DUPONT DE NEMOURS, INC.
2020 EQUITY AND INCENTIVE PLAN
Section 1.Purpose of Plan.
The purposes of this DuPont de Nemours, Inc. 2020 Equity and Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”) are to (a) provide an additional incentive to selected employees, directors, independent contractors and consultants of the Company or its Affiliates whose contributions are essential to the growth and success of the Company, (b) strengthen the commitment of such individuals to the Company and its Affiliates, (c) motivate those individuals to faithfully and diligently perform their responsibilities and (d) attract and retain competent and dedicated individuals whose efforts will result in the long-term growth and profitability of the Company. To accomplish these various purposes, the Plan provides that the Company may grant Options, Share Appreciation Rights, Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units, Share Bonuses, Other Share-Based Awards, Cash Awards or any combination of the foregoing.
Section 2. Definitions.
For purposes of the Plan, the following capitalized terms shall be defined as set forth below:
(a) “Administrator” means the Board, or, if and to the extent the Board does not administer the Plan, the Committee in accordance with Section 3 hereof.
(b) “Affiliate” means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified.
(c) “Applicable Laws” means the applicable requirements under U.S. federal and state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, including the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any other country or jurisdiction where Awards are granted under the Plan, all as are in effect from time to time.
(d) “Authorized Officer” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(c) hereof.
(e) “Award” means any Option, Share Appreciation Right, Restricted Share, Restricted Stock Unit, Share Bonus, Other Share-Based Award or Cash Award granted under the Plan.
(f) “Award Agreement” means any written agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing an Award, including through electronic medium, which shall contain such terms and conditions with respect to an Award as the Administrator shall determine, consistent with the Plan.
(g) “Base Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(b) hereof.
(h) “Beneficial Owner” (or any variant thereof) has the meaning defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
(i) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(j) “Bylaws” mean the bylaws of the Company, as may be amended and/or restated from time to time.
(k) “Cash Award” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 12 hereof.
(l) “Cause” shall have the meaning set forth in the Participant’s employment or other agreement with the Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate, if any, provided that if the Participant is not a party to any such employment or other agreement or such employment or other agreement does not contain a definition of Cause, then Cause shall mean (i) the willful and continued failure of the Participant to perform substantially the Participant’s duties with the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Participant by the employing Company, Subsidiary or Affiliate that specifically identifies the alleged manner in which the Participant has not substantially performed the Participant’s duties, or (ii) the willful engaging by the Participant in illegal conduct or misconduct that is injurious to the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, including any breach of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct or other applicable ethics policy. Any voluntary termination of employment or service by the Participant in anticipation of an involuntary termination of the Participant’s employment or service, as applicable, for Cause shall be deemed to be a termination for Cause.
(m) “Change in Capitalization” means any (i) merger, amalgamation, consolidation, reclassification, recapitalization, spin-off, spin-out, repurchase or other reorganization or corporate transaction or event, (ii) special or extraordinary dividend or other extraordinary distribution (whether in the form of cash, Common Stock or other property), stock split, reverse stock split, share subdivision or consolidation, (iii) combination or exchange of shares or (iv) other change in corporate structure, which, in any such case, the Administrator determines, in its sole discretion, affects the Shares such that an adjustment pursuant to Section 5 hereof is appropriate.
(n) “Change in Control” means the first of the following events to occur on or following the Effective Date:
(1) any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person which were acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing more than thirty percent (30%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in clause (i) of paragraph (3) below; or
(2) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving: individuals who, on the Effective Date, constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the Effective Date or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended; or
(3) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect Subsidiary with any other corporation or other entity, other than (i) a merger or consolidation which results in (A) the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof), in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary, at least sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and (B) the individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto constituting immediately thereafter at least a majority of the board of directors of the Company, the entity surviving such merger or consolidation or, if the Company or the entity surviving such merger is then a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof, or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or
(4) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (it being conclusively presumed that any sale or disposition is a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets if the consummation of the sale or disposition is contingent upon approval by the Company’s stockholders unless the Board expressly determines in writing that such approval is required solely by reason of any relationship between the Company and any other Person or an Affiliate of the Company and any other Person), other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity (i) at least sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale or disposition and (ii) the majority of whose board of directors immediately following such sale or disposition consists of individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the common stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Company immediately following such transaction or series of transactions, and (y) if all or a portion of an Award constitutes deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code and such Award (or portion thereof) is to be settled, distributed or paid on an accelerated basis due to a Change in Control event that is not a “change in control event” described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) or successor guidance, if such settlement, distribution or payment would result in additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, such Award (or the portion thereof) shall vest at the time of the Change in Control (provided such accelerated vesting will not result in additional tax under Section 409A of the Code), but settlement, distribution or payment, as the case may be, shall not be accelerated..
(o) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor thereto.
(p) “Committee” means any committee or subcommittee the Board may appoint to administer the Plan. Unless the Board determines otherwise, the Committee shall be composed entirely of individuals who meet the qualifications of (i) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 and (ii) any other qualifications required by the applicable stock exchange on which the Common Stock is traded.
(q) “Common Stock” means the common stock, par value U.S. $0.01 per share, of the Company.
(r) “Company” means DuPont de Nemours, Inc., a Delaware corporation (or any successor company, except as the term “Company” is used in the definition of “Change in Control” above).
