UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): June 23, 2020

 

SIGMA LABS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada   001-38015   27-1865814

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

3900 Paseo del Sol

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507

 

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (505) 438-2576

 

 

Former name or former address, if changed since last report

 

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

 

[  ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
[  ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
   
[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

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

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share   SGLB   The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
Warrants to Purchase Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share   SGLBW   The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

On June 23, 2020, the board of directors (the “Board”) of Sigma Labs, Inc. (“we,” “our,” “us,” or the “Company”) adopted the Sigma Labs, Inc. 2020 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan (the “Plan”). The purposes of the Plan are to: (i) enable the Company to attract and retain the types of employees, consultants and directors (collectively, “Service Providers”) who will contribute to the Company’s long range success; (ii) provide incentives that align the interests of Service Providers with those of the shareholders of the Company; and (iii) promote the success of the Company’s business. The Plan only provides for incentive awards that are only made in the form of stock appreciation rights payable in cash (“SARs”). No shares of common stock were reserved in connection with the adoption of the Plan since no shares will be issued pursuant to the Plan.

 

Governance of the Plan

 

The Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) or, in the Board’s sole discretion, by the Board. The Compensation Committee will have the authority to, among other things, (i) construe and interpret the Plan and apply its provisions; (ii) promulgate, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the administration of the Plan; (iii) delegate its authority to one or more persons who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder with respect to SARs that do not involve “insiders” within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act; (iv) determine when SARs are to be granted under the Plan and the applicable grant date; (v) prescribe the terms and conditions of each SAR, including, without limitation, the exercise price and medium of payment and vesting provisions, and to specify the provisions of the SAR Agreement relating to such grant; (vi) amend any outstanding SARs, subject, in certain cases, to the participant’s consent; and (vii) make all other determinations which may be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

 

Eligible Participants

 

SARS may be granted only to persons who are Service Providers, and those persons whom the Committee determines are reasonably expected to become Service Providers following the grant date. The Committee may from time to time designate those Service Providers, if any, to be granted SARs under the Plan, the number of SARs which will be granted to each such person, and any other terms or conditions relating to SARs as it may deem appropriate to the extent consistent with the provisions of the Plan. A participant who has been granted a SAR may, if otherwise eligible, be granted additional incentive awards at any time.

 

Grant. The Committee may grant SARs to any Service Provider. A SAR is the right to receive an amount equal to the Spread with respect to a share of the Company’s common stock (“Share”) upon the exercise of the SAR. The “Spread” is the difference between the exercise price per share specified in a SAR agreement on the date of grant and the fair market value per share on the date of exercise of the SAR.

 

 

 

 

General Provisions. The terms and conditions of each SAR will be evidenced by a SAR agreement. The exercise price per share will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a Share on the date of grant of the SAR. The term of the SAR will be determined by the Committee but may not be greater than ten years from the date of grant.

 

Exercise. SARs are exercisable subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may specify in the SAR agreement for the SAR. A SAR may be exercised by the delivery of a signed written notice of exercise to the Company, which must be received and accepted by the Company as of a date set by the Company in advance of the effective date of the proposed exercise. The notice must set forth the number of SARs being exercised, together with any additional documents the Company may require.

 

Settlement. Upon exercise of a SAR, the Grantee will receive an amount equal to the Spread. The Spread, less applicable withholdings, will be payable only in cash. In no event may any SAR be settled in any manner other than by delivery of a cash payment from the Company.

 

Form of SAR Agreement

 

Each participant to whom a SAR is granted will be required to enter into a SAR agreement with the Company, in such a form as is provided by the Committee. The SAR agreement will contain specific terms as determined by the Committee, in its discretion, with respect to the participant’s particular SAR. Such terms need not be uniform among all participants or any similarly situated participants. The SAR agreement may include, without limitation, vesting, forfeiture and other provisions particular to the particular participant’s SAR, as well as, for example, provisions to the effect that the participant must abide by all the terms and conditions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as may be imposed by the Committee. A SAR will include such terms and conditions as are determined by the Committee, in its discretion, to be appropriate with respect to any participant.

 

The Committee may specify in a SAR agreement that the participant’s rights, payments, and benefits with respect to a SAR will be subject to forfeiture upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of the incentive award. Such events may include, but are not limited to, termination with cause or other conduct by the participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company.

 

Termination of Employment

 

Unless otherwise expressly provided in the participant’s SAR agreement, if the participant’s employment is terminated for any reason other than due to cause, death or disability, any non-vested portion of any outstanding SAR at the time of such termination will automatically expire and terminate and no further vesting will occur after the termination date. In such event, except as otherwise expressly provided in the SAR agreement, the participant will be entitled to exercise such participant’s rights only with respect to the portion of the SAR that was vested as of the termination date for a period that will end on the earlier of (i) the expiration date set forth in the SAR agreement or (ii) ninety days after the date of termination.

 

Termination for Cause

 

Unless otherwise expressly provided in the participant’s SAR agreement, in the event of the termination of a participant’s employment for cause, all vested and non-vested SARs granted to such participant will immediately expire, and will not be exercisable to any extent.

 

Disability or Death

 

Unless otherwise expressly provided in the participant’s SAR agreement, upon termination of employment as a result of the participant’s disability or death, (i) any non-vested portion of any outstanding SAR will immediately terminate upon termination and no further vesting will occur, and (ii) any vested SAR will expire on the earlier of either (A) the expiration date set forth in the SAR agreement or (B) 12 months following the participant’s termination of employment.

