, capital lease, mortgage, equitable mortgage, deed of trust, trust agreement, security agreement or other financing or trust arrangement, and the economic realities of this Lease are those of a true lease; and (iii) the business relationship created by this Lease and any related documents is solely that of a long-term commercial lease between Lessor and Lessee, the Lease has been entered into by both parties in reliance upon the economic and legal bargains contained herein, and none of the agreements contained herein is intended, nor shall the same be deemed or construed, to create a partnership (de facto or de jure) between Lessor and Lessee, to make them joint venturers, to make Lessee an agent, legal representative, partner, subsidiary or employee of Lessor, nor to make Lessor in any way responsible for the debts, obligations or losses of Lessee.

 

(b) Lessor and Lessee covenant and agree that: (i) each will treat this Lease as an operating lease pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13, as amended, and as a true lease for state Law reporting purposes and for federal income tax purposes; (ii) each party will not, nor will it permit any Affiliate to, at any time, take any action or fail to take any action with respect to the preparation or filing of any statement or disclosure to Governmental Authority, including without limitation, any income tax return (including an amended income tax return), to the extent that such action or such failure to take action would be inconsistent with the intention of the parties expressed in this Section 16.04; (iii) with respect to the Properties, the Lease Term is less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the estimated remaining economic life of the Properties; and (iv) the Base Annual Rental is the fair market value for the use of the Properties and was agreed to by Lessor and Lessee on that basis, and the execution and delivery of, and the performance by Lessee of its obligations under, this Lease do not constitute a transfer of all or any part of the Properties.

 

(c) Lessee waives any claim or defense based upon the characterization of this Lease as anything other than a true lease and as a master lease of all of the Properties. Lessee stipulates and agrees (i) not to challenge the validity, enforceability or characterization of the lease of the Properties as a true lease and/or as a single, unitary, unseverable instrument pertaining to the lease of all, but not less than all, of the Properties; and (ii) not to assert or take or omit to take any action inconsistent with the agreements and understandings set forth in this Section 16.04.

 

31 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

Section 16.05. Disclosures.

 

(a) Securities Act or Exchange Act. The parties agree that, notwithstanding any provision contained in this Lease, any party (and each employee, representative or other agent of any party) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, any matter required under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

 

(b) Lessor Advertising and Related Publications. Lessee hereby consents to the use by Lessor of, and Lessor is hereby expressly permitted to use street view pictures of stores and signage at the Properties (collectively “Lessee’s Information”) solely in connection with Lessor’s sales, advertising, and press release materials, including on Lessor’s website. Lessee’s consent shall be deemed authorization for the limited use of Lessee’s Information by Lessor under all applicable copyright and trademark laws.

 

(c) Public Disclosures. Except as required by Law and except for review by financial and legal advisors having a need to know (provided that such parties are required not to further disclose confidential information), neither Lessor nor Lessee shall make any public disclosure, including press releases or any form of media release, of this Lease Agreement or any transactions relating hereto without the prior written consent of Lessor.

 

Section 16.06. Attorneys’ Fees. In the event of any judicial or other adversarial proceeding concerning this Lease, to the extent permitted by Law, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover all of its reasonable attorneys’ fees and other Costs in addition to any other relief to which it may be entitled. In addition, the prevailing party shall, upon demand, be entitled to all attorneys’ fees and all other Costs incurred in the preparation and service of any notice or demand hereunder, whether or not a legal action is subsequently commenced.

 

Section 16.07. Memoranda of Lease. Concurrently with the execution of this Lease, Lessor and Lessee are executing Lessor’s standard form memorandum of lease in recordable form, indicating the names and addresses of Lessor and Lessee, a description of the Properties, the Lease Term, but omitting Rentals and such other terms of this Lease as Lessor may not desire to disclose to the public. Further, upon Lessor’s request, Lessee agrees to execute and acknowledge a termination of lease and/or quitclaim deed in recordable form to be held by Lessor and Lessee until the expiration or sooner termination of the Lease Term; provided, however, if Lessee shall fail or refuse to sign such a document in accordance with the provisions of this Section within ten (10) days following a request by Lessor, Lessee irrevocably constitutes and appoints Lessor as its attorney-in-fact to execute and record such document, it being stipulated that such power of attorney is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable and binding. Upon Lessee’s request, Lessor agrees to execute and acknowledge termination of the lease at the expiration or sooner termination of the Lease Term.

 

Section 16.08. No Brokerage. Lessor and Lessee represent and warrant to each other that they have had no conversation or negotiations with any broker concerning the leasing of the Properties, except Zanbato Structure Finance (“Zanbato”), whose commission shall be paid by Lessee pursuant to a separate agreement between Lessee and Zanbato. Each of Lessor and Lessee agrees to protect, indemnify, save and keep harmless the other, against and from all liabilities, claims, losses, Costs, damages and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, arising out of, resulting from or in connection with their breach of the foregoing warranty and representation.

