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): March 17, 2016

 

Ohr Pharmaceutical, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware   333-88480   46-5622433
(State or Other Jurisdiction   (Commission   (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation)   File Number)   Identification No.)
         

 

800 Third Avenue, 11 th Floor, New York, NY     10022
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)     (Zip Code)
           

 

 

(212) 682-8452
(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:

 

☐  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 communication pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

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

 

 
 

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

Ohr Pharmaceutical, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), held its 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2016 Annual Meeting”) on March 17, 2016. At the 2016 Annual Meeting, the Company’s stockholders, on the recommendation of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”), approved the Ohr Pharmaceutical, Inc. 2016 Consolidated Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), in accordance with the voting results set forth for Proposal 2 below under Item 5.07 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. The Board approved the Plan on January 7, 2016, subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders.

 

A description of the Plan and its principal terms and conditions and the types of awards contemplated thereunder are set forth under the heading “Proposal 2: The Ohr Pharmaceutical, Inc. 2016 Consolidated Stock Incentive Plan” of the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2016 (the “2016 Proxy Statement”), which description is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. Such description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.

 

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

 

The following matters were submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on March 17, 2016.

 

Proposal 1.  A proposal to elect two class III directors to serve until the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified or until death, resignation or removal. The nominees, Ira Greenstein and Orin Hirschman, were elected to serve as class III directors. The results of the voting were as follows:

 

Nominees   Votes For   Withheld   Broker Non-Votes
Ira Greenstein     8,461,620       762,102       15,647,156  
Orin Hirschman     8,538,665       685,057       15,647,156  

 

Proposal 2. A proposal to approve the Ohr Pharmaceutical, Inc. 2016 Consolidated Stock Incentive Plan. The proposal was approved and results of the voting were as follows:

 

For   Against   Abstentions   Broker Non-Votes
  8,934,340       249,892       39,490       15,647,156  

 

 
 

Proposal 3. A proposal to ratify the selection of MaloneBailey, LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for the 2016 fiscal year. The proposal was ratified and the results of the voting were as follows:

 

For   Against   Abstentions   Broker Non-Votes
  24,723,657       119,338       27,883       0  

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)  Exhibits:

 

10.1  Ohr Pharmaceutical, Inc. 2016 Consolidated Stock Incentive Plan.

 

 
 

 

SIGNATURE

 

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

 

  

  OHR PHARMACEUTICAL, INC
  (Registrant)
   
Date: March 21, 2016 By:  /s/ Sam Backenroth
    Sam Backenroth
Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.   Description
     
10.1   Ohr Pharmaceutical, Inc. 2016 Consolidated Stock Incentive Plan .

 

 

 

 

 

Ohr Pharmaceutical, Inc. 8-K

Exhibit 10.1 

 

OHR PHARMACEUTICAL, INC.

2016 CONSOLIDATED STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

Effective as of January 7, 2016

 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Section Page
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS 1
1.01     Affiliate 1
1.02     Agreement 1
1.03     Award 1
1.04     Board 1
1.05     Cause 1
1.06     Change in Control 2
1.07     Code 2
1.08     Committee 2
1.09     Common Stock 2
1.10     Company 2
1.11     Control Change Date 3
1.12     Corresponding SAR 3
1.13    Effective Date 3
1.14     Exchange Act 3
1.15     Fair Market Value 3
1.16     Full Value Award 3
1.17     Incentive Award 3
1.18     Incentive Stock Option 4
1.19     Initial Value 4
1.20     Named Executive Officer 4
1.21     Nonqualified Stock Option 4
1.22     Option 4
1.23     Participant 4
1.24     Plan 4
1.25     Person 4
1.26     Prior Plan or Prior Plans 4
1.27     Restricted Stock Award 5
1.28     Restricted Stock Unit 5
1.29     SAR 5
1.30     Termination Date 5
1.31     Ten Percent Shareholder 5
ARTICLE II PURPOSES 6
ARTICLE III ADMINISTRATION 6
ARTICLE IV ELIGIBILITY 7
ARTICLE V COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN 8
5.01     Common Stock Issued 8
5.02     Aggregate Limit 8
5.03     Individual Limit 8
5.04     Awards Settled in Cash; Reissue of Awards and Shares 8

 

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ARTICLE VI OPTIONS 9
6.01     Grant 9
6.02     Option Price 9
6.03     Maximum Option Period 9
6.04     Exercise 10
6.05     Payment 10
6.06     Stockholder Rights 10
6.07     Disposition of Shares 10
6.08     No Liability of Company 11
ARTICLE VII SARS 11
7.01     Grant 11
7.02     Maximum SAR Period 11
7.03     Exercise 11
7.04     Settlement 12
7.05     Stockholder Rights 12
ARTICLE VIII RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS 12
8.01     Award 12
8.02     Payment . 12
8.03     Vesting 13
8.04     Maximum Restriction Period 13
8.05     Stockholder Rights 13
ARTICLE IX RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS 14
9.01     Grant 14
9.02     Earning the Award 14
9.03     Maximum Restricted Stock Unit Award Period 14
9.04     Payment 14
9.05     Stockholder Rights 15
ARTICLE X INCENTIVE AWARDS 15
10.01     Grant 15
10.02     Earning the Award 15
10.03     Maximum Incentive Award Period 16
10.04     Payment 16
10.05     Stockholder Rights 16
ARTICLE XI TERMS APPLICABLE TO ALL AWARDS 16
11.01     Written Agreement 16
11.02     Nontransferability 16
11.03     Effect of Termination Date on Awards 17
11.04     Employee Status 18
11.05     Change in Control 18

 

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ARTICLE XII QUALIFIED PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION 19
12.01     Performance Conditions 19
12.02     Establishing the Amount of the Award 20
12.03     Earning the Award 20
12.04     Definitions of Performance Criteria 21
ARTICLE XIII ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGE IN COMMON STOCK 21
ARTICLE XIV COMPLIANCE WITH LAW AND APPROVAL OF REGULATORY BODIES 22
14.01     Compliance 22
14.02     Postponement of Exercise or Payment 22
14.03     Forfeiture of Payment 23
ARTICLE XV LIMITATION ON BENEFITS 23
ARTICLE XVI GENERAL PROVISIONS 24
16.01     Effect on Employment and Service 24
16.02     Unfunded Plan 24
16.03     Rules of Construction 25
16.04     Tax Withholding and Reporting 25
16.05     Reservation of Shares. 25
16.06     Governing Law. 26
16.07     Other Actions 26
16.08     Repurchase of Common Stock 26
16.09     Other Conditions 26
16.10     Repricing of Awards 26
16.11     Legends; Payment of Expenses 27
ARTICLE XVII CLAIMS PROCEDURES 27
ARTICLE XVIII AMENDMENT 28
ARTICLE XIX DURATION OF PLAN 28
ARTICLE XX EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN 28
ARTICLE XXI OMNIBUS SECTION 409A PROVISION 29

 

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ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

1.01 Affiliate

 

Affiliate, as it relates to any limitations or requirements with respect to Incentive Stock Options, means any “subsidiary” or “parent” corporation (as such terms are defined in Code Section 424) of the Company. Affiliate otherwise means any entity that is part of a controlled group of corporations or is under common control with the Company within the meaning of Code Sections 1563(a), 414(b) or 414(c), except that, in making any such determination, 50 percent shall be substituted for 80 percent under such Code Sections and the related regulations.

 

1.02 Agreement

 

Agreement means a written agreement (including any amendment or supplement thereto) between the Company and a Participant specifying the terms and conditions of an Award granted to such Participant.

 

1.03 Award

 

Award means an Incentive Award, Option, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit or SAR granted under this Plan.

 

1.04 Board

 

Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

1.05 Cause

 

Cause has the same definition as under any employment or service agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant or, if no such employment or service agreement exists or if such employment or service agreement does not contain any such definition, Cause means (i) the Participant’s act or failure to act amounting to gross negligence or willful misconduct to the detriment of the Company or any Affiliate; (ii) the Participant’s dishonesty, fraud, theft or embezzlement of funds or properties in the course of Participant’s employment; (iii) the Participant’s commission of or pleading guilty to or confessing to any felony; or (iv) the Participant’s breach of any restrictive covenant agreement with the Company or any Affiliate, including but not limited to, covenants not to compete, non-solicitation covenants and non-disclosure covenants. For purposes of the Plan, the Participant’s resignation in anticipation of termination of employment for Cause shall constitute a termination of employment for Cause.

