Exhibit 10.5
2021 Officer PSU Agreement
PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT
THIS PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of the Grant Date (as defined below), by and between Grantee (as defined below) and Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).
WHEREAS, the Company maintains the Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc. 2017 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which is incorporated into and forms a part of this Agreement, and Grantee has been selected by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) or the compensation committee of the Board (the “Committee”) or any authorized delegate to receive an Award of Stock Units (the “Award”) under the Plan and as set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED, by and between the Company and Grantee, as follows:
1.Definitions. The following terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in this Section 1:
a)“Beginning Stock Price” means the volume-weighted average price of a share of stock, as reported in transactions on the applicable stock exchange or market, during the 30 trading days immediately prior to the first trading day of the Performance Period.
b)“Cause” has the meaning set forth in the CIC Severance Plan.
c)“Change in Stock Price” means the difference of the Ending Stock Price minus the Beginning Stock Price.
d)“CIC Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in the CIC Severance Plan.
e)“CIC Severance Plan” means the Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc. Fifth Amended and Restated Executive Change in Control and Severance Plan, as the same may be amended from time to time.
f)“Date of Termination” has the meaning set forth in the CIC Severance Plan.
g)“Designated Beneficiary” means the beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by Grantee in a writing filed with the Company in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
h)“Disability” or “Disabled” has the meaning set forth in the CIC Severance Plan.
i)“Dividends Paid” means the total of all dividends paid on one share of stock during the Performance Period, provided that dividends shall be treated as though they are reinvested.
j)“Eligible Individual” has the meaning set forth in the CIC Severance Plan.
k) “Ending Stock Price” means the volume-weighted average price of a share of stock, as reported in transactions on the applicable stock exchange or market, during the last 30 trading days of the Performance Period.
l)“Good Reason” has the meaning set forth in the CIC Severance Plan.
m)“Grant Date” means the date on which this Award was granted, as set forth in the Grant Notice.
n)“Grantee” means the employee of the Company specified in the grant notice issued by the Company on or about the Grant Date (the “Grant Notice”).
o)"Performance Period" means the period beginning January 1, 2021 and ending December 31, 2023.
p)“Performance Stock Units” means performance-based Stock Units (as defined in the Plan) granted under this Agreement and subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Plan.
q) “Release” has the meaning set forth in the CIC Severance Plan.
r) “Service Agreement” means any applicable agreement between the Company and Grantee regarding Grantee’s Service with the Company.
s)"Total Shareholder Return" or "TSR" shall be calculated as set forth in Section 3(b)(ii).
Capitalized terms used herein without definition have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Plan. Except where the context clearly implies or indicates the contrary, a word, term, or phrase used in the Plan is similarly used in this Agreement.
2.Award. Grantee is hereby granted a Performance Stock Unit award covering the number of Performance Stock Units set forth in the Grant Notice.
3.Vesting. Except as set forth in Sections 4 and 5, the Performance Stock Units shall vest in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in subsection (a) and (b) of this Section 3. A Performance Stock Unit will vest only to the extent it time vests pursuant to Section 3(a) and performance vests pursuant to Section 3(b). Any Performance Stock Units that do not time vest will be forfeited for no consideration upon a Participant’s termination of employment, and any Performance Stock Units that do not performance vest as of the conclusion of the Performance Period in accordance with Section 3(b) will be forfeited for no consideration at the conclusion of the Performance Period.
a)Time Vesting Requirement. Except as otherwise provided herein, 100% of the Performance Stock Unit award granted hereunder shall time vest only if Grantee remains in continuous employment with the Company or any Subsidiary through the end of the Performance Period.
b)TSR Performance Vesting Requirement. The Performance Stock Units subject to this Award (the “PSUs”) shall performance vest based on the Company's "Relative TSR Performance" during the Performance Period and the Company's "Absolute TSR Performance" during the Performance Period (calculated below).
i.Calculation of Company’s Relative TSR Performance. The Company shall determine (1) the Company’s TSR for the Performance Period and (2) the TSR for the Performance Period of each of the Company's forty (40) peer companies as listed on Exhibit B (the "Peer Group"). The Company’s Relative TSR Performance is the percentile ranking of the Company determined by comparing the TSR of the Company to the TSRs of the companies in the Peer Group.
ii.Calculation of Company's Absolute TSR Performance. The Company's Absolute TSR Performance is the Company's TSR for the Performance Period. Total Shareholder Return (or TSR) is calculated as follows:
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Change in Stock Price + Dividends Paid
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Beginning Stock Price
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In all events, TSR shall be adjusted to give effect to any stock dividends, stock splits, reverse stock splits and similar transactions.
iii.PSU Vesting. Subject to Section 3(a), the PSUs shall vest in accordance with the following table:
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Absolute TSR Performance
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<0%
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0%
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10%
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≥25%
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Relative TSR Performance
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<25th Percentile
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0%
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0%
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0%
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0%
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≥25th Percentile
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37.5%
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45%
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50%
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62.5%
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≥50th Percentile
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75%
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90%
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100%
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125%
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≥75th Percentile
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99.75%
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119.7%
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133%
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166.25%
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≥90th Percentile
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120%
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144%
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160%
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200%
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Relative TSR Performance between the 25th and 90th percentile and Absolute TSR Performance between 0% and 25% will be adjusted through linear interpolation.
iv.Changes in Peer Group. When calculating TSR for the Performance Period for the Company and the Peer Group, the following guidelines apply:
A. In the event there is a merger or acquisition involving any of the Peer Group companies during the Performance Period, only the performance of a Peer Group company that is the surviving entity in such merger or acquisition (based on the determination that such company’s pre-transaction shareholders receive the majority of the equity of the post-transaction entity) will continue to be considered as part of the Peer Group on a go-forward basis;
B. In the event there is a merger or acquisition involving any of the Peer Group companies during the Performance Period, with respect to a Peer Group company that does not survive such merger or acquisition, an interim TSR for such Peer Group company shall be computed using an ending stock price equal to its last closing price prior to the closing of the merger or acquisition, such interim TSR shall be compared to the Company’s interim TSR during the same time period, and such Peer Group company’s TSR for the Performance Period shall be permanently deemed either above or below the Company’s TSR for the Performance Period, in a manner consistent with such interim TSR comparison;
C. No new companies will be added to the Peer Group during the Performance Period (including a company that is not a Peer Group member which acquires a member of the Peer Group); and
D. A Peer Group company which files for bankruptcy or is delisted from its stock exchange during the Performance Period will remain in the Peer Group, but its TSR for the Performance Period shall be deemed to be equal to negative 100%.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection (iv), the Committee may disregard any of these guidelines when evaluating changes in the membership of the Peer Group during the Performance Period in any particular situation, as it deems reasonable in the exercise of its discretion.
4.Termination of Services.
a)Termination by Company for any reason other than Cause or by Grantee for Good Reason. Except as may otherwise be provided in any applicable Service Agreement, if the Grantee’s employment is terminated by the Company for any reason other than Cause or by Grantee for Good Reason, a pro-rata portion of the Performance Stock Units shall vest as of such Date of Termination, subject to Grantee’s execution and non-revocation of a Release within 60 days of Grantee’s Date of Termination. Such pro rata portion shall be equal to (i) the number of Performance Stock Units set forth in the Grant Notice (i.e., the number of Performance Stock Units that would be paid out at the target performance level) multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days of the Performance Period the Grantee remained an employee with the Company and the denominator of which is the number of days in the Performance Period. The performance vesting requirements set forth in Section 3(b) shall not apply. All Performance Stock Units that remain unvested following the pro-rata vesting in accordance with this Section 4(a) will be automatically forfeited upon such Date of Termination.
b)Termination by the Company for Cause; resignation by the Grantee not for Good Reason. Except as may otherwise be provided in any applicable Service Agreement, if the Grantee’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or due to a resignation by the Grantee for any reason other than Good Reason, Grantee shall forfeit any Performance Stock Units that have not fully vested in accordance with Section 3 as of the Date of Termination. All Performance Stock Units that are not earned based on performance during the Performance Period will be automatically forfeited as of the end of such Performance Period.
5.Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control, if the Award is (a) continued or assumed or (b) substituted or replaced with an award with respect to cash or shares of the acquirer in such Change in Control, in each case, with substantially equivalent terms and value as the Award; provided that the Committee, in its discretion, may choose to revise or eliminate any performance-based vesting conditions as it deems appropriate (as applicable, “Assumed”), on the CIC Effective Date, and Grantee subsequently incurs a termination of employment covered by Section 5(d) of the CIC Severance Plan (without regard to whether Grantee is an Eligible Individual under the CIC Severance Plan), any unvested Performance Stock Units shall vest in full at the target performance level as of Grantee’s Date of Termination, subject to Grantee’s execution and non-revocation of a Release within 60 days of Grantee’s Date of Termination. If the Award is not assumed on the CIC Effective Date, any unvested Performance Stock Units shall vest in full at the target performance level on the CIC Effective Date and no further benefit or payment shall be provided in respect thereof.