 

32 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

Section 16.09. Waiver of Jury Trial and Certain Damages. LESSOR AND LESSEE HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE THE RIGHT EITHER MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL ISSUES PRESENTED IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING, CLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY EITHER OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGAINST THE OTHER OR ITS SUCCESSORS WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS LEASE, THE RELATIONSHIP OF LESSOR AND LESSEE, LESSEE’S USE OR OCCUPANCY OF THE Properties, AND/OR ANY CLAIM FOR INJURY OR DAMAGE, OR ANY EMERGENCY OR STATUTORY REMEDY. THIS WAIVER BY THE PARTIES HERETO OF ANY RIGHT EITHER MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED AND IS AN ESSENTIAL ASPECT OF THEIR BARGAIN. FURTHERMORE, LESSOR AND LESSEE HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE THE RIGHT EITHER MAY HAVE TO SEEK PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL AND INDIRECT DAMAGES FROM THE OTHER PARTY AND ANY OF THE AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, MEMBERS, MANAGERS OR EMPLOYEES OF LESSOR OR LESSEE, AS APPLICABLE, OR ANY OF THEIR SUCCESSORS WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL ISSUES PRESENTED IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING, CLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS LEASE OR ANY DOCUMENT CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR RELATED HERETO. THE WAIVER BY LESSOR AND LESSEE OF ANY RIGHT EITHER MAY HAVE TO SEEK PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL AND INDIRECT DAMAGES HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED BY THE PARTIES HERETO AND IS AN ESSENTIAL ASPECT OF THEIR BARGAIN.

 

Section 16.10. Securitizations. As a material inducement to Lessor’s willingness to enter into the Transactions contemplated by this Lease and the other Transaction Documents, Lessee hereby acknowledges and agrees that Lessor may, from time to time and at any time (i) act or permit another Person to act as sponsor, settler, transferor or depositor of, or a holder of interests in, one or more Persons or other arrangements formed pursuant to a trust agreement, indenture, pooling agreement, participation agreement, sale and servicing agreement, limited liability company agreement, partnership agreement, articles of incorporation or similar agreement or document; and (ii) permit one or more of such Persons or arrangements to offer and sell stock, certificates, bonds, notes, other evidences of indebtedness or securities that are directly or indirectly secured, collateralized or otherwise backed by or represent a direct or indirect interest in whole or in part in any of the assets, rights or properties described in Section 14.01 of this Lease, in one or more Persons or arrangements holding such assets, rights or properties, or any of them (collectively, the “Securities”), whether any such Securities are privately or publicly offered and sold, or rated or unrated (any combination of which actions and transactions described in both clauses (i) and (ii) in this paragraph, whether proposed or completed, are referred to in this Lease as a “Securitization”). Lessee shall cooperate fully with Lessor and any Affected Party with respect to all reasonable requests and due diligence procedures and use reasonable efforts to facilitate such Securitization, provided that such cooperation shall be at no additional cost or expense to Lessee so long as Lessee is not otherwise required to provide such information to Lessor pursuant to the other provisions of this Lease.

 

33 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

Section 16.11. State-Specific Provisions. The provisions and/or remedies which are set forth on the attached Exhibit D shall be deemed a part of and included within the terms and conditions of this Lease.

 

Section 16.12. Time is of the Essence; Computation. Time is of the essence with respect to each and every provision of this Lease. If any deadline provided herein falls on a non-Business Day, such deadline shall be extended to the next day that is a Business Day.

 

Section 16.13. Waiver and Amendment. No provision of this Lease shall be deemed waived or amended except by a written instrument unambiguously setting forth the matter waived or amended and signed by the party against which enforcement of such waiver or amendment is sought. Waiver of any matter shall not be deemed a waiver of the same or any other matter on any future occasion. No acceptance by Lessor of an amount less than the Rental and other Monetary Obligations stipulated to be due under this Lease shall be deemed to be other than a payment on account of the earliest such Rental or other Monetary Obligations then due or in arrears nor shall any endorsement or statement on any check or letter accompanying any such payment be deemed a waiver of Lessor’s right to collect any unpaid amounts or an accord and satisfaction.

 

Section 16.14. Successors Bound. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the terms, covenants and conditions contained in this Lease shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective heirs, successors, executors, administrators and assigns of each of the parties hereto.

 

Section 16.15. Captions. Captions are used throughout this Lease for convenience of reference only and shall not be considered in any manner in the construction or interpretation hereof.

 

Section 16.16. Other Documents. Each of the parties agrees to sign such other and further documents as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the intentions expressed in this Lease.

 

Section 16.17. Entire Agreement. This Lease and any other instruments or agreements referred to herein, constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there are no other representations, warranties or agreements except as herein provided.