 

 
 

 

1.06 Change in Control

 

Change in Control means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(a) The accumulation in any number of related or unrelated transactions by any Person of beneficial ownership (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s voting stock; provided that for purposes of this subsection (a), a Change in Control will not be deemed to have occurred if the accumulation of fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting power of the Company’s voting stock results from any acquisition of voting stock (i) by the Company, (ii) by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Affiliate, or (iii) by any Person pursuant to a merger, consolidation or reorganization (a “Business Combination”) that would not cause a Change in Control under subsection (b) below; or

 

(b) Consummation of a Business Combination, unless, immediately following that Business Combination, all or substantially all of the Persons who were the beneficial owners of voting stock of the Company immediately prior to that Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s voting stock resulting from that Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity that as a result of that transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions relative to each other as their ownership, immediately prior to that Business Combination, of the voting stock of the Company; or

 

(c) A sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, except pursuant to a Business Combination that would not cause a Change in Control under subsection (b) above; or

 

(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, except pursuant to a Business Combination that would not cause a Change in Control under subsection (b) above.

 

1.07 Code

 

Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and any amendments thereto.

 

1.08 Committee

 

Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board, or the Board itself if no Compensation Committee exists. If such Compensation Committee exists, if and to the extent deemed necessary by the Board, such Compensation Committee shall consist of two or more directors, all of whom are “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and “outside directors” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m).

 

1.09 Common Stock

 

Common Stock means the common stock, par value $.0001 per share, of the Company.

 

1.10 Company

 

Company means Ohr Pharmaceutical, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.

 

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1.11 Control Change Date

 

Control Change Date means the date on which a Change in Control occurs. If a Change in Control occurs on account of a series of transactions, the “Control Change Date” is the date of the last of such transactions.

 

1.12 Corresponding SAR

 

Corresponding SAR means a SAR that is granted in relation to a particular Option and that can be exercised only upon the surrender to the Company, unexercised, of that portion of the Option to which the SAR relates.

 

1.13 Effective Date

 

Effective Date means January 7, 2016

 

1.14 Exchange Act

 

Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

1.15 Fair Market Value

 

Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock means, on any given date, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as the Committee in its discretion shall determine; provided, however, that the Committee shall determine Fair Market Value without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms, will never lapse and, if the shares of Common Stock are traded on any national stock exchange or quotation system, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the closing price of a share of Common Stock as reported on stock exchange or quotation system that reflects the principal market on which the Common Stock is traded on such date, or if the shares of Common Stock are not traded on such stock exchange or quotation system on such date, then on the next preceding day that the shares of Common Stock were traded on such stock exchange or quotation system, all as reported by such source as the Committee shall select. The Fair Market Value that the Committee determines shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company, any Affiliate and each Participant.

 

1.16 Full Value Award

 

Full Value Award means an Award other than an Option or SAR and which is settled by the issuance of Common Stock.

 

1.17 Incentive Award

 

Incentive Award means an award stated with reference to a specified dollar amount or number of shares of Common Stock which, subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Committee entitles the Participant to receive shares of Common Stock, cash or a combination thereof from the Company or an Affiliate.

 

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1.18 Incentive Stock Option

 

Incentive Stock Option means an Option that is intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 422.

 

1.19 Initial Value

 

Initial Value means, with respect to a Corresponding SAR, the Option price per share of the related Option and, with respect to a SAR granted independently of an Option, the amount determined by the Committee on the date of grant which shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of grant.

 

1.20 Named Executive Officer

 

Named Executive Officer means a Participant who, as of the last day of a taxable year, is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (or is acting in such capacity) or one of the four highest compensated officers of the Company (other than the Chief Executive Officer) or is otherwise one of the group of “covered employees,” all as defined in the regulations promulgated under Code Section 162(m).

 

1.21 Nonqualified Stock Option

 

Nonqualified Stock Option means an Option other than an Incentive Stock Option.

 

1.22 Option

 

Option means a stock option granted under this Plan that entitles the holder to purchase from the Company a stated number of shares of Common Stock at the price set forth in an Agreement. The term “Option” shall also include any stock option granted under a Prior Plan that is still outstanding as of the Effective Date.

 

1.23 Participant

 

Participant means an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, a member of the Board or the Board of Directors of an Affiliate (whether or not an employee), or a person or entity that provides services to the Company or an Affiliate and who satisfies the requirements of Article IV and is selected by the Committee to receive an Award.

 

1.24 Plan

 

Plan means this Ohr Pharmaceutical, Inc. 2016 Consolidated Stock Incentive Plan, in its current form and as hereafter amended.

 

1.25 Person

 

Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity of any kind.

 

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1.26 Prior Plan or Prior Plans

 

Prior Plan means the Ohr Pharmaceutical, Inc. 2009 Stock Incentive Plan and/or the Ohr Pharmaceutical, Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

1.27 Restricted Stock Award

 

Restricted Stock Award means shares of Common Stock granted to a Participant under Article VIII. The term “Restricted Stock Award” shall also include shares of Restricted Stock granted under a Prior Plan that are still subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture as of the Effective Date.

 

1.28 Restricted Stock Unit

 

Restricted Stock Unit means an award, stated with respect to a specified number of shares of Common Stock, that entitles the Participant to receive one share of Common Stock with respect to each Restricted Stock Unit that becomes payable under the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Agreement.

 

1.29 SAR

 

SAR means a stock appreciation right that in accordance with the terms of an Agreement entitles the holder to receive cash or a number of shares of Common Stock based on the increase in the Fair Market Value over the Initial Value of the shares underlying the stock appreciation right during a stated period specified by the Committee. References to “SARs” include both Corresponding SARs and SARs granted independently of Options, unless the context requires otherwise.

 

1.30 Termination Date

 

Termination Date means the day on which a Participant’s employment or service with the Company and its Affiliates terminates or is terminated.

 

1.31 Ten Percent Shareholder

 

Ten Percent Shareholder means any individual who (considering the stock attribution rules described in Code Section 424(d)) owns stock possessing more than 10 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

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ARTICLE II
PURPOSES

 

The Plan is intended to assist the Company and its Affiliates in recruiting and retaining individuals with ability and initiative by enabling such persons to participate in the future success of the Company and its Affiliates by associating their interests with those of the Company and its stockholders. The Plan is intended to permit the grant of Options qualifying under Code Section 422 (“Incentive Stock Options”) and Options not so qualifying, SARs, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Incentive Awards in accordance with the Plan and procedures that may be established by the Committee. No Option that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall be invalid for failure to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Plan may be used for general corporate purposes. The Company previously maintained each of the Prior Plans. This Plan is intended to consolidate the Prior Plans into a new plan, with an aggregate number of shares available for issuance hereunder as set forth in Article V below. However, as described below, for Options and Restricted Stock Awards granted under a Prior Plan on or before the Effective Date, the terms and conditions of the Prior Plan and the applicable award agreements generally will control (except as provided in Section 6.05).

 

ARTICLE III
ADMINISTRATION

 

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall have authority to grant Awards upon such terms (not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan) as the Committee may consider appropriate. Such terms may include conditions (in addition to those contained in this Plan) on the exercisability, transferability, and forfeitability of all or any part of an Option or SAR, the transferability or forfeitability of a Restricted Stock Award, or the grant, settlement, forfeitability, or transferability of a Restricted Stock Unit or an Incentive Award, among other terms. Notwithstanding any such conditions, the Committee may, in its discretion and whether or not in connection with a Change in Control, accelerate the time at which any Option or SAR may be exercised, or the time at which a Restricted Stock Award may become transferable or nonforfeitable or the time at which an Incentive Award or award of Restricted Stock Units may be earned and settled. In addition, the Committee shall have complete authority to interpret all provisions of this Plan; to prescribe the form of Agreements; to adopt, amend, and rescind rules and regulations pertaining to the administration of the Plan; and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan. The express grant in the Plan of any specific power to the Committee shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee. Any decision made, or action taken, by the Committee in connection with the administration of this Plan shall be final and conclusive. The members of the Committee shall not be liable for any act done in good faith with respect to this Plan or any Agreement or Award. Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws of the Company, by resolution of the Board or applicable law, a majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and acts of the majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and any acts approved in writing by all members of the Committee without a meeting, shall be the acts of the Committee.