6.Payment. Payment in respect of vested Performance Stock Units shall be made by the Company as soon as administratively practicable (and in no event later than 74 days) after the applicable vesting date. The Company shall settle vested Performance Stock Units by issuing Grantee a number of shares of Stock equal to the number of vested Performance Stock Units.
7.Withholding.
a)Any income taxes, FICA, state disability insurance or other similar payroll and withholding taxes (“Withholding Obligation”) arising with respect to the Performance Stock Units are the sole responsibility of Grantee. Any Withholding Obligation that arises as a result of the payment of cash amounts pursuant to the Dividend Equivalent Right set forth in Section 9 below shall be withheld by the Company in cash from the amounts paid. Any Withholding Obligation that arises as a result of the settlement of vested Performance Stock Units through granting of Stock pursuant to Section 6 above shall be settled pursuant to Sections 7(b) or 7(c) below.
b)By accepting this Agreement, Grantee hereby elects, effective on the Grant Date, to sell shares of Stock held by Grantee in an amount and at such time as is determined in accordance with this Section 7(b), and to allow the Agent, as defined below, to remit the cash proceeds of such sales to the Company as more specifically set forth below (a “Sell to Cover”) to permit Grantee to satisfy the Withholding Obligation to the extent the Withholding Obligation is not otherwise satisfied pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(c) below and further acknowledges and agrees to the following provisions:
i.Grantee hereby irrevocably appoints the Company’s designated broker E*TRADE Securities LLC, or such other broker as the Company may select, as Grantee’s agent (the “Agent”), and authorizes and directs the Agent to:
1.Sell on the open market at the then prevailing market price(s), on Grantee’s behalf, as soon as practicable on or after the delivery of Stock in settlement of vested Performance Stock Units, the number (rounded up to the next whole number) of shares of Stock sufficient to generate proceeds to cover the satisfaction of the Withholding Obligation arising from the settlement of the vested Performance Stock Units to the extent not otherwise satisfied pursuant to Section 7(c) and all applicable fees and commissions due to, or required to be collected by, the Agent with respect thereto;
2.Remit directly to the Company the proceeds necessary to satisfy the Withholding Obligation;
3.Retain the amount required to cover all applicable fees and commissions due to, or required to be collected by, the Agent, relating directly to the sale; and
4.Deposit any remaining funds in Grantee’s account.
ii.Grantee acknowledges that Grantee’s election to Sell to Cover and the corresponding authorization and instruction to the Agent set forth in Section 7(b) is intended to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1) under the Exchange Act, and to be interpreted to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act (Grantee’s election to Sell to Cover and the provisions of Section 7(b), collectively, the “10b5-1 Plan”). Grantee acknowledges that by accepting this Award, he or she is adopting the 10b5-1 Plan to permit Grantee to satisfy the Withholding Obligation. Grantee hereby authorizes the Company and the Agent to cooperate and communicate with one another to determine the number of shares of Stock that must be sold pursuant to Section 7(b) to satisfy the Withholding Obligation.
iii.Grantee acknowledges that the Agent is under no obligation to arrange for the sale of Stock at any particular price under this 10b5-1 Plan and that the Agent may effect sales as provided in this 10b5-1 Plan in one or more sales and that the average price for executions resulting from bunched orders may be assigned to Grantee’s account. In addition, Grantee acknowledges that it may not be possible to sell shares of Stock as provided for in this 10b5-1 Plan and in the event of the Agent’s inability to sell shares of Stock, Grantee will continue to be responsible for the Withholding Obligation.
iv.Grantee hereby agrees to execute and deliver to the Agent any other agreements or documents as the Agent reasonably deems necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and intent of this 10b5-1 Plan. The Agent is a third-party beneficiary of Section 7(b) and the terms of this 10b5-1 Plan.
v.Grantee’s election to Sell to Cover and to enter into this 10b5-1 Plan is irrevocable. This 10b5-1 Plan shall terminate not later than the date on which the Withholding Obligation arising from the payment of the vested Performance Stock Units is satisfied.
c)Alternatively, or in addition to or in combination with the Sell to Cover provided for under Section 7(b), if authorized by the Committee, Grantee may satisfy the Withholding Obligation through Grantee surrendering shares of Stock to which Grantee is otherwise entitled to under the Plan with an aggregate fair market value that is not more than the maximum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to such taxable income).
8.No Stockholder Rights. Grantee shall have no voting, dividend, or other stockholder rights in respect of the Performance Stock Units granted hereunder. Upon the issuance of shares of Stock as payment under this Agreement, Grantee shall have all of the rights of a stockholder with respect to such shares of Stock as of the date Grantee becomes the record owner of such shares.
9.Dividend Equivalent Right. Grantee shall be entitled to a Dividend Equivalent Right entitling Grantee, with respect to each Performance Stock Unit, to receive a cash payment based on the regular cash dividends that would have been paid on a share of Stock during the period commencing on the Grant Date of the Performance Stock Units and ending on the date the Performance Stock Units are paid pursuant to Section 6. All amounts payable as a result of such Dividend Equivalent Right shall be accumulated and paid to Grantee in cash on the date that payment is made in respect of the related Performance Stock Units in accordance with Section 6, above. For the sake of clarity, no Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be paid in respect of PSUs that are forfeited.
10.Heirs and Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the Company and its successors and assigns, and upon any person acquiring, whether by merger, consolidation, purchase of assets or otherwise, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets and business. If any rights of Grantee or benefits distributable to Grantee under this Agreement have not been exercised or distributed, respectively, at the time of Grantee’s death, such rights shall be exercisable by the Designated Beneficiary, and such benefits shall be distributed to the Designated Beneficiary, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Plan. If a deceased Grantee fails to designate a beneficiary, or if the Designated Beneficiary does not survive Grantee, any rights that would have been exercisable by Grantee and any benefits distributable to Grantee shall be exercised by or distributed to the legal representative of the estate of Grantee. If a deceased Grantee designates a beneficiary and the Designated Beneficiary survives Grantee but dies before the Designated Beneficiary’s exercise of all rights under this Agreement or before the complete distribution of benefits to the Designated Beneficiary under this Agreement, then any rights that would have been exercisable by the Designated Beneficiary shall be exercised by the legal representative of the estate of the Designated Beneficiary, and any benefits distributable to the Designated Beneficiary shall be distributed to the legal representative of the estate of the Designated Beneficiary.
11.Administration. The authority to manage and control the operation and administration of this Agreement shall be vested in the Board or the Committee, and the Board or the Committee shall have all powers with respect to this Agreement as it has with respect to the Plan. Any interpretation of the Agreement by the Board or the Committee and any decision made by it with respect to the Agreement is final and binding on all persons.
12.Plan Governs. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the terms of this Agreement shall be subject to the terms of the Plan, a copy of which may be obtained by Grantee from the office of the Secretary of the Company, and this Agreement is subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations promulgated by the Board or the Committee from time to time pursuant to the Plan. For clarity, if Grantee participates in the CIC Severance Plan, nothing in this Agreement is intended to supersede any provisions of the CIC Severance Plan, including without limitation the definitions of “Cause,” Disability” and “Good Reason” therein, and in the event of any conflict between this Agreement and the CIC Severance Plan, the provisions of the CIC Severance Plan shall control.
13.Fractional Shares. In lieu of issuing a fraction of a share of Stock resulting from an adjustment of the Award pursuant to Section 17.4 of the Plan or otherwise, the Company will be entitled to pay to Grantee an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of such fractional share.
14.Not An Employment Contract. The Award will not confer on Grantee any right with respect to continuance of employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary, nor will it interfere in any way with any right the Company or any Subsidiary would otherwise have to terminate or modify the terms of such Grantee’s Service at any time.
15.Notices. Any written notices provided for in this Agreement or the Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given if either hand delivered or if sent by fax or overnight courier, or by postage paid first class mail. Notices sent by mail shall be deemed received three business days after mailing but in no event later than the date of actual receipt. Notices shall be directed, if to Grantee, at Grantee’s address indicated by the Company’s records, or if to the Company, at the Company’s principal executive office.
16.Amendment. This Agreement may be amended in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, and may otherwise be amended by written agreement of Grantee and the Company without the consent of any other person.
17.409A Savings Clause. All amounts payable hereunder are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A, and this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly.
18.Electronic Acceptance. By logging into and accepting this Agreement through Grantee’s account with the Agent, Grantee (a) understands, represents, acknowledges and agrees to be bound by this Agreement as if Grantee had manually signed this Agreement, (b) agrees that Agent or its designee shall obtain and retain custody of the shares of Stock issuable upon settlement of vested Performance Stock Units until such time as all withholding obligations have been satisfied, (c) elects to conduct a Sell to Cover to satisfy the Withholding Obligation in accordance with Section 7(b) of the Agreement, (d) represents and warrants that (i) Grantee has carefully reviewed Section 7(b) of this Agreement, (ii) Grantee is not subject to any legal, regulatory or contractual restriction that would prevent the Agent from conducting sales and does not have, and will not attempt to exercise, authority, influence or control over any sales of Stock effected by the Agent and (iii) as of the date Grantee accepts this Agreement, Grantee is not aware or in possession of any material, nonpublic information with respect to the Company or its affiliates or any of their respective securities. In the event that Grantee does not accept this Agreement through the Agent’s online grant acceptance system within 90 days of the Grant Date, the Company shall have the option, but not the obligation, to cancel and revoke the Award represented by this Agreement, and the Award shall be forfeited by Grantee without any further consideration.