 

 

 

 

Continuation

 

Subject to the conditions and limitations of the Plan and applicable law, in the event that a participant ceases to be an employee, outside director or consultant, as applicable, for whatever reason, the Committee and participant may mutually agree with respect to any outstanding SAR then held by the participant (i) for an acceleration or other adjustment in any vesting schedule applicable to the SAR award; (ii) for a continuation of the exercise period following termination for a longer period than is otherwise provided under such SAR; or (iii) to any other change in the terms and conditions of the SAR. In the event of any such change to an outstanding SAR, a written amendment to the participant’s SAR agreement will be required. No amendment to a participant’s SAR will be made to the extent compensation payable pursuant thereto as a result of such amendment would be considered deferred compensation that is not excepted from taxation or penalties under Code Section 409A, unless otherwise determined by the Committee.

 

SARs granted under the Plan are not transferable other than to a designated beneficiary upon the Participant’s death or by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

Change in Control

 

Unless otherwise provided in a SAR Agreement, notwithstanding any contrary provision in the Plan, in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan), all outstanding SARs will become 100% vested and immediately and fully exercisable.

 

Amendment

 

The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend or terminate the Plan. The Committee at any time, and from time to time, may amend the terms of any one or more SAR agreements, except that the Committee may not affect any amendment which would otherwise constitute an impairment of the rights under any SAR unless the participant consents in writing.

 

The foregoing is a summary description of certain terms of the Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan, a copy of which is filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement to be issued to employees pursuant to the Plan is filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.2 and is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement to be issued to non-employee directors pursuant to the Plan is filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.3 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

SAR Awards

 

On June 23, 2020, the Company granted, pursuant to the Plan, (i) 60,094 SARs to its President and Chief Executive Officer, Mark K. Ruport, (ii) 12,019 SARs to its Vice President of Business Development, Ronald Fisher, (iii) 24,038 SARs to its Chief Technology Officer, Darren Beckett, and (iv) 18,028 SARs to its Chief Financial Officer, Frank Orzechowski. The exercise price of each such SAR is $2.63, which was the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Such SARs expire on the fifth anniversary of the grant date and may be settled only in cash. Additionally, each such SAR will vest and become exercisable in three equal (as closely as possible) installments on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date, subject, in each case, to the applicable SAR holder being in the continous employ of the Company on the applicable vesting date, and, in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan), will become immediately vested and exercisable as long as the applicable holder is in the Company’s employ immediately prior to the Change in Control, and will otherwise be on such other terms set forth in the form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement.

 

 

 

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   Description
10.1   Sigma Labs, Inc. 2020 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan
10.2   Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement (Employees; 2020 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan)
10.3   Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement (Non-employee Directors; 2020 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan)

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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.

 

Date: June 29, 2020 SIGMA LABS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Mark K. Ruport
  Name:  Mark K. Ruport
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

SIGMA LABS, INC. 2020 STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS PLAN

 

1. Purpose; Eligibility.

 

1.1 General Purpose. The name of this plan is the Sigma Labs, Inc. 2020 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan (the “Plan”). The purposes of the Plan are to (a) enable Sigma Labs, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and any Affiliate to attract and retain the types of Employees, Consultants and Directors who will contribute to the Company’s long range success; (b) provide incentives that align the interests of Employees, Consultants and Directors with those of the shareholders of the Company; and (c) promote the success of the Company’s business.

 

1.2 Eligible Award Recipients. The persons eligible to receive Awards are the Employees, Consultants and Directors of the Company and its Affiliates and such other individuals designated by the Committee who are reasonably expected to become Employees, Consultants and Directors after the receipt of Awards.

 

1.3 Available Awards. Awards that may be granted under the Plan include Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

2. Definitions.

 

Affiliate” means a corporation or other entity that, directly or through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Company.

 

Applicable Laws” means the requirements related to or implicated by the administration of the Plan under applicable state corporate law, United States federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the shares of Common Stock are listed or quoted, and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are granted under the Plan.

 

Award” means any Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan.

 

Award Agreement” means a written agreement, contract, certificate or other instrument or document evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award granted under the Plan which may, in the discretion of the Company, be transmitted electronically to any Participant. Each Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular Person, such Person shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such Person has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.

 

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted at any time.

 

Cause” means:

 

With respect to any Employee or Consultant, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise:

 

 

 

 

 

(a) If the Employee or Consultant is a party to an employment agreement with the Company or its Affiliates and such agreement provides for a definition of Cause, the definition contained therein; or

 

(b) If no such agreement exists, or if such agreement does not define Cause: (i) the commission of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or the commission of any other act involving willful malfeasance or material fiduciary breach with respect to the Company or an Affiliate; (ii) conduct that brings or is reasonably likely to bring the Company or an Affiliate negative publicity or into public disgrace, embarrassment, or disrepute; (iii) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or an Affiliate; (iv) material violation of state or federal securities laws; or (v) material violation of the Company’s written policies or codes of conduct, including written policies related to discrimination, harassment, performance of illegal or unethical activities, and ethical misconduct.

 

With respect to any Director, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise, a determination by a majority of the disinterested Board members that the Director has engaged in any of the following: (a) malfeasance in office; (b) gross misconduct or neglect; (c) false or fraudulent misrepresentation inducing the director’s appointment; (d) willful conversion of corporate funds; or (e) repeated failure to participate in Board meetings on a regular basis despite having received proper notice of the meetings in advance.

 

The Committee, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to whether a Participant has been discharged for Cause.

 

Change in Control” means (i) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company; (ii) a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another corporation or entity (other than a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary); (iii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (iv) a purchase or other acquisition of more than 70% of the outstanding stock of the Company by one person or by more than one person acting in concert.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time. Any reference to a section of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Committee” means a committee of one or more members of the Board appointed by the Board to administer the Plan in accordance with Section 3.3 and Section 3.4.

