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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 29, 2021

 

AEROCENTURY CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in our charter)

 

Delaware   001-13387   94-3263974
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)  

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

3000 El Camino Real,

Bldg. 4, Suite 200, Palo Alto, CA

  94306
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(650) 340-1888

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not applicable

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share   ACY   NYSE American Exchange

 

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

 

Emerging growth company

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

(e)(1) Adoption of 2021 Equity Incentive Plan

 

As described in Item 5.07 below, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of AeroCentury Corp.. (the “Company”) held on December 29, 2021, the Company’s stockholders approved the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”). The number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2021 Plan is 1,100,000 (as adjusted pursuant to the 5-for-1 forward stock split, effective December 30, 2021). The 2021 Plan was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) on October 23, 2021.

 

The Company intends to use the 2021 Plan in order to incentivize and retain employees, directors, officers and consultants. The 2021 Plan provides for the issuance of equity-based incentive awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock units, and other equity awards. The vesting of equity awards can be based on continuous service and/or achievement of certain performance criteria.

 

A more detailed description of the 2021 Plan and related matters was set forth in the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 18, 2021, under the heading “Proposal 2: Approval of the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan” and is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing summary of the 2021 Plan, and the summary of the 2021 Plan set forth in the proxy statement, are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the 2021 Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

 

As described above, on December 29, 2021, the Company held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders. As of the record date of November 8, 2021, 4,416,811 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, excluding treasury shares of 213,332, were outstanding and entitled to vote. Of this amount, 3,732,453 shares, representing approximately 84.5% of the total number of shares of Common Stock entitled to vote, were represented in person or by proxy, constituting a quorum. Set forth below are the voting results from the proposals presented for a stockholder vote at such meeting, each of which received a sufficient number of votes to pass.

 

1. The individuals listed below were elected to serve as directors of the Company until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified:

 

    FOR   WITHHELD   BROKER NON-VOTE
Yucheng Hu   2,997,701   37,023   697,729
Florence Ng   2,997,304   37,420   697,729
Siyuan Zhu   3,012,016   22,708   697,729
Jianan Jiang   3,011,960   22,764   697,729
Qin Yao   3,011,955   22,769   697,729

 

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2. A proposal to approve the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan:

 

FOR   AGAINST   ABSTAIN   BROKER NON-VOTE
2,994,697   38,749   1,278   697,729

 

3. A proposal to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers:

 

FOR   AGAINST   ABSTAIN   BROKER NON-VOTE
3,010,277   22,979   1,468   697,729

 

4. A proposal to ratify the appointment of Audit Alliance LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021:

 

FOR   AGAINST   ABSTAIN
3,702,607   29,804   42

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.   Description
     
10.1   2021 Equity Incentive Plan
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

2

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  AeroCentury Corp.
   
  By: /s/ Yucheng Hu
    Yucheng Hu
    Chief Executive Officer
     
Dated: January 3, 2022    

 

 

3

 

 

Exhibit 10.1 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AEROCENTURY CORP.

 

2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Adopted by the Board on October 23, 2021

Approved by the Shareholders on December 29, 2021

Adjusted for the 5-For-1 Forward Stock Split, Effective December 30, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AEROCENTURY CORP.

2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Adopted by the Board on October 23, 2021

Approved by the Shareholders on December 29, 2021

Adjusted for the 5-For-1 Forward Stock Split, Effective December 30, 2021

 

The Board of Directors of AeroCentury Corp. (the “Company”) hereby adopts in its entirety the AeroCentury Corp. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), as of October 23, 2021. Unless otherwise defined, terms with initial capital letters are defined in Section 2 below.

 

SECTION 1
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

1.1 Background. The Plan permits the grant of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs), Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units.

 

1.2 Purpose of the Plan. The Plan is intended to attract, motivate and retain the following individuals: (a) employees of the Company or its Affiliates; (b) consultants who provide significant services to the Company or its Affiliates; and (c) directors of the Company or any of its Affiliates who are employees of neither the Company nor any Affiliate. The Plan is also designed to encourage stock ownership by such individuals, thereby aligning their interests with those of the Company’s shareholders.