 

Section 16.18. Forum Selection; Jurisdiction; Venue; Choice of Law. For purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of this Lease, the parties hereto expressly submit to the jurisdiction of all federal and state courts located in the state or states where the Properties are located. Lessee consents that it may be served with any process or paper by registered mail or by personal service within or without the state or states where the Properties are located in accordance with applicable Law. Furthermore, Lessee waives and agrees not to assert in any such action, suit or proceeding that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such courts, that the action, suit or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that venue of the action, suit or proceeding is improper. This Lease shall be governed by, and construed with, the Laws of the applicable state or states in which the Properties are located, without giving effect to any state’s conflict of Laws principles. For avoidance of doubt, (i) any action or proceeding related to the Property located in Kentucky shall be brought in the federal and state courts located in or governing Kentucky, and (ii) any action or proceeding related to the Property located in Georgia shall be brought in the federal and state courts located in or governing Georgia.

 

Section 16.19. Counterparts. This Lease may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. Furthermore, the undersigned agree that transmission of this Lease via e-mail in a “.pdf” or other electronic format shall be deemed transmission of the original Lease for all purposes.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page(s) to follow]

 

  STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Lessor and Lessee have entered into this Lease as of the date first above written.

 

  LESSOR:
   
  STORE CAPITAL ACQUISITIONS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
   
  By: /s/ Lori Markson
  Printed Name: Lori Markson
  Title: Senior Vice President

 

  STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Lessor and Lessee have entered into this Lease as of the date first above written.

 

  LESSEE:
   
  MEREDIAN HOLDINGS GROUP, INC., a Georgia corporation
   
  By: /s/ John A. Dowdy, III
  Printed Name: John A. Dowdy III
  Title: CFO

 

  STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A:   Defined Terms
     
Exhibit B:   Legal Descriptions and Street Addresses of Properties
     
Exhibit C:   Authorization Agreement – Pre-Arranged Payments
     
Exhibit D:   State-Specific Provisions
     
Schedule 9.03   Supplemental Financial Information

 

  STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

DEFINED TERMS

 

The following terms shall have the following meanings for all purposes of this Lease:

 

Additional Rental” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03.

 

Adjustment Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.07.

 

Affected Party” means each direct or indirect participant or investor in a proposed or completed Securitization, including, without limitation, any prospective owner, any rating agency or any party to any agreement executed in connection with the Securitization.

 

Affiliate” means any Person which directly or indirectly controls, is under common control with or is controlled by any other Person. For purposes of this definition, “controls,” “under common control with,” and “controlled by” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or otherwise.

 

Anti-Money Laundering Laws” means all applicable Laws, regulations and government guidance on the prevention and detection of money laundering, including, without limitation, (a) 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956 and 1957; and (b) the Bank Secrecy Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 5311 et seq., and its implementing regulations, 31 CFR Part 103.

 

Base Annual Rental” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.05.

 

Base Monthly Rental” means an amount equal to 1/12 of the applicable Base Annual Rental.

 

Business Day” means a day on which banks located in Scottsdale, Arizona are not required or authorized to remain closed.

 

Casualty” means any loss of or damage to any property included within or related to the Properties or arising from an adjoining property caused by an Act of God, fire, flood or other catastrophe.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

Condemnation” means a Taking and/or a Requisition.

 

Costs” means all reasonable, actual costs and expenses incurred by a Person, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, court costs, expert witness fees, costs of tests and analyses, travel and accommodation expenses, deposition and trial transcripts, copies and other similar costs and fees, brokerage fees, escrow fees, title insurance premiums, appraisal fees, stamp taxes, recording fees and transfer taxes or fees, as the circumstances require.

 

A-1 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

Default Rate” means 18% per annum or the highest rate permitted by Law, whichever is less.

 

Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Lease.

 

Environmental Laws” means federal, state and local Laws, ordinances, common law requirements and regulations and standards, rules, policies and other governmental requirements, administrative rulings and court judgments and decrees having the effect of Law in effect now or in the future and including all amendments, that relate to Hazardous Materials, Regulated Substances, USTs, and/or the protection of human health or the environment, or relating to liability for or Costs of Remediation or prevention of Releases, and apply to Lessee and/or the Properties.

 

Environmental Liens” means any liens and other encumbrances imposed pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.01.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Extension Option” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02.

 

Extension Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02.

 

Force Majeure Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.01.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied from period to period.

 

Governmental Authority” means any governmental authority, agency, department, commission, bureau, board, instrumentality, court or quasi-governmental authority of the United States, any state or any political subdivision thereof with authority to adopt, modify, amend, interpret, give effect to or enforce any federal, state and local Laws, statutes, ordinances, rules or regulations, including common law, or to issue court orders.

 

Hazardous Materials” means (a) oil, petroleum products, flammable substances, explosives, radioactive materials, hazardous wastes or substances, toxic wastes or substances or any other materials, contaminants or pollutants, the presence of which causes any of the Properties to be in violation of any local, state or federal Law or regulation or Environmental Law), or are defined as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances,” “hazardous wastes,” “hazardous materials,” “toxic substances,” “contaminants,” “pollutants,” or words of similar import under any applicable local, state or federal Law or under the regulations adopted, orders issued, or publications promulgated pursuant thereto, including, but not limited to: (i) the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 9601, et seq.; (ii) the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, as amended, 49 U.S.C. § 5101, et seq.; (iii) the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 6901, et seq.; and (iv) regulations adopted and publications promulgated pursuant to the aforesaid Laws; (b) asbestos in any form which is friable, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, transformers or other equipment which contain dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of fifty (50) parts per million; (c) underground storage tanks; and (d) any other chemical, material or substance, exposure to which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any Governmental Authority.