(s) “Disability” has the meaning assigned to such term or an analogous term in any individual service, employment or severance agreement or Award Agreement with the Participant or, if no such agreement exists or if such agreement does not define “Disability” or an analogous term, then “Disability” means that a Participant, as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Company or an Affiliate thereof.
(t) “Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 19.
(u) “Eligible Recipient” means an employee, director, independent contractor, or natural person consultant of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company who has been selected as an eligible participant by the Administrator; provided, however, to the extent required to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, an Eligible Recipient of an Option or a Share Appreciation Right means an employee, director, independent contractor, or natural person consultant of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with respect to whom the Company is an “eligible issuer of service recipient stock” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code; and provided, further, that an Eligible Recipient of an ISO means an individual who is an employee of the Company, a “parent corporation” (as such term is defined in Section 424(e) of the Code) of the Company or a “subsidiary corporation” (as such term is defined in Section 424(f) of the Code) of the Company.
(v) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
(w) “Executive Officer” means an officer of the Company who is subject to the liability provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(x) “Exempt Award” means the following:
(1) An Award granted in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by a corporation or other entity acquired by the Company or any of its Affiliates or with which the Company or any of its Affiliates combines by merger or otherwise. The terms and conditions of any such Awards may vary from the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan to the extent the Administrator at the time of grant may deem appropriate, subject to Applicable Laws.
(2) An “employment inducement” award as described in the applicable stock exchange listing manual or rules as may be granted under the Plan from time to time. The terms and conditions of any “employment inducement” award may vary from the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan to such extent as the Administrator at the time of grant may deem appropriate, subject to Applicable Laws.
(3) An award that an Eligible Recipient purchases at Fair Market Value (including awards that an Eligible Recipient elects to receive in lieu of fully vested compensation that is otherwise due) whether or not the Shares are delivered immediately or on a deferred basis.
(y) “Exercise Price” means, (i) with respect to any Option, the per-share price at which a holder of such Option may purchase Shares issuable upon the exercise of such Option.
(z) “Fair Market Value” of a share of Common Stock or another security as of a particular date shall mean the fair market value as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion; provided, that, (i) if the Common Stock or other security is admitted to trading on a national securities exchange, the fair market value on any date shall be the closing sale price reported on such date, (or if such date is not a trading day, on the last preceding date on which there was a sale of a share of Common Stock or other security on such exchange), or (ii) if the
Common Stock or other security is then traded in an over-the-counter market, the fair market value on any date shall be the average of the closing bid and asked prices for such share or other security in such over-the-counter market on such day (or, if none, for the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such share or other security in such market).
(aa) “Free Standing Rights” have the meaning set forth in Section 8(a).
(bb) “Good Reason” has the meaning assigned to such term or an analogous term in any employment agreement or severance agreement or plan or Award Agreement.
(cc) “ISO” means an Option intended to be and designated as, and that satisfies the requirements to be, an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(dd) “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Option that is not designated as an ISO or that otherwise does not satisfy the requirements to be an ISO, as such requirements are set forth in Section 422 of the Code.
(ee) “Option” means an option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to Section 7 hereof. The term “Option” as used in the Plan includes the terms “Nonqualified Stock Option” and “ISO.”
(ff) “Other Share-Based Award” means a right or other interest granted pursuant to Section 10 that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Common Stock, including unrestricted Shares, dividend equivalents or performance units, each of which may be subject to the attainment of performance goals or a period of continued provision of service or employment or other terms or conditions as permitted under the Plan.
(gg) “Participant” means any Eligible Recipient selected by the Administrator, pursuant to the Administrator’s authority provided for in Section 3 below, to receive grants of Awards, any permitted assigns, and, upon his or her death, his or her successors, heirs, executors and administrators, as the case may be.
(hh) “Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof.
(ii) “Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 1 hereof.
(jj) “Related Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(a) hereof.
(kk) “Restricted Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(a).
(ll) “Restricted Shares” means Shares granted pursuant to Section 9 hereof subject to certain restrictions that lapse at the end of a specified period or periods of time and/or upon attainment of specified performance objectives.
(mm) “Restricted Stock Unit” means the right granted pursuant to Section 9 hereof to receive a share of Common Stock or the cash equivalent of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock or a combination thereof.
(nn) “Rule 16b-3” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).
(oo) “Share Appreciation Right” means the right to receive, upon exercise of the right, the applicable amounts as described in Section 8 hereof.
(pp) “Share Bonus” means a bonus payable in fully vested shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to Section 11 hereof.
(qq) “Shares” means Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan, as adjusted pursuant to the Plan, and any successor (pursuant to a merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other reorganization) security.
(rr) “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, as of any date of determination, any other Person as to which such first Person owns or otherwise controls, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting shares or other similar interests or a sole general partner interest or managing member or similar interest of such other Person.
(ss) “Transfer” has the meaning set forth in Section 17 hereof.
Section 3. Administration.
(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Administrator and shall be administered, to the extent applicable, in accordance with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (“Rule 16b-3”).
