false Ruths Hospitality Group, Inc. 0001324272 --12-29 0001324272 2019-10-22 2019-10-22

 

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 22, 2019

 

RUTH’S HOSPITALITY GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Delaware

000-51485

72-1060618

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

 

1030 W. Canton Avenue, Ste. 100

Winter Park, FL

 

32789

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (407) 333-7440

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

RUTH

Nasdaq

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

Emerging growth company 

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

 

 

 


Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

On October 22, 2019, the Board of Directors of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. (the “Company”) approved amendments to the Company’s bylaws (as amended, the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”), effective as of that date.  The amendments are generally intended to enhance information provided to the Company regarding stockholder-proposed nominees and/or proposals, and to enhance information available to stockholders in connection with a stockholder meeting.

With respect to the advance notice provisions concerning stockholder nominations of directors or stockholder proposals (other than pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) to be brought before a meeting of stockholders, the amendments clarify eligibility requirements and expand the information and representations that a stockholder proponent must include in a written notice to the Company for purposes of making such nominations or proposing such matters. In particular, Article II, Sections 11 and 12 of the Amended and Restated Bylaws were revised to require, among others, additional information about such stockholder’s financial interests and intentions and additional information relating to any such director nominees, such as direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years between the stockholder proponent and each director nominee, derivative interests held by the stockholder proponent and any voting agreements or arrangements between the stockholder proponent and each director nominee.  

In addition to other conforming changes and technical revisions, the Amended and Restated Bylaws update the name of the Company (which was changed in 2008 from Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Inc. to Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.), update the registered office address of the Company in Delaware, and modernize the general bylaw provisions by removing a provision regarding certain loans by the Company.

The foregoing description of the bylaw amendments is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Amended and Restated Bylaws, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

 

 

 


Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

3.2

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.

 

 

 

104

 

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

 

 


SIGNATURES

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

 

 

 

RUTH’S HOSPITALITY GROUP, INC.

 

 

 

 

Date:  October 25, 2019

 

By:

/s/ Alice G. Givens

 

 

 

Alice G. Givens

 

 

 

SVP, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer & Secretary

 

 

Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY‑LAWS
OF
RUTH’S HOSPITALITY GROUP, INC.

A Delaware corporation
(Adopted as of October 22, 2019)

ARTICLE I
OFFICES

Section 1.Registered Office.  The registered office of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. (the “Corporation”) in the State of Delaware shall be located at 251 Little Falls Drive, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, 19808.  The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address shall be Corporation Service Company.  The registered office and/or registered agent of the Corporation may be changed from time to time by action of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”).

Section 2.Other Offices.  The Corporation may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1.Place of Meetings.  The Board of Directors may designate any place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting.  

Section 2.Annual Meeting.  An annual meeting of the stockholders shall be held each year at such time as is specified by the Board of Directors.  At the annual meeting, stockholders shall elect directors and transact such other business as properly may be brought before the annual meeting pursuant to Section 12 of ARTICLE II hereof.

Section 3.Special Meetings.  Special meetings of stockholders may only be called in the manner provided in the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation as then in effect (the “Certificate of Incorporation”).

Section 4.Notice of Meetings.  Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take action at a meeting, written notice of each annual and special meeting of stockholders stating the date, time and place of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to


vote thereat not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting.  Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.  Notice shall be given personally or by mail and, if by mail, shall be sent in a postage prepaid envelope, addressed to the stockholder at his, her or its address as the same appears on the records of the Corporation.  Notice by mail shall be deemed given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid.  Notice of any meeting shall not be required to be given to any person who attends such meeting, except when such person attends the meeting in person or by proxy for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened, or who, either before or after the meeting, shall submit a signed written waiver of notice, in person or by proxy.  Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, an annual or special meeting of stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice.

Section 5.List of Stockholders.  The officer having charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before each meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder.  Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting:  (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (b) during ordinary business hours, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held.  The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.