 

A-2 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

Indemnified Parties” means Lessor, its members, managers, officers, directors, shareholders, partners, employees, affiliates, subsidiaries, successors and assigns, including, but not limited to, any successors by merger, consolidation or acquisition of all or a substantial portion of the assets and business of Lessor.

 

Initial Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01.

 

Insolvency Event” means (a) a Person’s (i) failure to generally pay its debts as such debts become due; (ii) admitting in writing its inability to pay its debts generally; or (iii) making a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (b) any proceeding being instituted by or against any Person (i) seeking to adjudicate it bankrupt or insolvent; (ii) seeking liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts under any Law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization or relief of debtors; or (iii) seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its property, and in the case of any such proceeding instituted against any Person, either such proceeding shall remain undismissed for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days or any of the actions sought in such proceeding shall occur; or (c) any Person taking any corporate action to authorize any of the actions set forth above in this definition.

 

“Insurance Premiums” has the meaning in Section 6.04.

 

Law(s)” means any constitution, statute, rule of law, code, ordinance, order, judgment, decree, injunction, rule, regulation, policy, requirement or administrative or judicial determination, even if unforeseen or extraordinary, of every duly constituted Governmental Authority, court or agency, now or hereafter enacted or in effect.

 

Lease Rate” means a percentage equal to (a) the then-current Base Monthly Rental multiplied by twelve (12), divided by (b) the aggregate purchase price of all of the Properties paid by Lessor (or Lessor’s predecessor-in-interest).

 

Lease Term” has the meaning described in Section 3.01.

 

Legal Requirements” means the requirements of all present and future Laws (including, without limitation, Environmental Laws and Laws relating to accessibility to, usability by, and discrimination against, disabled individuals), all judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, including any judicial order, consent, decree or judgment, and all covenants, restrictions and conditions now or hereafter of record which may be applicable to Lessee or to any of the Properties, or to the use, manner of use, occupancy, possession, operation, maintenance, alteration, repair or restoration of any of the Properties, even if compliance therewith necessitates structural changes or improvements or results in interference with the use or enjoyment of any of the Properties.

 

Lender” means any lender in connection with any loan secured by Lessor’s interest in any or all of the Properties, and any servicer of any loan secured by Lessor’s interest in any or all of the Properties.

 

A-3 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

“Lessee Entity” or “Lessee Entities” means individually or collectively, as the context may require, Lessee and all Affiliates thereof.

 

“Lessee Reporting Entities” means individually or collectively, as the context may require, Lessee, Meredian, Inc., Danimer Scientific, LLC and Danimer Scientific Kentucky, Inc.

 

“Lessee’s Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.05(b).

 

“Lessor Entity” or “Lessor Entities” means individually or collectively, as the context may require, Lessor and all Affiliates of Lessor.

 

Losses” means any and all claims, suits, liabilities (including, without limitation, strict liabilities), actions, proceedings, obligations, debts, damages, losses, Costs, diminutions in value, fines, penalties, interest, charges, fees, judgments, awards, amounts paid in settlement and damages of whatever kind or nature, inclusive of bodily injury and property damage to third parties (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and other Costs of defense). Losses shall not include punitive, consequential, special and indirect damages.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) any Property, including without limitation, the operation of any Property as a Permitted Facility and/or the value of any Property; (b) the contemplated business, condition, worth or operations of any Lessee Entity; (c) Lessee’s ability to perform its obligations under this Lease; or (d) Lessor’s interests in any of the Properties or this Lease.

 

Monetary Obligations” means all Rental and all other sums payable or reimbursable by Lessee under this Lease to Lessor, to any third party on behalf of Lessor, or to any Indemnified Party.

 

Mortgages” means, collectively, the mortgages, deeds of trust or deeds to secure debt, assignments of rents and leases, security agreements and fixture filings executed by Lessor for the benefit of Lender with respect to any or all of the Properties, as such instruments may be amended, modified, restated or supplemented from time to time and any and all replacements or substitutions.

 

Net Award” means (a) the entire award payable with respect to a Property by reason of a Condemnation whether pursuant to a judgment or by agreement or otherwise; or (b) the entire proceeds of any insurance required under Section 6.03 payable with respect to a Property, as the case may be, and in either case, less any Costs incurred by Lessor in collecting such award or proceeds.

 

OFAC Laws” means Executive Order 13224 issued by the President of the United States, and all regulations promulgated thereunder, including, without limitation, the Terrorism Sanctions Regulations (31 CFR Part 595), the Terrorism List Governments Sanctions Regulations (31 CFR Part 596), the Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions Regulations (31 CFR Part 597), and the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (31 CFR Part 515), and all other present and future federal, state and local Laws, ordinances, regulations, policies, lists (including, without limitation, the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List) and any other requirements of any Governmental Authority (including without limitation, the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control) addressing, relating to, or attempting to eliminate, terrorist acts and acts of war, each as supplemented, amended or modified from time to time after the Effective Date, and the present and future rules, regulations and guidance documents promulgated under any of the foregoing, or under similar Laws, ordinances, regulations, policies or requirements of other states or localities.