 

SECTION 2
DEFINITIONS

 

The following words and phrases shall have the following meanings unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context:

 

2.1 “Administrator” means, collectively the Board, and/or one or more Committees, and/or one or more executive officers of the Company designated by the Board to administer the Plan or specific portions thereof.

 

2.2 “Affiliate” means any corporation or any other entity (including, but not limited to, Subsidiaries, partnerships and joint ventures) controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company.

 

2.3 “Applicable Law” means the legal requirements relating to the administration of Options, SARs, Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units and similar incentive plans under any applicable laws, including but not limited to federal and state employment, labor, privacy and securities laws, and the Code.

 

2.4 “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, SARs, Stock Awards and/or Restricted Stock Units.

 

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2.5 “Award Agreement” means the written agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan, including the Grant Date.

 

2.6 “Board” or “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

2.7 “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(a) Any “Person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities;

 

(b) The consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets;

 

(c) The consummation of a liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

 

(d) The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other Person, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation;

 

(e) Other events specified by the Administrator in the Participant’s Award Agreement.

 

2.8 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Code or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

 

2.9 “Committee” means the compensation committee of the Board or such other committee satisfying Applicable Laws appointed by the Board to administer the Plan, in accordance with Section 3 of the Plan.

 

2.10 “Company” means AeroCentury Corp., a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto.

 

2.11 “Consultant” means any consultant, independent contractor or other person who provides significant services to the Company or its Affiliates or any employee or affiliate of any of the foregoing, but who is neither an Employee nor a Director.

 

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2.12 “Continuous Status” as an Employee or Consultant means that a Participant’s employment or service relationship with the Company or any Affiliate is not interrupted or terminated. “Continuous Status” shall not be considered interrupted in the following cases: (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company and any Subsidiary or successor. A leave of absence approved by the Company shall include sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave approved by an authorized representative of the Company. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no leave of absence may exceed ninety (90) days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If such reemployment is not so guaranteed, then on the one hundred eighty-first (181st) day of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonqualified Stock Option.

 

2.13 “Corporate Transaction” means the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

 

(i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

 

(ii) a sale or other disposition of at least fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding securities of the Company;

 

(iii) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or

 

(iv) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of common stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.

 

2.14 “Director” means any individual who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.

 

2.15 “Disability” means a permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, provided that in the case of Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, the Administrator in its discretion may determine whether a permanent and total disability exists in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards adopted by the Administrator from time to time.

 

2.16 “Employee” means any individual who is a common-law employee of the Company or of an Affiliate.

 

2.17 “Exercise Price” means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a Participant pursuant to the exercise of an Option, and the price used to determine the number of Shares payable to a Participant upon the exercise of a SAR.

 

2.18 “Fair Market Value” means the price of a Share on the relevant date, determined by the Committee in good faith on such basis as it deems appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a sale of the Company or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, Fair Market Value shall immediately, for all purposes of this Plan, be determined by the sale price of the Company’s common stock or the sale price of its assets less any remaining liabilities.

 

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2.19 “Fiscal Year” means a fiscal year of the Company.

 

2.20 “Grant Date” means with respect to an Award, the effective date an Award is granted.

 

2.21 “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option to purchase Shares, which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

 

2.22 “Individual Objectives” means as to a Participant, the objective and measurable goals set by a “management by objectives” process and approved by the Administrator in its discretion.

 

2.23 “Misconduct” means any of the following: (i) Participant is convicted of, or pleads nolo contendere to, (A) any felony or (B) any misdemeanor involving fraud or dishonesty; (ii) Participant’s engagement in any gross insubordination, willful malfeasance, fraud, dishonesty or other conduct or activity in the performance of his or her obligations hereunder or otherwise as an employee or service provider of the Company that is reasonably likely to cause, or does cause, damage to the business of the Company (or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries), as determined in good faith by the Board; (iii) Participant’s embezzlement of funds or assets from the Company (or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries); or (iv) Participant’s willful failure or refusal to perform Participant’s covenants, duties or responsibilities as a service provider for ten (10) days following written notice from the Company describing such failure or refusal in reasonable detail or Participant’s violation of any duty of loyalty to the Company or a breach of Participant’s fiduciary duty involving personal profit.