 

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To the extent applicable law so permits, the Committee, in its discretion, may delegate to one or more officers of the Company all or part of the Committee’s authority and duties with respect to Awards to be granted to individuals who are not subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The Committee may revoke or amend the terms of any delegation at any time but such action shall not invalidate any prior actions of the Committee’s delegate or delegates that were consistent with the terms of the Plan and the Committee’s prior delegation. If and to the extent deemed necessary by the Board, (i) all Awards granted to any individual who is subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall be made by a Committee comprised solely of two or more directors, all of whom are “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, to the extent necessary to exempt the Award from the short-swing profit rules of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act and (ii) all Awards granted to an individual who is a Named Executive Officer shall be made by a Committee comprised solely of two or more directors, all of whom are “outside directors” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m), to the extent necessary to preserve any deduction under Section 162(m) of the Code. An Award granted to an individual who is a member of the Committee may be approved by the Committee in accordance with the applicable committee charters then in effect and other applicable law.

 

The Company shall bear all expenses of administering this Plan. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee acting as administrator of the Plan, or any delegate of such, against and from any cost, liability, loss or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such person in connection with or resulting from any action, claim, suit, or proceeding to which such person may be a party or in which such person may be involved by reason of any action taken or not taken under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by such person in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by such person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against such person, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not indemnify and hold harmless any such person if (i) applicable law or the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws prohibit such indemnification or (ii) such person did not act in good faith and in a manner that such person believed to be consistent with the Plan or (iii) such person’s conduct constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct. 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 Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law or otherwise, or under any other power that the Company may have to indemnify such person or hold him or her harmless. The provisions of the foregoing indemnity shall survive indefinitely the term of this Plan.

 

ARTICLE IV
ELIGIBILITY

 

Any employee of the Company or an Affiliate (including an entity that becomes an Affiliate after the adoption of this Plan), a member of the Board or the Board of Directors of an Affiliate (including an entity that becomes an Affiliate after the adoption of the Plan) (whether or not such board member is an employee) and any other person or entity that provides services to the Company or an Affiliate (including an entity that becomes an Affiliate after the adoption of the Plan) is eligible to participate in this Plan if the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines that such person or entity has contributed significantly or can be expected to contribute significantly to the success of the Company or any Affiliate or if it is otherwise in the best interest of the Company or any Affiliate for such person or entity to participate in this Plan.

 

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ARTICLE V
COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN

 

5.01 Common Stock Issued

 

Upon the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award, the Company may deliver to the Participant (or the Participant’s broker if the Participant so directs) shares of Common Stock from its authorized but unissued Common Stock, treasury shares or reacquired shares, whether reacquired on the open market or otherwise.

 

5.02 Aggregate Limit

 

The maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under this Plan and to which Awards may relate shall be (a) 5,833,334 shares minus (b) the number of shares of Common Stock that previously have been issued pursuant to the exercise of options or the number of shares of restricted stock granted under the Prior Plans that, as of the Effective Date, are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. One hundred percent (100%) of such shares may be issued pursuant to Options (including Incentive Stock Options). Alternatively, one hundred percent (100%) of such shares may be issued pursuant to SARs, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units or Incentive Awards or any combination of Awards. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued in each instance shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Article XII.

 

5.03 Individual Limit

 

In any calendar year, no Participant may be granted Options, SARs, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units or any combination thereof that relate to more than 500,000 shares of Common Stock. For purposes of the foregoing limit, an Option and its Corresponding SAR shall be treated as a single Award. In any calendar year, no Participant may be granted an Incentive Award (i) with reference to a specified dollar limit for more than $3,000,000 and (ii) with reference to a specified number of shares of Common Stock for more than 500,000 shares of Common Stock. If an Award that a Participant holds is cancelled or subject to a repricing within the meaning of the regulations under Code Section 162(m) (after shareholder approval as required herein), the cancelled Award shall continue to be counted against the maximum number of shares of Common Stock for which Awards may be granted to the Participant in any calendar year as required under Code Section 162(m). The maximum number of shares that may be granted in any calendar year to any Participant shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Article XII.

 

5.04 Awards Settled in Cash; Reissue of Awards and Shares

 

The shares of Common Stock covered by an Award shall only be counted as issued to the extent they are actually issued. A share of Common Stock issued in connection with any Award under the Plan shall reduce the total number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan by one; provided, however, that a share of Common Stock covered under a stock-settled SAR shall reduce the total number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan by one even though the shares of Common Stock are not actually issued in connection with settlement of the SAR. Except as otherwise provided herein, any shares of Common Stock related to an Award which terminates by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation or otherwise without issuance of shares of Common Stock, which is settled in cash in lieu of Common Stock or which is exchanged, with the Committee’s permission, prior to the issuance of shares of Common Stock, for Awards not involving shares of Common Stock, shall again be available for issuance under the Plan. The following shares of Common Stock, however, may not again be made available for issuance as Awards under the Plan: (i) shares of Common Stock not issued or delivered as a result of a net settlement of an outstanding Award, (ii) shares of Common Stock tendered or held to pay the exercise price, purchase price or withholding taxes relating to an outstanding Award, or (iii) shares of Common Stock repurchased on the open market with the proceeds of the exercise price of an Award.

 

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ARTICLE VI
OPTIONS

 

6.01 Grant

 

Subject to the eligibility provisions of Article IV, the Committee will designate each individual or entity to whom an Option is to be granted and will specify the number of shares of Common Stock covered by such grant and whether the Option is an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Agreement, the Committee may only grant an Incentive Stock Option to an individual who is an employee of the Company or an Affiliate. An Option may be granted with or without a Corresponding SAR. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the terms and conditions applicable to any Participant with respect to any Option granted under a Prior Plan on or before the Effective Date of this consolidated Plan shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the applicable Agreement and the applicable Prior Plan as in effect on or before the Effective Date, except as provided in Section 6.05 below.

 

6.02 Option Price

 

The price per share of Common Stock purchased on the exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Committee on the date of grant, but shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Option is granted. However, if at the time of grant of an Option that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option, the Participant is a Ten Percent Shareholder, the price per share of Common Stock purchased on the exercise of such Option shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Option is granted.

 

6.03 Maximum Option Period

 

The maximum period in which an Option may be exercised shall be determined by the Committee on the date of grant, except that no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date such Option was granted (five years from the date such Option was granted in the event of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder).

 

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6.04 Exercise

 

Subject to the provisions of this Plan and the applicable Agreement, an Option may be exercised in whole at any time or in part from time to time at such times and in compliance with such requirements as the Committee shall determine; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options (granted under the Plan and all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) may not be first exercisable in a calendar year for shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value (determined as of the date the Option is granted) exceeding $100,000. If the limitation is exceeded, the Options that cause the limitation to be exceeded shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options. An Option granted under this Plan may be exercised with respect to any number of whole shares less than the full number for which the Option could be exercised. A partial exercise of an Option shall not affect the right to exercise the Option from time to time in accordance with this Plan and the applicable Agreement with respect to the remaining shares subject to the Option. The exercise of an Option shall result in the termination of the Corresponding SAR to the extent of the number of shares with respect to which the Option is exercised.

 

6.05 Payment

 

Subject to rules established by the Committee and unless otherwise provided in an Agreement, payment of all or part of the Option price shall be made in cash or cash equivalent acceptable to the Committee. If the Agreement so provides, the Committee, in its discretion and provided applicable law so permits, may allow a Participant to pay all or part of the Option price (i) by surrendering (actually or by attestation) shares of Common Stock to the Company that the Participant already owns and, if necessary to avoid adverse accounting consequences, has held for at least six months; (ii) by a cashless exercise through a broker; (iii) by means of a “net exercise” procedure, (iv) by such other medium of payment as the Administrator in its discretion shall authorize or (v) by any combination of the aforementioned methods of payment. If shares of Common Stock are used to pay all or part of the Option price, the sum of the cash and cash equivalent and the Fair Market Value (determined as of the day preceding the date of exercise) of the shares surrendered shall equal the Option price of the shares for which the Option is being exercised. Notwithstanding the terms of either Prior Plan or any Agreement thereunder to the contrary, the Committee, in its discretion and provided applicable law so permits, may allow a Participant to pay all or part of the Option price for a Nonqualified Stock Option granted under a Prior Plan in any method permitted under this Section 6.05.

 

6.06 Stockholder Rights

 

No Participant shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to shares subject to his or her Option until the date of exercise of such Option and the issuance of the shares of Common Stock.

 

6.07 Disposition of Shares

 

A Participant shall notify the Company of any sale or other disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Option that was designated an Incentive Stock Option if such sale or disposition occurs (i) within two years of the grant of the Option or (ii) within one year of the issuance of shares of Common Stock to the Participant. Such notice shall be in writing and directed to the Secretary of the Company.