Section 6.Quorum.  The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders, except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or by the Certificate of Incorporation.  If a quorum is not present, the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting, and entitled to vote at the meeting, may adjourn the meeting to another time and/or place.  When a specified item of business requires a vote by a class or series (if the Corporation shall then have outstanding shares of more than one class or series) voting as a class or series, the holders of a majority of the shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum (as to such class or series) for the transaction of such item of business.

Section 7.Adjourned Meetings.  When a meeting is adjourned to another time and place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken.  At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.  If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

Section 8.Vote Required.  When a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on

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the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders, unless  by express provisions of an applicable law or of the Certificate of Incorporation a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.

Section 9.Voting Rights.  Except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation, the certificate of designation relating to any outstanding class or series of preferred stock or these By‑laws, every stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.

Section 10.Proxies.  Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for him or her by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.  A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power.  A proxy may be made irrevocable regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the Corporation generally.  Any proxy is suspended when the person executing the proxy is present at a meeting of stockholders and elects to vote, except that when such proxy is coupled with an interest and the fact of the interest appears on the face of the proxy, the agent named in the proxy shall have all voting and other rights referred to in the proxy, notwithstanding the presence of the person executing the proxy.  At each meeting of the stockholders, and before any voting commences, all proxies filed at or before the meeting shall be submitted to and examined by the secretary or a person designated by the secretary, and no shares may be represented or voted under a proxy that has been found to be invalid or irregular.

Section 11.Advance Notice Provisions for Election of Directors.

(a)Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in these By‑laws shall be eligible to serve as directors.  Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a meeting of stockholders (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this By‑law, who is entitled to vote generally in the election of directors at the meeting and who shall have complied with the notice procedures set forth below in Section 11(b).

(b)

(i)In order for a stockholder to nominate a person for election to the Board of Directors at a meeting of stockholders, such stockholder shall have delivered timely notice of such stockholder’s intent to make such nomination in writing to the secretary of the Corporation.  To be timely, a stockholder’s notice to the secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (i) in the case of an annual meeting, not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the date of the first anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event the annual meeting is scheduled to be held on a date more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the earlier of the day on which notice of the

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date of the meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the meeting was made and (ii) in the case of a special meeting at which directors are to be elected, not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the earlier of the day on which notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the meeting was made.  

(ii)To be in proper form, a stockholder’s notice shall set forth (A) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director at such meeting (1) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (2) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (3) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by the person, (4) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among (x) the stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made and the respective affiliates and associates of, or others acting in concert with, such stockholder and such beneficial owner, on the one hand, and (y) each proposed nominee, on the other hand, including all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), if the stockholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith were the “registrant” for purposes of such Item and the proposed nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant and (5) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”); and (B) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made (1) the name and record address of such stockholder and of such beneficial owner, (2) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (3) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and/or such beneficial owner and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such stockholder, (4) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, swaps, profit interests, options, warrants, convertible securities, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into by, or on behalf of, such stockholder or such beneficial owner, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder or such beneficial owner with respect to shares of stock of the Corporation, (5) any other information relating to such stockholder and such beneficial owner that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (6) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice and (7) a representation whether such stockholder and/or such beneficial owner intends or is part of a group that intends (x) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock reasonably believed by such stockholder or such beneficial owner to be sufficient to elect the proposed nominee (and such representation shall be included in any such proxy statement and form of proxy) and/or (y) otherwise to solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such

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nomination (and such representation shall be included in any such solicitation materials). Not later than 10 days after the record date for the meeting, the information required by Items (A)(1)-(5) and (B)(1)-(5) of the prior sentence shall be supplemented by the stockholder giving the notice to provide updated information as of the record date. In addition, the stockholder’s notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve at least one term as a director if elected.  

(iii)The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as the Corporation may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation or whether such nominee would be independent under applicable Securities and Exchange Commission and stock exchange rules and the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Conduct & Business Ethics.  