 

Common Stock” means the common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Company.

 

Company” means Sigma Labs, Inc, a Nevada corporation, and any successor thereto.

 

Consultant” means any individual or entity which performs bona fide services to the Company, other than as an Employee or Director.

 

Continuous Service” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, as an Employee, Consultant or Director, is not interrupted or terminated. The Participant’s Continuous Service shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company as an Employee, Consultant or Director, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service; provided further that if any Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, this sentence shall only be given effect to the extent consistent with Section 409A of the Code. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to solely a Director will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. The Committee or its delegate, in its sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service shall be considered interrupted in the case of any leave of absence approved by that party, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal or family leave of absence. The Committee or its delegate, in its sole discretion, may determine whether a Company transaction, such as a sale or spin-off of a division or subsidiary that employs a Participant, shall be deemed to result in a termination of Continuous Service for purposes of affected Awards, and such decision shall be final, conclusive and binding.

 

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Director” means a member of the Board.

 

Disability” means, unless the applicable Award Agreement says otherwise, that the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment. The determination of whether an individual has a Disability shall be determined under procedures established by the Committee. The Committee may rely on any determination that a Participant is disabled for purposes of benefits under any long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or any Affiliate in which a Participant participates.

 

Effective Date” shall mean the date as of which this Plan is adopted by the Board.

 

Employee” means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate.

 

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

 

Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock as determined below. If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation, the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market, the Fair Market Value shall be the closing price of a share of Common Stock (or if no sales were reported the closing price on the date immediately preceding such date) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination, as reported in the Wall Street Journal. In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Committee and such determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.

 

Grant Date” means the date on which the Committee adopts a resolution, or takes other appropriate action, expressly granting an Award to a Participant that specifies the key terms and conditions of the Award or, if a later date is set forth in such resolution, then such date as is set forth in such resolution.

 

Non-Employee Director” means a Director who is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3.

 

Participant” means an eligible person to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Award.

 

“Person” means a person as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

 

Plan” means this Sigma Labs, Inc. 2020 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan, as amended and/or amended and restated from time to time.

 

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Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Stock Appreciation Right” means the right pursuant to an Award granted under Section 5 to receive, upon exercise, an amount payable in cash equal to the number of shares subject to the Stock Appreciation Right that is being exercised multiplied by the excess of (a) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Award is exercised, over (b) the exercise price specified in the Stock Appreciation Right Award Agreement.

 

3. Administration.

 

3.1 Authority of Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee or, in the Board’s sole discretion, by the Board. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee’s charter and Applicable Laws, and in addition to other express powers and authorization conferred by the Plan, the Committee shall have the authority:

 

(a) to construe and interpret the Plan and apply its provisions;

 

(b) to promulgate, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the administration of the Plan;

 

(c) to authorize any person to execute, on behalf of the Company, any instrument required to carry out the purposes of the Plan;

 

(d) to delegate its authority to one or more persons who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder with respect to Awards that do not involve “insiders” within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act;

 

(e) to determine when Awards are to be granted under the Plan and the applicable Grant Date;

 

(f) from time to time to select, subject to any limitations set forth in this Plan, those eligible Award recipients to whom Awards shall be granted;

 

(g) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be made subject to each Award;

 

(h) to prescribe the terms and conditions of each Award, including, without limitation, the exercise price and medium of payment and vesting provisions, and to specify the provisions of the Award Agreement relating to such grant;

 

(i) to amend any outstanding Awards, including for the purpose of modifying the time or manner of vesting, or the term of any outstanding Award; provided, however, that if any such amendment impairs a Participant’s rights or increases a Participant’s obligations under his or her Award or creates or increases a Participant’s federal income tax liability with respect to an Award, such amendment shall also be subject to the Participant’s consent;

 

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(j) to determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absences which may be granted to a Participant without constituting termination of their employment for purposes of the Plan, which periods shall be no shorter than the periods generally applicable to Employees under the Company’s employment policies;

 

(k) to make decisions with respect to outstanding Awards that may become necessary upon a change in corporate control;

 

(l) to interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award granted under, the Plan; and

 

(m) to exercise discretion to make any and all other determinations which it determines to be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

 

The Committee also may modify the exercise price of any outstanding Award.

 

3.2 Committee Decisions Final. All decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final and binding on the Company and the Participants, unless such decisions are determined by a court having jurisdiction to be arbitrary and capricious.

 

3.3 Delegation. The Committee or, if no Committee has been appointed, the Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a committee or committees of one or more members of the Board, and the term “Committee” shall apply to any person or persons to whom such authority has been delegated. The Committee shall have the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board or the Committee shall thereafter be to the committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. The Board may abolish the Committee at any time and revest in the Board the administration of the Plan. The members of the Committee shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board. From time to time, the Board may increase or decrease the size of the Committee, add additional members to, remove members (with or without cause) from, appoint new members in substitution therefor, and fill vacancies, however caused, in the Committee. The Committee shall act pursuant to a vote of the majority of its members or, in the case of a Committee comprised of only two members, the unanimous consent of its members, whether present or not, or by the written consent of the majority of its members and minutes shall be kept of all of its meetings and copies thereof shall be provided to the Board. Subject to the limitations prescribed by the Plan and the Board, the Committee may establish and follow such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it may determine to be advisable.

 

3.4 Committee Composition. Except as otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors. The Board shall have discretion to determine whether or not it intends to comply with the exemption requirements of Rule 16b-3. However, if the Board intends to satisfy such exemption requirements, with respect to any insider subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Committee shall be a compensation committee of the Board that at all times consists solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors. Within the scope of such authority, the Board or the Committee may delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not Non-Employee Directors the authority to grant Awards to eligible persons who are not then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Nothing herein shall create an inference that an Award is not validly granted under the Plan in the event Awards are granted under the Plan by a compensation committee of the Board that does not at all times consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors.