 

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6.08 No Liability of Company

 

The Company shall not be liable to any Participant or any other person if the Internal Revenue Service or any court or other authority having jurisdiction over such matter determines for any reason that an Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option and granted hereunder does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

ARTICLE VII
SARS

 

7.01 Grant

 

Subject to the eligibility provisions of Article IV, the Committee will designate each individual or entity to whom SARs are to be granted and will specify the number of shares of Common Stock covered by such grant. In addition, no Participant may be granted Corresponding SARs (under this Plan and all other Incentive Stock Option plans of the Company and its Affiliates) that are related to Incentive Stock Options which are first exercisable in any calendar year for shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date the related Option is granted) that exceeds $100,000.

 

7.02 Maximum SAR Period

 

The term of each SAR shall be determined by the Committee on the date of grant, except that no SAR shall have a term of more than ten years from the date such SAR was granted (five years for a Corresponding SAR that is related to an Incentive Stock Option and that is granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder). No Corresponding SAR shall be exercisable or continue in existence after the expiration of the Option to which the Corresponding SAR relates.

 

7.03 Exercise

 

Subject to the provisions of this Plan and the applicable Agreement, a SAR may be exercised in whole at any time or in part from time to time at such times and in compliance with such requirements as the Committee shall determine; provided, however, that a SAR may be exercised only when the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock that is subject to the exercise exceeds the Initial Value of the SAR and a Corresponding SAR may be exercised only to the extent that the related Option is exercisable. A SAR granted under this Plan may be exercised with respect to any number of whole shares less than the full number for which the SAR could be exercised. A partial exercise of a SAR shall not affect the right to exercise the SAR from time to time in accordance with this Plan and the applicable Agreement with respect to the remaining shares subject to the SAR. The exercise of a Corresponding SAR shall result in the termination of the related Option to the extent of the number of shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.

 

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7.04 Settlement

 

The amount payable to the Participant by the Company as a result of the exercise of a SAR shall be settled in cash, by the issuance of shares of Common Stock or by a combination thereof, as the Committee in its sole discretion determines and sets forth in the applicable Agreement. No fractional share will be deliverable upon the exercise of a SAR but a cash payment will be made in lieu thereof.

 

7.05 Stockholder Rights

 

No Participant shall, as a result of receiving a SAR, have any rights as a stockholder of the Company or any Affiliate until the date that the SAR is exercised and then only to the extent that the SAR is settled by the issuance of Common Stock.

 

ARTICLE VIII
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

 

8.01 Award

 

Subject to the eligibility provisions of Article IV, the Committee will designate each individual or entity to whom a Restricted Stock Award is to be granted, will specify the number of shares of Common Stock covered by such grant and the price, if any, to be paid for each share of Common Stock covered by the grant. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the terms and conditions applicable to any Participant with respect to Restricted Stock granted under a Prior Plan on or before the Effective Date of this consolidated Plan shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the applicable Agreement and the Prior Plan as in effect on or before the Effective Date.

 

8.02 Payment.

 

Unless the Agreement provides otherwise, if the Participant must pay for a Restricted Stock Award, payment of the Award shall be made in cash or cash equivalent acceptable to the Committee. If the Agreement so provides, the Committee, in its discretion and provided applicable law so permits, may allow a Participant to pay all or part of the purchase price (i) by surrendering (actually or by attestation) shares of Common Stock to the Company the Participant already owns and, if necessary to avoid adverse accounting consequences, has held for at least six months, (ii) by such other medium of payment as the Committee in its discretion shall authorize or (iii) by any combination of the foregoing methods of payment. If Common Stock is used to pay all or part of the purchase price, the sum of cash and cash equivalent and other payments and the Fair Market Value (determined as of the day preceding the date of purchase) of the Common Stock surrendered must not be less than the purchase price of the Restricted Stock Award.

 

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8.03 Vesting

 

The Committee, on the date of grant may, but need not, prescribe that a Participant’s rights in the Restricted Stock Award shall be forfeitable and nontransferable for a period of time or subject to such conditions as may be set forth in the Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Committee, in its sole discretion may grant Restricted Stock Awards that are nonforfeitable and transferable immediately upon grant. By way of example and not of limitation, the Committee may prescribe that a Participant’s rights in a Restricted Stock Award shall be forfeitable and nontransferable subject to (a) the attainment of objectively determinable performance conditions based on the criteria described in Article XII, (b) the Participant’s completion of a specified period of employment or service with the Company or an Affiliate, (c) the Participant’s death, disability or retirement or (d) satisfaction of a combination of any of the foregoing factors. A Participant’s rights in a Restricted Stock Award may be subject to repurchase upon specified events as determined by the Committee and set forth in the Agreement. Notwithstanding the preceding sentences, if and to the extent deemed necessary by the Committee, Restricted Stock Awards granted to Named Executive Officers shall be forfeitable and nontransferable subject to attainment of objectively determinable performance conditions based on the criteria described in Article XII and shall be subject to the other requirements set forth in Article XII so as to enable such Restricted Stock Award to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under the regulations promulgated under Code Section 162(m). A Restricted Stock Award can only become nonforfeitable and transferable during the Participant’s lifetime in the hands of the Participant.

 

8.04 Maximum Restriction Period

 

To the extent the Participant’s rights in a Restricted Stock Award are forfeitable and nontransferable for a period of time, the Committee on the date of grant shall determine the maximum period over which the rights may become nonforfeitable and transferable, except that such period shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant.

 

8.05 Stockholder Rights

 

Prior to their forfeiture (in accordance with the applicable Agreement and while the shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Restricted Stock Award may be forfeited and are nontransferable), a Participant will have all rights of a stockholder with respect to a Restricted Stock Award, including the right to receive dividends and vote the shares; provided, however, that during such period (i) a Participant may not sell, transfer, pledge, exchange, hypothecate, or otherwise dispose of shares granted pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, (ii) the Company shall retain custody of the certificates evidencing shares granted pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, and (iii) the Participant will deliver to the Company a stock power, endorsed in blank, with respect to each Restricted Stock Award. In lieu of retaining custody of the certificates evidencing shares granted pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, the shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Restricted Stock Award may, in the Committee’s discretion, be held in escrow by the Company until the Participant’s interest in such shares of Common Stock vest. Notwithstanding the preceding sentences, if and to the extent deemed necessary by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Agreement, dividends payable with respect to Restricted Stock Awards may accumulate (without interest) and become payable to the Participant at the time, and only to the extent that, the portion of the Restricted Stock Award to which the dividends relate has become transferable and nonforfeitable. Further, such dividend equivalent shall be designed to be exempt from Code Section 409A, such that the payment of the dividend equivalent will be made in all events no later than the 2 1/2 months after the end of the calendar year (or fiscal year of the Company or Affiliate, as applicable) in which the right to the payment first ceases to be subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. The limitations set forth in the preceding sentences shall not apply after the shares granted under the Restricted Stock Award are transferable and are no longer forfeitable.

 

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ARTICLE IX
RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

 

9.01 Grant

 

Subject to the eligibility provisions of Article IV, the Committee will designate each individual or entity to whom a grant of Restricted Stock Units is to be made and will specify the number of shares covered by such grant.

 

9.02 Earning the Award

 

The Committee, on the date of grant of the Restricted Stock Units, shall prescribe that the Restricted Stock Units will be earned and become payable subject to such conditions as are set forth in the Agreement. By way of example and not of limitation, the Committee may prescribe that the Restricted Stock Units will be earned and become payable upon (a) the satisfaction of objectively determinable performance conditions based on the criteria described in Article XI, (b) the Participant’s completion of a specified period of employment or service with the Company or an Affiliate, (c) the Participant’s death or disability or (d) satisfaction of a combination of any of the foregoing factors. Further, each Restricted Stock Unit shall be designed to be exempt from Code Section 409A, such that the payment in settlement of the Restricted Stock Unit will be made in all events no later than the 2 1/2 months after the end of the calendar year (or fiscal year of the Company or Affiliate, as applicable) in which the right to the payment first ceases to be subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. If and to the extent deemed necessary by the Committee, Restricted Stock Units granted to Named Executive Officers shall become payable upon the satisfaction of objectively determinable performance conditions based on the criteria described in Article XII and shall be subject to the other requirements set forth in Article XII so as to enable such Restricted Stock Units to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under the regulations promulgated under Code Section 162(m).

 

9.03 Maximum Restricted Stock Unit Award Period

 

The Committee, on the date of grant, shall determine the maximum period over which Restricted Stock Units may be earned, except that such period shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant.