(iv)A stockholder shall not have complied with this Section 11(b) if the stockholder (or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made) solicits or does not solicit, as the case may be, proxies or votes in support of such stockholder’s nominee in contravention of the representations with respect thereto required by this section.  For purposes of this Section 11(b), “public disclosure” shall mean disclosure in a Current Report on Form 8-K (or any successor form) or in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service.

(c)No person shall be eligible to serve as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this section.  The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by this section, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.  A stockholder seeking to nominate a person to serve as a director must also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this section.

Section 12.Advance Notice Provisions for Other Business to be Conducted at an Annual Meeting.  

(a)At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting.  To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be (i) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof), (ii) brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder.  

(b)

(i)For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Corporation.  To be timely, a stockholder’s notice to the secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 90 nor more

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than 120 days prior to the date of the first anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event the annual meeting is scheduled to be held on a date more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the 10th day following the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever occurs first.  

(ii)To be in proper form, a stockholder’s notice to the secretary shall set forth (A) as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting, (1) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, (2) the text of the proposal (including the exact text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the bylaws, the exact text of the proposed amendment), and (3) the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, and (B) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is being made (1) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business, and of such beneficial owner, (2) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder and such beneficial owner, (3) any material interest of the stockholder or such beneficial owner in such business, (4) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding between or among such stockholder and/or such beneficial owner and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business, (5) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, swaps, profit interests, options, warrants, convertible securities, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into by, or on behalf of, such stockholder or such beneficial owner, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder or such beneficial owner with respect to shares of stock of the Corporation, (6) any other information relating to such stockholder and such beneficial owner that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for the business proposed pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (7) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting and (8) a representation whether such stockholder and/or such beneficial owner intends or is part of a group that intends (x) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal (and such representation shall be included in any such proxy statement and form of proxy) and/or (y) otherwise to solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such proposal (and such representation shall be included in any such solicitation materials). Not later than 10 days after the record date for the meeting, the information required by Items (A)(3) and (B)(1)-(6) of the prior sentence shall be supplemented by the stockholder giving the notice to provide updated information as of the record date.

(iii)Notwithstanding anything in these By‑laws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this section.  The presiding officer of an annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting and in accordance with the provisions of this section; if he should so determine, he shall so declare

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to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.  For purposes of this section, “public disclosure” shall mean disclosure in a Current Report on Form 8-K (or any successor form) or in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service.  Nothing in this section shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a‑8 under the Exchange Act.

Section 13.Fixing a Record Date for Stockholder Meetings.  In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting.  If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be the close of business on the next day preceding the day on which notice is first given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.  A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

Section 14.Fixing a Record Date for Other Purposes.  In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment or any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purposes of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action.  If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

ARTICLE III
Directors

Section 1.General Powers.  The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.  In addition to such powers as are herein and in the Certificate of Incorporation  expressly conferred upon it, the Board of Directors shall have and may exercise all the powers of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the laws of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation and these By‑laws.

Section 2.Annual Meetings.  The annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held without other notice than this By‑law immediately after, and at the same place as, the annual meeting of stockholders.

Section 3.Regular Meetings and Special Meetings.  Regular meetings, other than the annual meeting, of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.  Special

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meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the chairman of the board, the president (if the president is a director) or, upon the written request of at least a majority of the directors then in office.

Section 4.Notice of Meetings.  Notice of regular meetings of the Board of Directors need not be given except as otherwise required by law or these By-laws.  Notice of each special meeting of the Board of Directors, and of each regular and annual meeting of the Board of Directors for which notice shall be required, shall be given by the secretary as hereinafter provided in this Section 4, in which notice shall be stated the time and place of the meeting.  Except as otherwise required by these By-laws, such notice need not state the purposes of such meeting.  Notice of any special meeting, and of any regular or annual meeting for which notice is required, shall be given to each director at least (a) 24 hours before the meeting if by telephone or by being personally delivered or sent by telex, telecopy, email or similar means or (b) 5 days before the meeting if delivered by mail to the director's residence or usual place of business.  Such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage prepaid, or when transmitted if sent by telex, telecopy, email or similar means.  Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.  Any director may waive notice of any meeting by a writing signed by the director entitled to the notice and filed with the minutes or corporate records.  