(b) Pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the Administrator, subject, in the case of any Committee, to any restrictions on the authority delegated to it by the Board, shall have the power and authority, without limitation:
(1) to select those Eligible Recipients who shall be Participants;
(2) to determine whether and to what extent Awards are to be granted hereunder to Participants;
(3) to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;
(4) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of each Award granted hereunder (including as applicable (i) the restrictions applicable to Restricted Shares or Restricted Stock Units and the conditions under which restrictions applicable to such Restricted Shares or Restricted Stock Units shall lapse, (ii) the performance goals and periods applicable to Awards, (iii) the Exercise Price of each Option and the Base Price of each Share Appreciation Right and the purchase price, if any, of any other Award, (iv) the vesting schedule applicable to each
Award, (v) the number of Shares or amount of cash or other property subject to each Award and (vi) subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (to the extent applicable), any amendments to the terms and conditions of outstanding Awards, including equitable adjustments to performance goals in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events affecting the Company or any Affiliate thereof or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate thereof, in response to changes in applicable laws or regulations, or to account for items of gain, loss or expense determined to be extraordinary or unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence or related to the disposal of a segment of a business or related to a change in accounting principles);
(5) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, which shall govern all written instruments evidencing Awards;
(6) to determine the Fair Market Value in accordance with the terms of the Plan;
(7) to determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absence which may be granted to a Participant without constituting termination of the Participant’s employment or service for purposes of Awards granted under the Plan;
(8) to determine the impact of leaves of absence, including unpaid and un-protected leaves of absence, changes from full-time to part-time employment, partial Disability or other changes in the employment status or service status of a Participant, on Awards, both with regard to vesting schedule and termination;
(9) to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it shall from time to time deem advisable;
(10) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws or qualifying for favorable tax treatment under applicable foreign laws, which rules and regulations may be set forth in an appendix or appendices to the Plan; and
(11) to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award issued under the Plan (and any Award Agreement relating thereto), and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan and to exercise all powers and authorities either specifically granted under the Plan or necessary and advisable in the administration of the Plan.
(c) To the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, the Administrator may, by resolution, authorize one or more Executive Officers (each such Executive Officer, an “Authorized Officer”) to do one or both of the following on the same basis as (and as if the Authorized Officer for such purposes were) the Administrator: (i) designate Eligible Recipients to receive Awards and (ii) determine the size and terms and conditions of any such Awards; provided, however, that (1) the Administrator shall not delegate such responsibilities to any Authorized Officer for Awards granted to an Eligible Recipient who is an Executive Officer, a non-employee director of the Company, or a more than 10% Beneficial Owner of any class of the
Company’s equity securities that is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, as determined in accordance with Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and (B) the resolution providing for such authorization shall set forth the total number of shares of Common Stock the Authorized Officer may grant during any period; provided that no such authorization shall authorize grants of Awards during any calendar year covering shares of Common Stock in excess of 250,000 Shares for any individual or 5,000,000 Shares in the aggregate. The Authorized Officer(s) shall report periodically to the Administrator regarding the nature and scope of the Awards granted pursuant to the authority delegated.
(d) Subject to Section 5 hereof, the Administrator shall not have the authority to reprice or cancel and regrant any Award at a lower exercise price, Base Price or purchase price or cancel any Award with an exercise price, Base Price or purchase price of less than Fair Market Value in exchange for cash, property or other Awards without first obtaining the approval of the Company’s stockholders. Without limiting any other provisions of the Plan, dividends declared with respect to an Award during the period before the Award has vested shall only become payable to a Participant if (and to the extent) the Shares underlying the Award vest.
(e) Any Award granted hereunder shall provide for a vesting period or performance period, as applicable, of at least one (1) year following the date of grant. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Awards representing a maximum of five percent (5%) of the Shares initially reserved for issuance under Section 4(a) hereof may be granted hereunder without any such minimum vesting condition. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3(e), the Administrator may accelerate the vesting of or waive restrictions on Awards in whole or in part at any time, for any reason.
(f) The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Affiliates.
(g) If at any time or to any extent the Board shall not administer the Plan, then the functions of the Administrator specified in the Plan shall be exercised by the Committee.
(h) Unless otherwise accelerated or where an Award Agreement or the Administrator provides for continued vesting after termination of employment, all unvested Awards shall be forfeited upon termination of employment.
(i) All decisions made by the Administrator pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding on all Persons, including the Company and the Participants. No member of the Board or the Committee, nor any officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof acting on behalf of the Board or the Committee, shall be personally liable for any action, omission, determination, or interpretation taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and all members of the Board or the Committee and each and any officer or employee of the Company and of any Subsidiary thereof acting on their behalf shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Company in respect of any such action, omission, determination or interpretation.
Section 4. Shares Reserved for Issuance Under the Plan.
(a) The maximum number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be 19,000,000 shares (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5 hereof); provided that shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan with respect to an Exempt Award shall not count against such share limit.
(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, no individual who is not a non-employee director will be granted Awards covering more than 500,000 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate during any calendar year (subject to adjustment as provided by Section 5 hereof) and no such individual will be granted Cash Awards payable in the aggregate in excess of $10,000,000 during any calendar year.
(c) No individual who is a non-employee director will be granted Awards covering more than 40,000 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate during any calendar year (subject to adjustment as provided by Section 5 hereof); provided that in any event the grant date fair value of Awards granted to a non-employee director shall not exceed $750,000 in the aggregate during any calendar year.
(d) All of the shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan may be made subject to an Award that is an ISO.