 

9.04 Payment

 

The amount payable to the Participant by the Company when an award of Restricted Stock Units is earned shall be settled by the issuance of one share of Common Stock for each Restricted Stock Unit that is earned. A fractional share of Common Stock shall not be deliverable when an award of Restricted Stock Units is earned, but a cash payment will be made in lieu thereof.

 

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9.05 Stockholder Rights

 

No Participant shall, as a result of receiving a grant of Restricted Stock Units, have any rights as a stockholder until and then only to the extent that the Restricted Stock Units are earned and settled in shares of Common Stock. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee in its sole discretion may set forth in the Agreement that, for so long as the Participant holds any Restricted Stock Units, if the Company pays any cash dividends on its Common Stock, then (a) dividends payable with respect to Shares covered by Restricted Stock Units may accumulate (without interest) and become payable to the Participant at the time, and only to the extent that, the portion of the Restricted Stock Units to which the dividends relate has become earned and payable or (b) the number of outstanding Restricted Stock Units covered by the Agreement may be increased by the number of Restricted Stock Units, rounded down to the nearest whole number, equal to (i) the product of the number of the Participant’s outstanding Restricted Stock Units as of the record date for such dividend multiplied by the per share amount of the dividend divided by (ii) the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the payment date of such dividend. In the event additional Restricted Stock Units are awarded, such Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to the same terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and the Agreement as the outstanding Restricted Stock Units with respect to which they were granted. The limitations set forth in the preceding sentences shall not apply after the Restricted Stock Units become earned and payable and shares are issued thereunder.

 

ARTICLE X
INCENTIVE AWARDS

 

10.01 Grant

 

Subject to the eligibility provisions of Article IV, the Committee will designate each individual or entity to whom Incentive Awards are to be granted and the amount payable pursuant to the Award.

 

10.02 Earning the Award

 

The Committee, on the date of grant of an Incentive Award, shall specify in the applicable Agreement the terms and conditions which govern the grant, including without limitation, whether the Participant, to be entitled to payment, must be employed or providing services to the Company or an Affiliate at the time the Incentive Award is to be paid. By way of example and not of limitation, the Committee may prescribe that the Incentive Award shall be earned and payable upon (a) the satisfaction of objectively determinable performance conditions based on the criteria described in Article XII, (b) the Participant’s completion of a specified period of employment or service with the Company or an Affiliate, (c) the Participant’s death or disability or (d) satisfaction of a combination of any of the foregoing factors. Further, each Incentive Award shall be designed to be exempt from Code Section 409A, such that the payment in settlement of the Award will be made in all events no later than the 2 1/2 months after the end of the calendar year (or fiscal year of the Company or Affiliate, as applicable) in which the right to the payment first ceases to be subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. If and to the extent deemed necessary by the Committee, Incentive Awards granted to Named Executive Officers shall be earned and become payable upon the satisfaction of objectively determinable performance conditions based on the criteria described in Article XII and shall be subject to the other requirements set forth in Article XII so as to enable the Incentive Awards to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under the regulations promulgated under Code Section 162(m).

 

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10.03 Maximum Incentive Award Period

 

The Committee, at the time an Incentive Award is made, shall determine the maximum period over which the Incentive Award may be earned, except that such period shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant.

 

10.04 Payment

 

The amount payable to the Participant by the Company when an Incentive Award is earned may be settled in cash, by the issuance of shares of Common Stock or by a combination thereof, as the Committee, in its sole discretion determines and sets forth in the applicable Agreement. A fractional share of Common Stock shall not be deliverable when an Incentive Award is earned, but a cash payment will be made in lieu thereof.

 

10.05 Stockholder Rights

 

No Participant shall, as a result of receiving an Incentive Award, have any rights as a stockholder of the Company or any Affiliate on account of such Incentive Award, unless and then only to the extent that the Incentive Award is earned and settled in shares of Common Stock.

 

ARTICLE XI
TERMS APPLICABLE TO ALL AWARDS

 

11.01 Written Agreement

 

Each Award shall be evidenced by a written Agreement (including any amendment or supplement thereto) between the Company and the Participant specifying the terms and conditions of the Award granted to such Participant.

 

11.02 Nontransferability

 

Each Award granted under this Plan shall be nontransferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. In the event of any transfer of an Option or Corresponding SAR (by the Participant or his transferee), the Option and Corresponding SAR that relates to such Option must be transferred to the same person or persons or entity or entities. During the lifetime of the Participant to whom the Option or SAR is granted, the Option or SAR may be exercised only by the Participant. No right or interest of a Participant in any Award shall be liable for, or subject to, any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant or his transferee.

 

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11.03 Effect of Termination Date on Awards

 

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan or any Agreement (other than with respect to Options or Restricted Stock granted under a Prior Plan on or before the Effective Date, which shall be governed by the terms of the applicable Prior Plan in effect on or before the Effective Date of this consolidated Plan), all rights to any Award that a Participant has will be immediately discontinued and forfeited, and the Company shall not have any further obligation hereunder to the Participant with respect to any Award and the Award will not be exercisable (whether or not previously exercisable) or become vested or payable on and after the time the Participant is discharged from employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate for Cause.

 

(b) If a Participant incurs a Termination Date due to death, any unexercised Option or SAR granted to the Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant (or, where appropriate, a transferee of the Participant), to the extent it was exercisable as of the Termination Date or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine at or after grant, (i) for a period of twelve (12) months after the Termination Date or (ii) until the expiration of the stated term of the Option or SAR, as applicable, whichever period is shorter, unless specifically provided otherwise in the applicable Agreement (in which case the terms of the Agreement shall control). Any portion of the Award that remains unexercised after the expiration of such period, regardless of whether such portion of the Award is vested or unvested, shall terminate and be forfeited with no further compensation due to the Participant.

 

(c) If a Participant incurs a Termination Date for any reason other than death or Cause, any unexercised Option or SAR granted to the Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant, to the extent it was exercisable as of the Termination Date or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine at or after grant, (i) for a period of three (3) months after the Termination Date, or (ii) until the expiration of the stated term of the Option or SAR, as applicable, whichever period is shorter, unless specifically provided otherwise in the applicable Agreement (in which case the terms of the Agreement shall control). Any portion of the Award that remains unexercised after the expiration of such period, regardless of whether such portion of the Award is vested or unvested, shall terminate and be forfeited with no further compensation due to the Participant.

 

(d) Except as otherwise specifically provided in an applicable Agreement, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Incentive Awards may not become vested or earned after the Participant incurs a Termination Date.

 

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11.04 Employee Status

 

If the terms of any Award provide that it may be exercised or paid only during employment or continued service or within a specified period of time after termination of employment or continued service, the Committee may decide to what extent leaves of absence for governmental or military service, illness, temporary disability, or other reasons shall not be deemed interruptions of continuous employment or service. For purposes of the Plan, employment and continued service shall be deemed to exist between the Participant and the Company and/or an Affiliate if, at the time of the determination, the Participant is a director, officer, employee, consultant or advisor of the Company or an Affiliate. A Participant on military leave, sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence shall continue to be considered an employee for purposes of the Plan during such leave if the period of leave does not exceed three months, or, if longer, so long as the individual’s right to re-employment with the Company or any of its Affiliates is guaranteed either by statute or by contract. If the period of leave exceeds three months, and the individual’s right to re-employment is not guaranteed by statute or by contract, the employment shall be deemed to be terminated on the first day after the end of such three-month period. Except as may otherwise be expressly provided in an Agreement, Awards granted to a director, officer, employee, consultant or adviser shall not be affected by any change in the status of the Participant so long as the Participant continues to be a director, officer, employee, consultant or advisor to the Company or any of its Affiliates (regardless of having changed from one to the other or having been transferred from one entity to another). The Participant’s employment or continued service shall not be considered interrupted in the event the Committee, in its discretion and as specified at or prior to such occurrence, determines there is no interruption in the case of a spin-off, sale or disposition of the Participant’s employer from the Company or an Affiliate, except that if the Committee does not otherwise specify such at or such prior to such occurrence, the Participant will be deemed to have a termination of employment or continuous service to the extent the Affiliate that employs the Participant is no longer the Company or an entity that qualifies as an Affiliate.