 

2.24 “Nonemployee Director” means a Director who is not employed by the Company or an Affiliate.

 

2.25 “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an option to purchase Shares that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.

 

2.26 “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.

 

2.27 “Participant” means an Employee, Nonemployee Director or Consultant who has an outstanding Award.

 

2.28 “Plan” means this AeroCentury Corp. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, as set forth in this instrument and as hereafter amended from time to time.

 

2.29 “Restricted Stock Units” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 8. An Award of Restricted Stock Units constitutes a promise to deliver to a Participant a specified number of Shares, or the equivalent value in cash, upon satisfaction of the vesting requirements set forth in the Award Agreement. Each Restricted Stock Unit represents the right to receive one Share or the equivalent value in cash.

 

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2.30 “Retirement” shall mean the voluntary Termination by a Participant when such Participant’s age plus years of service with the Company and/or Subsidiary equals or exceeds seventy five (75).

 

2.31 “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code, as it has been and may be amended from time to time, and any proposed or final Treasury Regulations and Internal Revenue Service guidance that has been promulgated or may be promulgated thereunder from time to time, or any state law equivalent.

 

2.32 “Shares” means shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, of the Company.

 

2.33 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 6. Upon exercise, a SAR gives a Participant a right to receive a payment in cash, or the equivalent value in Shares, equal to the difference between the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the exercise date and the Exercise Price. Both the number of SARs and the Exercise Price are determined on the Grant Date. For example, assume a Participant is granted 100 SARs at an Exercise Price of $10 and the notice of grant specifies that the SARs will be settled in Shares. Also assume that the SARs are exercised when the underlying Shares have a Fair Market Value of $20 per Share. Upon exercise of the SAR, the Participant is entitled to receive 50 Shares [(($20-$10)*100)/$20].

 

2.34 “Stock Award” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 7. A Stock Award constitutes a transfer of ownership of Shares to a Participant from the Company. A Stock Award may be unrestricted and freely transferable (“Unrestricted Stock”), or subject to restrictions against transferability, assignment, and hypothecation (“Restricted Stock”). Under the terms of a Restricted Stock Award, the restrictions against transferability are removed when the Participant has met the specified vesting conditions. Vesting can be based on continued employment of service over a stated service period, or on the attainment of specified performance objectives. If employment or service is terminated prior to vesting, the unvested Shares of Restricted Stock revert back to the Company. An Award of Unrestricted Stock is not subject to vesting conditions.

 

2.35 “Subsidiary” means any corporation in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain then owns stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

 

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SECTION 3
ADMINISTRATION

 

3.1 The Administrator. The Administrator shall be appointed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

 

3.2 Authority of the Administrator. It shall be the duty of the Administrator to administer the Plan in accordance with the Plan’s provisions and in accordance with Applicable Law. The Administrator shall have all powers and discretion necessary or appropriate to administer the Plan and to control its operation, including, but not limited to, the power to make recommendations to the Board regarding the following: (a) which Employees, Consultants and Directors shall be granted Awards; (b) the terms and conditions of the Awards, (c) interpretation of the Plan, (d) adoption of rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and (e) interpretation, amendment or revocation of any such rules.

 

3.3 Delegation by the Administrator. The Administrator, in its discretion and on such terms and conditions as it may provide, may delegate all or any part of its authority and powers under the Plan to one or more Directors.

 

3.4 Decisions Binding. All determinations and decisions made by the Administrator, the Board and any delegate of the Administrator pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, and shall be given the maximum deference permitted by Applicable Law.

 

SECTION 4
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

 

4.1 Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment, as provided in Section 9.1, the total combined number of Shares and Restricted Stock Units available for grant at any time under the Plan shall be 1,100,000 Shares. Shares granted under the Plan may be authorized but unissued Shares or reacquired Shares bought on the market or otherwise.