 

A-4 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

Original Lease” has the meaning set forth in the second introductory paragraph of this Lease.

 

Partial Condemnation” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.03.

 

Permitted Amounts” shall mean, with respect to any given level of Hazardous Materials or Regulated Substances, that level or quantity of Hazardous Materials or Regulated Substances in any form or combination of forms which does not constitute a violation of any Environmental Laws and is customarily employed in, or associated with, similar businesses located in the state or states where the Properties are located.

 

“Permitted Facility” or Permitted Facilities” means a bioplastic manufacturing facility, all related purposes such as ingress, egress and parking, and uses incidental thereto.

 

Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, Governmental Authority or any other form of entity.

 

Personalty” means any and all “goods” (excluding “inventory,” and including, without limitation, all “equipment,” “fixtures,” appliances and furniture (as “goods,” “inventory,” “equipment” and “fixtures” are defined in the applicable Uniform Commercial Code then in effect in the applicable jurisdiction)) from time to time situated on or used in connection with any of the Properties, whether now owned or held or hereafter arising or acquired, together with all replacements and substitutions therefore and all cash and non-cash proceeds (including insurance proceeds and any title and UCC insurance proceeds) and products thereof, and, in the case of tangible collateral, together with all additions, attachments, accessions, parts, equipment and repairs now or hereafter attached or affixed thereto or used in connection therewith.

 

Price Index” means the Consumer Price Index which is designated for the applicable month of determination as the United States City Average for All Urban Consumers, All Items, Not Seasonally Adjusted, with a base period equaling 100 in 1982 - 1984, as published by the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics or any successor agency. In the event that the Price Index ceases to be published, its successor index measuring cost of living as published by the same Governmental Authority which published the Price Index shall be substituted and any necessary reasonable adjustments shall be made by Lessor and Lessee in order to carry out the intent of Section 4.02. In the event there is no successor index measuring cost of living, Lessor shall reasonably select an alternative price index measuring cost of living that will constitute a reasonable substitute for the Price Index.

 

Property” or “Properties” means those parcels of real estate legally described on Exhibit B attached hereto, all rights, privileges, and appurtenances associated therewith, and all buildings, fixtures and other improvements now or hereafter located on such real estate (whether or not affixed to such real estate).

 

“Real Estate Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.04.

 

A-5 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

Regulated Substances” means “petroleum” and “petroleum-based substances” or any similar terms described or defined in any of the Environmental Laws and any applicable federal, state, county or local Laws applicable to or regulating USTs.

 

REIT” means a real estate investment trust as defined under Section 856 of the Code.

 

Release” means any presence, release, deposit, discharge, emission, leaking, spilling, seeping, migrating, injecting, pumping, pouring, emptying, escaping, dumping, disposing or other movement of Hazardous Materials, Regulated Substances or USTs or any Threatened Release.

 

Remediation” means any response, remedial, removal, or corrective action, any activity to cleanup, detoxify, decontaminate, contain or otherwise remediate any Hazardous Materials, Regulated Substances or USTs, any actions to prevent, cure or mitigate any Release, any action to comply with any Environmental Laws or with any permits issued pursuant thereto, any inspection, investigation, study, monitoring, assessment, audit, sampling and testing, laboratory or other analysis, or any evaluation relating to any Hazardous Materials, Regulated Substances or USTs.

 

Rental” means, collectively, the Base Annual Rental and the Additional Rental.

 

Rental Adjustment” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) two percent (2.0%) of the Base Annual Rental in effect immediately prior to the applicable Adjustment Date, or (b) 1.25 multiplied by the product of (i) the percentage change between the Price Index for the month which is two months prior to December 2018 or the Price Index used for the immediately preceding Adjustment Date, as applicable, and the Price Index for the month which is two months prior to the applicable Adjustment Date; and (ii) the then current Base Annual Rental.

 

Requisition” means any temporary requisition or confiscation of the use or occupancy of any of the Properties by any Governmental Authority, civil or military, whether pursuant to an agreement with such Governmental Authority in settlement of or under threat of any such requisition or confiscation, or otherwise.

 

“Reserve” has the meaning in Section 6.04.

 

Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.10.

 

Securities Act” means of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Securitization” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.10.

 

Successor Lessor” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.03.

 

Taking” means (a) any taking or damaging of all or a portion of the Properties (i) in or by condemnation or other eminent domain proceedings pursuant to any Law, general or special; (ii) by reason of any agreement with any condemnor in settlement of or under threat of any such condemnation or other eminent domain proceeding; or (iii) by any other means; or (b) any de facto condemnation. The Taking shall be considered to have taken place as of the later of the date actual physical possession is taken by the condemnor, or the date on which the right to compensation and damages accrues under the Law applicable to the Properties.