 

11.05 Change in Control

 

Notwithstanding any provision of any Agreement to the contrary, in the event of or in anticipation of a Change in Control, the Committee in its discretion may (i) declare that some or all outstanding Awards previously granted under the Plan, whether or not then exercisable or payable, shall terminate as of a date before or on the Change in Control without any payment to the holder of the Award, provided the Committee gives prior written notice to the Participants of such termination and gives such Participants the right to exercise their outstanding Awards for a reasonable time before such date to the extent then exercisable (or to the extent such Awards would be exercisable as of the Control Change Date), (ii) terminate before or on the Control Change Date some or all outstanding Awards previously granted under the Plan, whether or not then exercisable or payable, in consideration of payment to the holder of the Award, with respect to each share of Common Stock for which the Award is then exercisable or payable (or for which the Award would have been exercisable or payable as of the Control Change Date), of the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value on such date of the Common Stock subject to such portion of the Award over the Option price or Initial Value (if applicable) (provided that outstanding Awards that are not then exercisable or payable and that would not become exercisable or payable on the Control Change Date, and Options and SARs with respect to which the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Options or SARs does not exceed the Option price or Initial Value, shall be cancelled without any payment therefor) or (iii) take such other action as the Committee determines to be reasonable under the circumstances (including, but not limited to, accelerating vesting, substituting awards with respect to the surviving company and/or continuation of the Plan) to permit the Participant to realize the value of the Award (which value for purposes of Awards that are not then exercisable or payable and that would not become exercisable or payable as of the Control Change Date, and Options and SARs with respect to which the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Award does not exceed the Option price or Initial Value, shall be deemed to be zero). The payment described in (ii) above may be made in any manner the Committee determines, including cash, stock or other property. The Committee may take the actions described in (i), (ii) or (iii) above with respect to Awards that are not then exercisable or payable whether or not the Participant will receive any payment therefor. The Committee in its discretion may take any of the actions described in this Section contingent on consummation of the Change in Control and with respect to some or all outstanding Awards, whether or not then exercisable or payable, or on an Award-by-Award basis, which actions need not be uniform with respect to all outstanding Awards. However, Awards shall not be terminated to the extent that written provision is made for their continuance, assumption or substitution by the Company or a successor employer or its parent or subsidiary in connection with the Change in Control. The Committee may provide in an applicable Agreement that a Participant’s outstanding Awards shall be fully exercisable or payable on and after a Control Change Date or immediately before the date the Awards will be terminated in connection with the Change in Control, as described herein.

 

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ARTICLE XII
QUALIFIED PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION

 

12.01 Performance Conditions

 

In accordance with the Plan, the Committee may prescribe that Awards will become exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable, and earned and payable, based on objectively determinable performance conditions. Objectively determinable performance conditions are performance conditions (i) that are established in writing (a) at the time of grant or (b) no later than the earlier of (x) 90 days after the beginning of the period of service to which they relate and (y) before the lapse of 25% of the period of service to which they relate; (ii) that are uncertain of achievement at the time they are established and (iii) the achievement of which is determinable by a third party with knowledge of the relevant facts. The performance conditions may include any or any combination of the following (a) gross, operating or net earnings (income) before or after taxes; (b) return on equity; (c) return on capital; (d) return on sales; (e) return on investments; (f) return on assets or net assets; (g) earnings per share; (h) cash flow per share; (i) book value per share; (j) gross margin; (k) customers; (l) cash flow or cash flow from operations; (m) Fair Market Value of the Company or any Affiliate or shares of Common Stock; (n) share price or total shareholder return; (o) market share; (p) level of expenses or other costs; (q) gross, operating or net revenue; (r) EBIT; (s) Adjusted EBIT; (t) profitability; (u) EBITDA; (v) Adjusted EBIDTA; (w) Free Cash Flow; (x) research and development milestones; (y) business development objectives, partnerships, and other collaborations; or (z) peer group comparisons of any of the aforementioned performance conditions. Performance conditions may be related to a specific customer or group of customers or geographic region. The form of the performance conditions may be measured on a Company, Affiliate, division, business unit, service line, segment or geographic basis or any combination thereof. Performance goals may reflect absolute entity performance or a relative comparison of entity performance to the performance of a peer group of entities or other external measure of the selected performance conditions. Profits, earnings and revenues used for any performance condition measurement may exclude any extraordinary or non-recurring items. The performance conditions may, but need not, be based upon an increase or positive result under the aforementioned business criteria and could include, for example and not by way of limitation, maintaining the status quo or limiting the economic losses (measured, in each case, by reference to the specific business criteria). The performance conditions may not include solely the mere continued employment of the Participant. However, the Award may become exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable contingent on the Participant’s continued employment or service, and/or employment or service at the time the Award becomes exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable, in addition to the performance conditions described above.

 

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12.02 Establishing the Amount of the Award

 

The amount of the Award that will become exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable if the performance conditions are obtained (or an objective formula for, or method of, computing such amount) also must be established at the time set forth in Section 12.01 above. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, reduce the amount of the Award that will become exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable, as applicable, if the Committee determines that such reduction is appropriate under the facts and circumstances. In no event shall the Committee have the discretion to increase the amount of the Award that will become exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable.

 

12.03 Earning the Award

 

If the Committee, on the date of grant, prescribes that an Award shall become exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable only upon the attainment of any of the above performance conditions, the Award shall become exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable only to the extent that the Committee certifies in writing that such conditions have been achieved. An Award will not satisfy the requirements of this Article XII to constitute “qualified performance-based compensation” if the facts and circumstances indicate the Award will become exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable regardless of whether the performance conditions are attained. However, an Award does not fail to meet the requirements of this Article XII merely because the Award would become exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable upon the Participant’s death or disability or upon a Change in Control, although an Award that actually becomes exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable on account of those events prior to the attainment of the performance conditions would not constitute “qualified performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m). In determining if the performance conditions have been achieved, the Committee may adjust the performance targets in the event of any unbudgeted acquisition, divestiture or other unexpected fundamental change in the business of the Company, an Affiliate or business unit or in any product that is material taken as a whole as appropriate to fairly and equitably determine if the Award is to become exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable pursuant to the conditions set forth in the Award. Additionally, in determining if such performance conditions have been achieved, the Committee also may adjust the performance targets in the event of any (i) unanticipated asset write-downs or impairment charges, (ii) litigation or claim judgments or settlements thereof, (iii) changes in tax laws, accounting principles or other laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) accruals for reorganization or restructuring programs, or extraordinary non-reoccurring items as described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 or as described in management’s discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the applicable year, (v) acquisitions or dispositions or (vi) foreign exchange gains or losses. To the extent any such adjustments affect Awards, the intent is that they shall be in a form that allows the Award to continue to meet the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code for deductibility.

 

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12.04 Definitions of Performance Criteria

 

“Adjusted EBITDA” means EBITDA excluding charges associated with restructuring and exit activities, stock-based compensation, intangible asset impairment, material severance obligations and other unusual or extraordinary events.

 

“Adjusted EBIT” means EBIT excluding charges associated with restructuring and exit activities, stock-based compensation, intangible asset impairment, material severance obligations and other unusual or extraordinary events.

 

“EBIT” means earnings from continuing operations before interest and taxes.

 

“EBITDA” means earnings from continuing operations before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

 

“Free Cash Flow” means Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures.

 

ARTICLE XIII
ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGE IN COMMON STOCK

 

The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards, the terms of outstanding Awards, and the per individual limitations on the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards shall be adjusted as the Committee shall determine to be equitably required in the event (i) there occurs a reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, spin-off, split-off, stock dividend, issuance of stock rights, combination of shares, merger, consolidation, or distribution to stockholders other than a cash dividend; (ii) the Company engages in a transaction Code Section 424 describes or (iii) there occurs any other transaction or event which, in the judgment of the Board necessitates such action. In that respect, the Committee shall make such adjustments as are necessary in the number or kind of shares of Common Stock or securities which are subject to the Award, the exercise price or Initial Value of the Award, and such other adjustments as are appropriate in the discretion of the Committee. Such adjustments may provide for the elimination of fractional shares that might otherwise be subject to Awards without any payment therefor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of one or more outstanding shares of preferred stock or convertible debentures that the Company may issue from time to time into Common Stock shall not in and of itself require any adjustment under this Article XIII. In addition, the Committee may make such other adjustments to the terms of any Awards to the extent equitable and necessary to prevent an enlargement or dilution of the Participant’s rights thereunder as a result of any such event or similar transaction. Any determination made under this Article XIII by the Board shall be final and conclusive.

 

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The issuance by the Company of stock of any class, or securities convertible into stock of any class, for cash or property, or for labor or services, either upon direct sale or upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of stock or obligations of the Company convertible into such stock or other securities, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to Awards, the per individual limitations on the number of shares that may be issued pursuant to Awards or the terms of outstanding Awards.