 

4.2 Lapsed Awards. If any Award made under the Plan expires, or is forfeited or cancelled, or otherwise exercised without delivery of Shares, such undelivered Shares shall become available for future Awards under the Plan.

 

4.3 Legal Compliance. Awards and Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the making or exercise of an Award unless the exercise of Options and rights and the issuance and delivery of Shares shall comply with Applicable Law, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance. Any Award made in violation hereof shall be null and void.

 

4.4 Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an Option or other right, the Company may require the person exercising such Option or right to represent and warrant at the time of exercise that the Shares are being acquired only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.

 

SECTION 5
STOCK OPTIONS

 

The provisions of this Section 5 are applicable to Options granted to Employees, Nonemployee Directors and Consultants. Such Participants shall also be eligible to receive other types of Awards as set forth in the Plan.

 

5.1 Grant of Options. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Options may be granted at any time and from time to time as determined by the Administrator in its discretion. The Administrator may grant Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options, or a combination thereof, and the Administrator, in its discretion and subject to Section 4.1, shall determine the number of Shares subject to each Option.

 

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5.2 Award Agreement. Each Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Exercise Price, the expiration date of the Option, the number of Shares to which the Option pertains, any conditions to exercise the Option, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its discretion, shall determine. The Award Agreement shall also specify whether the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.

 

5.3 Exercise Price. The Administrator shall determine the Exercise Price for each Option subject to the provisions of this Section 5.3.

 

5.3.1 Nonqualified Stock Options. Unless otherwise specified in the Award Agreement, in the case of a Nonqualified Stock Option, the per Share exercise price shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date, as determined by the Administrator.

 

5.3.2 Incentive Stock Options. The grant of Incentive Stock Options shall be subject to the following limitations:

 

(a) The Exercise Price of an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date; provided, however, that if on the Grant Date, the Employee (together with persons whose stock ownership is attributed to the Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Exercise Price shall be not less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date;

 

(b) Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to persons who are, as of the Grant Date, Employees of the Company or a Subsidiary, and may not be granted to Nonemployee Directors or Consultants.

 

(c) To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any parent or Subsidiary) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), such Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 5.3.2(c), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted; and

 

(d) In the event of a Participant’s change of status from Employee to Consultant or Director, an Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonqualified Stock Option three (3) months and one (1) day following such change of status.

 

5.3.3 Substitute Options. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 5.3.1 and 5.3.2, in the event that the Company or an Affiliate consummates a transaction described in Section 424(a) of the Code (e.g., the acquisition of property or stock from an unrelated corporation), persons who become Employees, Directors or Consultants on account of such transaction may be granted Options in substitution for options granted by their former employer.

 

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5.4 Expiration of Options

 

5.4.1 Expiration Dates. With respect to the “unvested” Shares (as determined under the Participant’s Award Agreement) underlying a Participant’s Option, such Option shall terminate immediately upon the date Participant ceases his/her Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant for any reason. With respect to the “vested” Shares underlying a Participant’s Option, unless otherwise specified in the Award Agreement, such Option shall terminate as follows upon the earliest to occur:

 

(a) Date in Award Agreement. The date for termination of the Option set forth in the written Award Agreement;

 

(b) Termination of Continuous Status as Employee or Consultant. The last day of the three (3)-month period following the date the Participant ceases his/her Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant (other than termination for a reason described in subsections (c), (d), (e), or (f) below);

 

(c) Misconduct. In the event a Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant terminates because the Participant has performed an act of Misconduct as determined by the Administrator, all unexercised Options held by such Participant shall expire upon the Participant’s receipt of written notice from the Company of such termination due to Misconduct;

 

(d) Disability. In the event that a Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option at any time within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement);

 

(e) Death. In the event of the death of a Participant, the Option may be exercised at any time within three hundred sixty (360) days following the date of death (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement), by the Participant’s estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance;

 

(f) Retirement. In the event a Participant’s Retirement, the Option may be exercised at any time prior to the Maximum Expiration Date (as defined in Section 5.4.1(f)) of such Option; or

 

(g) Maximum Expiration Date. Unless otherwise specified above, an Option shall expire no more than ten (10) years from the Grant Date; provided, however, that if an Incentive Stock Option is granted to an Employee who, together with persons whose stock ownership is attributed to the Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code, owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of the stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, such Incentive Stock Option may not be exercised after the expiration of five (5) years from the Grant Date.