Section 5.Waiver of Notice and Presumption of Assent.  Any member of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof who is present at a meeting shall be conclusively presumed to have waived notice of such meeting except when such member attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.  Such member shall be conclusively presumed to have assented to any action taken unless his or her dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless his or her written dissent to such action shall be filed with the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall be forwarded by registered mail to the secretary of the Corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting.  Such right to dissent shall not apply to any member who voted in favor of such action.

Section 6.Chairman of the Board, Quorum, Required Vote and Adjournment.  The Board of Directors shall elect, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors then in office, a chairman of the board, who shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and Board of Directors at which he or she is present and shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.  If the chairman of the board is not present at a meeting of the stockholders or the Board of Directors, the president (if the president is a director and is not also the chairman of the board) shall preside at such meeting, and, if the president is not present at such meeting, a majority of the directors present at such meeting shall elect one of their members to so preside.  A majority of the total number of directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.  Unless by express provision of an applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By‑laws a different vote is required, the vote of a majority of directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.  If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

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Section 7.Committees.  The Board of Directors (i) may, by resolution passed by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, designate one or more committees, including an executive committee, consisting of one or more of the directors of the Corporation, and (ii) shall during such period of time as any securities of the Corporation are listed on NASDAQ, by resolution passed by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, designate all committees required by the rules and regulations of NASDAQ.  The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee.  Except to the extent restricted by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, each such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution creating it, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors.  Each such committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors or as required by the rules and regulations of NASDAQ, if applicable.  Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors upon request.

Section 8.Committee Rules.  Each committee of the Board of Directors may fix its own rules of procedure and shall hold its meetings as provided by such rules, except as may otherwise be provided by a resolution of the Board of Directors designating such committee.  Unless otherwise provided in such a resolution, the presence of at least a majority of the members of the committee shall be necessary to constitute a quorum.  Unless otherwise provided in such a resolution, in the event that a member and that member’s alternate, if alternates are designated by the Board of Directors, of such committee is or are absent or disqualified, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.

Section 9.Communications Equipment.  Members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in and act at any meeting of such board or committee through the use of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear and speak with each other, and participation in the meeting pursuant to this section shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 10.Action by Written Consent.  Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of such board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board or committee.

Section 11.Compensation.  The Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation, including fees and reimbursement of expenses, of directors for services to the Corporation in any capacity.

Section 12.Reliance on Books and Records.  A member of the Board of Directors, or a member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors shall, in the performance of such person’s duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of the Corporation’s officers or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors, or by any other

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person as to matters the member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.

ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS

Section 1.Number.  The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall consist of a chairman of the board, a chief executive officer, a president, one or more vice‑presidents, a secretary, a chief financial officer and such other officers and assistant officers as may be deemed necessary or desirable by the Board of Directors.  Any number of offices may be held by the same person, except that neither the chief executive officer nor the president shall also hold the office of secretary.  In its discretion, the Board of Directors may choose not to fill any office for any period as it may deem advisable, except that the offices of president and secretary shall be filled as expeditiously as possible.

Section 2.Election and Term of Office.  The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at its first meeting held after each annual meeting of stockholders or as soon thereafter as convenient.  Vacancies may be filled or new offices created and filled at any meeting of the Board of Directors.  Each officer shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal as hereinafter provided.

Section 3.Removal.  Any officer or agent elected by the Board of Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors at its discretion, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.

Section 4.Vacancies.  Any vacancy occurring in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise may be filled by the Board of Directors.