 

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3.5 Indemnification. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as Directors or members of the Committee, and to the extent allowed by Applicable Laws, the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company against the reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, actually incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding or in connection with any appeal therein, to which the Committee may be party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan, and against all amounts paid by the Committee in settlement thereof (provided, however, that the settlement has been approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) or paid by the Committee in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such Committee did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company, or in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reason to believe that the conduct complained of was unlawful; provided, however, that within 60 days after the institution of any such action, suit or proceeding, such Committee shall, in writing, offer the Company the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend such action, suit or proceeding.

 

4. Eligibility.

 

4.1 Eligibility for Specific Awards. Awards may be granted to Employees, Consultants and Directors, and those individuals whom the Committee determines are reasonably expected to become Employees, Consultants and/or Directors following the Grant Date.

 

5. Stock Appreciation Rights. Each Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Right so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 5, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

5.1 Term The term of a Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, no Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable later than the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date.

 

5.2 Vesting

 

Each Stock Appreciation Right may, but need not, vest and therefore become exercisable in periodic installments that may, but need not, be equal. The Stock Appreciation Right may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be exercised as the Committee may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Stock Appreciation Rights may vary. The Committee may, but shall not be required to, provide for an acceleration of vesting and exercisability in the terms of any Stock Appreciation Right upon the occurrence of a specified event.

 

5.3 Exercise and Payment Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the holder shall be entitled to receive from the Company an amount equal to the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Appreciation Right that is being exercised multiplied by the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Award is exercised, over (ii) the exercise price specified in the Stock Appreciation Right. Payment with respect to the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be made on the date of exercise. Payment shall be made in the form of cash.

 

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5.4 Exercise Price The exercise price of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee, but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the Grant Date of such Stock Appreciation Right.

 

6. Miscellaneous.

 

6.1 Acceleration of Exercisability and Vesting. The Committee shall have the power to accelerate the time at which an Award may first be exercised or the time during which an Award or any part thereof will vest in accordance with the Plan, notwithstanding the provisions in the Award stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest.

 

6.2 No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan or any instrument executed or Award granted pursuant thereto shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Award was granted or shall affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (a) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without Cause or (b) the service of a Director pursuant to the By-laws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.

 

6.3 Transfer; Approved Leave of Absence. For purposes of the Plan, no termination of employment by an Employee shall be deemed to result from either (a) a transfer of employment to the Company from an Affiliate or from the Company to an Affiliate, or from one Affiliate to another, or (b) an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Company, if the Employee’s right to reemployment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Committee otherwise so provides in writing, in either case, except to the extent inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code if the applicable Award is subject thereto.

 

7. Adjustments Upon Changes in Stock. In the event of changes in the outstanding Common Stock or in the capital structure of the Company by reason of any stock split, reverse stock split, an extraordinary corporate transaction such as any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange, or other relevant change in capitalization occurring after the Grant Date of any Award, Awards granted under the Plan and any Award Agreements, the exercise price of Stock Appreciation Rights, will be equitably adjusted or substituted, as to the number, price or kind of a share of Common Stock or other consideration subject to such Awards to the extent necessary to preserve the economic intent of such Award. Any adjustments made under this Section 7 shall be made in a manner which does not adversely affect the exemption provided pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The Company shall give each Participant notice of an adjustment hereunder and, upon notice, such adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes.

 

8. Effect of Change in Control.

 

8.1 Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary:

 

(a) In the event of a Change in Control, all outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights shall become immediately exercisable with respect to 100% of the shares subject to such Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

8.2 The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be binding upon any successor corporation or organization resulting from the merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company, or upon any successor corporation or organization succeeding to all or substantially all of the assets and business of the Company and its Affiliates, taken as a whole.

 

7

 

 

9. Amendment of the Plan and Awards.

 

9.1 Amendment of Plan. The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend or terminate the Plan.

 

9.2 Contemplated Amendments. It is expressly contemplated that the Board may amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable to provide eligible Employees, Consultants and Directors with the maximum benefits provided or to be provided under the provisions of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder relating to the nonqualified deferred compensation provisions of Section 409A of the Code and/or to bring the Plan and/or Awards granted under it into compliance therewith.

 

9.3 No Impairment of Rights. Rights under any Award granted before amendment of the Plan shall not be impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless (a) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (b) the Participant consents in writing.

 

9.4 Amendment of Awards. The Committee at any time, and from time to time, may amend the terms of any one or more Awards; provided, however, that the Committee may not affect any amendment which would otherwise constitute an impairment of the rights under any Award unless (a) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (b) the Participant consents in writing.

 

10. General Provisions.

 

10.1 Forfeiture Events. The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain events, in addition to applicable vesting conditions of an Award. Such events may include, without limitation, breach of restrictive covenants that are contained in the Award Agreement or otherwise applicable to the Participant, a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service for Cause, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company and/or its Affiliates.

 

10.2 Clawback. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Plan, all Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange on which the Company’s securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy shall be an event giving rise to a right to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under the Plan or any agreement with the Company.

 

10.3 Other Compensation Arrangements. Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to shareholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

 

10.4 Sub-Plans. The Committee may from time to time establish sub-plans under the Plan for purposes of satisfying securities, tax or other laws of various jurisdictions in which the Company intends to grant Awards. Any sub-plans shall contain such limitations and other terms and conditions as the Committee determines are necessary or desirable. All sub-plans shall be deemed a part of the Plan, but each sub-plan shall apply only to the Participants in the jurisdiction for which the sub-plan was designed.