 

The Committee may grant Awards in substitution for stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, incentive awards, or similar awards held by an individual who becomes an employee of the Company or an Affiliate in connection with a transaction described in the first paragraph of this Article XIII. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan (other than the limitation of Section 5.02), the terms of such substituted Awards shall be as the Committee, in its discretion, determines is appropriate.

 

ARTICLE XIV
COMPLIANCE WITH LAW AND APPROVAL OF REGULATORY BODIES

 

14.01 Compliance

 

No Option or SAR shall be exercisable, no Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit shall be granted, no shares of Common Stock shall be issued, no certificates for shares of Common Stock shall be delivered, and no payment shall be made under this Plan except in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations (including, without limitation, withholding tax requirements), any listing agreement to which the Company is a party, and the rules of all domestic stock exchanges on which the Company’s shares may be listed. The Company shall have the right to rely on an opinion of its counsel as to such compliance. Any stock certificate evidencing shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to an Award may bear such legends and statements as the Committee may deem advisable to assure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations and to reflect any other restrictions applicable to such shares as the Committee otherwise deems appropriate. No Option or SAR shall be exercisable, no Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit shall be granted, no shares of Common Stock shall be issued, no certificate for shares of Common Stock shall be delivered, and no payment shall be made under this Plan until the Company has obtained such consent or approval as the Committee may deem advisable from regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over such matters.

 

14.02 Postponement of Exercise or Payment

 

The Committee may postpone any grant, exercise, vesting or payment of an Award for such time as the Committee in its sole discretion may deem necessary in order to permit the Company (i) to effect, amend or maintain any necessary registration of the Plan or the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Award under the securities laws; (ii) to take any action in order to (A) list such shares of Common Stock or other shares of stock of the Company on a stock exchange if shares of Common Stock or other shares of stock of the Company are not then listed on such exchange or (B) comply with restrictions or regulations incident to the maintenance of a public market for its shares of Common Stock or other shares of stock of the Company, including any rules or regulations of any stock exchange on which the shares of Common Stock or other shares of stock of the Company are listed; (iii) to determine that such shares of Common Stock in the Plan are exempt from such registration or that no action of the kind referred to in (ii)(B) above needs to be taken; (iv) to comply with any other applicable law, including without limitation, securities laws; (v) to comply with any legal or contractual requirements during any such time the Company or any Affiliate is prohibited from doing any of such acts under applicable law, including without limitation, during the course of an investigation of the Company or any Affiliate, or under any contract, loan agreement or covenant or other agreement to which the Company or any Affiliate is a party or (vi) to otherwise comply with any prohibition on such acts or payments during any applicable blackout period; and the Company shall not be obligated by virtue of any terms and conditions of any Agreement or any provision of the Plan to recognize the grant, exercise, vesting or payment of an Award or to grant, sell or issue shares of Common Stock or make any such payments in violation of the securities laws or the laws of any government having jurisdiction thereof or any of the provisions hereof. Any such postponement shall not extend the term of the Award and neither the Company nor its directors and officers nor the Committee shall have any obligation or liability to any Participant or to any other person with respect to shares of Common Stock or payments as to which the Award shall lapse because of such postponement.

 

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Additionally, the Committee may postpone any grant, exercise vesting or payment of an Award if the Company reasonably believes the Company’s or any applicable Affiliate’s deduction with respect to such Award would be limited or eliminated by application of Code Section 162(m) to the extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code; provided, however, such delay will last only until the earliest date at which the Company reasonably anticipates that the deduction with respect to the Award will not be limited or eliminated by the application of Code Section 162(m) or the calendar year in which the Participant separates from service.

 

14.03 Forfeiture of Payment

 

A Participant shall be required to forfeit any and all rights under Awards or to reimburse the Company for any payment under any Award (with interest as necessary to avoid imputed interest or original issue discount under the Code or as otherwise required by applicable law) to the extent applicable law requires such forfeiture or reimbursement.

 

ARTICLE XV
LIMITATION ON BENEFITS

 

Despite any other provisions of this Plan to the contrary, except with respect to Options and Restricted Stock granted prior to the Effective Date, if the receipt of any payments or benefits under this Plan would subject a Participant to tax under Code Section 4999, the Committee may determine whether some amount of payments or benefits would meet the definition of a “Reduced Amount.” If the Committee determines that there is a Reduced Amount, the total payments or benefits to the Participant under all Awards must be reduced to such Reduced Amount, but not below zero. If the Committee determines that the benefits and payments must be reduced to the Reduced Amount, the Company must promptly notify the Participant of that determination, with a copy of the detailed calculations by the Committee. All determinations of the Committee under this Article XV are final, conclusive and binding upon the Company and the Participant. It is the intention of the Company and the Participant to reduce the payments under this Plan only if the aggregate Net After Tax Receipts (as defined below) to the Participant would thereby be increased. As result of the uncertainty in the application of Code Section 4999 at the time of the initial determination by the Committee under this Article XV, however, it is possible that amounts will have been paid under the Plan to or for the benefit of a Participant which should not have been so paid (“Overpayment”) or that additional amounts which will not have been paid under the Plan to or for the benefit of a Participant could have been so paid (“Underpayment”), in each case consistent with the calculation of the Reduced Amount. If the Committee, based either upon the assertion of a deficiency by the Internal Revenue Service against the Company or the Participant, which the Committee believes has a high probability of success, or controlling precedent or other substantial authority, determines that an Overpayment has been made, any such Overpayment must be treated for all purposes as a loan, to the extent permitted by applicable law, which the Participant must repay to the Company together with interest at the applicable federal rate under Code Section 7872(f)(2); provided, however, that no such loan may be deemed to have been made and no amount shall be payable by the Participant to the Company if and to the extent such deemed loan and payment would not either reduce the amount on which the Participant is subject to tax under Code Section 1, 3101 or 4999 or generate a refund of such taxes. If the Committee, based upon controlling precedent or other substantial authority, determines that an Underpayment has occurred, the Committee must promptly notify the Company of the amount of the Underpayment, which then shall be paid promptly to the Participant but no later than the end of the Participant’s taxable year next following the Participant’s taxable year in which the determination is made that the underpayment has occurred. For purposes of this Section, (i) “Net After Tax Receipt” means the Present Value of a payment under this Plan net of all taxes imposed on Participant with respect thereto under Code Sections 1, 3101 and 4999, determined by applying the highest marginal rate under Code Section 1 which applies to the Participant’s taxable income for the applicable taxable year; (ii) “Present Value” means the value determined in accordance with Code Section 280G(d)(4) and (iii) “Reduced Amount” means the smallest aggregate amount of all payments and benefits under this Plan which (a) is less than the sum of all payments and benefits under this Plan and (b) results in aggregate Net After Tax Receipts which are equal to or greater than the Net After Tax Receipts which would result if the aggregate payments and benefits under this Plan were any other amount less than the sum of all payments and benefits to be made under this Plan.

 

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ARTICLE XVI
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

16.01 Effect on Employment and Service

 

Neither the adoption of this Plan, its operation, nor any documents describing or referring to this Plan (or any part thereof), shall confer upon any individual or entity any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or an Affiliate or in any way affect any right and power of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate the employment or service of any individual or entity at any time with or without assigning a reason therefor.

 

16.02 Unfunded Plan

 

This Plan, insofar as it provides for Awards, shall be unfunded, and the Company shall not be required to segregate any assets that may at any time be represented by Awards under this Plan. Any liability of the Company to any person with respect to any Award under this Plan shall be based solely upon any contractual obligations that may be created pursuant to this Plan. No such obligation of the Company shall be deemed to be secured by any pledge of, or other encumbrance on, any property of the Company.

 

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16.03 Rules of Construction

 

Headings are given to the articles and sections of this Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. The reference to any statute, regulation, or other provision of law shall be construed to refer to any amendment to or successor of such provision of law.

 

16.04 Tax Withholding and Reporting

 

Unless an Agreement provides otherwise, each Participant shall be responsible for satisfying in cash or cash equivalent acceptable to the Committee any income and employment (including without limitation Social Security and Medicare) tax withholding obligations attributable to participation in the Plan and the grant, exercise, vesting or payment of Awards granted thereunder (including the making of a Code Section 83(b) election with respect to an Award). In accordance with procedures that the Committee establishes, the Committee, to the extent applicable law and the Agreement permit, may allow a Participant to pay such amounts (i) by surrendering (actually or by attestation) shares of Common Stock that the Participant already owns and, if necessary to avoid adverse accounting consequences, has held for at least six months (but only for the minimum required withholding); (ii) by a cashless exercise through a broker; (iii) by means of a “net exercise” procedure, (iv) by such other medium of payment as the Committee in its discretion shall authorize or (v) by any combination of the aforementioned methods of payment. The Company shall comply with all such reporting and other requirements relating to the administration of this Plan and the grant, exercise, vesting or payment of any Award hereunder as applicable law requires. Nevertheless, shares of Common Stock that the Company reacquires in connection with any tax withholding will still be deemed issued and will not be available for issuance pursuant to future Awards under the Plan.