 

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5.4.2 Change in Status. In the event a Participant’s status has changed from Consultant to Employee, or vice versa, a Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant shall not automatically terminate solely as a result of such change in status.

 

5.4.3 Administrator Discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing the Administrator may, after an Option is granted, extend the maximum term of the Option (subject to limitations applicable to Incentive Stock Options).

 

5.5 Exercisability of Options. Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator shall determine in its discretion, as set forth in the Award Agreement. After an Option is granted, the Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the exercisability of the Option.

 

5.6 Exercise and Payment. Options shall be exercised by the Participant’s delivery of a written notice of exercise to the Secretary of the Company (or its designee), setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment for the Shares and satisfaction of all applicable tax withholding.

 

5.6.1 Form of Consideration. Upon the exercise of any Option, the Exercise Price shall be payable to the Company in full in cash or its equivalent. The Administrator, in its discretion, also may permit the exercise by tendering previously acquired Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total Exercise Price, or by any other means which the Administrator, in its discretion, determines to provide legal consideration for the Shares, and to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan.

 

5.6.2 Delivery of Shares. Unless otherwise specified in the Award Agreement, shares acquired by Participant pursuant to the exercise of an Option shall be held by the Company as escrow agent.

 

SECTION 6
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

6.1 Grant of SARs. Subject to the terms of the Plan, a SAR may be granted to Employees, Nonemployee Directors and Consultants at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Administrator.

 

6.1.1 Number of Shares. The Administrator shall have complete discretion to determine the number of SARs granted to any Participant.

 

6.1.2 Exercise Price and Other Terms. The Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, shall have discretion to determine the terms and conditions of SARs granted under the Plan, including whether upon exercise the SARs will be settled in Shares or cash. However, the Exercise Price of a SAR shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date.

 

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6.2 Exercise of SARs. SARs shall be exercisable on such terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its discretion, shall determine.

 

6.3 SAR Agreement. Each SAR grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Exercise Price, the term of the SAR, the conditions of exercise and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine.

 

6.4 Expiration of SARs. A SAR granted under the Plan shall expire upon the date determined by the Administrator in its discretion as set forth in the Award Agreement, or otherwise pursuant to the provisions relating to the expiration of Options as set forth in Section 5.4.

 

6.5 Payment of SAR Amount. Upon exercise of a SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to Shares, or the equivalent value in cash, from the Company in an amount determined by dividing the Fair Market Value of a Share on the exercise date by the following: (a) the difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the SAR Exercise Price, times (b) the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised. If the Administrator designates in the Award Agreement that the SAR will be settled in cash, upon Participant’s exercise of the SAR the Company shall make a cash payment to Participant as soon as reasonably practical.

 

SECTION 7
STOCK AWARDS

 

7.1 Grant of Award. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Stock Awards to Employees, Nonemployee Directors and Consultants in such amounts as the Administrator, in its discretion, shall determine. Stock Awards may be granted as either Restricted Stock, subject to vesting conditions and other restrictions, or Unrestricted Stock. The Administrator shall determine the form of Stock Award and the number of Shares to be granted to each Participant. Unrestricted Stock Awards shall be evidenced by a Notice of Grant, while Restricted Stock Awards shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

 

7.2 Restricted Stock Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its discretion, shall determine. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, Shares of Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company as escrow agent until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed.

 

7.3 Vesting and Forfeiture of Restricted Stock Awards. The Administrator, in its discretion, shall impose vesting conditions on Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate. Shares of Restricted Stock that are not vested shall be forfeited upon the termination of Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Nonemployee Director or Consultant.

 

7.3.1 Vesting Conditions. The Administrator may set restrictions based upon the achievement of vesting Conditions that are based on specific performance objectives (Company-wide, business unit, or individual), or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion.