(e) Shares issued under the Plan may, in whole or in part, be authorized but unissued Shares or Shares that shall have been or may be reacquired by the Company in the open market, in private transactions or otherwise. If any Shares subject to an Award are forfeited, cancelled, exchanged or surrendered or if an Award otherwise terminates or expires without a distribution of Shares to the Participant, the Shares with respect to such Award shall, to the extent of any such forfeiture, cancellation, exchange, surrender, termination or expiration, again be available for Awards under the Plan. Shares that are exchanged by a Participant or withheld by the Company as full or partial payment in connection with the exercise of any Option or Share Appreciation Right under the Plan or the payment of any purchase price with respect to any other Award under the Plan, as well as any Shares exchanged by a Participant or withheld by the Company or any Subsidiary to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to any Award under the Plan, shall not again be available for subsequent Awards under the Plan, and notwithstanding that a Share Appreciation Right is settled by the delivery of a net number of shares of Common Stock, the full number of shares of Common Stock underlying such Share Appreciation Right shall not be available for subsequent Awards under the Plan. Upon the exercise of any Award granted in tandem with any other Awards, such related Awards shall be cancelled to the extent of the number of Shares as to which the Award is exercised and, notwithstanding the foregoing, such number of shares shall no longer be available for Awards under the Plan. In addition, (i) to the extent an Award is denominated in shares of Common Stock, but paid or settled in cash, the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which such payment or settlement is made shall again be available for grants of Awards pursuant to the Plan and (ii) shares of Common Stock underlying Awards that can only be settled in cash shall not be counted against the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available for Awards under the Plan.
Section 5. Equitable Adjustments.
(a) In the event of any Change in Capitalization, an equitable substitution or proportionate adjustment shall be made, in each case, as may be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants, in (i) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan and maximum number of shares of Common Stock or cash that may be subject to Awards granted to any Participant in any calendar year, (ii) the kind and number of securities subject to, and the Exercise Price or Base Price of, outstanding Options and Share Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan, and (iii) the kind, number and purchase price of Shares or the amount of cash or amount or type of other property subject to outstanding Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units, Share Bonuses or Other Share-Based Awards granted under the Plan; provided, however, that any fractional shares resulting from the adjustment shall be eliminated.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in connection with a Change in Capitalization, the Administrator may provide, in its sole discretion, but subject in all events to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, for the cancellation of any outstanding Award in exchange for payment in cash or other property having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the Fair Market Value of the Shares, cash or other property covered by such Award, reduced by the aggregate Exercise Price or Base Price thereof, if any; provided, however, that if the Exercise Price or Base Price of any outstanding Award is equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock, cash or other property covered by such Award, the Administrator may cancel such Award without the payment of any consideration to the Participant.
(c) With respect to ISOs, any adjustment pursuant to this Section 5 shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 424(h) of the Code and any regulations or guidance promulgated thereunder. No adjustment pursuant to this Section 5 shall cause any Award which is or becomes subject to Section 409A of the Code to fail to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
(d) Further, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, with respect to Awards subject to non-United States laws, adjustments made hereunder shall be made in compliance with applicable requirements.
(e) The determinations made by the Administrator, pursuant to this Section 5 shall be final, binding and conclusive.
Section 6. Eligibility.
The Participants under the Plan shall be selected from time to time by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, from those individuals who qualify as Eligible Recipients.
Section 7. Options.
(a) General. Each Participant who is granted an Option shall enter into an Award Agreement with the Company, containing such terms and conditions as the Administrator
shall determine, in its sole discretion, which Award Agreement shall set forth, among other things, the Exercise Price of the Option, the term of the Option, the provisions regarding exercisability of the Option, and whether the Option is intended to be an ISO or a Nonqualified Stock Option (and in the event the Award Agreement has no such designation, the Option shall be a Nonqualified Stock Option). The provisions of each Option need not be the same with respect to each Participant. More than one Option may be granted to the same Participant and be outstanding concurrently hereunder. Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 7 and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator shall deem desirable and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. No Option granted hereunder shall be an ISO unless it is designated as such in the applicable Award Agreement and satisfies the applicable requirements set forth in Section 422 of the Code.
(b) Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of Shares purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion at the time of grant, but, in no event shall the exercise price of an Option be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant (exclusive of any substitute Awards granted in connection with awards that are assumed, converted or substituted pursuant to a merger, acquisition or similar transaction entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries).
(c) Option Term. The maximum term of each Option shall be fixed by the Administrator, but no Option shall be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date such Option is granted. Each Option’s term is subject to earlier expiration pursuant to the applicable provisions in the Plan and the Award Agreement.
(d) Exercisability. Each Option shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions, including the attainment of performance goals, as shall be determined by the Administrator in the applicable Award Agreement. The Administrator may also provide that any Option shall be exercisable only in installments. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a share.
(e) Method of Exercise. Options may be exercised in whole or in part by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of whole Shares to be purchased, accompanied by payment in full of the aggregate Exercise Price of the Shares so purchased in cash or its equivalent, as determined by the Administrator. As determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, with respect to any Option or category of Options, payment in whole or in part may also be made (i) by means of consideration received under any cashless exercise procedure approved by the Administrator (including the withholding of Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise), (ii) in the form of unrestricted Shares already owned by the Participant which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which such Option shall be exercised, (iii) any other form of consideration approved by the Administrator and permitted by Applicable Laws or (iv) any combination of the foregoing.
(f) ISOs. The terms and conditions of ISOs granted hereunder shall be subject to the provisions of Section 422 of the Code and the terms, conditions, limitations and administrative procedures established by the Administrator from time to time in accordance with the Plan. ISOs may be granted only to an employee of the Company, its “parent corporation” (as such term is defined in Section 424(e) of the Code), if any, or a Subsidiary of the Company.