Section 5.Compensation.  Compensation of all executive officers shall be approved by the Board of Directors, and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by virtue of his or her also being a director of the Corporation; provided however, that compensation of some or all executive officers may be determined by a committee established for that purpose if so authorized by the unanimous vote of the Board of Directors or as required by applicable law or regulation, including any exchange or market upon which the Corporation’s securities are then listed for trading or quotation.

Section 6.Chairman of the Board.  The chairman of the board shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed to him or her by the Board of Directors or provided in these By‑laws.

Section 7.Chief Executive Officer.  The chief executive officer shall have the powers and perform the duties incident to that position.  Subject to the powers of the Board of Directors and the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer shall be in the general and active charge

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of the entire business and affairs of the Corporation, and shall be its chief policy making officer.  The chief executive officer shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or provided in these By‑laws.  The chief executive officer is authorized to execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the Corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent of the Corporation.  Whenever the president is unable to serve, by reason of sickness, absence or otherwise, the chief executive officer shall perform all the duties and responsibilities and exercise all the powers of the president.

Section 8.The President.  The president of the Corporation shall, subject to the powers of the Board of Directors, the chairman of the board and the chief executive officer, have general charge of the business, affairs and property of the Corporation, and control over its officers, agents and employees.  The president shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect.  The president is authorized to execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the Corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent of the Corporation.  The president shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the Board of Directors or as may be provided in these By‑laws.

Section 9.Vice‑Presidents.  The vice‑president, or if there shall be more than one, the vice‑presidents in the order determined by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the board, shall, in the absence or disability of the president, act with all of the powers and be subject to all the restrictions of the president.  The vice‑presidents shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors, the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or these By‑laws may, from time to time, prescribe.  The vice‑presidents may also be designated as executive vice‑presidents or senior vice‑presidents, as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

Section 10.The Secretary and Assistant Secretaries.  The secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors (other than executive sessions thereof) and all meetings of the stockholders and record all the proceedings of the meetings in a book or books to be kept for that purpose or shall ensure that his or her designee attends each such meeting to act in such capacity.  Under the chairman of the board’s supervision, the secretary shall give, or cause to be given, all notices required to be given by these By‑laws or by law; shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors, the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or these By‑laws may, from time to time, prescribe; and shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation.  The secretary, or an assistant secretary, shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of such assistant secretary.  The Board of Directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing by his or her signature.  The assistant secretary, or if there be more than one, any of the assistant secretaries, shall in the absence or disability of the secretary, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers

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as the Board of Directors, the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president, or secretary may, from time to time, prescribe.

Section 11.The Chief Financial Officer.  The chief financial officer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities; shall keep full and accurate all books and accounts of the Corporation as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with applicable law or generally accepted accounting principles; shall deposit all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation as may be ordered by the chairman of the board or the Board of Directors; shall cause the funds of the Corporation to be disbursed when such disbursements have been duly authorized, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements; and shall render to the Board of Directors, at its regular meeting or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account of the Corporation; shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors, the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or these By‑laws may, from time to time, prescribe.  

Section 12.Other Officers, Assistant Officers and Agents.  Officers, assistant officers and agents, if any, other than those whose duties are provided for in these By‑laws, shall have such authority and perform such duties as may from time to time be prescribed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 13.Absence or Disability of Officers.  In the case of the absence or disability of any officer of the Corporation and of any person hereby authorized to act in such officer’s place during such officer’s absence or disability, the Board of Directors may by resolution delegate the powers and duties of such officer to any other officer or to any director, or to any other person selected by it.