 

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7.3.2 Legend on Certificates. The Administrator, in its discretion, may legend the certificates representing Restricted Stock to give appropriate notice of such restrictions.

 

7.4 Removal of Restrictions. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions shall lapse or be removed. Upon satisfaction of the vesting conditions applicable to the Period of Restriction, the Shares shall no longer be subject to forfeiture.

 

7.5 Dividends and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock shall be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.

 

7.6 Return of Restricted Stock to Company. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed shall revert to the Company and again shall become available for grant under the Plan.

 

SECTION 8
RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

 

8.1 Grant of Restricted Stock Units. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Restricted Stock Units may be granted to Employees, Nonemployee Directors and Consultants at any time and from time to time, as shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

8.1.1 Number of Restricted Stock Units. The Administrator will have complete discretion in determining the number of Restricted Stock Units granted to any Participant under an Award Agreement, subject to the limitations in Section 4.1.

 

8.1.2 Value of a Restricted Stock Unit. Each Restricted Stock Unit granted under an Award Agreement represents the right to receive one Share, or the equivalent value in cash, upon satisfaction of the vesting conditions specified in the Award Agreement.

 

8.2 Vesting Conditions. In its sole and absolute discretion, the Administrator will set the vesting provisions, which may include any combination of time-based or performance-based vesting conditions.

 

8.3 Form and Timing of Payment. The Administrator shall specify in the Award Agreement whether the Restricted Stock Units shall be settled in Shares or cash. In either case, upon vesting, payment will be made as soon as reasonably practical upon satisfaction of the vesting conditions.

 

8.4 Cancellation of Restricted Stock Units. On the earlier of the cancellation date set forth in the Award Agreement or upon the termination of Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Nonemployee Director or Consultant, all unvested Restricted Stock Units will be forfeited to the Company, and again will be available for grant under the Plan.

 

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SECTION 9
ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK;
OTHER CORPORATE EVENTS

 

9.1 Adjustments. In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, common stock, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, reclassification, repurchase, or exchange of common stock or other securities of the Company, or other change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting the Shares occurs (other than any ordinary dividends or other ordinary distributions), the Board, in order to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, will adjust the number and class of shares of stock that may be delivered under the Plan and/or the number, class, and price of shares of stock covered by each outstanding Award, and the numerical Share limits in Section 4.1 of the Plan.

 

9.2 Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of a proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator will notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

 

9.3 Corporate Transaction.

 

9.3.1 The following provisions will apply to Awards in the event of a Corporate Transaction unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the Award or any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant or unless otherwise expressly provided by the Administrator at the time of grant of an Award. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, then, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Administrator will take one or more of the following actions with respect to Awards, contingent upon the closing or completion of the Corporate Transaction:

 

(i) arrange for the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) to assume or continue the Award or to substitute a similar Award for the Award (including, but not limited to, an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the shareholders of the Company pursuant to the Corporate Transaction);

 

(ii)  arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of the Shares issued pursuant to the Award to the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company);

 

(iii)  accelerate the vesting, in whole or in part, of the Award (and, if applicable, the time at which the Award may be exercised) to a date prior to the effective time of such Corporate Transaction as the Administrator determines (or, if the Administrator does not determine such a date, to the date that is five (5) days prior to the effective date of the Corporate Transaction), with such Award terminating if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction in accordance with the exercise procedures determined by the Administrator;

 

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(iv)  arrange for the lapse, in whole or in part, of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to the Award;

 

(v)  cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the Award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, in exchange for no consideration ($0) or such consideration, if any, as determined by the Administrator; or

 

(vi)  cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the Award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective time of the Transaction, in exchange for a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Administrator, equal to the excess, if any, of (A), the per share amount (or value of property per share) payable to holders of the Shares in connection with the Corporate Transaction, over (B) the per share exercise price under the applicable Award, multiplied by the number of Shares subject to the Award. For clarity, this payment may be $0 if the amount per share (or value of property per share) payable to the holders of the Shares is equal to or less than the per share exercise price of the Award. In addition, any escrow, holdback, earn out or similar provisions in the definitive agreement for the Corporate Transaction may apply to such payment to the holder of the Award to the same extent and in the same manner as such provisions apply to the holders of the Shares.