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Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc. 2017 Long Term Incentive Plan Beneficiary Designation
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Primary Beneficiary
I hereby designate the following person or persons as primary Beneficiaries of my Account under the Plan payable in the event of my death.
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Name:
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Name:
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Social Security Number:
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Social Security Number:
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Address:
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Address:
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Date of Birth:
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Date of Birth:
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Relationship to Participant:
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Relationship to Participant:
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Percentage:
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Percentage:
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The total of the percentages cannot exceed 100%. When more than one Beneficiary is designated, and no percentage is specified, payment will be made in equal shares to each surviving Beneficiary, or all to the last surviving Beneficiary.
Contingent Beneficiary
In the event that there is no living primary Beneficiary at my death, I hereby designate the following person or persons as contingent Beneficiaries of my Account:
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Name:
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Name:
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Social Security Number:
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Social Security Number:
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Address:
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Address:
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Date of Birth:
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Date of Birth:
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Relationship to Participant:
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Relationship to Participant:
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Percentage:
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Percentage:
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The total of the percentages cannot exceed 100%. When more than one Beneficiary is designated, and no percentage is specified, payment will be made in equal shares to each surviving Beneficiary, or all to the last surviving Beneficiary.
Participant Signature
I reserve the right to revoke or change any Beneficiary designation. I hereby revoke all my prior designations (if any) of primary and contingent Beneficiaries.
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Signature
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DATE
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Print Name
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Please return this form to Human Resources when you have completed it.
Peer Group
1.Abraxas Petroleum Corporation
2.Amplify Energy Corp.
3.Battalion Oil Corporation
4.Berry Corporation
5.California Resources Corporation
6.Callon Petroleum Company
7.Centennial Resource Development, Inc.
8.Cimarex Energy Co.
9.Contango Oil & Gas Company
10.Continental Resources, Inc.
11.Denbury Inc.
12.Devon Energy Corporation
13.Diamondback Energy, Inc.
14.Earthstone Energy, Inc.
15.EOG Resources, Inc.
16.Evolution Petroleum Corporation
17.Hess Corporation
18.HighPeak Energy, Inc.
19.Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
20.Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation
21.Marathon Oil Corporation
22.Matador Resources Company
23.Murphy Oil Corporation
24.Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.
25.Oasis Petroleum Inc.
26.PDC Energy, Inc.
27.Penn Virginia Corporation
28.Pioneer Natural Resources Company
29.Ring Energy, Inc.
30.SandRidge Energy, Inc.
31.SM Energy Company
32.SilverBow Resources, Inc.
33.Talos Energy Inc.
34.W&T Offshore, Inc.
35.Whiting Petroleum Corporation
BONANZA CREEK ENERGY, INC.
2021 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
(Effective June 2, 2021)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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1. PURPOSE.
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2. DEFINITIONS.
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2.1 “Affiliate”
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2.2 “Award”
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2.3 “Award Document”
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2.4 “Board”
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2.5 “Change in Control” means
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2.6 “Code”
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2.7 “Committee”
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2.8 “Company”
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2.9 “Dividend Equivalent Right”
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2.10 “Effective Date”
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2.11 “Exchange Act”
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2.12 “Fair Market Value”
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2.13 “Family Member”
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2.14 “GAAP”
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2.15 “Grant Date”
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2.16 “Grantee”
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2.17 “Incentive Stock Option”
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2.18 “Intrinsic Value”
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2.19 “Non-qualified Stock Option”
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2.20 “Option”
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2.21 “Option Price”
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2.22 “Other Stock Award”
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2.23 “Outside Director”
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2.24 “Performance Award”
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2.25 “Plan”
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2.26 “Purchase Price”
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2.27 “Restricted Period”
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2.28 “Restricted Stock”
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2.29 “SAR Exercise Price”
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2.30 “Securities Act”
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2.31 “Service”
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2.32 “Service Provider”
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2.33 “Stock”
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2.34 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR”
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2.35 “Stock Unit”
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2.36 “Subsidiary”
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2.37 “Substitute Awards”
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2.38 “Ten Percent Stockholder”
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2.39 “Total Shares”
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2.40 “Unrestricted Stock”
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3. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.
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3.1 Board
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3.2 Delegation of Authority
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3.3 Terms of Awards
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3.4 Deferral Arrangement
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3.5 No Liability.
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3.6 Book Entry.
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4. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
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4.1 Share Reserve
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4.2 Prohibition on Liberal Share Recycling
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4.3 Assumption or Substitution of Awards
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5. EFFECTIVE DATE, DURATION AND AMENDMENTS.
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5.1 Effective Date
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5.2 Term
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5.3 Amendment and Termination of the Plan
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6. AWARD ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITATIONS.
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6.1 Service Providers and Other Persons
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6.2 Successive Awards and Substitute Awards
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6.3 Director Award Limitations
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6.4 Minimum Vesting Schedule
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7. AWARD AGREEMENT.
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8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.
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8.1 Option Price
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8.2 Vesting
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8.3 Term
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8.4 Termination of Service
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8.5 Limitations on Exercise of Option
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8.6 Method of Exercise
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8.7 Rights of Holders of Options
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8.8 Delivery of Stock Certificates
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8.9 Transferability of Options
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8.10 Family Transfers
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8.11 Limitations on Incentive Stock Options
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9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
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9.1 Right to Payment and Grant Price
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9.2 Other Terms
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10. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK AND STOCK UNITS.
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10.1 Grant of Restricted Stock or Stock Units
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10.2 Restrictions
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10.3 Restricted Stock Certificates
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10.4 Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock
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10.5 Rights of Holders of Stock Units
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10.6 Termination of Service
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10.7 Purchase of Restricted Stock
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10.8 Delivery of Stock
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11. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OTHER STOCK AWARDS.
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12. FORM OF PAYMENT FOR OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK.
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12.1 General Rule
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12.2 Surrender of Stock.
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12.3 Cashless Exercise
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12.4 Other Forms of Payment
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13. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS.
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13.1 Dividend Equivalent Rights
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13.2 Termination of Service
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14. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERFORMANCE AWARDS.
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15. PARACHUTE LIMITATIONS.
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16. REQUIREMENTS OF LAW.
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16.1 General
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16.2 Rule 16b-3
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17. EFFECT OF CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION.
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17.1 Changes in Stock
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17.2 Reorganization in Which the Company Is the Surviving Entity Which does not Constitute a Change in Control
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17.3 Change in Control
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17.4 Adjustments
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17.5 No Limitations on Company
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18. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
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18.1 Disclaimer of Rights
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18.2 Nonexclusivity of the Plan
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18.3 Withholding Taxes
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18.4 Captions
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18.5 Other Provisions
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18.6 Number and Gender
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18.7 Severability
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18.8 Governing Law
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18.9 Section 409A of the Code
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BONANZA CREEK ENERGY, INC.
2021 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), sets forth herein the terms of its 2021 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), as follows:
1.PURPOSE.
The Plan is intended to enhance the Company’s and its Affiliates’ (as defined herein) ability to attract and retain highly qualified officers, directors, key employees, and other persons, and to motivate such persons to serve the Company and its Affiliates and to expend maximum effort to improve the business results and earnings of the Company, by providing to such persons an opportunity to acquire or increase a direct proprietary interest in the operations and future success of the Company. To this end, the Plan provides for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock units, other stock awards (including unrestricted stock), dividend equivalent rights and cash awards. Any of these awards may, but need not, be made as performance incentives to reward attainment of annual or long-term performance goals in accordance with the terms hereof. Stock options granted under the Plan may be non-qualified stock options or incentive stock options, as provided herein.
2.DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of interpreting the Plan and related documents (including Award Documents), the following definitions shall apply:
2.1.“Affiliate” means, with respect to the Company, any company or other trade or business that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 of Regulation C under the Securities Act, including, without limitation, any Subsidiary.
2.2.“Award” means a grant of an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Other Stock Award, Unrestricted Stock, Stock Unit, Dividend Equivalent Rights, or cash award under the Plan.
2.3.“Award Document” means any written or electronic agreement, contract or other instrument or document that evidences and sets out the terms and conditions of an Award, which may, but need not, be executed or acknowledged by a Grantee.