 

A-6 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

Temporary Taking” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.04.

 

Threatened Release” means a substantial likelihood of a Release which requires action to prevent or mitigate damage to the soil, surface waters, groundwaters, land, stream sediments, surface or subsurface strata, ambient air or any other environmental medium comprising or surrounding any Property which may result from such Release.

 

Total Condemnation” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.02.

 

Transaction” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.01.

 

Transaction Documents” means this Lease and all documents related thereto.

 

U.S. Publicly Traded Entity” means an entity whose securities are listed on a national securities exchange or quoted on an automated quotation system in the United States or a wholly-owned subsidiary of such an entity.

 

USTs” means any one or combination of tanks and associated product piping systems used in connection with storage, dispensing and general use of Regulated Substances.

 

“Zanbato” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.08.

 

A-7 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS AND
STREET ADDRESSES OF THE PROPERTIES

 

Street Addresses:

 

Address City ST Zip County
605 Rolling Hills Lane, 361 Rolling Hills Lane, 418 Winchester Soccer Road and 246 Winchester Soccer Road Winchester KY 40391 Clark
140 Industrial Blvd. Bainbridge GA 39817 Decatur

 

Legal Descriptions:

 

Winchester, KY

 

TRACT 1:

 

TRACT 3A, CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 7.00 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, AND TRACT 3B, CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 8.00 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, AS SHOWN ON THE PLAT OF RECORD IN PLAT CABINET 1, SLIDE 21-A, IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF CLARK COUNTY, KENTUCKY.

 

PARCEL NO. 053-0000-011-00 (TRACT 3A) AND PARCEL NO. 053-0000-012-00 (TRACT 3B)

 

TRACT 2:

 

TRACT 2, CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 8.48 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, AS SHOWN ON PLAT OF JOHN C. SCOTT, ET UX., OF RECORD IN PLAT SLIDE 855-B, IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF CLARK COUNTY, KENTUCKY.

 

PARCEL NO. 053-0000-014-00

 

TRACT 3:

 

PARCEL NO. 3, CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 4.45 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, AS SHOWN ON EASEMENT MINOR CONSOLIDATION MINOR SUBDIVISION PLAT OF MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION PREPARED BY E.A. PARTNERS, NOVEMBER 2010, AND OF RECORD IN PLAT SLIDE 1774, OF THE CLERK OF CLARK COUNTY, KENTUCKY.

 

B-1 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

TRACT 4:

 

PARCEL NO. 4, CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 2.20 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, AS SHOWN ON EASEMENT MINOR CONSOLIDATION MINOR SUBDIVISION PLAT OF MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION PREPARED BY E.A. PARTNERS, NOVEMBER 2010, AND OF RECORD IN PLAT SLIDE 1774, OF THE CLERK OF CLARK COUNTY, KENTUCKY.

 

PARCEL NO. 053-0000-015-00

 

TOGETHER WITH THE UTILITY AND ACCESS EASEMENTS APPURTENANT TO TRACTS 3 AND 4, AS GRANTED TO ALLTECH, INC., BY RECIPROCAL UTILITY AND ACCESS EASEMENT DATED NOVEMBER 23, 2010 BY AND BETWEEN MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION, AND ALLTECH, INC., A KENTUCKY CORPORATION, OF RECORD IN DEED BOOK 469, PAGE 174, IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF CLARK COUNTY, KENTUCKY.

 

Bainbridge, GA

 

TRACT ONE:

 

ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND CONTAINING 3.21 ACRES LYING AND BEING IN LAND LOT NO. 385 IN THE 15TH LAND DISTRICT OF DECATUR COUNTY, GEORGIA AND BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED BY PLAT OF SURVEY PREPARED BY ROBERT A. WILLIAMS, GRLS NO. 3072 ENTITLED “PLAT OF SURVEY FOR MEREDIAN, INC.” DATED SEPTEMBER 15, 2011 AND RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT OF DECATUR COUNTY, GEORGIA IN PLAT CABINET C-95, SLIDE 3, WHICH PLAT OF SURVEY IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.

 

TRACT TWO:

 

ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND CONTAINING 19.31 ACRES LYING AND BEING IN LAND LOT NO. 385 IN THE 15TH LAND DISTRICT OF DECATUR COUNTY, GEORGIA AND BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED BY PLAT OF SURVEY PREPARED BY ROBERT A. WILLIAMS, GRLS NO. 3072 ENTITLED “PLAT OF SURVEY FOR MEREDIAN, INC.” DATED SEPTEMBER 15, 2011 AND RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT OF DECATUR COUNTY, GEORGIA IN PLAT CABINET C-95, SLIDE 3, WHICH PLAT OF SURVEY IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY

REFERENCE.

 

TRACT THREE:

 

EASEMENTS IN REAL PROPERTY AS CONTAINED IN THAT CERTAIN AMERICAN DRAINAGE EASEMENT FROM AMOCO FABRICS AND FIBERS COMPANY, A DELAWARE CORPORATION TO AMERICAN FIBERS AND YARNS COMPANY, A DELAWARE CORPORATION, DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1999, FILED FOR RECORD NOVEMBER 17, 1999, AND RECORDED IN DEED BOOK T-21, PAGE 305, AFORESAID RECORDS.