 

The Administrator need not take the same action or actions with respect to all Awards or portions thereof or with respect to all Participants.

 

9.3.2 Appointment of Shareholder Representative. As a condition to the receipt of an Award under this Plan, a Participant will be deemed to have agreed that the Award will be subject to the terms of any agreement governing a Corporate Transaction involving the Company, including, without limitation, a provision for the appointment of a shareholder representative that is authorized to act on the Participant’s behalf with respect to any escrow, indemnities and any contingent consideration.

 

9.4 No Restriction on Right to Undertake Transactions. The grant of any Award under the Plan and the issuance of shares pursuant to any Award does not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company or the shareholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of stock or of options, rights or options to purchase stock or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks whose rights are superior to or affect the Shares or the rights thereof or which are convertible into or exchangeable for the Shares, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

 

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9.5  Acceleration Rights. An Award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a Change in Control as may be provided in the Award Agreement for such Award or as may be provided in any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration will occur.

 

9.6 Section 409A Limitations. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 9 to the contrary, if a payment under an Award is subject to Section 409A and if the change in control definition contained in the Award Agreement or other written agreement related to the Award does not comply with the definition of “change in control” for purposes of a distribution under Section 409A, then any payment of an amount that otherwise is accelerated under this Section will be delayed until the earliest time that such payment would be permissible under Section 409A without triggering any penalties applicable under Section 409A.

 

SECTION 10
MISCELLANEOUS

 

10.1 No Effect on Employment or Service. Nothing in the Plan shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate any Participant’s employment or service at any time, with or without cause. Unless otherwise provided by written contract, employment or service with the Company or any of its Affiliates is on an at-will basis only. Additionally, the Plan shall not confer upon any Nonemployee Director any right with respect to continuation of service as a Director or nomination to serve as a Director, nor shall it interfere in any way with any rights which such Nonemployee Director or the Company may have to terminate his or her directorship at any time.

 

10.2 Participation. No Employee or Consultant shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award under this Plan, or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive a future Award.

 

10.3 Successors. All obligations of the Company under the Plan, with respect to Awards granted hereunder, shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation or, otherwise, sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company.

 

10.4 Beneficiary Designations. If permitted by the Administrator, a Participant under the Plan may name a beneficiary or beneficiaries to whom any vested but unpaid Award shall be paid in the event of the Participant’s death. Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the Participant and shall be effective only if given in a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator. In the absence of any such designation, any vested benefits remaining unpaid at the Participant’s death shall be paid to the Participant’s estate and, subject to the terms of the Plan and of the applicable Award Agreement, any unexercised vested Award may be exercised by the administrator or executor of the Participant’s estate.

 

10.5 Limited Transferability of Awards. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, no Award granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. All rights with respect to an Award granted to a Participant shall be available during his or her lifetime only to the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant may, in a manner specified by the Administrator, (a) transfer a Nonqualified Stock Option to a Participant’s spouse, former spouse or dependent pursuant to a court-approved domestic relations order which relates to the provision of child support, alimony payments or marital property rights and (b) transfer a Nonqualified Stock Option by bona fide gift and not for any consideration to (i) a member or members of the Participant’s immediate family, (ii) a trust established for the exclusive benefit of the Participant and/or member(s) of the Participant’s immediate family, (iii) a partnership, limited liability company or other entity whose only partners or members are the Participant and/or member(s) of the Participant’s immediate family or (iv) a foundation in which the Participant and/or member(s) of the Participant’s immediate family control the management of the foundation’s assets.

 

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10.6 Restrictions on Share Transferability. The Administrator may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Award as it may deem advisable, including, but not limited to, the requirement to sign a voting rights agreement in favor of the Company as a condition to the delivery of Shares, restrictions related to applicable federal securities laws, the requirements of any national securities exchange or system upon which Shares are then listed or traded or any blue sky or state securities laws.