2.4.“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.5.“Change in Control” means
(i)the acquisition after the Effective Date by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of either (a) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (b) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”). For purposes of this Section 2.6, the following acquisitions by a Person will not constitute a Change in Control: (I) any acquisition directly from the Company; (II) any acquisition by the Company; (III) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company; (IV) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (a), (b) and (c) of Section 2.6(iii) below; or (V) any acquisition, within 18 months following the Effective Date, by any Person who, as of the Effective Date, holds 5% or more of the Outstanding Common Stock or the Outstanding Company Voting Securities;
(ii)the individuals who, as of the later of the date hereof or the last amendment to this Plan approved by the Board, constitute the board of directors (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the board of directors. Any individual becoming a director subsequent to the later of the date hereof or the last amendment to this Plan approved by the Board whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, is approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board will be considered a member of the Incumbent Board as of the later of the date hereof or the last amendment to this Plan approved by the Board, but any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Incumbent Board of Directors will not be deemed a member of the Incumbent Board as of the later of the date hereof or the last amendment to this Plan approved by the Board;
(iii)the consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company after the Effective Date (a “Business Combination”), unless following such Business Combination: (a) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent securities) and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such 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 as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (b) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 30% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent securities) of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination
and (c) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or
(iv)the approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award that is characterized as “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, an event shall not be considered to be a Change in Control under the Plan for purposes of payment of such Award unless such event is also a “change in ownership,” a “change in effective control” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.
2.6.“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as now in effect or as hereafter amended.
2.7.“Committee” means the Company’s Compensation Committee.
2.8.“Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
2.9. “Dividend Equivalent Right” means a right, granted to a Grantee under Section 13 hereof, to receive cash, Stock, other Awards or other property equal in value to dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock, or other periodic payments.
2.10.“Effective Date” means June 2, 2021, the date the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders in accordance with the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware.
2.11.“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as now in effect or as hereafter amended.
2.12.“Fair Market Value” means the value of a share of Stock, determined as follows: if on the Grant Date or other determination date the Stock is listed on an established national or regional stock exchange, is admitted to quotation on The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. or is publicly traded on an established securities market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of the Stock on such exchange or in such market (if there is more than one such exchange or market the Board shall determine the appropriate exchange or market) on the Grant Date or such other determination date (or if there is no such reported closing price, the Fair Market Value shall be the mean between the highest bid and lowest asked prices or between the high and low sale prices on such trading day) or, if no sale of Stock is reported for such trading day, on the next preceding day on which any sale shall have been reported. If the Stock is not listed on such an exchange, quoted on such system or traded on such a market, Fair Market Value shall be the value of the Stock as determined by the Board in good faith. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of reporting and calculating taxable income and applicable tax withholdings, the Company may use any reasonable method to determine the Fair Market Value, including (i) using the closing price of the Stock on the applicable exchange or
in the applicable market on the date immediately prior to the determination date, and (ii) in the event the Grantee makes arrangements with the Company to satisfy the tax withholdings required by Section 18.3 pursuant to a same day “sell-to-cover” or similar transaction, treating Fair Market Value as the amount received upon sale of the Stock in such same day “sell-to-cover” or similar transaction.
2.13.“Family Member” means a person who is a spouse, former spouse, child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother, sister, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, of the Grantee, any person sharing the Grantee’s household (other than a tenant or employee), a trust in which any one or more of these persons have more than fifty percent of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which any one or more of these persons (or the Grantee) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which one or more of these persons (or the Grantee) own more than fifty percent of the voting interests.
2.14.“GAAP” means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
2.15.“Grant Date” means, as determined by the Board, the latest to occur of (i) the date as of which the Board approves an Award, (ii) the date on which the recipient of an Award first becomes eligible to receive an Award under Section 6 hereof, or (iii) such other date as may be specified by the Board.
2.16.“Grantee” means a person who receives or holds an Award under the Plan.
2.17.“Incentive Stock Option” means an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, or the corresponding provision of any subsequently enacted tax statute, as amended from time to time.
2.18.“Intrinsic Value” means, (i) with respect to an Option or SAR, the product of (x) the excess, if any, of (A) the price or implied price per share of Stock in a Change in Control over (B) the exercise or grant price of such Option or SAR multiplied by (y) the number of shares of Stock covered by such Option or SAR, and (ii) with respect to any other Stock-based Award, the product of (A) the price or implied price per share of Stock in a Change of Control multiplied by (B) the number of shares of Stock covered by such other Stock-based Award.
2.19.“Non-qualified Stock Option” means an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
2.20.“Option” means an option to purchase one or more shares of Stock pursuant to the Plan.
2.21.“Option Price” means the exercise price for each share of Stock subject to an Option.
2.22.“Other Stock Award” means an Award pursuant to Section 11 hereof
2.23.“Outside Director” means a member of the Board who is not an officer or employee of the Company.
2.24.“Performance Award” means an Award made subject to the attainment of performance goals (as described in Section 14) over a performance period of up to ten (10) years.
2.25.“Plan” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
2.26.“Prior Plan” means the Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc. 2017 Long Term Incentive Plan.
2.27.“Purchase Price” means the purchase price for each share of Stock pursuant to a grant of Restricted Stock or Unrestricted Stock.
2.28.“Restricted Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.
2.29.“Restricted Stock” means shares of Stock, awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Section 10 hereof.
2.30.“SAR Exercise Price” means the per share exercise price of an SAR granted to a Grantee under Section 9 hereof.
2.31.“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as now in effect or as hereafter amended.
2.32.“Service” means service as a Service Provider to the Company or an Affiliate. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Document, a Grantee’s change in position or duties shall not result in interrupted or terminated Service, so long as such Grantee continues to be a Service Provider to the Company or an Affiliate. Subject to the preceding sentence, whether a termination of Service shall have occurred for purposes of the Plan shall be determined by the Board, which determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.
2.33.“Service Provider” means an employee, officer or director of the Company or an Affiliate, or any natural person who is a consultant or advisor currently providing services to the Company or an Affiliate.
2.34.“Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company, or any security into which such common stock may be changed, reclassified or converted pursuant to any transaction or event of the type described in Section 17.
2.35.“Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right granted to a Grantee under Section 9 hereof.
2.36.“Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent of one or more shares of Stock as indicated in the Award Document awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Section 10 hereof.
2.37.“Subsidiary” means any “subsidiary corporation” of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.
2.38.“Substitute Awards” means Awards granted upon assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by a company or other entity acquired by the Company or any Affiliate or with which the Company or any Affiliate combines.
2.39.“Ten Percent Stockholder” means an individual who owns more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding stock of the Company, its parent or any of its Subsidiaries. In determining stock ownership, the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code shall be applied.
2.40.“Total Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 4 hereof.
2.41.“Unrestricted Stock” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 11 hereof pursuant to which the Grantee may receive shares of Stock free of any restrictions under the Plan.
3.ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.
3.1.Board.
The Board shall have such powers and authorities related to the administration of the Plan as are consistent with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws and applicable law. The Board shall have full power and authority to take all actions and to make all determinations required or provided for under the Plan, any Award or any Award Document, and shall have full power and authority to take all such other actions and make all such other determinations not inconsistent with the specific terms and provisions of the Plan that the Board deems to be necessary or appropriate to the administration of the Plan, any Award or any Award Document. All such actions and determinations shall be by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Board present at a meeting or by unanimous consent of the Board executed in writing in accordance with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws and applicable law. The interpretation and construction by the Board of any provision of the Plan, any Award or any Award Document shall be final, binding and conclusive.
3.2.Delegation of Authority.
The Board from time to time may delegate to the Committee, any other separate committees of the Board, or to one or more officers of the Company, such powers and authorities related to the administration and implementation of the Plan, as set forth in Section 3.1 above and other applicable provisions, as the Board shall determine, consistent with the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Company and applicable law.
(i)Except as provided in subsection 3.2(ii) of this Section 3.2 and except as the Board may otherwise determine, the Committee, if any, appointed by the Board to administer the Plan shall consist of two (2) or more Outside Directors of the Company who meet such requirements as may be established from time to time by the Securities and Exchange Commission for plans intended to qualify for exemption under Rule 16b-3 (or its successor) under the Exchange Act.
(ii)The Board may also appoint one or more separate committees of the Board, each composed of one or more directors of the Company who need not be Outside Directors, who may administer the Plan with respect to employees or other Service Providers who are not officers or directors of the Company, may grant Awards under the Plan to such employees or other Service Providers, and may determine all terms of such Awards.
(iii)The Board may also appoint one or more officers of the Company, who may administer the Plan with respect to employees or other Service Providers who are not officers or directors of the Company, may grant Awards under the Plan to such employees or other Service Providers, and may determine all terms of such Awards.
In the event that the Plan, any Award or any Award Document entered into hereunder provides for any action to be taken by or determination to be made by the Board, such action may be taken or such determination may be made by the Committee or such other delegate if the power and authority to do so has been delegated to the Committee or such other delegate by the Board as provided for in this Section 3.2. Unless otherwise expressly determined by the Board, any such action or determination by the Committee or such other delegate shall be final, binding and conclusive. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee may delegate its authority under the Plan to a member of the Board; but no other delegate hereunder may further delegate its authority.
3.3.Terms of Awards.