 

16.05 Reservation of Shares.

 

The Company, during the term of this Plan, shall at all times reserve and keep available such number of shares of Common Stock as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan. Additionally, the Company, during the term of this Plan, shall use its best efforts to seek to obtain from appropriate regulatory agencies any requisite authorizations needed in order to issue and to sell such number of shares of Common Stock as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan. However, the inability of the Company to obtain from any such regulatory agency the requisite authorizations the Company’s counsel deems to be necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of any shares of Common Stock hereunder, or the inability of the Company to confirm to its satisfaction that any issuance and sale of any shares of Common Stock hereunder will meet applicable legal requirements, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect to the failure to issue or to sell such shares of Common Stock as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

 

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16.06 Governing Law.

 

This Plan and all Awards granted hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, except to the extent federal law applies.

 

16.07 Other Actions

 

Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the authority of the Company to exercise its corporate rights and powers, including, by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, the right to grant options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, incentive awards or restricted stock units for proper corporate purposes otherwise than under the Plan to any employee or to any other person, firm, corporation, association or other entity, or to grant options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, incentive awards or restricted stock units to, or assume such awards of any person in connection with, the acquisition, purchase, lease, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise, of all or any part of the business and assets of any person, firm, corporation, association or other entity.

 

16.08 Repurchase of Common Stock

 

The Company or its designee may have the option and right to purchase any Award or any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to any Award in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable Agreement. However, shares of Common Stock repurchased pursuant to an Agreement will still be deemed issued pursuant to the Plan and will not be available for issuance pursuant to future Awards under the Plan.

 

16.09 Other Conditions

 

The Committee, in its discretion, may, as a condition to the grant, exercise, payment or settlement of an Award, require the Participant on or before the date of grant, exercise, payment or settlement of the Award to enter into (i) a covenant not to compete (including a confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-competition or other similar agreement) with the Company or any Affiliate, which may become effective on the date of termination of employment or service of the Participant with the Company or any Affiliate or any other date the Committee may specify and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Committee shall otherwise specify, (ii) an agreement to cancel any other employment agreement, service agreement, fringe benefit or compensation arrangement in effect between the Company or any Affiliate and such Participant and/or (iii) a shareholders’ agreement with respect to shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Award. If the Participant shall fail to enter into any such agreement at the Committee’s request, then no Award shall be granted, exercised, paid or settled and the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been subject to such Award, if any, shall be added to the remaining shares of Common Stock available under the Plan.

 

16.10 Repricing of Awards

 

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Plan, this Plan does not permit (i) any decrease in the exercise price or base value of any outstanding Awards, (ii) the issuance of any replacement Options or SARs, which shall be deemed to occur if a Participant agrees to forfeit an existing Option or SAR in exchange for a new Option or SAR with a lower exercise price or base value, or (iii) the Company to repurchase underwater or out-of-the-money Options or SARs, which shall be deemed to be those Options or SARs with exercise prices or base values in excess of the current Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Option or SAR.

 

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16.11 Legends; Payment of Expenses

 

The Company may endorse such legend or legends upon the certificates for shares of Common Stock issued upon the grant or exercise of an Award and may issue such “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent in respect of such shares as it determines, in its sole discretion, to be necessary or appropriate to (i) prevent a violation of, or to perfect an exemption from, the registration requirements under the Exchange Act, applicable state securities laws or other requirements, (b) implement the provisions of the Plan or any Agreement between the Company and the Participant with respect to such shares of Common Stock, (c) permit the Company to determine the occurrence of a “disqualifying disposition” as described in Section 421(b) of the Code of the shares of Common Stock transferred upon the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan or (d) as may be appropriate to continue an Award’s exemption or compliance with Section 409A of the Code. The Company shall pay all issuance taxes with respect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the grant or exercise of the Award, as well as all fees and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with such issuance.

 

ARTICLE XVII
CLAIMS PROCEDURES

 

If a Participant has exercised an Option or a SAR or if shares of Restricted Stock have become vested or Restricted Stock Units or Incentive Awards have become payable, and the Participant has not received the benefits to which the Participant believes he or she is entitled under such Award, then the Participant must submit a written claim for such benefits to the Committee within 90 days of the date the Participant tried to exercise the Option or SAR, the date the Participant contends the Restricted Stock vested or the date the Participant contends the Restricted Stock Units or Incentive Awards became payable or the claim will be forever barred.

 

If a claim of a Participant is wholly or partially denied, the Participant or his duly authorized representative may appeal the denial of the claim to the Committee. Such appeal must be made at any time within 30 days after the Participant receives written notice from the Company of the denial of the claim. In connection therewith, the Participant or his duly authorized representative may request a review of the denied claim, may review pertinent documents, and may submit issues and comments in writing. Upon receipt of an appeal, the Committee shall make a decision with respect to the appeal and, not later than 60 days after receipt of such request for review, shall furnish the Participant with the decision on review in writing, including the specific reasons for the decision written in a manner calculated to be understood by the Participant, as well as specific references to the pertinent provisions of the Plan upon which the decision is based.

 

The Committee has the discretionary and final authority under the Plan to determine the validity of a claim. Accordingly, any decision the Committee makes on a Participant’s appeal will be administratively final. If a Participant disagrees with the Committee’s final decision, the Participant may sue, but only after the claim on appeal has been denied. Any lawsuit must be filed within 90 days of receipt of the Committee’s final written denial of the Participant’s claim or the claim will be forever barred.

 

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ARTICLE XVIII
AMENDMENT

 

The Board may amend or terminate this Plan at any time; provided, however, that no amendment to the Plan may adversely impair the rights of a Participant with respect to outstanding Awards without the Participant’s consent. In addition, an amendment will be contingent on approval of the Company’s stockholders, to the extent required by law or by the rules of any stock exchange on which the Company’s securities are traded or if the amendment would (i) increase the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, including without limitation, any amendment to the Plan or any Agreement to permit a repricing or decrease in the exercise price of any outstanding Awards, (ii) increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan, (iii) modify the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Plan or, (iv) change the performance conditions set forth in Article XII. Additionally, to the extent the Board deems necessary to continue to comply with the performance-based exception to the deduction limits of Code Section 162(m), the Board will submit the material terms of the performance conditions set forth in Article XII to the Company’s stockholders for approval no later than the first stockholder meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which the stockholders previously approved the performance objectives.

 

The Committee may amend any outstanding Awards to the extent it deems appropriate; provided, however, that no amendment to an outstanding Award may adversely impair the rights of a Participant without the Participant’s consent.

 

ARTICLE XIX
DURATION OF PLAN

 

No Award may be granted under this Plan on and after January 7, 2026 (10 years following the Effective Date of the Plan). Awards granted before that date shall remain valid in accordance with their terms.

 

ARTICLE XX
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

 

The Plan is effective on January 7, 2016, the date of its adoption by the Board, contingent, however, on approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders within 12 months of such date. If the Plan is not approved by the Company’s stockholders, all Awards granted hereunder shall be forfeited and of no force or effect, but the Prior Plans and the Awards granted thereunder shall continue in effect in accordance with their terms as they existed on or before the Effective Date.

 

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ARTICLE XXI
OMNIBUS SECTION 409A PROVISION

 

It is intended that Awards that are granted under the Plan shall be exempt from treatment as “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code. Towards that end, all Awards under the Plan are intended to contain such terms as will qualify the Awards for an exemption from Section 409A of the Code. The terms of the Plan and all Awards granted hereunder shall be construed consistent with the foregoing intent. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the Committee may amend any outstanding Award without Participant’s consent if, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, such amendment is required either to (i) confirm exemption under Section 409A of the Code, (ii) comply with Section 409A of the Code or (iii) prevent the Participant from being subject to any tax or penalty under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates nor the Committee shall be liable to a Participant or any other Person if an Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code or the Participant or any other Person is otherwise subject to any additional tax or penalty under Section 409A of the Code. Each Participant is solely responsible for the payment of any tax liability (including any taxes and penalties that may arise under Section 409A of the Code) that may result from an Award.

 

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