 

10.7 Nonemployee Director Award Limitations. No Nonemployee Director may be paid, issued, or granted, in any Fiscal Year, equity awards (including any Awards issued under this Plan) with an aggregate value (the value of which will be based on their grant date fair value determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles) and any other compensation (including, without limitation, any cash retainers or fees) that, in the aggregate, exceed $500,000. Any Awards or other compensation paid or provided to an individual for his or her services as an Employee, or for his or her services as a Consultant (other than as an Nonemployee Director), will not count for purposes of the limitation under this Section 10.7.

 

10.8 Forfeiture Events. The Administrator may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments, and benefits with respect to an Award will be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, recoupment, reimbursement, or reacquisition upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary under this Plan, an Award will be subject to the Company’s clawback policy as may be established and/or amended from time to time to comply with Applicable Laws (including, without limitation, pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed or as may be required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act) (the “Clawback Policy”). The Administrator may require a Participant to forfeit, return or reimburse the Company all or a portion of the Award and any amounts paid thereunder pursuant to the terms of the Clawback Policy or as necessary or appropriate to comply with Applicable Laws. Unless this Section10.8 specifically is mentioned and waived in an Award Agreement or other document, no recovery of compensation under a Clawback Policy or otherwise will constitute an event that triggers or contributes to any right of a Participant to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

 

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SECTION 11
AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION, AND TERMINATION

 

11.1 Amendment, Suspension, or Termination. Except as provided in Section 11.2, the Board, in its sole discretion, may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan, or any part thereof, at any time and for any reason. The amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall not, without the consent of the Participant, alter or impair any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted to such Participant. No Award may be granted during any period of suspension or after termination of the Plan.

 

11.2 Shareholder Approval. The Company shall obtain shareholder approval of any material Plan amendment to the extent desirable to comply with Section 422 of the Code, or other Applicable Law.

 

11.3 Plan Effective Date and Duration of Awards. The Plan shall be effective upon its adoption by the Board and approval by the shareholders of the Company (“Effective Date”). The Plan will continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years from the Effective Date, unless terminate earlier pursuant to Section 11.1.

 

SECTION 12
TAX WITHHOLDING

 

12.1 Withholding Requirements. Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof), the Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local taxes (including the Participant’s FICA obligation) required to be withheld with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof).

 

12.2 Withholding Arrangements. The Administrator, in its discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (a) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable Shares or (b) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld. The amount of the withholding requirement shall be deemed to include any amount which the Administrator agrees may be withheld at the time the election is made, not to exceed the amount determined by using the statutory minimum federal, state or local income tax rates applicable to the Participant with respect to the Award on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered shall be determined as of the date taxes are required to be withheld.

 

12.3 Compliance With Section 409A. Awards will be designed and operated in such a manner that they are either exempt from the application of, or comply with, the requirements of Section 409A such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Section 409A, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. The Plan and each Award Agreement under the Plan is intended to meet the requirements of Section 409A and will be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. To the extent that an Award or payment, or the settlement or deferral thereof, is subject to Section 409A, the Award will be granted, paid, settled or deferred in a manner that will meet the requirements of Section 409A, such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Section 409A. In no event will the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Parents have any obligation or liability under the terms of this Plan to reimburse, indemnify, or hold harmless any Participant or any other person in respect of Awards, for any taxes, interest, or penalties imposed, or other costs incurred, as a result of Section 409A.

 

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SECTION 13
LEGAL CONSTRUCTION

 

13.1 Liability of Company. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful grant or any Award or the issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company, its officers, Directors and Employees of any liability in respect of the failure to grant such Award or to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

 

13.2 Gender and Number. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.

 

13.3 Severability. In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.

 

13.4 Requirements of Law. The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies as may be required.

 

13.5 Governing Law. The Plan and all Award Agreements shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of California.

 

13.6 Captions. Captions are provided herein for convenience only, and shall not serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of the Plan.

 

 

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