 

TRACT FOUR:

 

EASEMENTS IN REAL PROPERTY AS CONTAINED IN THAT CERTAIN PUMP HOUSE/RAIL CAR LOADING RACK/PIPE CONVEYOR FROM SHAW INDUSTRIES, INC., A GEORGIA CORPORATION TO AMOCO FABRICS AND FIBERS COMPANY, A DELAWARE CORPORATION, DATED SEPTEMBER 25, 1992, FILED FOR RECORD SEPTEMBER 28, 1992, AND RECORDED IN DEED BOOK I-17, PAGE 230, AFORESAID RECORDS.

 

B-2 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

TRACT FIVE:

 

EASEMENTS IN REAL PROPERTY AS CONTAINED IN THAT CERTAIN UNDERGROUND TELEPHONE LINE EASEMENT FROM SHAW INDUSTRIES, INC., A GEORGIA CORPORATION TO AMOCO FABRICS AND FIBERS COMPANY, A DELAWARE CORPORATION, DATED SEPTEMBER 25, 1992, FILED FOR RECORD SEPTEMBER 28, 1992, AND RECORDED IN DEED BOOK I-17, PAGE 234, AFORESAID RECORDS.

 

TRACT SIX:

 

EASEMENTS IN REAL PROPERTY AS CONTAINED IN THAT CERTAIN AMOCO ROAD USE AGREEMENT EASEMENT FROM SHAW INDUSTRIES, INC., A GEORGIA CORPORATION TO AMOCO FABRICS AND FIBERS COMPANY, A DELAWARE CORPORATION, DATED SEPTEMBER 25, 1992, FILED FOR RECORD SEPTEMBER 28, 1992, AND RECORDED IN DEED BOOK I-17, PAGE 242, AFORESAID RECORDS.

 

B-3 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

Authorization Agreement – Pre-Arranged Payments

 

KeyBank Real Estate Capital  
11501 Outlook Street, Suite 300
Overland Park, KS 66211
Toll-Free: 888-979-1200                                 Direct: 913-317-4100                                 Fax: 877-379-1625  

 

AUTO DRAFT AUTHORIZATION FORM

 

Client Information Property Information Contract Information

 

    Contract #:
 
Payment Due Date:
 

The undersigned hereby authorizes STORE Capital Corporation, by its Servicer, to make electronic debit entries for payments and any necessary adjustments involving these entries in the account identified below and authorizes STORE Capital Corporation, by its Servicer, to accept such entries and make any necessary adjustments. Undersigned also authorizes STORE Capital Corporation, or its Servicer, to impose customary returned item processing fees. It is agreed that these entries will be made under the Rules of the National Automated Clearing House Association. You will receive advance notification if the payment amount changes in the future due to a contemplated payment change. This authorization will remain in effect until written notice of termination is delivered to STORE Capital Corporation, or its Servicer, in a timely manner so as to afford STORE Capital Corporation, or its Servicer, an opportunity to act thereon. In no event shall such termination be effective as to entries processed prior to receipt of such notice.

 

If the payment due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment will draft on the succeeding business day.

 

 

 

Account Information

 

Change to an existing Auto Draft                         New Request

 

Bank Name:  
Transit Routing #:  
Account #:     Confirm Account #:        

 

Bank Account Title:  
Account Type: Checking Savings
ACH Draft Start Date:  
Client Email:  
Client Phone #:  
Date Form Completed:  
Signature of Authorizing Party:  

 

 

C-1 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652

 

 

EXHIBIT D

STATE-SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

 

Without limiting the choice of law provision set forth in this Lease, the following provisions shall apply to the extent that the laws of the State of Georgia govern the interpretation or enforcement of this Lease with respect to the Properties:

 

Lessor and Lessee waive any claim or right they may have to claim that this Lease is or should ever be characterized as “usufruct” under Georgia law.

 

Upon an Event of Default, Lessor may avail itself of all rights and remedies provided under applicable Georgia law against Lessee, including without limitation, under the dispossessory scheme codified at O.C.G.A. Section 44-7-50, et seq., as amended. Further, if Lessor chooses to avail itself of a Georgia forum relative to enforcement of its rights under this Lease, then to the extent necessary, Section 16.18 of this Lease shall be deemed amended to permit Lessor to proceed in the applicable Georgia court and to have this Lease governed by Georgia law to the extent necessary to enforce its rights in Georgia.

 

Lessor shall be entitled to attorneys’ fees on the terms provided in O.C.G.A. Section 13-1-11, et seq.

 

To the extent that the State of Georgia now, or in the future, imposes a rental or transfer tax, or any similar tax, against any and all rental payments under this Lease, then Lessee shall be liable for all such taxes, such taxes shall be payable by Lessee upon demand, and such taxes shall be deemed Additional Rental under this Lease.