(1) ISO Grants to 10% Stockholders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, if an ISO is granted to a Participant who owns shares representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of shares of the Company, its “parent corporation” (as such term is defined in Section 424(e) of the Code), if any, or a Subsidiary of the Company, the term of the ISO shall not exceed five (5) years from the time of grant of such ISO and the Exercise Price shall be at least one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant.
(2) $100,000 Per Year Limitation For ISOs. To the extent the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined on the date of grant) of the Shares for which ISOs are exercisable for the first time by any Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company) exceeds $100,000, such excess ISOs shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options.
(3) Disqualifying Dispositions. Each Participant awarded an ISO under the Plan shall notify the Company in writing immediately after the date the Participant makes a “disqualifying disposition” of any Share acquired pursuant to the exercise of such ISO. A “disqualifying disposition” is any disposition (including any sale) of such Shares before the later of (i) two (2) years after the date of grant of the ISO and (ii) one (1) year after the date the Participant acquired the Shares by exercising the ISO. The Company may, if determined by the Administrator and in accordance with procedures established by it, retain possession of any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO as agent for the applicable Participant until the end of the period described in the preceding sentence, subject to complying with any instructions from such Participant as to the sale of such Shares.
(g) Rights as Stockholder. A Participant shall have no rights to dividends, dividend equivalents or distributions or any other rights of a stockholder with respect to the Shares subject to an Option until the Participant has given written notice of the exercise thereof, and has paid in full for such Shares and has satisfied the requirements of Section 16 hereof.
(h) Termination of Employment or Service. Subject to Section 3(e) hereof, in the event of the termination of employment or service with the Company and all Affiliates thereof of a Participant who has been granted one or more Options, such Options shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as set forth in the Award Agreement.
(i) Other Change in Employment or Service Status. An Option shall be affected, both with regard to vesting schedule and termination, by leaves of absence, including unpaid and unprotected leaves of absence, changes from full-time to part-time employment,
partial Disability or other changes in the employment status or service status of a Participant, as and to the extent determined in the discretion of the Administrator.
Section 8. Share Appreciation Rights.
(a) General. Share Appreciation Rights may be granted either alone (“Free Standing Rights”) or in conjunction with all or part of any Option granted under the Plan (“Related Rights”). Related Rights may be granted either at or after the time of the grant of such Option. The Administrator shall determine the Eligible Recipients to whom, and the time or times at which, grants of Share Appreciation Rights shall be made. Each Participant who is granted a Share Appreciation Right shall enter into an Award Agreement with the Company, containing such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine, in its sole discretion, including, among other things, the number of Shares to be awarded, the Base Price, and all other conditions of Share Appreciation Rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Related Right may be granted for more Shares than are subject to the Option to which it relates. The provisions of Share Appreciation Rights need not be the same with respect to each Participant. Share Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions set forth in this Section 8 and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator shall deem desirable, as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
(b) Base Price. Each Share Appreciation Right shall be granted with a base price that is not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant (such amount, the “Base Price”) (exclusive of any substitute Awards granted in connection with awards that are assumed, converted or substituted pursuant to a merger, acquisition or similar transaction entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries).
(c) Awards; Rights as Stockholder. A Participant shall have no rights to dividends, dividend equivalents or distributions or any other rights of a stockholder with respect to the shares of Common Stock, if any, subject to a Share Appreciation Right until the Participant has given written notice of the exercise thereof and has satisfied the requirements of Section 16 hereof.
(d) Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of Shares purchasable under a Share Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion at the time of grant, but in no event shall the exercise price of a Share Appreciation Right be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant (exclusive of any substitute Awards granted in connection with awards that are assumed, converted or substituted pursuant to a merger, acquisition or similar transaction entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries).
(e) Exercisability.
(1) Share Appreciation Rights that are Free Standing Rights shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be
determined by the Administrator in the applicable Award Agreement (which may include achievement of performance goals).
(2) Share Appreciation Rights that are Related Rights shall be exercisable only at such time or times and to the extent that the Options to which they relate shall be exercisable in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 hereof and this Section 8.
(f) Consideration Upon Exercise.
(1) Upon the exercise of a Free Standing Right, the Participant shall be entitled to receive up to, but not more than, that number of Shares equal in value to (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock as of the date of exercise over the Base Price per share specified in the Free Standing Right, multiplied by (ii) the number of Shares in respect of which the Free Standing Right is being exercised.
(2) A Related Right may be exercised by a Participant by surrendering the applicable portion of the related Option. Upon such exercise and surrender, the Participant shall be entitled to receive up to, but not more than, that number of Shares equal in value to (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock as of the date of exercise over the Exercise Price specified in the related Option, multiplied by (ii) the number of Shares in respect of which the Related Right is being exercised. Options which have been so surrendered, in whole or in part, shall no longer be exercisable to the extent the Related Rights have been so exercised.
(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may determine to settle the exercise of a Share Appreciation Right in cash (or in any combination of Shares and cash).
(g) Termination of Employment or Service. Subject to Section 3(e) hereof:
(1) In the event of the termination of employment or service with the Company and all Affiliates thereof of a Participant who has been granted one or more Free Standing Rights, such rights shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as set forth in the Award Agreement; and
(2) In the event of the termination of employment or service with the Company and all Affiliates thereof of a Participant who has been granted one or more Related Rights, such rights shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as set forth in the related Options.
(h) Term.