 

8

 

 

10.5 Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall be unfunded. Neither the Company, the Board nor the Committee shall be required to establish any special or separate fund or to segregate any assets to assure the performance of its obligations under the Plan.

 

10.6 Recapitalizations. Each Award Agreement shall contain provisions required to reflect the provisions of Section 7.

 

10.7 Delivery. Upon exercise of a right granted under this Plan, the Company shall pay any amounts due within a reasonable period of time thereafter. Subject to any statutory or regulatory obligations the Company may otherwise have, for purposes of this Plan, 30 days shall be considered a reasonable period of time.

 

10.8 Other Provisions. The Award Agreements authorized under the Plan may contain such other provisions not inconsistent with this Plan, including, without limitation, restrictions upon the exercise of Awards, as the Committee may deem advisable.

 

10.9 Section 409A. The Plan is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code to the extent subject thereto, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan shall be interpreted and administered to be in compliance therewith. Any payments described in the Plan that are due within the “short-term deferral period” as defined in Section 409A of the Code shall not be treated as deferred compensation unless Applicable Laws require otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, to the extent required to avoid accelerated taxation and tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to the Plan during the six (6) month period immediately following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service shall instead be paid on the first payroll date after the six-month anniversary of the Participant’s separation from service (or the Participant’s death, if earlier). Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Committee shall have any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any additional tax or penalty on any Participant under Section 409A of the Code and neither the Company nor the Committee will have any liability to any Participant for such tax or penalty.

 

10.10 Section 16. It is the intent of the Company that the Plan satisfy, and be interpreted in a manner that satisfies, the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 as promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act so that Participants will be entitled to the benefit of Rule 16b-3, or any other rule promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and will not be subject to short-swing liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, if the operation of any provision of the Plan would conflict with the intent expressed in this Section 10.10, such provision to the extent possible shall be interpreted and/or deemed amended so as to avoid such conflict.

 

10.11 Beneficiary Designation. Each Participant under the Plan may from time to time name any beneficiary or beneficiaries by whom any right under the Plan is to be exercised in case of such Participant’s death. Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form reasonably prescribed by the Committee and shall be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s lifetime.

 

10.12 Expenses. The costs of administering the Plan shall be paid by the Company.

 

9

 

 

10.13 Severability. If any of the provisions of the Plan or any Award Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, whether in whole or in part, such provision shall be deemed modified to the extent, but only to the extent, of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability and the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby.

 

10.14 Plan Headings. The headings in the Plan are for purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the construction of the provisions hereof.

 

10.15 Non-Uniform Treatment. The Committee’s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among persons who are eligible to receive, or actually receive, Awards. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall be entitled to make non-uniform and selective determinations, amendments and adjustments, and to enter into non-uniform and selective Award Agreements.

 

11. Effective Date of Plan. The Plan shall become effective as of the Effective Date.

 

12. Termination or Suspension of the Plan. The Plan shall terminate automatically on June 1, 2030. No Award shall be granted pursuant to the Plan after such date, but Awards theretofore granted may extend beyond that date. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any earlier date pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

 

13. Choice of Law. The law of the State of Nevada shall govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to such state’s conflict of law rules.

 

As adopted by the Board of Directors of Sigma Labs, Inc. on June 23, 2020.

 

10

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement

 

This Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [DATE] by and between Sigma Labs, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”) and [EMPLOYEE NAME] (the “Participant”).

 

Grant Date: ____________________________________

 

Number of SARs: ________________________________

 

Exercise Price per SAR: __________________________

 

Expiration Date: _________________________________

 

1. Grant of SARs.

 

1.1 Grant. The Company hereby grants to the Participant an aggregate of [NUMBER] stock appreciation rights (the “SARs”). Each SAR entitles the Participant to receive, upon exercise, an amount equal to the excess of (a) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise, over (b) the Exercise Price (the “Appreciation Value”). The SARs are being granted pursuant to the terms of the Company’s 2020 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan (the “Plan”).

 

1.2 Consideration; Subject to Plan. The grant of the SARs is made in consideration of the services to be rendered by the Participant to the Company and is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein will have the meaning ascribed to them in the Plan.

 

2. Vesting.

 

2.1 Vesting Schedule. [The SARs will vest and become exercisable in [___________] equal installments on each of the [_________________] anniversaries of the Grant Date. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the unvested SARs will not be exercisable on or after the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.

 

OR

 

Each SAR will vest and become exercisable on the [__________] anniversary of the Grant Date. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the unvested SARs will not be exercisable on or after the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.

 

OR

 

Each SAR will vest and become exercisable on the date that the Committee certifies the achievement of the performance conditions set forth on Schedule I attached hereto. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the unvested SARs will not be exercisable on or after the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.]

 

2.2 Expiration. The SARs will expire on the Expiration Date set forth above, or earlier as provided in this Agreement or the Plan.

 

3. Termination of Continuous Service.

 

 

 

 

3.1 Termination for Reasons Other Than Cause, Death, Disability. If the Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for any reason other than Cause, death or Disability, the Participant may exercise the vested SARs, but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (a) the date three months following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service or (b) the Expiration Date.

 

3.2 Termination for Cause. If the Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the SARs (whether vested or unvested) shall immediately terminate and cease to be exercisable.

 

3.3 Termination due to Disability. If the Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise the vested SARs, but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (a) the date 12 months following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service or (b) the Expiration Date.

 

3.4 Termination due to Death. If the Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death, the vested SARs may be exercised by the Participant’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the SARs by bequest or inheritance or by the person designated to exercise the SARs upon the Participant’s death, but only within the time period ending on the earlier of (a) the date 12 months following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service or (b) the Expiration Date.