 

D-1 STORE/Danimer Science
A&R Master Lease Agreement
2 Properties in GA and KY
File No. 7210/02-652
 

Exhibit 23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our report dated February 28, 2020, relating to the balance sheet of Live Oak Acquisition Corp. as of December 31, 2019, and the related statements of operations, changes in stockholder’s equity and cash flows for the period from May 24, 2019 (inception) through December 31, 2019, appearing in the proxy statement/prospectus, which is a part of this Registration Statement, and to the reference to our Firm under the caption “Experts” in the proxy statement/prospectus.

 

/s/ Withum Smith+Brown, PC  
   
New York, New York  
October 27, 2020  

 

Exhibit 23.2

 

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Live Oak Acquisition Corp. of our report dated October 15, 2020, relating to the financial statements of Meredian Holdings Group, Inc. d/b/a Danimer Scientific, which appears in this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

 

 

/s/ Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A.

 

 

Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A.

Tallahassee, Florida

October 27, 2020

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

October 27, 2020

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

774 A. Walker Road

Great Falls, Virginia 22066

 

 

Consent to Reference in Proxy Statement/Prospectus

 

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) is filing a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In connection therewith, I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to the reference to me in the proxy statement/prospectus included in such Registration Statement as a future member of the board of directors of the Company, such appointment to commence upon the effective time of the merger described in the proxy statement/prospectus.

 

Sincerely,

 

/s/ Richard J. Hendrix  
Richard J. Hendrix  

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

October 27, 2020

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

774 A. Walker Road

Great Falls, Virginia 22066

 

 

Consent to Reference in Proxy Statement/Prospectus

 

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) is filing a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In connection therewith, I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to the reference to me in the proxy statement/prospectus included in such Registration Statement as a future member of the board of directors of the Company, such appointment to commence upon the effective time of the merger described in the proxy statement/prospectus.

 

Sincerely,

 

/s/ John P. Amboian  
John P. Amboian  

 

Exhibit 99.3

 

October 27, 2020

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

774 A. Walker Road

Great Falls, Virginia 22066

 

 

Consent to Reference in Proxy Statement/Prospectus

 

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) is filing a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In connection therewith, I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to the reference to me in the proxy statement/prospectus included in such Registration Statement as a future member of the board of directors of the Company, such appointment to commence upon the effective time of the merger described in the proxy statement/prospectus.

 

Sincerely,

 

/s/ Stephen E. Croskrey  
Stephen E. Croskrey  

 

Exhibit 99.4

 

October 27, 2020

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

774 A. Walker Road

Great Falls, Virginia 22066

 

 

Consent to Reference in Proxy Statement/Prospectus

 

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) is filing a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In connection therewith, I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to the reference to me in the proxy statement/prospectus included in such Registration Statement as a future member of the board of directors of the Company, such appointment to commence upon the effective time of the merger described in the proxy statement/prospectus.

 

Sincerely,

 

/s/ Stuart Pratt  
Stuart Pratt  

 

Exhibit 99.5

 

October 27, 2020

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

774 A. Walker Road

Great Falls, Virginia 22066

 

 

Consent to Reference in Proxy Statement/Prospectus

 

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) is filing a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In connection therewith, I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to the reference to me in the proxy statement/prospectus included in such Registration Statement as a future member of the board of directors of the Company, such appointment to commence upon the effective time of the merger described in the proxy statement/prospectus.

 

Sincerely,

 

/s/ Philip Gregory Calhoun  
Philip Gregory Calhoun  

 

Exhibit 99.6

 

October 27, 2020

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

774 A. Walker Road

Great Falls, Virginia 22066

 

 

Consent to Reference in Proxy Statement/Prospectus

 

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) is filing a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In connection therewith, I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to the reference to me in the proxy statement/prospectus included in such Registration Statement as a future member of the board of directors of the Company, such appointment to commence upon the effective time of the merger described in the proxy statement/prospectus.

 

Sincerely,

 

/s/ Gregory W. Hunt  
Gregory W. Hunt  

 

Exhibit 99.7

 

October 27, 2020

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

774 A. Walker Road

Great Falls, Virginia 22066

 

 

Consent to Reference in Proxy Statement/Prospectus

 

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) is filing a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In connection therewith, I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to the reference to me in the proxy statement/prospectus included in such Registration Statement as a future member of the board of directors of the Company, such appointment to commence upon the effective time of the merger described in the proxy statement/prospectus.

 

Sincerely,

 

/s/ Dr. Isao Noda  
Dr. Isao Noda  

 

Exhibit 99.8

 

October 27, 2020

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp.

774 A. Walker Road

Great Falls, Virginia 22066

 

 

Consent to Reference in Proxy Statement/Prospectus

 

 

Live Oak Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) is filing a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In connection therewith, I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to the reference to me in the proxy statement/prospectus included in such Registration Statement as a future member of the board of directors of the Company, such appointment to commence upon the effective time of the merger described in the proxy statement/prospectus.

 

Sincerely,

 

/s/ Christy Basco  
Christy Basco