(1) The term of each Free Standing Right shall be fixed by the Administrator, but no Free Standing Right shall be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date such right is granted.
(2) The term of each Related Right shall be the term of the Option to which it relates, but no Related Right shall be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date such right is granted.
(i) Other Change in Employment or Service Status. Share Appreciation Rights shall be affected, both with regard to vesting schedule and termination, by leaves of absence, including unpaid and un-protected leaves of absence, changes from full-time to part-time employment, partial Disability or other changes in the employment or service status of a Participant, as and to the extent determined in the discretion of the Administrator.
Section 9. Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units.
(a) General. Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units may be issued either alone or in addition to other awards granted under the Plan. The Administrator shall determine the Eligible Recipients to whom, and the time or times at which, Restricted Shares or Restricted Stock Units shall be granted. Each Participant who is granted Restricted Shares or Restricted Stock Units shall enter into an Award Agreement with the Company, containing such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine, in its sole discretion, including, among other things, the number of Shares to be awarded; the price, if any, to be paid by the Participant for the acquisition of Restricted Shares or Restricted Stock Units; the period of time prior to which Restricted Shares or Restricted Stock Units become vested and free of restrictions on Transfer (the “Restricted Period”); the performance goals (if any) upon whose attainment the Restricted Period shall lapse in part or full; and all other conditions of the Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units. If the restrictions, performance goals and/or conditions established by the Administrator are not attained, a Participant shall forfeit his or her Restricted Shares or Restricted Stock Units, in accordance with the terms of the grant. The provisions of Restricted Shares or Restricted Stock Units need not be the same with respect to each Participant.
(b) Awards and Certificates.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in Section 9(b)(3) hereof, (i) each Participant who is granted an Award of Restricted Shares may, in the Company’s sole discretion, be issued a share certificate in respect of such Restricted Shares; and (ii) any such certificate so issued shall be registered in the name of the Participant, and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to any such Award. The Company may require that the share certificates, if any, evidencing Restricted Shares granted hereunder be held in the custody of the Company until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that, as a condition of any award of Restricted Shares, the Participant shall have delivered a share transfer form, endorsed in blank, relating to the Shares covered by such award. Certificates for unrestricted shares of Common Stock may, in the Company’s sole discretion, be delivered to the Participant only after the Restricted Period has expired without forfeiture in respect of such Restricted Shares.
(2) Subject to Section 9(e) below, with respect to Restricted Stock Units, at the expiration of the Restricted Period, share certificates in respect of the shares
of Common Stock underlying such Restricted Stock Units may, in the Company’s sole discretion, be delivered to the Participant, or his or her legal representative, in a number equal to the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Award of Restricted Stock Units.
(3) Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, any Restricted Shares or Restricted Stock Units (at the expiration of the Restricted Period) may, in the Company’s sole discretion, be issued in uncertificated form.
(4) Further, notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, with respect to Restricted Stock Units, at the expiration of the Restricted Period, Shares shall promptly be issued to the Participant, unless otherwise deferred in accordance with procedures established by the Company in accordance with Section 409A of the Code, and such issuance shall in any event be made no later than March 15th of the calendar year following the year of vesting or within such other period as is required to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code.
(c) Restrictions and Conditions. The Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to this Section 9 shall be subject to any restrictions or conditions as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant or, subject to Section 409A of the Code where applicable, thereafter. Except as provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the Participant shall generally have the rights of a shareholder of the Company with respect to Restricted Shares during the Restricted Period, including the right to vote such shares and to receive any dividends declared with respect to such shares; provided, however, that any dividends declared during the Restricted Period with respect to such shares shall only become payable if (and to the extent) the underlying Restricted Shares vest. The Participant shall generally not have the rights of a shareholder with respect to shares of Common Stock subject to Restricted Stock Units during the Restricted Period; provided, however, that, subject to Section 409A of the Code, an amount equal to any dividends declared during the Restricted Period with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock covered by Restricted Stock Units may, to the extent set forth in an Award Agreement, be provided to the Participant at the time (and to the extent) that shares of Common Stock in respect of the related Restricted Stock Units are delivered to the Participant.
(d) Termination of Employment or Service. Subject to Section 3(e) hereof, the rights of Participants granted Restricted Shares or Restricted Stock Units upon termination of employment or service with the Company and all Affiliates thereof for any reason during the Restricted Period shall be set forth in the Award Agreement.
(e) Form of Settlement. The Administrator reserves the right in its sole discretion to provide (either at or after the grant thereof) that any Restricted Stock Unit represents the right to receive the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock.
Section 10. Other Share-Based Awards.
Other Share-Based Awards may be granted either alone or in addition to other Awards (other than in connection with Options or Share Appreciation Rights) under the Plan.
Any dividend or dividend equivalent awarded hereunder shall be subject to the same restrictions, conditions and risks of forfeiture as the underlying Awards and shall only become payable if (and to the extent) the underlying Awards vest. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator shall have sole and complete authority to determine the individuals to whom and the time or times at which such Other Share-Based Awards shall be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock to be granted pursuant to such Other Share-Based Awards, or the manner in which such Other Share-Based Awards shall be settled (e.g., in shares of Common Stock, cash or other property), or, subject to Section 3(e) hereof, the conditions to the vesting and/or payment or settlement of such Other Share-Based Awards (which may include achievement of performance goals) and all other terms and conditions of such Other Share-Based Awards.
Section 11. Share Bonuses.