 

4. Manner of Exercise.

 

4.1 When to Exercise. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or this Agreement, the Participant (or in the case of exercise after the Participant’s death or incapacity, the Participant’s executor, administrator, heir or legatee, as the case may be) may exercise his or her vested SARs, in whole or in part, at any time after vesting and until the Expiration Date or earlier termination pursuant to Section 3 hereof, by following the procedures set forth in this Section 4. If partially exercised, the Participant may exercise the remaining unexercised portion of the SARs at any time after vesting and until the Expiration Date or earlier termination pursuant to Section 3 hereof. No SARs shall be exercisable after the Expiration Date.

 

4.2 Election to Exercise. To exercise the SARs, the Participant (or in the case of exercise after the Participant’s death or incapacity, the Participant’s executor, administrator, heir or legatee, as the case may be) must deliver to the Company a written notice (or notice through another previously approved method, which could include a web-based or e-mail system) to the Secretary of the Company which sets forth the number of SARs being exercised, together with any additional documents the Company may require. Each such notice must satisfy whatever then-current procedures apply to the SARs and must contain such representations as the Company requires.

 

4.3 Documentation of Right to Exercise. If someone other than the Participant exercises the SARs, then such person must submit documentation reasonably acceptable to the Company verifying that such person has the legal right to exercise the SARs.

 

4.4 Date of Exercise. The SARs shall be deemed to be exercised on the business day that the Company receives a fully executed exercise notice. If the notice is received after business hours on such date, then the SAR shall be deemed to be exercised on the business date immediately following the business date such notice is received by the Company.

 

 

 

 

5. Withholding. Prior to the payment of the Appreciation Value in connection with the exercise of the SARs, the Participant must make arrangements satisfactory to the Company to pay or provide for any applicable federal, state and local withholding obligations of the Company.

 

6. Form of Payment. Upon the exercise of all or a portion of the SARs, the Participant shall be entitled to a cash payment equal to the Appreciation Value of the SARs being exercised, less any amounts withheld pursuant to Section 5.

 

7. Section 409A; No Deferral of Compensation. Neither the Plan nor this Agreement is intended to provide for the deferral of compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). The Company reserves the right to unilaterally amend or modify the Plan or this Agreement, to the extent the Company considers it necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion, to comply with, or to ensure that the SARs granted hereunder are not subject to, Section 409A of the Code.

 

8. No Right to Continued Employment. Neither the Plan nor this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to be retained in any position, as an Employee, Consultant or Director of the Company. Further, nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall be construed to limit the discretion of the Company to terminate the Participant’s Continuous Service at any time, with or without Cause.

 

9. Transferability. The SARs are not transferable by the Participant other than to a designated beneficiary upon the Participant’s death or by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and are exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by him or her. No assignment or transfer of the SARs, or the rights represented thereby, whether voluntary or involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise (except to a designated beneficiary upon death by will or the laws of descent or distribution) will vest in the assignee or transferee any interest or right herein whatsoever, but immediately upon such assignment or transfer the SARs will terminate and become of no further effect.

 

10. Change in Control.

 

10.1 Effect on SARs. [In the event of a Change in Control, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, the SARs shall become immediately vested and exercisable.

 

OR

 

If a Change in Control occurs and the Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated by the Company without Cause (other than for death or Disability) within 12 months following the Change in Control, 100% of the SARs shall become immediately vested and exercisable.

 

OR

 

Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of a Change in Control, a Change in Control shall have no effect on the SARs.]

 

10.2 Cash-out. In the event of a Change in Control, the Committee may, in its discretion and upon at least ten (10) days’ advance notice to the Participant, cancel the SARs and pay to the Participant the Appreciation Value of the SARs based upon the price per share of Common Stock received or to be received by other shareholders of the Company in the event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at the time of a Change in Control the Exercise Price of the SAR equals or exceeds the price paid for a share of Common Stock in connection with the Change in Control, the Committee may cancel the SAR without the payment of consideration therefor.

 

 

 

 

11. Adjustments. The SARs may be adjusted or terminated in any manner as contemplated by Section 7 of the Plan.

 

12. Tax Liability and Withholding. Notwithstanding any action the Company takes with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, or other tax-related withholding (“Tax-Related Items”), the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Participant’s responsibility and the Company (a) makes no representation or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with the grant, vesting, or exercise of the SARs and (b) does not commit to structure the SARs to reduce or eliminate the Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items.

 

13. Compliance with Law. The exercise of the SARs shall be subject to compliance by the Company and the Participant with all Applicable Laws, including the requirements of any stock exchange on which the Company’s shares of Common Stock may be listed. The Participant may not exercise the SARs if such exercise would violate any applicable Federal or state securities laws or other laws or regulations.

 

14. Notices. Any notice required to be delivered to the Company under this Agreement shall be in writing and addressed to the Secretary of the Company at the Company’s principal corporate offices. Any notice required to be delivered to the Participant under this Agreement shall be in writing and addressed to the Participant at the Participant’s address as shown in the records of the Company. Either party may designate another address in writing (or by such other method approved by the Company) from time to time.

 

15. Governing Law. This Agreement will be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada without regard to conflict of law principles.

 

16. Interpretation. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted by the Participant or the Company to the Committee for review. The resolution of such dispute by the Committee shall be final and binding on the Participant and the Company.

 

17. SARs Subject to Plan. This Agreement is subject to the Plan. The terms and provisions of the Plan as it may be amended from time to time are hereby incorporated herein by reference. In the event of a conflict between any term or provision contained herein and a term or provision of the Plan, the applicable terms and provisions of the Plan will govern and prevail.