Subject to the other terms and conditions of the Plan, the Board shall have full and final authority to:
(i)designate Grantees,
(ii)determine the type or types of Awards to be made to a Grantee,
(iii)determine the number of shares of Stock to be subject to an Award,
(iv)establish the terms and conditions of each Award (including, but not limited to, the exercise price of any Option, the nature and duration of any restriction or condition (or provision for lapse thereof) relating to the vesting, exercise, transfer, or forfeiture of an Award or the shares of Stock subject thereto, and any terms or conditions that may be necessary to qualify Options as Incentive Stock Options),
(v)prescribe the form of each Award Document evidencing an Award,
(vi)make Awards to Grantees who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States, or both, on such terms and conditions different from those applicable to Awards to employees employed in the United States as may, in the judgment of the Board, be necessary or desirable in order to recognize differences in local law or tax policy. The Board also may impose conditions on the exercise or vesting of Awards in order to minimize the Company’s obligation with respect to tax equalization for employees on assignments outside their home country; and
(vii)amend, modify, or supplement the terms of any outstanding Award.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, modification or supplement of any Award shall, without the consent of the Grantee, materially impair the Grantee’s rights under such Award.
The Company may retain the right in an Award Document to cause a forfeiture of the gain realized by a Grantee on account of actions taken by the Grantee in violation or breach of or in conflict with any employment agreement, non-competition agreement, any agreement prohibiting solicitation of employees or clients of the Company or any Affiliate thereof or any confidentiality obligation with respect to the Company or any Affiliate thereof or otherwise in competition with the Company or any Affiliate thereof, to the extent specified in such Award Document applicable to the Grantee. The Company may annul an Award if the Grantee is an employee of the Company or an Affiliate thereof and is terminated for cause as defined in the applicable Award Document.
The grant of any Award shall be contingent upon the Grantee executing (in writing or electronically) the appropriate Award Document.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment or modification may be made to an outstanding Option or SAR without the approval of the stockholders of the Company to (i) reduces the Option Price or SAR Exercise Price, either by lowering the Option Price or SAR Exercise Price or by canceling the outstanding Option or SAR in exchange for cash, other Awards or an Option or SAR with a lower Option Price or SAR Exercise Price (as applicable) or (ii) take any other action that would be considered a “repricing” of an Option or SAR under the applicable listing standards of the national securities exchange on which the Stock is listed (if any); provided, that, appropriate adjustments may be made to outstanding Options and SARs pursuant to Section 17.
3.4.Deferral Arrangement.
The Board may permit or require the deferral of any award payment into a deferred compensation arrangement, subject to such rules and procedures as it may establish, which may include provisions for the payment or crediting of interest or dividend equivalents, including converting such credits into deferred Stock equivalents. Any such deferrals shall be made in a manner that complies with Section 409A.
3.5.No Liability.
No member of the Board or of the Committee, nor any other delegate hereunder, shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award or Award Document.
3.6.Book Entry.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, the Company may elect to satisfy any requirement under this Plan for the delivery of stock certificates through the use of book-entry.
4.STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
4.1.Share Reserve.
Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 17 hereof, the number of shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall be the sum of (a) 700,000 plus (b) the number of shares of Stock available for issuance under the Prior Plan and which, as of the Effective Date, are not subject to outstanding awards granted under the Prior Plan (the “Total Shares”). The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be delivered to Grantees and their beneficiaries with respect to Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan is equal to the Total Shares. Stock issued or to be issued under the Plan shall be authorized but unissued shares; or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, issued shares that have been reacquired by the Company. If any Award granted under the Plan or the Prior Plan expires or is canceled or forfeited, or if an Award granted under the Plan or the Prior Plan is settled in cash or otherwise terminates without delivery of any Stock subject thereto, then the number of shares of Stock counted against the aggregate number of shares available under the Plan with respect to such Award shall again be available for issuance under the Plan.
4.2.Prohibition on Liberal Share Recycling.
If any Award of SARs is settled in shares of Stock, then the number of SARs subject to the Award shall be deemed delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of shares of Stock available for delivery under the Plan, regardless of the number of shares of Stock that are issued upon the settlement of such SARs. In addition, if the Option Price of any Option granted under the Plan, or if pursuant to Section 18.3 the withholding obligation of any Grantee with respect to an Option or other Award, is satisfied by tendering shares of Stock to the Company (by either actual delivery or by attestation) or by withholding shares of Stock, the number of shares of Stock issued including the shares of Stock tendered or withheld shall be deemed delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of shares of Stock available for delivery under the Plan.
4.3.Assumption or Substitution of Awards.
The Board shall have the right to substitute or assume Awards in connection with mergers, reorganizations, separations, or other transactions to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies. The number of Total Shares reserved shall be increased by the corresponding number of Awards assumed and, in the case of a substitution, by the net increase in the number of shares of Stock subject to Awards before and after the substitution.
5.EFFECTIVE DATE, DURATION AND AMENDMENTS.
5.1.Effective Date.
The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date. On and after the Effective Date, no grants will be made under the Prior Plan, provided that outstanding awards granted under the Prior Plan will continue unaffected following the Effective Date.
5.2.Term.
The Plan may be terminated by the Board as provided in Section 5.3; provided, however, that no Awards may be granted under the Plan after the ten-year anniversary of the Effective Date.
5.3.Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
The Board may, at any time and from time to time, amend, suspend, or terminate the Plan as to any shares of Stock as to which Awards have not been made. An amendment shall be contingent on approval of the Company’s stockholders to the extent stated by the Board, required by applicable law or required by applicable stock exchange listing requirements. In addition, an amendment will be contingent on approval of the Company’s stockholders if the amendment would: (i) materially increase the benefits accruing to participants under the Plan, (ii) materially increase the aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan or (iii) materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Plan. No Awards shall be made after termination of the Plan. No amendment, suspension, or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Grantee, impair rights or obligations under any Award theretofore awarded under the Plan.
6.AWARD ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITATIONS.
6.1.Service Providers and Other Persons.
Subject to this Section 6, Awards may be made under the Plan to: (i) any Service Provider to the Company or of any Affiliate, including any Service Provider who is an officer or director of the Company, or of any Affiliate, as the Board shall determine and designate from time to time, and (ii) any Outside Director.
6.2.Successive Awards and Substitute Awards.
An eligible person may receive more than one (1) Award, subject to such restrictions as are provided herein. Notwithstanding 8.1 and 9.1 the Option Price of an Option or the grant price of an SAR that is a Substitute Award may be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the original date of grant provided that the Option Price or grant price is determined in accordance with the principles of Code Section 424 and the regulations thereunder.
6.3.Director Award Limitations .
In any calendar year, no Outside Director shall be granted Awards under the Plan for Service on the Board that, together with any cash retainers or fees earned by such Outside Director for such year, have an aggregate fair value as of the grant date (as determined in accordance with applicable accounting standards) in excess of $750,000.
6.4.Minimum Vesting Schedule.
Except as set forth below, a vesting period of at least one (1) year shall apply to all Awards issued under the Plan. Up to 5% of the shares of Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan as of the Effective Date may be issued pursuant to Awards that are do not comply with such minimum one (1) year vesting period.
7.AWARD AGREEMENT.
Each Award granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Document, in such written or electronic form or forms as the Board shall from time to time determine. Award Documents granted from time to time or at the same time need not contain similar provisions but shall be consistent with the terms of the Plan. Each Award Document evidencing an Award of Options shall specify whether such Options are intended to be Non- qualified Stock Options or Incentive Stock Options, and in the absence of such specification such options shall be deemed Non-qualified Stock Options.
8.TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.
8.1.Option Price.
The Option Price of each Option shall be fixed by the Board and stated in the Award Document evidencing such Option. The Option Price of each Option shall be at least the Fair Market Value on the Grant Date of a share of Stock; provided, however, that in the event that a Grantee is a Ten Percent Stockholder, the Option Price of an Option granted to such Grantee that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the Grant Date. In no case shall the Option Price of any Option be less than the par value of a share of Stock.
8.2.Vesting.
Subject to 8.3 and 17.3 hereof, each Option granted under the Plan shall become exercisable at such times and under such conditions as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the Award Document. For purposes of this Section 8.2, fractional numbers of shares of Stock subject to an Option shall be rounded down to the next nearest whole number.
8.3.Term.
Each Option granted under the Plan shall terminate, and all rights to purchase shares of Stock thereunder shall cease, upon the expiration of ten (10) years from the date such Option is granted, or under such circumstances and on such date prior thereto as is set forth in the Plan or as may be fixed by the Board and stated in the Award Document relating to such Option; provided, however, that in the event that the Grantee is a Ten Percent Stockholder, an Option granted to such Grantee that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from its Grant Date.
8.4.Termination of Service.
Each Award Document shall set forth the extent to which the Grantee shall have the right to exercise the Option following termination of the Grantee’s Service. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Board, need not be uniform among all Options issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of Service.
8.5.Limitations on Exercise of Option.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in no event may any Option be exercised, in whole or in part, after the occurrence of an event referred to in Section 17 hereof which results in termination of the Option.
8.6.Method of Exercise.