In the event that the Administrator grants Share Bonuses, the Shares constituting such bonus shall, as determined by the Administrator, be evidenced in uncertificated form or by a book-entry record or a certificate issued in the name of the Participant to whom such grant was made and delivered to such Participant as soon as practicable after the date on which such bonus is payable.
Section 12. Cash Awards.
The Administrator may grant Awards that are payable solely in cash, as deemed by the Administrator to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, and, such Cash Awards shall be subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, from time to time. Cash Awards may be granted with value and payment contingent upon the achievement of performance goals.
Section 13. Change in Control.
(a) Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator and evidenced in an Award Agreement and subject to Section 3(e) hereof, in the event that (i) a Change in Control occurs and (ii) either (x) an outstanding Award is not assumed or substituted in connection therewith or (y) an outstanding Award is assumed or substituted in connection therewith and the Participant’s employment or service is terminated by the Company, its successor or an Affiliate thereof without Cause or (if applicable) by the Participant for Good Reason on or after the effective date of the Change in Control but prior to twenty-four (24) months following the Change in Control, then:
(1) any unvested or unexercisable portion of any Award carrying a right to exercise shall become fully vested and exercisable, and
(2) the restrictions, deferral limitations, payment conditions and forfeiture conditions applicable to an Award granted under the Plan shall lapse and such Awards shall be deemed fully vested and any performance conditions imposed with respect to such Awards shall be deemed to be achieved at the target level of performance.
If the Administrator determines in its sole discretion pursuant to Section 3(e) hereof to accelerate the vesting of Options and/or Share Appreciation Rights in connection with a Change in Control, the Administrator shall also have discretion in connection with such action to provide that all Options and/or Share Appreciation Rights outstanding immediately prior to such Change in Control shall expire on the effective date of such Change in Control.
(b) For purposes of this Section 13, an outstanding Award shall be considered to be assumed or substituted for if, following the Change in Control, the Award remains subject to the same terms and conditions that were applicable to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control except that, if the Award related to Shares, the Award instead confers the right to receive common stock of the acquiring entity (or such other security or entity as may be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion).
Section 14. Amendment and Termination.
The Board may amend, alter or terminate the Plan at any time, but no amendment, alteration or termination shall be made that would impair the rights of a Participant under any Award theretofore granted without such Participant’s consent. The Board shall obtain approval of the Company’s stockholders for any amendment to the Plan that would require such approval in order to satisfy any rules of the stock exchange on which the Common Stock is traded or other Applicable Law. The Administrator may amend the terms of any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, but, subject to Section 5 hereof and the immediately preceding sentence, no such amendment shall materially impair the rights of any Participant without his or her consent.
Section 15. Unfunded Status of Plan.
The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company.
Section 16. Withholding Taxes.
Each Participant shall, no later than the date as of which the value of an Award first becomes includible in the gross income of such Participant for purposes of applicable taxes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding payment of, an amount in respect of such taxes up to the maximum statutory rates in the Participant’s applicable jurisdiction with respect to the Award, as determined by the Company. The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be conditional on the making of such payments or arrangements, and the Company shall, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to such Participant. Whenever cash is to be paid pursuant to an Award, the Company shall have the right to deduct therefrom an amount sufficient to satisfy any applicable withholding tax requirements related thereto as determined by the Company. Whenever Shares or property other than cash are to be delivered pursuant to an Award, the Company shall have the right to require the Participant to remit to the Company in cash an amount sufficient to satisfy any related taxes to be withheld and
applied to the tax obligations as determined by the Company; provided, however, that, with the approval of the Administrator, a Participant may satisfy the foregoing requirement by either (i) electing to have the Company withhold from delivery of Shares or other property, as applicable, or (ii) by delivering already owned unrestricted shares of Common Stock, in each case, having a value equal to the applicable taxes to be withheld and applied to the tax obligations as determined by the Company (with any fractional share amounts resulting therefrom settled in cash). Such withheld or already owned and unrestricted shares of Common Stock or Shares withheld from delivery shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date on which the amount of tax to be withheld is determined. Such an election may be made with respect to all or any portion of the Shares to be delivered pursuant to an award. The Company may also use any other method of obtaining the necessary payment or proceeds, as permitted by Applicable Laws, to satisfy its withholding obligation with respect to any Award as determined by the Company.
Section 17. Transfer of Awards.
No purported sale, assignment, mortgage, hypothecation, transfer, charge, pledge, encumbrance, gift, transfer in trust (voting or other) or other disposition of, or creation of a security interest in or lien on, any Award or any agreement or commitment to do any of the foregoing (each, a “Transfer”) by any holder thereof will be valid, except as otherwise expressly provided in an Award Agreement or with the prior written consent of the Administrator, which consent may be granted or withheld in the sole discretion of the Administrator, provided that in no event shall any such Transfer be for value. Any other purported Transfer of an Award or any economic benefit or interest therein shall be null and void ab initio, and shall not create any obligation or liability of the Company, and any Person purportedly acquiring any Award or any economic benefit or interest therein transferred in violation of this Section 17 shall not be entitled to be recognized as a holder of any shares of Common Stock or other property underlying such Award. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, an Option may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant or, during any period during which the Participant is under a legal disability, by the Participant’s guardian or legal representative.
Section 18. Continued Employment or Service.
Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the grant of an Award hereunder shall confer upon any Eligible Recipient any right to continued employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate thereof, as the case may be, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate thereof to terminate the employment or service of any of its Eligible Recipients at any time.