ARTICLE V
CERTIFICATES OF STOCK

Section 1.Form.  The shares of stock of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of stock of the Corporation shall be uncertificated shares of stock.  Notwithstanding the adoption of such a resolution by the Board of Directors, every holder of stock represented by a certificate and, upon request, every holder of uncertificated shares shall be entitled to have a certificate, signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer or the president and the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by such holder in the Corporation.  If such a certificate is countersigned (i) by a transfer agent or an assistant transfer agent other than the Corporation or its employee or (ii) by a registrar, other than the Corporation or its employee, the signature of any such chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president, secretary or assistant secretary may be facsimiles.  In case any officer or officers who have signed, or whose facsimile signature or signatures have been used on, any such certificate or certificates shall cease to be such officer or officers of the Corporation whether because of death, resignation or otherwise before such certificate or certificates have been delivered by the Corporation, such certificate or certificates may nevertheless be issued and delivered as though the person or persons who signed such certificate or certificates or whose facsimile signature or signatures have been used thereon

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had not ceased to be such officer or officers of the Corporation.  All certificates for shares shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified.  The name of the person to whom the shares represented thereby are issued, with the number of shares and date of issue, shall be entered on the books of the Corporation.  Shares of stock of the Corporation shall only be transferred on the books of the Corporation by the holder of record thereof or by such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, upon surrender to the Corporation of the certificate or certificates for such shares endorsed by the appropriate person or persons, with such evidence of the authenticity of such endorsement, transfer, authorization and other matters as the Corporation may reasonably require, and accompanied by all necessary stock transfer stamps.  In that event, it shall be the duty of the Corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate or certificates and record the transaction on its books.  The Board of Directors may appoint a bank or trust company organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof to act as its transfer agent or registrar, or both in connection with the transfer of any class or series of securities of the Corporation.

Section 2.Lost Certificates.  The Corporation may issue or direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates previously issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed.  When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the Corporation may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.

Section 3.Registered Stockholders.  Prior to the surrender to the Corporation of the certificate or certificates for a share or shares of stock with a request to record the transfer of such share or shares, the Corporation may treat the registered owner as the person entitled to receive dividends, to vote, to receive notifications and otherwise to exercise all the rights and powers of an owner.  The Corporation shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof.

ARTICLE VI
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1.Dividends.  Dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting, in accordance with applicable law.  Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation.  Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or any

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other purpose and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

Section 2.Checks, Notes, Drafts, Etc.  All checks, notes, drafts or other orders for the payment of money of the Corporation shall be signed, endorsed or accepted in the name of the Corporation by such officer, officers, person or persons as from time to time may be designated by the Board of Directors or by an officer or officers authorized by the Board of Directors to make such designation.

Section 3.Contracts.  In addition to the powers otherwise granted to officers pursuant to ARTICLE IV hereof, the Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, or any agent or agents, of the Corporation to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

Section 4.Fiscal Year.  The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 5.Corporate Seal.  The Board of Directors may provide a corporate seal which shall be in the form of a circle and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware.”  The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no seal shall be required by virtue of this section.

Section 6.Voting Securities Owned By Corporation.  Voting securities in any other Corporation held by the Corporation shall be voted by the chief executive officer, the president or a vice‑president, unless the Board of Directors specifically confers authority to vote with respect thereto, which authority may be general or confined to specific instances, upon some other person or officer.  Any person authorized to vote securities shall have the power to appoint proxies, with general power of substitution.

Section 7.Inspection of Books and Records.  The Board of Directors shall have power from time to time to determine to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions and regulations the accounts and books of the Corporation, or any of them, shall be open to the inspection of the stockholders; and no stockholder shall have any right to inspect any account or book or document of the Corporation, except as conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, unless and until authorized so to do by resolution of the Board of Directors or of the stockholders of the Corporation.

Section 8.Section Headings.  Section headings in these By‑laws are for convenience of reference only and shall not be given any substantive effect in limiting or otherwise construing any provision herein.

Section 9.Inconsistent Provisions.  In the event that any provision of these By‑laws is or becomes inconsistent with any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or any other applicable law, the provision of these By‑laws shall not be given any effect to the extent of such inconsistency but shall otherwise be given full force and effect.

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ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENTS

These By-laws may be amended, altered, changed or repealed or new By-laws adopted only in accordance with Article Six of the Certificate of Incorporation.

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