An Option that is exercisable may be exercised by the Grantee’s delivery to the Company of written notice of exercise on any business day, at the Company’s principal office, on the form specified by the Company. Such notice shall specify the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the Option is being exercised and shall be accompanied by payment in full, in a form of payment as provided in Section 12 hereof, of the Option Price of the shares for which the Option is being exercised plus the amount (if any) of federal and/or other taxes which the Company may, in its judgment, be required to withhold with respect to an Award.
8.7.Rights of Holders of Options.
Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Document, an individual holding or exercising an Option shall have none of the rights of a stockholder (for example, the right to receive cash or dividend payments or distributions attributable to the subject shares of Stock or to direct the voting of the subject shares of Stock) until the shares of Stock covered thereby are issued to such individual. Except as provided in Section 17 hereof, no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date of such issuance.
8.8.Delivery of Stock Certificates.
Subject to Section 3.6, promptly after the exercise of an Option by a Grantee and the payment in full of the Option Price, such Grantee shall be entitled to the issuance of a stock certificate or certificates evidencing such Grantee’s ownership of the shares of Stock subject to the Option.
8.9.Transferability of Options.
Except as provided in Section 8.10, during the lifetime of a Grantee, only the Grantee (or, in the event of legal incapacity or incompetency, the Grantee’s guardian or legal representative) may exercise an Option. Except as provided in Section 8.10, no Option shall be assignable or transferable by the Grantee to whom it is granted, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
8.10.Family Transfers.
If authorized in the applicable Award Document, a Grantee may transfer, not for value, all or part of an Option which is not an Incentive Stock Option to any Family Member. For the purpose of this Section 8.10, a “not for value” transfer is a transfer which is (i) a gift, (ii) a transfer under a domestic relations order in settlement of marital property rights; or (iii) a transfer to an entity in which more than fifty percent of the voting interests are owned by Family Members (or the Grantee) in exchange for an interest in that entity. Following a transfer under this Section 8.10, any such Option shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to transfer. Subsequent transfers of transferred Options are prohibited except to Family Members of the
original Grantee in accordance with this Section 8.10 or by will or the laws of descent and distribution. The events of termination of Service of Section 8.4 hereof shall continue to be applied with respect to the original Grantee, following which the Option shall be exercisable by the transferee only to the extent, and for the periods specified, in Section 8.4.
8.11.Limitations on Incentive Stock Options.
An Option shall constitute an Incentive Stock Option only (i) if the Grantee of such Option is an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; (ii) if and to the extent specifically provided in the related Award Document; and (iii) to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time the Option is granted) of the shares of Stock with respect to which all Incentive Stock Options held by such Grantee become exercisable for the first time during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other plans of the Grantee’s employer and its Affiliates) does not exceed $100,000. This limitation shall be applied by taking Options into account in the order in which they were granted.
9.TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
9.1.Right to Payment and Grant Price.
An SAR shall confer on the Grantee to whom such SAR is granted a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the date of exercise over (ii) the grant price of such SAR as determined by the Board. The Award Document for an SAR shall specify the grant price of the SAR, which shall be at least the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant. SARs may be granted in conjunction with all or part of an Option granted under the Plan or at any subsequent time during the term of such Option, in conjunction with all or part of any other Award or without regard to any Option or other Award. An SAR granted in tandem with an outstanding Option following the Grant Date of such Option may have a grant price that is equal to the Option Price, even if such grant price is less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the grant date of the SAR.
9.2.Other Terms.
The Board shall determine at the date of grant or thereafter, the time or times at which and the circumstances under which an SAR may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), the time or times at which SARs shall cease to be or become exercisable following termination of Service or upon other conditions, the method of exercise, method of settlement, form of consideration payable in settlement, method by or forms in which Stock will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Grantees, whether or not an SAR shall be in tandem or in combination with any other Award, and any other terms and conditions of any SAR.
10.TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK AND STOCK UNITS.
10.1.Grant of Restricted Stock or Stock Units.
Awards of Restricted Stock or Stock Units may be made for no consideration (other than par value of the shares which is deemed paid by Services already rendered). Stock Units may be used to grant awards commonly known as “restricted stock units” or “performance shares,” and all references in an Award Document to such types of awards shall be deemed to refer to Stock Units as authorized by this Plan.
10.2.Restrictions.
At the time a grant of Restricted Stock or Stock Units is made, the Board may, in its sole discretion, establish a period of time (a “Restricted Period”) applicable to such Restricted Stock or Stock Units. Each Award of Restricted Stock or Stock Units may be subject to a different Restricted Period. The Board may, in its sole discretion, at the time a grant of Restricted Stock or Stock Units is made, prescribe restrictions in addition to or other than the expiration of the Restricted Period, including the satisfaction of corporate or individual performance objectives, which may be applicable to all or any portion of the Restricted Stock or Stock Units in accordance with Section 14. Neither Restricted Stock nor Stock Units may be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of during the Restricted Period or prior to the satisfaction of any other restrictions prescribed by the Board with respect to such Restricted Stock or Stock Units.
10.3.Restricted Stock Certificates.
Subject to Section 3.6, the Company shall issue, in the name of each Grantee to whom Restricted Stock has been granted, stock certificates representing the total number of shares of Restricted Stock granted to the Grantee, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Grant Date. The Board may provide in an Award Document that either (i) the Secretary of the Company or its designee shall hold such certificates for the Grantee’s benefit until such time as the Restricted Stock is forfeited to the Company or the restrictions lapse, or (ii) such certificates shall be delivered to the Grantee, provided, however, that such certificates shall bear a legend or legends that comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and makes appropriate reference to the restrictions imposed under the Plan and the Award Document.
10.4.Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock.
Unless the Board otherwise provides in an Award Document, holders of Restricted Stock shall have the right to vote such Stock and the right to receive any dividends declared or paid with respect to such Stock. Any dividends payable with respect to Restricted Stock shall be distributed to the Grantee only if, when and to the extent such Restricted Stock vests. The value of dividends and other distributions payable with respect to Restricted Stock that does not vest shall be forfeited. The Board may provide that any dividends paid on Restricted Stock must be reinvested in shares of Stock. All distributions, if any, received by a Grantee with respect to Restricted Stock as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, combination of shares, or other similar transaction shall be subject to the restrictions applicable to the original grant.
10.5.Rights of Holders of Stock Units.
10.5.1.Voting and Dividend Rights.
Unless the Board otherwise provides in an Award Document, holders of Stock Units shall have no rights as stockholders of the Company. The Board may provide in an Award Document evidencing a grant of Stock Units that the holder of such Stock Units shall be entitled to receive Dividend Equivalent Rights. Any Dividend Equivalent Rights granted with respect to Stock Units shall be payable to the Grantee only if, when and to the extent such underlying Stock Unit vests. The Dividend Equivalent Rights granted with respect to Stock Units that do not vest shall be forfeited. Such Award Document may also provide that such cash payment will be deemed reinvested in additional Stock Units at a price per unit equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date that such dividend is paid.
10.5.2.Creditor’s Rights.
A holder of Stock Units shall have no rights other than those of a general creditor of the Company. Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Document.
10.6.Termination of Service.
Unless the Board otherwise provides in an Award Document or in writing after the Award Document is issued, upon the termination of a Grantee’s Service, any Restricted Stock or Stock Units held by such Grantee that have not vested, or with respect to which all applicable restrictions and conditions have not lapsed, shall immediately be deemed forfeited. Upon forfeiture of Restricted Stock or Stock Units, the Grantee shall have no further rights with respect to such Award, including but not limited to any right to vote Restricted Stock or any right to receive dividends with respect to shares of Restricted Stock or Stock Units.
10.7.Purchase of Restricted Stock.
The Grantee shall be required, to the extent required by applicable law, to purchase the Restricted Stock from the Company at a Purchase Price equal to the greater of (i) the aggregate par value of the shares of Stock represented by such Restricted Stock or (ii) the Purchase Price, if any, specified in the Award Document relating to such Restricted Stock. The Purchase Price shall be payable in a form described in Section 12 or, in the discretion of the Board, in consideration for past Services rendered to the Company or an Affiliate.
10.8.Delivery of Stock.
Subject to Section 3.6, upon the expiration or termination of any Restricted Period and the satisfaction of any other conditions prescribed by the Board, the restrictions applicable to shares of Restricted Stock or Stock Units settled in Stock shall lapse, and, unless otherwise provided in the Award Document, a stock certificate for such shares shall be delivered, free of all such restrictions, to the Grantee or the Grantee’s beneficiary or estate, as the case may be.
11.TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OTHER STOCK AWARDS AND CASH AWARDS.
11.1.Other Stock Awards.
The Board may, in its sole discretion, grant (or sell at par value or such other higher purchase price per share of Stock determined by the Board) to any Grantee: (a) Unrestricted Stock Awards or rights to purchase or acquire shares, whether at a fixed or variable price or ratio related to the Common Stock (subject to compliance with applicable laws), upon the passage of time, the occurrence of one or more events, or the satisfaction of performance criteria or other conditions, or any combination thereof; or (b) any other securities with a value derived from the value of or related to the Common Stock and/or returns thereon (“Other Stock Awards”). Other Stock Awards may be granted or sold as described in the preceding sentence in respect of past services and other valid consideration, or in lieu of, or in addition to, any cash compensation due to such Grantee.
11.2.Cash Awards.
The Board is authorized to grant cash awards, on a free-standing basis or as an element of, a supplement to, or in lieu of any other Award under the Plan to any Grantee in such amounts and subject to such other terms as the Board in its discretion determines to be appropriate.
12.FORM OF PAYMENT FOR OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK.
12.1.General Rule.
Payment of the Option Price for the shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option or the Purchase Price for Restricted Stock shall be made in cash or in cash equivalents acceptable to the Company.
12.2.Surrender of Stock.
To the extent the Award Document so provides, payment of the Option Price for shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option or the Purchase Price for Restricted Stock may be made all or in part through the tender to the Company of shares of Stock, which shares, if acquired from the Company and if so required by the Company, shall have been held for at least six months at the time of tender and which shall be valued, for purposes of determining the extent to which the Option Price or Purchase Price has been paid thereby, at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise or surrender.
12.3.Cashless Exercise.
With respect to an Option only (and not with respect to Restricted Stock), to the extent permitted by law and to the extent the Award Document so provides, payment of the Option Price for shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option may be made all or in part by (i) delivery (on a form acceptable to the Board) of an irrevocable direction to a licensed securities broker acceptable to the Company to sell shares of Stock and to deliver all or part of the sales proceeds to the Company in payment of the Option Price and any withholding taxes described in Section 18.3 or (ii) instructing the Company withhold a number of shares of Stock that otherwise would be issued to the Grantee in connection with the exercise of the Option having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the Option Price and any withholding taxes described in Section 18.3.
12.4.Other Forms of Payment.
To the extent the Award Document so provides, payment of the Option Price for shares purchased pursuant to exercise of an Option or the Purchase Price for Restricted Stock may be made in any other form that is consistent with applicable laws, regulations and rules.
13.TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS.
13.1.Dividend Equivalent Rights.
A Dividend Equivalent Right is an Award entitling the recipient to receive credits based on cash distributions that would have been paid on the shares of Stock specified in the Dividend Equivalent Right (or other award to which it relates) if such shares had been issued to and held by the recipient. A Dividend Equivalent Right may be granted hereunder to any Grantee as a component of another Award or as a freestanding award. The terms and conditions of Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be specified in the grant. Dividend equivalents credited to the holder of a Dividend Equivalent Right may be paid currently or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional shares of Stock, which may thereafter accrue additional equivalents. Any such reinvestment shall be at Fair Market Value on the date of reinvestment. Dividend Equivalent Rights may be settled in cash or Stock or a combination thereof, in a single installment or installments, all determined in the sole discretion of the Board. A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award may provide that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall be settled upon payment of, or lapse of restrictions on, but not exercise of (directly or indirectly), such other Award, and that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall expire or be forfeited or annulled under the same conditions as such other Award. Any Dividend Equivalent Rights granted with respect to an Award shall be payable to the Grantee only if, when and to the extent such underlying Award vests. The Dividend Equivalent Rights granted with respect to Awards that do not vest shall be forfeited.
13.2.Termination of Service.
Except as may otherwise be provided by the Board either in the Award Document or in writing after the Award Document is issued, a Grantee’s rights in all Dividend Equivalent Rights or interest equivalents shall automatically terminate upon the Grantee’s termination of Service for any reason.
14.TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERFORMANCE AWARDS.
The right of a Grantee to exercise or receive a grant or settlement of any Award, and the timing thereof, may be subject to such performance conditions as may be specified by the Board. The Board may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance conditions, and may exercise its discretion to reduce the amounts payable under any Award subject to performance conditions. The performance conditions for grant or vesting and the other provisions of an Award need not be the same with respect to each Grantee. Performance Awards may be paid in cash, shares of Stock, other property, or any combination thereof, in the sole discretion of the Committee as set forth in the applicable Award Document.
15.PARACHUTE LIMITATIONS.
Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Plan, if a Grantee is a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G of the Code), and any Award under this Plan together with any other payments or benefits that such Grantee has a right to receive from the Company (and affiliated entities required to be aggregated in accordance with Q/A-10 and Q/A-46 of Treas. Reg. §1.280G-1) (collectively, the “Payments”) would constitute a “parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G of the Code), the Payments shall be either (a) reduced (but not below zero) so that the aggregate present value of such Payments and benefits received by the Grantee from the Company and its Affiliates shall be $1.00 less than three times such Grantee’s “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G of the Code) (the “Safe Harbor Amount”) and so that no portion of such Payments received by such Grantee shall be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999; or (b) paid in full, whichever produces the better net after-tax result for such Grantee (taking into account any applicable excise tax under Section 4999 and any applicable federal, state and local income and employment taxes). The determination as to whether any such reduction in the amount of the Payments is necessary shall be made by the Company in good faith and such determination shall be conclusive and binding on such Grantee. If reduced Payments are made to the Grantee pursuant to this Section 15 and through error or otherwise those Payments exceed the Safe Harbor Amount, the Grantee shall immediately repay such excess to the Company or its applicable Affiliate upon notification that an overpayment has been made.
The reduction of Payments, if applicable, shall be made by reducing, first, severance payments to be paid in cash in the order in which such payments would be paid or provided (beginning with such payment or benefit that would be made last in time and continuing, to the extent necessary, through to such payment or benefit that would be made first in time) and second, by reducing any other cash payments that would be payable to the Grantee which are valued in full for purposes of Code Section 280G in a similar order (last to first), and third, by reducing any equity acceleration of awards which are valued in full for purposes of Section 280G of the Code in a similar order (last to first), and finally, by reducing any other payments or benefit in a similar order (last to first).
Notwithstanding anything above to the contrary, this Section 15 shall not apply to any Grantee who is subject to a specific provision under any separate employment contract or severance plan maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates regarding the application of the golden parachute rules of Code Sections 280G and 4999.
16.REQUIREMENTS OF LAW.
16.1.General.
The Company shall not be required to sell or issue any shares of Stock under any Award if the sale or issuance of such shares would constitute a violation by the Grantee, any other individual exercising an Option, or the Company of any provision of any law or regulation of any governmental authority, including without limitation any federal or state securities laws or regulations. If at any time the Company shall determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification of any shares subject to an Award upon any securities exchange or under any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the issuance or purchase of shares hereunder, no shares of Stock may be issued or sold to the Grantee or any other individual exercising an Option pursuant to such Award unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval
shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company, and any delay caused thereby shall in no way affect the date of termination of the Award. Specifically, in connection with the Securities Act, upon the exercise of any Option or the delivery of any shares of Stock underlying an Award, unless a registration statement under such Act is in effect with respect to the shares of Stock covered by such Award, the Company shall not be required to sell or issue such shares unless the Board has received evidence satisfactory to it that the Grantee or any other individual exercising an Option may acquire such shares pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Any determination in this connection by the Board shall be final, binding, and conclusive. The Company may, but shall in no event be obligated to, register any securities covered hereby pursuant to the Securities Act. The Company shall not be obligated to take any affirmative action in order to cause the exercise of an Option or the issuance of shares of Stock pursuant to the Plan to comply with any law or regulation of any governmental authority. As to any jurisdiction that expressly imposes the requirement that an Option shall not be exercisable until the shares of Stock covered by such Option are registered or are exempt from registration, the exercise of such Option (under circumstances in which the laws of such jurisdiction apply) shall be deemed conditioned upon the effectiveness of such registration or the availability of such an exemption.
16.2.Rule 16b-3.
During any time when the Company has a class of equity security registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, it is the intent of the Company that Awards pursuant to the Plan and the exercise of Options granted hereunder will qualify for the exemption provided by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. To the extent that any provision of the Plan or action by the Board does not comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3, it shall be deemed inoperative to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Board, and shall not affect the validity of the Plan. In the event that Rule 16b-3 is revised or replaced, the Board may exercise its discretion to modify this Plan in any respect necessary to satisfy the requirements of, or to take advantage of any features of, the revised exemption or its replacement.
17.EFFECT OF CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION.
17.1.Changes in Stock.
If the number of outstanding shares of Stock is increased or decreased or the shares of Stock are changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company on account of any conversion, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse split, combination of shares, exchange of shares, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital stock, or other increase or decrease in such shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company occurring after the Effective Date, the number and kinds of shares for which grants of Options and other Awards may be made under the Plan shall be adjusted proportionately and accordingly by the Company. In addition, the number and kind of shares for which Awards are outstanding shall be adjusted proportionately and accordingly so that the proportionate interest of the Grantee immediately following such event shall, to the extent practicable, be the same as immediately before such event. Any such adjustment in outstanding Options or SARs shall not change the aggregate Option Price or SAR Exercise Price payable with respect to shares that are subject to the unexercised portion of an outstanding Option or SAR, as applicable, but shall include a corresponding proportionate adjustment
in the Option Price or SAR Exercise Price per share. The conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as an increase in shares effected without receipt of consideration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any distribution to the Company’s stockholders of securities of any other entity or other assets (including an extraordinary cash dividend but excluding a non-extraordinary dividend payable in cash or in stock of the Company) without receipt of consideration by the Company, the Company may, in such manner as the Company deems appropriate, adjust (i) the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding Awards and/or (ii) the exercise price of outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights to reflect such distribution.
17.2.Reorganization in Which the Company Is the Surviving Entity Which does not Constitute a Change in Control.
Subject to Section 17.3 hereof, if the Company shall be the surviving entity in any reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company with one or more other entities which does not constitute a Change in Control, any Option or SAR theretofore granted pursuant to the Plan shall pertain to and apply to the securities to which a holder of the number of shares of Stock subject to such Option or SAR would have been entitled immediately following such reorganization, merger, or consolidation, with a corresponding proportionate adjustment of the Option Price or SAR Exercise Price per share so that the aggregate Option Price or SAR Exercise Price thereafter shall be the same as the aggregate Option Price or SAR Exercise Price of the shares remaining subject to the Option or SAR immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, or consolidation. Subject to any contrary language in an Award Document evidencing an Award, any restrictions applicable to such Award shall apply as well to any replacement shares received by the Grantee as a result of the reorganization, merger or consolidation. In the event of a transaction described in this Section 17.2, Stock Units shall be adjusted so as to apply to the securities that a holder of the number of shares of Stock subject to the Stock Units would have been entitled to receive immediately following such transaction.
17.3.Change in Control.
The provisions of this Section 17.3 shall apply in the case of a Change in Control, unless otherwise provided in the Award Document, the operative transaction agreements related to the Change in Control, or any separate agreement with a Grantee governing an Award.
(i) Awards Assumed or Substituted by Surviving Entity. With respect to Awards assumed by the surviving entity of the Change in Control (the “Surviving Entity”) or otherwise equitably converted or substituted in connection with a Change in Control, such Awards shall have “double trigger” treatment (i.e., full accelerated vesting upon a qualifying termination following a Change in Control) as determined by the Committee or as set forth in an Award Document with Performance Awards vesting based on target level achievement.
(ii) Awards not Assumed or Substituted by Surviving Entity. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, and except with respect to any Awards assumed by the Surviving Entity or otherwise equitably converted or substituted in connection with the Change in Control in a manner approved by the Committee or the Board:
(A) all outstanding Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and other outstanding Awards pursuant to which Grantees may have exercise rights shall become fully exercisable as of the time of the Change in Control, and shall thereafter remain exercisable for a period of ninety (90) days or until the earlier expiration of the original term of the Award;
(B) all time-based vesting restrictions on outstanding Awards shall lapse as of the time of the Change in Control, and such Awards shall be settled or paid at the time of the Change in Control; and
(C) all performance criteria and other conditions to payment of outstanding Performance Awards shall be deemed to be achieved or fulfilled, measured at based on target level achievement.
(iii) For the purposes of this Plan, an Award shall be considered assumed by the Surviving Entity or otherwise equitably converted or substituted if following the applicable transaction the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each share of Stock subject to the Award immediately prior to the applicable transaction, on substantially the same vesting and other terms and conditions as were applicable to the Award immediately prior to the applicable transaction, the consideration (whether stock, cash or other securities or property) received in the applicable transaction by holders of shares of Stock for each share of Stock held on the effective date of such transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Stock); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the applicable transaction is not solely common stock of the successor company or its parent or subsidiary, the Committee may, with the consent of the successor company or its parent or subsidiary, provide that the consideration to be received upon the exercise or vesting of an Award, for each share of Stock subject thereto, will be solely common stock of the successor company or its parent or subsidiary substantially equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of shares of Stock in the applicable transaction. The determination of such substantial equality of value of consideration shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion and its determination shall be conclusive and binding.
17.4.Adjustments.
Adjustments under this Section 17 related to shares of Stock or securities of the Company shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. No fractional shares or other securities shall be issued pursuant to any such adjustment, and any fractions resulting from any such adjustment shall be eliminated in each case by rounding downward to the nearest whole share. The Board shall determine the effect of a Change in Control upon Awards other than Options, SARs, Stock Units and Restricted Stock, and such effect shall be set forth in the appropriate Award Document. The Board may provide in the Award Documents at the time of grant, or any time thereafter with the consent of the Grantee, for different provisions to apply to an Award in place of those described in 17.1 and 17.2.
17.5.No Limitations on Company.
The making of Awards pursuant to the Plan shall not affect or limit in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations, or changes of its capital
or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, or liquidate, or to sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.
18.GENERAL PROVISIONS.
18.1.Disclaimer of Rights.
No provision in the Plan or in any Award or Award Document shall be construed to confer upon any individual the right to remain in the employ or service of the Company or any Affiliate, or to interfere in any way with any contractual or other right or authority of the Company either to increase or decrease the compensation or other payments to any individual at any time, or to terminate any employment or other relationship between any individual and the Company. In addition, notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan to the contrary, unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Document, no Award granted under the Plan shall be affected by any change of duties or position of the Grantee, so long as such Grantee continues to be a director, officer, consultant or employee of the Company or an Affiliate. The obligation of the Company to pay any benefits pursuant to this Plan shall be interpreted as a contractual obligation to pay only those amounts described herein, in the manner and under the conditions prescribed herein. The Plan shall in no way be interpreted to require the Company to transfer any amounts to a third party trustee or otherwise hold any amounts in trust or escrow for payment to any Grantee or beneficiary under the terms of the Plan.
18.2.Nonexclusivity of the Plan.
Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the submission of the Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations upon the right and authority of the Board to adopt such other incentive compensation arrangements (which arrangements may be applicable either generally to a class or classes of individuals or specifically to a particular individual or particular individuals) as the Board in its discretion determines desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of stock options otherwise than under the Plan.
18.3.Withholding Taxes.
The Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be, shall have the right to deduct from payments of any kind otherwise due to a Grantee any federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to the vesting of or other lapse of restrictions applicable to an Award or upon the issuance of any shares of Stock upon the exercise of an Option or pursuant to an Award. At the time of such vesting, lapse, or exercise, the Grantee shall pay to the Company or the Affiliate, as the case may be, any amount that the Company or the Affiliate may reasonably determine to be necessary to satisfy such withholding obligation, or shall otherwise make arrangements satisfactory to the Company or the Affiliate, as the case may be, to provide for the timely payment of such withholding obligation. Subject to the prior approval of the Company or the Affiliate, which may be withheld by the Company or the Affiliate, as the case may be, in its sole discretion, the Grantee may elect to satisfy such obligations, in whole or in part, (i) by causing the Company or the Affiliate to withhold shares of Stock otherwise issuable to the Grantee or (ii) by delivering to the Company or the Affiliate shares of Stock already owned by the Grantee. The shares of Stock so delivered or withheld shall have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to such withholding obligations. The Fair Market Value of the
shares of Stock used to satisfy such withholding obligation shall be determined by the Company or the Affiliate as of the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. A Grantee who has made an election pursuant to this Section 18.3 may satisfy his or her withholding obligation only with shares of Stock that are not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting, or other similar requirements.
18.4.Captions.
The use of captions in this Plan or any Award Document is for the convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning of any provision of the Plan or such Award Document.
18.5.Clawback Provisions.
All Awards (including any proceeds, gains, or other economic benefit the Grantee actually or constructively receives upon receipt or exercise of any Award or the receipt or resale of any shares of Stock underlying the Award) will be subject to any Company clawback policy, including any clawback policy adopted to comply with applicable law (including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder) as set forth in such clawback policy or the Award Document.
18.6.Other Provisions.
Each Award granted under the Plan may contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Board, in its sole discretion.
18.7.Number and Gender.
With respect to words used in this Plan, the singular form shall include the plural form, the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender, etc., as the context requires.
18.8.Severability.
If any provision of the Plan or any Award Document shall be determined to be illegal or unenforceable by any court of law in any jurisdiction, the remaining provisions hereof and thereof shall be severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and all provisions shall remain enforceable in any other jurisdiction.
18.9.Governing Law.
The validity and construction of this Plan and the instruments evidencing the Awards hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, other than any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of this Plan and the instruments evidencing the Awards granted hereunder to the substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.
18.10.Section 409A of the Code.
Awards under the Plan are intended to be exempt from or satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related regulations and Treasury pronouncements (“Section 409A”), and this Plan and all Award Documents shall be interpreted accordingly. In the event it is determined that any Award or Award Document would violate the requirements of Section 409A, the Board shall have the authority, but not the obligation, to amend the terms and conditions of the Award or the Award Document without the consent of the Participant to the minimum extent necessary to bring the Award or Award Document into compliance with Section 409A. However, neither the Company nor the Board shall have any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any excise tax or penalty on any Grantee under Section 409A, and neither the Company nor the Board will have any liability to any Grantee for such tax or penalty.
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