 

18. Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein, this Agreement will be binding upon the Participant and the Participant’s beneficiaries, executors, administrators and the person(s) to whom the SARs may be transferred by will or the laws of descent or distribution.

 

19. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of the Plan or this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, and each provision of the Plan and this Agreement shall be severable and enforceable to the extent permitted by law.

 

20. Discretionary Nature of Plan. The Plan is discretionary and may be amended, cancelled or terminated by the Company at any time, in its discretion. The grant of the SARs in this Agreement does not create any contractual right or other right to receive any SARs or other Awards in the future. Future Awards, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company. Any amendment, modification, or termination of the Plan shall not constitute a change or impairment of the terms and conditions of the Participant’s employment with the Company.

 

 

 

 

21. Amendment. The Committee has the right to amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or cancel the SAR, prospectively or retroactively; provided, that, no such amendment shall adversely affect the Participant’s material rights under this Agreement without the Participant’s consent.

 

22. No Impact on Other Benefits. The value of the Participant’s SARs is not part of his or her normal or expected compensation for purposes of calculating any severance, retirement, welfare, insurance or similar employee benefit.

 

23. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. Counterpart signature pages to this Agreement transmitted by facsimile transmission, by electronic mail in portable document format (.pdf), or by any other electronic means intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance of a document, will have the same effect as physical delivery of the paper document bearing an original signature.

 

24. Acceptance. The Participant hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and this Agreement. The Participant has read and understands the terms and provisions thereof, and accepts the SARs subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement. The Participant acknowledges that there may be adverse tax consequences upon exercise of the SARs and that the Participant should consult a tax advisor prior to such exercise.

 

(Signature page follows)

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  Sigma Labs, Inc.
   
  By:
  Name: Mark K. Ruport
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
  [EMPLOYEE NAME]
   
   
  Name:

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement

 

This Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [DATE] by and between Sigma Labs, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”) and [NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR NAME] (the “Director”).

 

Grant Date: ____________________________________

 

Number of SARs: ________________________________

 

Exercise Price per SAR: __________________________

 

Expiration Date: _________________________________

 

1. Grant of SARs.

 

1.1 Grant. The Company hereby grants to the Director an aggregate of [NUMBER] stock appreciation rights (the “SARs”). Each SAR entitles the Director to receive, upon exercise, an amount equal to the excess of (a) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise, over (b) the Exercise Price (the “Appreciation Value”). The SARs are being granted pursuant to the terms of the Company’s 2020 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan (the “Plan”).

 

1.2 Consideration; Subject to Plan. The grant of the SARs is made in consideration of the services to be rendered by the Director to the Company and is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein will have the meaning ascribed to them in the Plan.

 

2. Vesting. [The SARs are fully vested and exercisable upon grant.

 

OR

 

Each SAR will vest and become exercisable on the [first/[ALTERNATIVE NUMBER]] anniversary of the Grant Date, provided that the Director has been in Continuous Service through such vesting date. Unvested SARs will not be exercisable on or after the Director’s termination of Continuous Service.

 

OR

 

The SARs will vest and become exercisable in [three/[ALTERNATIVE NUMBER]] equal installments on each of the [first, second and third/[ALTERNATIVE NUMBERS]] anniversaries of the Grant Date, provided that the Director has been in Continuous Service through each such vesting date. Unvested SARs will not be exercisable on or after the Director’s termination of Continuous Service.]

 

2.1 Expiration. The SARs will expire on the Expiration Date set forth above, or earlier as provided in this Agreement or the Plan.

 

3. Termination of Continuous Service.

 

 

 

 

3.1 Termination for Reasons Other Than Disability, Death or Removal from the Board for Cause. If the Director’s Continuous Service is terminated for any reason other than Disability, death or removal from the Board for Cause, the Director may exercise the vested SARs, but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (a) the date three months following the termination of the Director’s Continuous Service or (b) the Expiration Date.

 

3.2 Termination due to Disability. If the Director’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Director’s Disability, the Director may exercise the vested SARs during the period of time ending on the earlier of (a) the date 12 months following the Director’s termination of Continuous Service or (b) the Expiration Date.

 

3.3 Termination due to Death. If the Director’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Director’s death, the vested SARs may be exercised by the Director’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the SARs by bequest or inheritance or by the person designated to exercise the SARs upon the Director’s death, but only within the time period ending on the earlier of (a) the date 12 months following the Director’s termination of Continuous Service or (b) the Expiration Date.

 

3.4 Removal from the Board for Cause. If the Director is removed from the Board for Cause, the SARs (whether vested or unvested) shall immediately terminate and cease to be exercisable.

 

4. Manner of Exercise.

 

4.1 When to Exercise. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or this Agreement, the Director (or in the case of exercise after the Director’s death or incapacity, the Director’s executor, administrator, heir or legatee, as the case may be) may exercise his or her vested SARs, in whole or in part, at any time after vesting and until the Expiration Date or earlier termination pursuant to Section 3 hereof, by following the procedures set forth in this Section 4. If partially exercised, the Director may exercise the remaining unexercised portion of the SARs at any time after vesting and until the Expiration Date or earlier termination pursuant to Section 3 hereof. No SARs shall be exercisable after the Expiration Date.

 

4.2 Election to Exercise. To exercise the SARs, the Director (or in the case of exercise after the Director’s death or incapacity, the Director’s executor, administrator, heir or legatee, as the case may be) must deliver to the Company a written notice (or notice through another previously approved method, which could include a web-based or e-mail system) to the Secretary of the Company which sets forth the number of SARs being exercised, together with any additional documents the Company may require. Each such notice must satisfy whatever then-current procedures apply to the SARs and must contain such representations as the Company requires.