Section 19. Effective Date.
The Plan was adopted by the Board on February 13, 2020 and shall become effective on the date that it is approved by the Company’s shareholders (“Effective Date”).
Section 20. Term of Plan.
The Plan will terminate on February 13, 2030, the tenth anniversary of the Board’s adoption of the Plan. No Awards shall be granted pursuant to the Plan on or after such date, but Awards theretofore granted may extend beyond that date.
Section 21. Electronic Signature.
A Participant’s electronic signature of an Award Agreement shall have the same validity and effect as a signature affixed by hand.
Section 22. Securities Matters and Regulations.
(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the obligation of the Company to sell or deliver Shares with respect to any Award granted under the Plan shall be subject to all Applicable Laws, rules and regulations, including all applicable federal and state securities laws, and the obtaining of all such approvals by governmental agencies as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator in its sole discretion. The Administrator may require, as a condition of the issuance and delivery of certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock pursuant to the terms hereof, that the recipient of such shares make such agreements and representations, and that such certificates bear such legends, as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable.
(b) Each Award is subject to the requirement that, if at any time the Administrator determines that the listing, registration or qualification of Shares issuable pursuant to the Plan is required by any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the grant of an Award or the issuance of Shares, no such Award shall be granted or payment made or Shares issued, in whole or in part, unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval has been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Administrator.
(c) In the event that the disposition of Shares acquired pursuant to the Plan is not covered by a then current registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is not otherwise exempt from such registration, such Shares shall be restricted against transfer to the extent required by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or regulations thereunder, and the Administrator may require a Participant receiving Common Stock pursuant to the Plan, as a condition precedent to receipt of such Common Stock, to represent to the Company in writing that the Common Stock acquired by such Participant is acquired for investment only and not with a view to distribution.
Section 23. Notification of Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code.
If any Participant shall, in connection with the acquisition of shares of Common Stock under the Plan, make the election permitted under Section 83(b) of the Code, such Participant shall notify the Company of such election within ten (10) days after filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service.
Section 24. No Fractional Shares.
No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan. The Administrator shall determine whether cash, other Awards, or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.
Section 25. Beneficiary.
A Participant may file with the Administrator a written designation of a beneficiary on such form as may be prescribed by the Administrator and may, from time to time, amend or revoke such designation. If no designated beneficiary survives the Participant, the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate shall be deemed to be the Participant’s beneficiary.
Section 26. Paperless Administration.
In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the documentation, granting or exercise of Awards, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless documentation, granting or exercise of Awards by a Participant may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.
Section 27. Severability.
If any provision of the Plan is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the other provisions of the Plan shall not be affected but shall be applied as if the invalid or unenforceable provision had not been included in the Plan.
Section 28. Clawback; Applicable Policies.
Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Plan, any Award which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation, stock exchange listing requirement, Award Agreement or Company policy, will be subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement (or any Award Agreement or policy adopted by the Company pursuant to any such law, government regulation, stock exchange listing requirement or otherwise). The Plan and all Awards and Shares issued hereunder shall also be subject to the terms of the Company’s insider trading policy and/or share ownership guidelines, if any, in each case as may exist from time to time and pursuant to the terms thereunder.
Section 29. Section 409A of the Code.
The Plan as well as payments and benefits under the Plan are intended to be exempt from, or to the extent subject thereto, to comply with Section 409A of the Code, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan shall be interpreted in accordance therewith. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, to the extent required in
order to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, the Participant shall not be considered to have terminated employment or service with the Company for purposes of the Plan and no payment shall be due to the Participant under the Plan or any Award until the Participant would be considered to have incurred a “separation from service” from the Company and its Affiliates within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Any payments described in the Plan that are due within the “short-term deferral period” as defined in Section 409A of the Code shall not be treated as deferred compensation unless Applicable Law requires otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, to the extent that any Awards (or any other amounts payable under any plan, program or arrangement of the Company or any of its Affiliates) are payable upon a separation from service and such payment would result in the imposition of any individual tax and penalty interest charges imposed under Section 409A of the Code, the settlement and payment of such awards (or other amounts) shall instead be made on the first business day after the date that is six (6) months following such separation from service (or death, if earlier). Each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided under the Plan shall be construed as a separate identified payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code. The Company makes no representation that any or all of the payments or benefits described in the Plan will be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A of the Code from applying to any such payment. The Participant shall be solely responsible for the payment of any taxes and penalties incurred under Section 409A of the Code.
Section 30. Governing Law.
The Plan and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant thereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law of such state.
Section 31. Titles and Headings, References to Sections of the Code or Exchange Act.
The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control. References to sections of the Code or the Exchange Act shall include any amendment or successor thereto.
Section 32. Interpretation.
Unless the context of the Plan otherwise requires, words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively; derivative forms of defined terms will have correlative meanings; the terms “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Plan; the term “Section” refers to the specified Section of this Plan and references to “paragraphs” or “clauses” shall be to separate paragraphs or clauses of the Section or subsection in which the reference occurs; the words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”; and the word “or” shall be disjunctive but not exclusive.
Section 33. Successors.
The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be binding upon any successor corporation or organization resulting from the merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company, or upon any successor corporation or organization succeeding to substantially all of the assets and business of the Company.
Section 34. Relationship to other Benefits.
No payment pursuant to the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare, or other benefit plan of the Company or any Affiliate except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.