 

4.3 Documentation of Right to Exercise. If someone other than the Director exercises the SARs, then such person must submit documentation reasonably acceptable to the Company verifying that such person has the legal right to exercise the SARs.

 

 

 

 

4.4 Date of Exercise. The SARs shall be deemed to be exercised on the business day that the Company receives a fully executed exercise notice. If the notice is received after business hours on such date, then the SAR shall be deemed to be exercised on the business date immediately following the business date such notice is received by the Company.

 

5. Form of Payment. Upon the exercise of all or a portion of the SARs, the Director shall be entitled to a cash payment equal to the Appreciation Value of the SARs being exercised, less any amounts withheld pursuant to applicable law.

 

6. Section 409A; No Deferral of Compensation. Neither the Plan nor this Agreement is intended to provide for the deferral of compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). The Company reserves the right to unilaterally amend or modify the Plan or this Agreement, to the extent the Company considers it necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion, to comply with, or to ensure that the SARs granted hereunder are not subject to, Section 409A of the Code.

 

7. No Right to Continued Service on the Board. Neither the Plan nor this Agreement shall confer upon the Director any right to be retained as a Director of the Company. Further, nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall be construed to limit the discretion of the Company, as applicable, to terminate the Director’s Continuous Service at any time.

 

8. Transferability. The SARs are not transferable by the Director other than to a designated beneficiary upon the Director’s death or by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and are exercisable during the Director’s lifetime only by him or her. No assignment or transfer of the SARs, or the rights represented thereby, whether voluntary or involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise (except to a designated beneficiary upon death by will or the laws of descent or distribution) will vest in the assignee or transferee any interest or right herein whatsoever, but immediately upon such assignment or transfer the SARs will terminate and become of no further effect.

 

9. Change in Control.

 

9.1 Effect on SARs. [In the event of a Change in Control, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, the SARs shall become immediately vested and exercisable.

 

OR

 

If a Change in Control occurs and the Director’s Continuous Service is terminated by the Company (other than for Disability, death or Cause) in either case, within 12 months following the Change in Control, 100% of the SARs shall become immediately vested and exercisable.

 

OR

 

Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of a Change in Control, a Change in Control shall have no effect on the SARs.]

 

 

 

 

9.2 Cash-out. In the event of a Change in Control, the Committee may, in its discretion and upon at least ten (10) days’ advance notice to the Director, cancel the SARs and pay to the Director the Appreciation Value of the SARs based upon the price per share of Common Stock received or to be received by other shareholders of the Company in the event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at the time of a Change in Control the Exercise Price of the SAR equals or exceeds the price paid for a share of Common Stock in connection with the Change in Control, the Committee may cancel the SARs without the payment of consideration therefor.

 

10. Adjustments. The SARs may be adjusted or terminated in any manner as contemplated by Section 7 of the Plan.

 

11. Compliance with Law. The exercise of the SARs shall be subject to compliance by the Company and the Director with all Applicable Laws, including the requirements of any stock exchange on which the Company’s shares of Common Stock may be listed. The Director may not exercise the SARs if such exercise would violate any applicable Federal or state securities laws or other laws or regulations.

 

12. Notices. Any notice required to be delivered to the Company under this Agreement shall be in writing and addressed to the Secretary of the Company at the Company’s principal corporate offices. Any notice required to be delivered to the Director under this Agreement shall be in writing and addressed to the Director at the Director’s address as shown in the records of the Company. Either party may designate another address in writing (or by such other method approved by the Company) from time to time.

 

13. Governing Law. This Agreement will be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada without regard to conflict of law principles.

 

14. Interpretation. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted by the Director or the Company to the Committee for review. The resolution of such dispute by the Committee shall be final and binding on the Director and the Company.

 

15. SARs Subject to Plan. This Agreement is subject to the Plan. The terms and provisions of the Plan as it may be amended from time to time are hereby incorporated herein by reference. In the event of a conflict between any term or provision contained herein and a term or provision of the Plan, the applicable terms and provisions of the Plan will govern and prevail.

 

16. Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein, this Agreement will be binding upon the Director and the Director’s beneficiaries, executors, administrators and the person(s) to whom the SARs may be transferred by will or the laws of descent or distribution.

 

17. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of the Plan or this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, and each provision of the Plan and this Agreement shall be severable and enforceable to the extent permitted by law.

 

 

 

 

18. Discretionary Nature of Plan. The Plan is discretionary and may be amended, cancelled or terminated by the Company at any time, in its discretion. The grant of the SARs in this Agreement does not create any contractual right or other right to receive any SARs or other Awards in the future. Future Awards, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company. Any amendment, modification, or termination of the Plan shall not constitute a change or impairment of the terms and conditions of the Director’s employment with the Company.

 

19. Amendment. The Committee has the right to amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or cancel the SAR, prospectively or retroactively; provided, that, no such amendment shall adversely affect the Director’s material rights under this Agreement without the Director’s consent.

 

20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. Counterpart signature pages to this Agreement transmitted by facsimile transmission, by electronic mail in portable document format (.pdf), or by any other electronic means intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance of a document, will have the same effect as physical delivery of the paper document bearing an original signature.

 

21. Acceptance. The Director hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and this Agreement. The Director has read and understands the terms and provisions thereof, and accepts the SARs subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement. The Director acknowledges that there may be adverse tax consequences upon exercise of the SARs and that the Director should consult a tax advisor prior to such exercise.

 

[signature page follows]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  Sigma Labs, Inc.
   
  By:  
  Name: Mark K. Ruport
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
  [NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR NAME]
   
   
  Name: