EX-99.1
Published on September 22, 2022
Exhibit 99.1
Korn Ferry 2022 Stock Incentive Plan
| 1. | Purpose |
The purpose of the Korn Ferry 2022 Stock Incentive Plan (the Plan) is to advance the interests of Korn Ferry by stimulating the efforts of employees, officers, non-employee directors and other service providers, in each case who are selected to be participants, by heightening the desire of such persons to continue working toward and contributing to the success and progress of Korn Ferry. The Plan provides for the grant of Incentive and Nonqualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units, any of which may be performance-based, and for Incentive Bonuses, which may be paid in cash or stock or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator.
| 2. | Definitions |
As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
Administrator means the Administrator of the Plan in accordance with Section 19.
Award means an Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit or Incentive Bonus granted to a Participant pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, any of which the Administrator may structure to qualify in whole or in part as a Performance Award.
Award Agreement means a written or electronic agreement or other instrument as may be approved from time to time by the Administrator implementing the grant of each Award. An Award Agreement may be in the form of an agreement to be executed by both the Participant and the Company (or an authorized representative of the Company) or certificates, notices or similar instruments as approved by the Administrator.
Board means the board of directors of the Company.
Cause means (unless otherwise expressly provided in the Award Agreement or another contract, including an employment agreement) a termination of service, based upon a finding by the Company, acting in good faith and based on its reasonable belief at the time, that the Participant: (1) is or has been dishonest, incompetent, or negligent in the discharge of his or her duties to the Company; or has refused to perform stated or assigned duties; (2) has committed a theft or embezzlement, or a breach of confidentiality or unauthorized disclosure or use of inside information, customer lists, trade secrets or other confidential information, or a breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, or a willful or negligent violation of any law, rule or regulation or of Company rules or policy, in any material respect; or has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor (other than minor traffic violations or similar offenses); (3) has materially breached any of the provisions of any agreement with the Company or a parent corporation; or (4) has engaged in unfair competition with, or otherwise acted intentionally in a manner injurious to the reputation, business or assets of the Company; or has induced a customer to break or terminate any contract with the Company or an affiliate; or has induced any principal for whom the Company (or an affiliate) acts as agent to terminate such agency relationship. A termination for Cause shall be deemed to occur (subject to reinstatement upon a contrary final determination by the Administrator) on the date when the Company first delivers notice to the Participant of a finding of termination for Cause and shall be final in all respects on the date following the opportunity to be heard and written notice to the Participant that his or her service is terminated.
Change in Control means any of the following:
| 1. | An acquisition by any Person (excluding one or more Excluded Persons) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) or a pecuniary interest in (within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(a) (2) under the Exchange Act) more than 50% of the Common Stock or voting securities entitled to then vote generally in the election of directors of the Company (Voting Stock), after giving effect to any new issue in the case of an acquisition from the Company; or |
| 2. | Consummation of a merger, consolidation, or reorganization of the Company or of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Companys consolidated assets as an entirety (collectively, a Business Combination), other than a Business Combination (A) in which all or substantially all of the holders of Voting Stock hold or receive directly or indirectly 50% or more of the voting stock of the entity resulting from the Business Combination (or a parent company), and (B) after which no Person (other than any one or more of the Excluded Persons) owns more than 50% of the voting stock of the resulting entity (or a parent company) who did not own directly or indirectly at least that amount of Voting Stock immediately before the Business Combination, and (C) after which one or more Excluded Persons own an aggregate number of shares of the voting stock at least equal to the aggregate number of shares of voting stock owned by any other Person who is not an Excluded Person (except for any person described in and satisfying the conditions of Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), if any, and who owns more than 50% of the voting stock; or |
| 3. | Consummation of the dissolution or complete liquidation of the Company; or |
| 4. | During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement or arrangement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (1) or (2) of this definition) whose appointment, election, or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board. |
For purposes of determining whether a Change in Control has occurred, a transaction includes all transactions in a series of related transactions.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the rulings and regulations issued thereunder.
Common Stock means the Companys common stock, par value $0.01, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12.
Company means Korn Ferry, a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.
Detrimental Activity with respect to a Participant means that such Participant:
| 1. | has directly or indirectly engaged in any business for his or her own account that competes with the business of any entity within the Company Group (Company Group means the Company, the Subsidiaries, and any affiliate of the Company or a Subsidiary) (a business in competition with any entity within the Company Group includes, without limitation, any business in an industry which any business in the Company Group may conduct business from time to time and any business in an industry which any entity within the Company Group has specific plans to enter in the future and as to which the Participant is aware of such planning); or |
| 2. | has committed or engaged in an unauthorized disclosure or use of inside information, trade secrets or other confidential information, or an unauthorized use of trade names, trademarks, or other proprietary business designations owned or used in connection with the business of any entity within the Company Group; has failed to timely return to the Company in accordance with Company policy all memoranda, books, papers, plans, information, letters and other data, and all copies thereof or therefrom, in any way relating to the business of any entity within the Company Group; or |
| 3. | has entered the employ of, renders services to, or has acquired a financial interest in any person engaged in any business that competes with the business of any entity within the Company Group; has acted intentionally in a manner injurious to the reputation, business or assets of, any entity within the Company Group; has interfered with business relationships (whether formed before or after the date hereof) between the Company, any Subsidiary, any of their respective affiliates, and any customers, suppliers, officers, employees, partners, members or investors; has influenced or attempted to influence a vendor or customer of any entity within the Company Group, either directly or indirectly, to divert their business away from the Company Group, induced a principal for whom an entity within the Company Group acts as agent to terminate such agency relationship, or induced an employee of any entity within the Company Group who earned $25,000 or more on an annualized basis during the last six months of his or her employment to work for any business, individual, partnership, firm, corporation, or other entity then in competition with the business of any entity within the Company Group. |
Disability shall mean a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months by reason of which the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity.
Effective Date has the meaning set forth in Section 4.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
Excluded Person means (1) the Company or any Subsidiary; (2) any person described in and satisfying the conditions of Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act; (3) any employee benefit plan of the Company; or (4) any affiliates (within the meaning of the Exchange Act), successors, or heirs, descendants or members of the immediate families of the individuals identified in part (2) of this definition.
Fair Market Value means, as of any date, the closing price per share at which the Shares are sold in the regular way on the New York Stock Exchange or, if no Shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange on the date in question, then for the next preceding date for which Shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
Incentive Bonus means a bonus opportunity awarded under Section 9 pursuant to which a Participant may become entitled to receive an amount based on satisfaction of such performance criteria as are specified in the Award Agreement.
Incentive Stock Option means a stock option that satisfies the requirements for an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and does not provide that it will not be treated as an incentive stock option.
Nonemployee Director means each person who is, or is elected to be, a member of the Board and who is not an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.
Nonqualified Stock Option means a stock option that is not an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
Option means an Incentive Stock Option and/or a Nonqualified Stock Option granted pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan.
Participant means any individual described in Section 3 to whom Awards have been granted from time to time by the Administrator and any authorized transferee of such individual.
Performance Award means an Award, the grant, issuance, retention, vesting or settlement of which is subject to satisfaction of one or more Performance Criteria established pursuant to Section 13.
Performance Criteria has the meaning set forth in Section 13(b).
Person means an association, a corporation, an individual, a partnership, a trust or any other entity or organization, including a governmental entity and a person as that term is used under Section 13(d) or 14 (d) of the Exchange Act.
Plan means the Korn Ferry 2022 Stock Incentive Plan as set forth herein and as amended from time to time.
Prior Plan means the Korn Ferry Fourth Amended and Restated 2008 Stock Incentive Plan and any prior version thereof.
Restricted Stock means Shares granted pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan.
Restricted Stock Unit means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 8 pursuant to which Shares or cash in lieu thereof may be issued in the future.
Share means a share of the Common Stock, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12.
Stock Appreciation Right means a right granted pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan that entitles the Participant to receive, in cash or Shares or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator, value equal to or otherwise based on the excess of (i) the market price of a specified number of Shares at the time of exercise over (ii) the exercise price of the right, as established by the Administrator on the date of grant.
Subsidiary means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company where each of the corporations in the unbroken chain other than the last corporation owns stock possessing at least 50 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain, and if specifically determined by the Administrator in the context other than with respect to Incentive Stock Options, may include an entity that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company.
Termination of Employment means ceasing to serve as a full-time employee of the Company and its Subsidiaries or, with respect to a Nonemployee Director or other service provider who is not an employee, ceasing to serve as such for the Company, except that with respect to all or any Awards held by a Participant (i) the Administrator may determine, subject to Section 6(d), that an approved leave of absence or approved employment on a less than full-time basis is not considered a Termination of Employment, (ii) the Administrator may determine that a transition of employment to service with a partnership, joint venture or corporation not meeting the requirements of a Subsidiary in which the Company or a Subsidiary is a party is not considered a Termination of Employment, (iii) service as a member of the Board or other service provider shall constitute continued employment with respect to Awards granted to a Participant while he or she served as an employee, and (iv) service as an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary shall constitute continued employment with respect to Awards granted to a Participant while he or she served as a member of the Board or other service provider. The Administrator shall determine whether any corporate transaction, such as a sale or spin-off of a division or subsidiary that employs a Participant, shall be deemed to result in a Termination of Employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries for purposes of any affected Participants Awards, and the Administrators decision shall be final and binding.
| 3. | Eligibility |
Any person who is a current or prospective officer or employee of the Company or of any Subsidiary shall be eligible for selection by the Administrator for the grant of Awards hereunder. For avoidance of doubt, no Award may be granted to a prospective officer or employee until the time that such individuals employment with the Company or any Subsidiary has commenced. In addition, Nonemployee Directors and any other service providers who have been retained to provide consulting, advisory or other services to the Company or to any Subsidiary shall be eligible for the grant of Awards hereunder as determined by the Administrator. Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary within the meaning of the Code, as selected by the Administrator. For purposes of this Plan, the Chairman of the Boards status as an employee shall be determined by the Administrator.
| 4. | Effective Date and Termination of Plan |
This Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on August 8, 2022 and it will become effective when it is approved by the Companys stockholders (the Effective Date). Upon its approval by stockholders of the Company, the Plan will replace the existing Fourth Amended and Restated 2008 Stock Incentive Plan with respect to future Awards. The Plan shall remain available for the grant of Awards until the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options may not be granted under the Plan after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date of the Boards approval of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan may be terminated at such earlier time as the Board may determine. Termination of the Plan will not affect the rights and obligations of the Participants and the Company arising under Awards theretofore granted and then in effect.
| 5. | Shares Subject to the Plan and to Awards |
| (a) | Aggregate Limits. The aggregate number of Shares issuable pursuant to all Awards granted under this Plan shall not exceed 1,700,000, plus (i) any Shares that remain available for grant under the Prior Plan as of the Effective Date and (ii) any Shares subject to outstanding awards under the Prior Plan that on or after the Effective Date cease for any reason to be subject to such awards (other than by reason of exercise or settlement of the awards to the extent they are exercised for or settled in vested and |
| nonforfeitable Shares). The aggregate number of Shares available for grant under this Plan and the number of Shares subject to outstanding Awards shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12.The Shares issued pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan may be Shares that are authorized and unissued or Shares that were reacquired by the Company, including Shares purchased in the open market. |
| (b) | Issuance of Shares. For purposes of Section 5(a), the aggregate number of Shares issued under this Plan at any time shall equal only the number of Shares actually issued upon exercise or settlement of an Award granted under this Plan. Shares subject to Awards granted under this Plan that have been canceled, expired, forfeited or otherwise not issued under an Award granted under this Plan and Shares subject to Awards granted under this Plan settled in cash shall not count as Shares issued under this Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Shares subject to an Award granted under this Plan may not again be made available for issuance under the Plan if such Shares are: (i) Shares that were subject to a stock-settled Stock Appreciation Right and were not issued upon the net settlement or net exercise of such Stock Appreciation Right, (ii) Shares delivered to or withheld by the Company to pay the exercise price of an Option, (iii) Shares delivered to or withheld by the Company to pay the withholding taxes related to an Award, or (iv) Shares repurchased on the open market with the proceeds of an Option exercise. |
| (c) | Incentive Stock Option Limit. The aggregate number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options granted under this Plan shall not exceed 1,700,000, which number shall be calculated and adjusted pursuant to Section 12 only to the extent that such calculation or adjustment will not affect the status of any option intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code. |
| (d) | Director Awards. The aggregate number of Shares subject to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted under this Plan during any calendar year to any one Nonemployee Director shall not exceed 50,000, and the aggregate number of Shares issued or issuable under all Awards granted under this Plan other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights during any calendar year to any one Nonemployee Director shall not exceed 25,000; provided, however, that in the calendar year in which a Nonemployee Director first joins the Board of Directors or is first designated as Chairman of the Board of Directors or Lead Director, the maximum number of shares subject to Awards granted to the Participant may be up to two hundred percent (200%) of the number of shares set forth in the foregoing limits and the foregoing limits shall not count any tandem SARs (as defined in Section 7). |
| 6. | Options |
| (a) | Option Awards. Options may be granted at any time and from time to time prior to the termination of the Plan to Participants as determined by the Administrator. No Participant shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares subject to Option hereunder until said Shares have been issued. Each Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Options granted pursuant to the Plan need not be identical but each Option must contain and be subject to the terms and conditions set forth below. |
| (b) | Price. The Administrator will establish the exercise price per Share under each Option, which, in no event will be less than the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant; provided, however, that the exercise price per Share with respect to an Option that is granted in connection with a merger or other acquisition as a substitute or replacement award for options held by optionees of the acquired entity may be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date such Option is granted if such exercise price is based on a formula set forth in the terms of the options held by such optionees or in the terms of the agreement providing for such merger or other acquisition that satisfies the requirements of (i) Section 409A of the Code, if such options held by such optionees are not intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Option, and (ii) Section 424(a) of the Code, if such options held by such optionees are intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options. The exercise price of any Option may be paid in Shares, cash or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator, including an irrevocable commitment by a broker to pay over such amount from a sale of the Shares issuable under an Option, the delivery of previously owned Shares and withholding of Shares otherwise deliverable upon exercise. |
| (c) | No Repricing without Stockholder Approval. Other than in connection with a change in the Companys capitalization (as described in Section 12), the Company shall not, without stockholder approval, (i) reduce the exercise price of an Option, (ii) exchange an Option for a new Option or Stock Appreciation Right with a lower exercise price or (iii) at any time when the exercise price of an Option is above the Fair Market Value of a Share, exchange such Option for cash or other property. |
| (d) | Provisions Applicable to Options. Subject to the other provisions set forth in this Plan, the date on which Options become exercisable shall be determined by the Administrator and set forth in an Award Agreement. Unless provided otherwise in the applicable Award Agreement, to the extent that the Administrator determines that an approved leave of absence is not a Termination of Employment, the vesting period and/ or exercisability of an Option shall be adjusted by the Administrator during or to reflect the effects of any period during which the Participant is on an approved leave of absence or is employed on a less than full-time basis. |
| (e) | Term of Options and Termination of Employment: The Administrator shall establish the term of each Option, which in no case shall exceed a period of ten (10) years from the date of grant; provided, however, the term of an Option (other than an Incentive Stock Option) shall be automatically extended if, at the time of its scheduled expiration, the Participant holding such Option is prohibited by law (including, but not limited to, the application of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act) or the Companys insider trading policy from exercising the Option, which extension shall expire on the thirtieth (30th) day following the date such prohibition no longer applies. Unless an Option earlier expires upon the expiration date established pursuant to the foregoing sentence, upon the termination of the Participants employment, his or her rights to exercise an Option then held shall be only as follows, unless the Administrator specifies otherwise: |
| 1. | Death. Upon the death of a Participant while in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary or while serving as a member of the Board, all of the Participants Options then held shall be exercisable by his or her estate, heir or beneficiary at any time during the one (1) year period commencing on the date of death, but only to the extent that the Options are exercisable as of that date. Any and all of the deceased Participants Options that are not exercised during the one (1) year period commencing on the date of death shall terminate as of the end of such one (1) year period. To the extent that any Option is not exercisable as of the date of death, such portion of the Option shall remain unexercisable and shall terminate as of such date. |
If a Participant should die within thirty (30) days of his or her Termination of Employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries, an Option shall be exercisable by his or her estate, heir or beneficiary at any time during the one (1) year period commencing on the date of termination, but only to the extent of the number of Shares as to which such Option was exercisable as of the date of such termination. Any and all of the deceased Participants Options that are not exercised during the one (1) year period commencing on the date of termination shall terminate as of the end of such one (1) year period. A Participants estate shall mean his or her legal representative or other person who so acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by reason of the death of the Participant.
| 2. | Disability. Upon Termination of Employment as a result of a Participants Disability, all of the Participants Options then held shall be exercisable during the one (1) year period commencing on the date of termination, but only to the extent that the Options are exercisable as of that date. Any and all Options that are not exercised during the one (1) year period commencing on the date of termination shall terminate as of the end of such one (1) year period. To the extent that any Option is not exercisable as of the date of Disability, such portion of the Option shall remain unexercisable and shall terminate as of such date. |
| 3. | Other Reasons. Upon the date of a termination of a Participants employment for any reason other than those stated above in Sections 6(e)(1) and (e)(2) or as described in Section 15, (A) to the extent that any Option is not exercisable as of such termination date, such portion of the Option shall remain unexercisable and shall terminate as of such date, and (B) to the extent that any Option is exercisable as of such termination date, such portion of the Option shall expire on the earlier of (i) ninety (90) days following such date and (ii) the expiration date of such Option. |
| (f) | Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6, in the case of the grant of an Option intending to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option: (i) if the Participant owns stock possessing more than 10 percent of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (a 10% Shareholder), the exercise price of such Option must be at least 110 percent of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant and the Option must expire within a period of not more than five (5) years from the date of grant, and (ii) Termination of Employment will occur when the person to whom an Award was granted ceases to be an employee (as determined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder) of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6 to the contrary, options designated as Incentive Stock Options shall not be eligible for treatment under the Code as Incentive Stock Options (and will be deemed to be Nonqualified Stock Options) to the extent that either (a) the aggregate Fair Market Value of Shares (determined as of the time of grant) with respect to which such Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, taking Options into account in the order in which they were granted, or (b) such Options otherwise remain exercisable but are not exercised within three (3) months of Termination of Employment (or such other period of time provided in Section 422 of the Code). |
| (g) | No Stockholder Rights. Participants shall have no voting rights and will have no rights to receive dividends or dividend equivalents in respect of an Option or any Shares subject to an Option until the Participant has become the holder of record of such Shares. |
| 7. | Stock Appreciation Rights |
Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to Participants from time to time either in tandem with or as a component of other Awards granted under the Plan (tandem SARs) or not in conjunction with other Awards (freestanding SARs) and may, but need not, relate to a specific Option granted under Section 6. The provisions of Stock Appreciation Rights need not be the same with respect to each grant or each recipient. Any Stock Appreciation Right granted in tandem with an Award may be granted at the same time such Award is granted or at any time thereafter before exercise or expiration of such Award. All freestanding SARs shall be granted subject to the same terms and conditions applicable to Options as set forth in Section 6 (including the minimum vesting provisions in Section 6(d)) and all tandem SARs shall have the same exercise price, vesting, exercisability, forfeiture and termination provisions as the Award to which they relate. Subject to the provisions of Section 6 and the immediately preceding sentence, the Administrator may impose such other conditions or restrictions on any Stock Appreciation Right as it shall deem appropriate. Stock Appreciation Rights may be settled in Shares, cash or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Other than in connection with a change in the Companys capitalization (as described in Section 12), the Company shall not, without stockholder approval, (i) reduce the exercise price of a Stock Appreciation Right, (ii) exchange a Stock Appreciation Right for a new Option or Stock Appreciation Right with a lower exercise price or (iii) at any time when the exercise price of a Stock Appreciation Right is above the Fair Market Value of a Share, exchange such Stock Appreciation Right for cash or other property. Participants shall have no voting rights and will have no rights to receive dividends or dividend equivalents in respect of Stock Appreciation Rights or any Shares subject to Stock Appreciation Rights until the Participant has become the holder of record of such Shares.
| 8. | Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units |
| (a) | Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units may be granted at any time and from time to time prior to the termination of the Plan to Participants as determined by the Administrator. Restricted Stock is an issuance of Shares, the retention, vesting and/or transferability of which is subject during specified periods of time to such conditions (including continued employment or performance conditions) and terms as the Administrator deems appropriate. Restricted Stock Units are Awards denominated in units of Shares under which the issuance of Shares is subject to such conditions (including |
| continued employment or performance conditions) and terms as the Administrator deems appropriate. Each grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, each Restricted Stock Unit will be equal to one Share and will entitle a Participant to either the issuance of Shares or payment of an amount of cash determined with reference to the value of Shares. To the extent determined by the Administrator, Restricted Stock Units may be satisfied or settled in Shares, cash or a combination thereof. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to the Plan need not be identical but each grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units must contain and be subject to the terms and conditions set forth below. |
| (b) | Contents of Agreement. Each Award Agreement shall contain provisions regarding (i) the number of Shares or Restricted Stock Units subject to such Award or a formula for determining such number, (ii) the purchase price of the Shares, if any, and the means of payment, (iii) the performance criteria, if any, and level of achievement versus these criteria that shall determine the number of Shares or Restricted Stock Units granted, issued, retainable and/or vested, (iv) such terms and conditions on the grant, issuance, vesting and/or forfeiture of the Shares or Restricted Stock Units as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator, (v) the term of the performance period, if any, as to which performance will be measured for determining the number of such Shares or Restricted Stock Units, and (vi) restrictions on the transferability of the Shares or Restricted Stock Units. Shares issued under a Restricted Stock Award may be issued in the name of the Participant and held by the Participant or held by the Company, in each case as the Administrator may provide. |
| (c) | Vesting and Performance Criteria. Subject to the other provisions set forth in this Plan, the grant, issuance, retention, vesting and/or settlement of shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units will occur when and in such installments as the Administrator determines or under criteria the Administrator establishes, which may include achievement of Performance Criteria. |
| (d) | Discretionary Adjustments. Notwithstanding the satisfaction of any Performance Criteria, the number of Shares granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units on account of either financial performance or personal performance evaluations may, to the extent specified in the Award Agreement, be reduced on the basis of such further considerations as the Administrator shall determine. |
| (e) | Voting Rights. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, Participants holding shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those shares during the period of restriction. Participants shall have no voting rights with respect to Shares underlying Restricted Stock Units unless and until such Shares are reflected as issued and outstanding shares on the Companys stock ledger. |
| (f) | Dividends and Distributions. Participants in whose name Restricted Stock is granted shall be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to those Shares, unless determined otherwise by the Administrator. The Administrator will determine whether any such dividends or distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Restricted Stock and subject to the same restrictions on transferability as the Restricted Stock with respect to which they were distributed or whether such dividends or distributions will be paid in cash. Shares underlying Restricted Stock Units shall be entitled to dividends or dividend equivalents only to the extent provided by the Administrator. |
| (g) | No Dividends or Dividend Equivalents on Unvested Performance Awards. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event will dividends or dividend equivalents be paid with respect to unvested Awards of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units that are subject to performance-based vesting criteria. Dividends or dividend equivalents accrued on or in respect of such Awards shall become payable (if at all) no earlier than the date the performance-based vesting criteria have been achieved and the underlying Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units have been earned. |
| 9. | Incentive Bonuses |
| (a) | General. Each Incentive Bonus Award will confer upon the Participant the opportunity to earn a future payment tied to the level of achievement with respect to one or more performance criteria established for a performance period established by the Administrator. |
| (b) | Incentive Bonus Document. The terms of any Incentive Bonus will be set forth in an Award Agreement. Each Award Agreement evidencing an Incentive Bonus shall contain provisions regarding (i) the target and maximum amount payable to the Participant as an Incentive Bonus, (ii) the performance criteria and level of achievement versus these criteria that shall determine the amount of such payment, (iii) the term of the performance period as to which performance shall be measured for determining the amount of any payment, (iv) the timing of any payment earned by virtue of performance, (v) restrictions on the alienation or transfer of the Incentive Bonus prior to actual payment, (vi) forfeiture provisions and (vii) such further terms and conditions, in each case not inconsistent with this Plan as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator. |
| (c) | Performance Criteria. The Administrator shall establish the performance criteria and level of achievement versus these criteria that shall determine the target and maximum amount payable under an Incentive Bonus, which criteria may be based on financial performance and/or personal performance evaluations. |
| (d) | Timing and Form of Payment. The Administrator shall determine the timing of payment of any Incentive Bonus. Payment of the amount due under an Incentive Bonus may be made in cash or in Shares, as determined by the Administrator. The Administrator may provide for or, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may specify, may permit a Participant to elect for the payment of any Incentive Bonus to be deferred to a specified date or event. |
| (e) | Discretionary Adjustments. Notwithstanding satisfaction of any performance goals, the amount paid under an Incentive Bonus on account of either financial performance or personal performance evaluations may be reduced or increased by the Administrator on the basis of such further considerations as the Administrator shall determine. |
| 10. | Deferral of Gains |
The Administrator may, in an Award Agreement or otherwise, provide for the deferred delivery of Shares or cash upon settlement, vesting or other events with respect to Restricted Stock Units, or in payment or satisfaction of an Incentive Bonus. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event will any election to defer the delivery of Shares or any other payment with respect to any Award be allowed if the Administrator determines that the deferral would result in the imposition of the additional tax under Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code. The Company, the Board and the Administrator shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other party, if an Award that is intended to be exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A of the Code is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Board or Administrator.
| 11. | Conditions and Restrictions Upon Securities Subject to Awards |
The Administrator may provide that the Shares issued upon exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or otherwise subject to or issued under an Award shall be subject to such further agreements, restrictions, conditions or limitations as the Administrator may specify prior to the exercise of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right or the grant, vesting or settlement of such Award, including without limitation, conditions on vesting or transferability, forfeiture or repurchase provisions and method of payment for the Shares issued upon exercise, vesting or settlement of such Award (including the actual or constructive surrender of Shares already owned by the Participant) or payment of taxes arising in connection with an Award. Without limiting the foregoing, such restrictions may address the timing and manner of any resales by the Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any Shares issued under an Award, including without limitation (i) restrictions under an insider trading policy or pursuant to applicable law, (ii) restrictions designed to delay and/or coordinate the timing and manner of sales by the Participant and holders of other Company equity compensation arrangements, (iii) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers, and (iv) provisions requiring Shares to be sold on the open market or to the Company in order to satisfy tax withholding or other obligations.
| 12. | Adjustment of and Changes in the Shares |
In the event that any stock dividend, stock split or a combination or consolidation of the outstanding Shares into a lesser number of shares, is declared with respect to the Shares, the authorization limits under Sections 5(a), 5(c) and 5(d) shall be increased or decreased proportionately, and the Shares then subject to each Award shall be increased or decreased proportionately without any change in the aggregate purchase price therefor. In the event of an extraordinary distribution on the Shares or in the event the Shares shall be changed into or exchanged for a different number or class of shares of stock or securities of the Company or of another corporation or other property, whether through recapitalization, reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation, split-up, spinoff, combination, repurchase or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company, or any other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares such that an equitable adjustment would be required in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, then the authorization limits under Sections 5(a), 5(c) and 5(d) shall be adjusted proportionately, and an equitable adjustment shall be made to each Share subject to an Award such that no dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits occurs. Each such Share then subject to each Award shall be adjusted to the number and class of shares or other property into which each outstanding Share shall be so exchanged such that no dilution or enlargement of the benefits occurs, all without change in the aggregate purchase price for the Shares then subject to each Award. Action by the Administrator pursuant to this Section 12 may include adjustment to any or all of: (i) the number and type of Shares (or other securities or other property) that thereafter may be made the subject of Awards or be delivered under the Plan; (ii) the number and type of Shares (or other securities or other property) subject to outstanding Awards; (iii) the purchase price or exercise price of a Share under any outstanding Award or the measure to be used to determine the amount of the benefit payable on an Award; and (iv) any other adjustments the Administrator determines to be equitable.
No right to purchase fractional shares shall result from any adjustment in Awards pursuant to this Section 12. In case of any such adjustment, the Shares or other security subject to the Award shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share. The Company shall notify Participants holding Awards subject to any adjustments pursuant to this Section 12 of such adjustment, but (whether or not notice is given) such adjustment shall be effective and binding for all purposes of the Plan.
| 13. | Performance-Based Compensation |
| (a) | General. The Administrator may establish performance criteria and level of achievement versus such criteria that shall determine the number of Shares, units or cash to be granted, retained, vested, issued or issuable under or in settlement of or the amount payable pursuant to an Award, which criteria may be based on Performance Criteria or other standards of financial performance and/ or personal performance evaluations. Notwithstanding satisfaction of any performance goals, to the extent provided in the terms of the individual Award, the number of Shares issued under or the amount paid under an Award may be reduced by the Administrator on the basis of such further considerations as the Administrator shall determine. |
| (b) | Performance Criteria. For purposes of this Plan, the term Performance Criteria shall mean any one or more of the following performance criteria, or derivations of such performance criteria, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit or Subsidiary, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured over the performance period established by the Administrator, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous results or to a designated comparison group, either based upon United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or non-GAAP financial results, in each case as specified by the Administrator: (i) cash flow (before or after dividends), (ii) earnings per share (including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), (iii) stock price, (iv) return on equity, (v) total stockholder return, (vi) return on capital (including return on total capital or return on invested capital), (vii) return on assets or |
| net assets, (viii) market capitalization, (ix) economic value added, (x) debt leverage (debt to capital), (xi) revenue, (xii) income or net income, (xiii) operating income, (xiv) operating profit or net operating profit, (xv) operating margin or profit margin, (xvi) return on operating revenue, (xvii) cash from operations, (xviii) operating ratio, (xix) operating revenue, (xx) market share, (xxi) product development or release schedules, (xxii) new product innovation, (xxiii) product cost reduction through advanced technology, (xxiv) brand recognition/acceptance, (xxv) product ship targets, (xxvi) cost reductions, (xxvii) customer service, (xxviii) customer satisfaction, (xxix) the sales of assets or subsidiaries, or (xxx) any other measure or metric the Administrator deems appropriate. The Administrator may appropriately adjust any evaluation of performance under a Performance Criteria (A) to eliminate the effects of charges for restructurings, discontinued operations, and all items of gain, loss or expense that are unusual or infrequently occurring or related to the acquisition or disposal of a segment of a business or related to a change in accounting principle all as determined in accordance with applicable accounting provisions, as well as the cumulative effect of accounting changes, in each case as determined in accordance with GAAP or identified in the Companys financial statements or notes to the financial statements, (B) to exclude any of the following events that occurs during a performance period: (i) asset write-downs, (ii) litigation, claims, judgments or settlements, (iii) the effect of changes in tax law or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs, (v) accruals of any amounts for payment under this Plan or any other compensation arrangement maintained by the Company, (vi) foreign exchange gains and losses, and (vii) acquisitions or divestitures, and (C) for such other events as the Administrator shall deem appropriate. |
| 14. | Transferability |
Each Award may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated by a Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and each Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable only by the Participant during his or her lifetime. Notwithstanding the foregoing, outstanding Options may be exercised following the Participants death by the Participants beneficiaries or as permitted by the Administrator. Further, and notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted by the Administrator, the person to whom an Award is initially granted (the Grantee) may transfer an Award to any family member of the Grantee (as such term is defined in Section A.1(a)(5) of the General Instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor thereto (Form S-8)), to trusts solely for the benefit of such family members and to partnerships in which such family members and/or trusts are the only partners; provided that, (i) as a condition thereof, the transferor and the transferee must execute a written agreement containing such terms as specified by the Administrator, and (ii) the transfer is pursuant to a gift or a domestic relations order to the extent permitted under the General Instructions to Form S-8. Except to the extent specified otherwise in the agreement the Administrator provides for the Grantee and transferee to execute, all vesting, exercisability and forfeiture provisions that are conditioned on the Grantees continued employment or service shall continue to be determined with reference to the Grantees employment or service (and not to the status of the transferee) after any transfer of an Award pursuant to this Section 14, and the responsibility to pay any taxes in connection with an Award shall remain with the Grantee notwithstanding any transfer other than by will or intestate succession.
| 15. | Suspension or Termination of Awards; Clawback Policy |
Except as otherwise provided by the Administrator, if at any time (including after a notice of exercise has been delivered or an award has vested) the Chief Executive Officer or any other person designated by the Administrator (each such person, an Authorized Officer) reasonably believes that a Participant may have committed any act constituting Cause for termination of employment or any Detrimental Activity, the Authorized Officer, Administrator or the Board may suspend the Participants rights to exercise any Option, to vest in an Award, and/or to receive payment for or receive Shares in settlement of an Award pending a determination of whether such an act has been committed.
If the Administrator or an Authorized Officer determines a Participant has committed any act constituting Cause for termination of employment or any Detrimental Activity, then except as otherwise provided by the Administrator, (i) none of the Participant, his or her estate or any transferee shall be entitled to exercise any Option or Stock Appreciation Right whatsoever, vest in or have the restrictions on an Award lapse, or otherwise receive payment of an Award, (ii) the Participant will forfeit all outstanding Awards and (iii) the Participant may be required by the Administrator to return and/or repay to the Company any then unvested Shares previously issued under the Plan. In making such determination, the Administrator or an Authorized Officer shall give the Participant an opportunity to appear and present evidence on his or her behalf at a hearing before the Administrator or its designee or an opportunity to submit written comments, documents, information and arguments to be considered by the Administrator. Any dispute by a Participant or other person as to the determination of the Administrator (or its designee) shall be resolved pursuant to Section 24 of the Plan.
Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to the Companys clawback policy, as in effect and applicable to the Participant from time to time.
| 16. | Agreement to Repayments of Incentive Compensation When Repayments Are Required Under Federal Law. |
This provision applies to any policy adopted by the New York Stock Exchange (or any other exchange on which the securities of the Company are listed) pursuant to Section 10D of the Exchange Act. To the extent any such policy requires the repayment of incentive-based compensation received by a Participant, whether paid pursuant to an Award granted under this Plan or any other plan of incentive-based compensation maintained in the past or adopted in the future by the Company, by accepting an Award under this Plan, the Participant agrees to the repayment of such amounts to the extent required by such policy and applicable law.
| 17. | Compliance with Laws and Regulations |
This Plan, the grant, issuance, vesting, exercise and settlement of Awards thereunder, and the obligation of the Company to sell, issue or deliver Shares under such Awards, shall be subject to all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations, stock exchange rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental or regulatory agency as may be required. The Company shall not be required to register in a Participants name or deliver any Shares prior to the completion of any registration or qualification of such shares under any foreign, federal, state or local law or any ruling or regulation of any government body which the Administrator shall determine to be necessary or advisable. To the extent the Company is unable to or the Administrator deems it infeasible to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Companys counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be relieved of any liability with respect to the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. No Option shall be exercisable and no Shares shall be issued and/or transferable under any other Award unless a registration statement with respect to the Shares underlying such Award is effective and current or the Company has determined that such registration is unnecessary.
In the event an Award is granted to or held by a Participant who is employed or providing services outside the United States, the Administrator may modify the provisions of the Plan or of such Award as they pertain to such individual to comply with applicable foreign law or to recognize differences in local law, currency or tax policy. The Administrator may also impose conditions on the grant, issuance, exercise, vesting, settlement or retention of Awards in order to comply with such foreign law and/or to minimize the Companys obligations with respect to tax equalization for Participants employed outside their home country.
| 18. | Withholding |
To the extent required by applicable federal, state, local or foreign law, a Participant shall be required to satisfy, in a manner satisfactory to the Company, any withholding tax obligations that arise by reason of an Option exercise, disposition of Shares issued under an Incentive Stock Option, the vesting of or settlement of an Award, an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code or otherwise with respect to an Award. To the extent a Participant makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, within ten days of filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service, the Participant must notify the Company in writing of such election. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to issue Shares, make any payment or to recognize the transfer or disposition of Shares until all such obligations are satisfied. The Administrator may provide for or permit these obligations to be satisfied through the mandatory or elective sale of Shares and/or by having the Company withhold a portion of the Shares that otherwise would be issued to him or her upon exercise of the Option or the vesting or settlement of an Award up to the minimum amount necessary to satisfy such obligations (or, if and when the Company adopts any applicable accounting standard allowing for greater Share withholding, up to such withholding rate that will not cause an adverse accounting consequence or cost), or by tendering Shares previously acquired.
| 19. | Administration of the Plan |
| (a) | Administrator of the Plan. The Plan shall be administered by the Administrator who shall be the Compensation and Personnel Committee of the Board or, in the absence of a Compensation and Personnel Committee, the Board itself. Any power of the Administrator may also be exercised by the Board, except to the extent that the grant or exercise of such authority would cause any Award or transaction to become subject to (or lose an exemption under) the short-swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. To the extent that any permitted action taken by the Board conflicts with action taken by the Administrator, the Board action shall control. The Compensation and Personnel Committee may by resolution authorize one or more officers of the Company to perform any or all things that the Administrator is authorized and empowered to do or perform under the Plan, and for all purposes under this Plan, to the extent so authorized, such officer or officers shall be treated as the Administrator; provided, however, that the resolution so authorizing such officer or officers shall specify the total number of Awards (if any) such officer or officers may award pursuant to such delegated authority, and any such Award shall be subject to the form of Award Agreement theretofore approved by the Compensation and Personnel Committee; and, provided, further, that such authorization shall not provide for the grant of Awards to officers or directors of the Company who are subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act. No such officer shall designate himself or herself as a recipient of any Awards granted under authority delegated to such officer. The Compensation and Personnel Committee hereby designates the Secretary of the Company and the head of the Companys human resource function to assist the Administrator in the administration of the Plan and execute agreements evidencing Awards made under this Plan or other documents entered into under this Plan on behalf of the Administrator or the Company. In addition, the Compensation and Personnel Committee may delegate any or all aspects of the day-to-day administration of the Plan to one or more officers or employees of the Company or any Subsidiary, and/or to one or more agents. |
| (b) | Powers of Administrator. Subject to the express provisions of this Plan, the Administrator shall be authorized and empowered to do all things that it determines, in its sole discretion except as otherwise expressly provided, to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the administration of this Plan, including, without limitation: (i) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to this Plan and to define terms not otherwise defined herein; (ii) to determine which persons are Participants, to which of such Participants, if any, Awards shall be granted hereunder and the timing of any such Awards; (iii) to grant Awards to Participants and determine the terms and conditions thereof, including the number of Shares subject to Awards and the exercise or purchase price of such Shares and the circumstances under which Awards become exercisable or vested or are forfeited or expire, which terms may but need not be conditioned upon the passage of time, continued employment, the satisfaction of performance criteria, the occurrence of certain events (including a Change in Control), or other factors; (iv) to establish any performance goals or other conditions applicable to the grant, issuance, exercisability, vesting and/or ability to retain any Award; (v) to certify or otherwise determine the extent of satisfaction of any performance goals or other conditions applicable to the grant, issuance, exercisability, vesting and/or ability to retain any Award in good faith; (vi) to prescribe and amend the terms of the agreements or other documents evidencing Awards made under this Plan (which need not be identical) and the terms of or form of any document or notice required |
| to be delivered to the Company by Participants under this Plan; (vii) to determine adjustments in accordance with Section 12; (viii) to interpret and construe this Plan, any rules and regulations under this Plan and the terms and conditions of any Award granted hereunder, and to make exceptions to any such provisions if the Administrator, in good faith, determines that it is necessary to do so in light of extraordinary circumstances and for the benefit of the Company and so as to avoid unanticipated consequences or address unanticipated events (including any temporary closure of an applicable stock exchange, disruption of communications or natural catastrophe); (ix) to approve corrections in the documentation or administration of any Award; (x) to require or permit Participant elections and/or consents under this Plan to be made by means of such electronic media as the Administrator may prescribe; and (xi) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan. The Administrator may, in its sole and absolute discretion, without amendment to the Plan, waive or amend the operation of Plan provisions respecting exercise after termination of employment or service to the Company or an Affiliate and, except as otherwise provided herein, adjust any of the terms of any Award. The Administrator may also (A) accelerate the date on which any Award granted under the Plan becomes exercisable or (B) accelerate the vesting date or waive or adjust any condition imposed hereunder with respect to the vesting or exercisability of an Award, provided that the Administrator, in good faith, determines that such acceleration, waiver or other adjustment is necessary or desirable in light of applicable circumstances. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, other than in connection with a change in the Companys capitalization (as described in Section 12) the Company shall not, without stockholder approval, (i) reduce the exercise price of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, (ii) exchange an Option or Stock Appreciation Right for a new Option or Stock Appreciation Right with a lower exercise price or (iii) at any time when the exercise price of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right is above the Fair Market Value of a Share, exchange such Option or Stock Appreciation Right for cash or other property; provided, however, that in the event of a Change in Control, any Award with an exercise price that equals or exceeds the value of the consideration to be paid to the holders of Common Stock (on a per share basis) may be cancelled without any consideration. |
| (c) | Award Vesting Limitations. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, Awards granted under the Plan (other than cash-based Awards) may not become exercisable, vest or be settled, in whole or in part, prior to the one (1) year anniversary of the date of grant except (i) with respect to an Award that is granted in connection with a merger or other acquisition as a substitute or replacement award for awards held by grantees of the acquired business and (ii) with respect to an Award granted to a Nonemployee Director that vests on the earlier of the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and the next annual meeting of stockholders which is at least 50 weeks after the immediately preceding years annual meeting; provided, that up to 5% of the aggregate number of Shares authorized for issuance under this Plan (as described in Section 5(a)) may be issued pursuant to Awards subject to any, or no, vesting conditions, as the Administrator determines appropriate; and, provided, further, that the foregoing restriction does not apply to the Administrators discretion to provide for accelerated exercisability or vesting of any Award, including in cases of retirement, death, disability, or a Change in Control, in the terms of the Award or otherwise. |
| (d) | Determinations by the Administrator. All decisions, determinations and interpretations by the Administrator regarding the Plan, any rules and regulations under the Plan and the terms and conditions of or operation of any Award granted hereunder, shall be final and binding on all Participants, beneficiaries, heirs, assigns or other persons holding or claiming rights under the Plan or any Award, and no such decision, determination or interpretation may be altered or nullified by any other Person except if determined to be arbitrary or capricious as provided in Section 24. The Administrator shall consider such factors as it deems relevant, in its sole and absolute discretion, to making such decisions, determinations and interpretations including, without limitation, the recommendations or advice of any officer or other employee of the Company and such attorneys, consultants and accountants as it may select. |
| (e) | Subsidiary Awards. In the case of a grant of an Award to any Participant employed by a Subsidiary, such grant may, if the Administrator so directs, be implemented by the Company issuing any subject Shares to the Subsidiary, for such lawful consideration as the Administrator may determine, upon the condition or understanding that the Subsidiary will transfer the Shares to the Participant in accordance with the terms of the Award specified by the Administrator pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, such Award may be issued by and in the name of the Subsidiary and shall be deemed granted on such date as the Administrator shall determine. |
| 20. | Amendment of the Plan or Awards |
The Board may amend, alter or discontinue this Plan and the Administrator may amend, or alter any agreement or other document evidencing an Award made under this Plan but, except as provided pursuant to the provisions of Section 12, no such amendment shall, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company:
| (a) | increase the maximum number of Shares for which Awards may be granted under this Plan; |
| (b) | reduce the price at which Options may be granted below the price provided for in Section 6(a); |
| (c) | reduce the exercise price of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights and, at any time when the exercise price of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right is above the Fair Market Value of a Share, exchange such Option or Stock Appreciation Right for cash or other property; |
| (d) | extend the term of this Plan; |
| (e) | change the classes of persons eligible to be Participants; or |
| (f) | otherwise amend the Plan in any manner requiring stockholder approval by law or under the New York Stock Exchange listing requirements. |
Any amendment to comply with changes in governing law or accounting standards shall not require stockholder approval.
No amendment or alteration to the Plan or an Award or Award Agreement shall be made which would impair the rights of the holder of an Award, without such holders consent, provided that no such consent shall be required if the Administrator determines in its sole discretion and prior to the date of any Change in Control that such amendment or alteration either (i) is required or advisable in order for the Company, the Plan or the Award to satisfy any law or regulation or to meet the requirements of or avoid adverse financial accounting consequences under any accounting standard, or (ii) is not reasonably likely to significantly diminish the benefits provided under such Award, or that any such diminishment has been adequately compensated.
| 21. | No Liability of Company |
None of (1) the Company and any Subsidiary or affiliate which is in existence or hereafter comes into existence, (2) the Board or (3) the Administrator shall be liable to a Participant or any other person as to: (i) the non-issuance or sale of Shares as to which the Company has been unable to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority deemed by the Companys counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder; and (ii) any tax consequence expected, but not realized, by any Participant or other person due to the receipt, exercise or settlement of any Award granted hereunder.
| 22. | Non-Exclusivity of Plan |
Neither the adoption of this Plan by the Board nor the submission of this Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or the Administrator to adopt such other incentive arrangements as either may deem desirable, including without limitation, the granting of restricted stock or stock options otherwise than under this Plan, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
| 23. | Governing Law |
This Plan and any agreements or other documents hereunder shall be interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and applicable federal law. Any reference in this Plan or in the agreement or other document evidencing any Awards to a provision of law or to a rule or regulation shall be deemed to include any successor law, rule or regulation of similar effect or applicability.
| 24. | Arbitration of Disputes |
In the event a Participant or other holder of an Award or person claiming a right under an Award or the Plan believes that a decision by the Administrator with respect to such person or Award was arbitrary or capricious or has any other dispute relating to an Award, the person may request arbitration with respect to such decision. The review by the arbitrator regarding a decision by the Administrator shall be limited to determining whether the Participant or other Award holder has proven that the Administrators decision was arbitrary or capricious. This arbitration shall be the sole and exclusive review permitted of the Administrators decision or with respect to any other dispute relating to an Award. Participants, Award holders and persons claiming rights under an Award or the Plan explicitly waive any right to judicial review or a jury trial. Any dispute shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §1, et. seq. (the FAA), and the FAA shall preempt all state laws to the fullest extent not prohibited by law.
Notice of demand for arbitration shall be made in writing to the Administrator within thirty (30) days after the applicable decision by the Administrator. The Company shall select a list of at least five (5) arbitrator candidates from which the Participant or other holder of an Award or person claiming a right under an Award may choose. The arbitrator shall be an individual who is an attorney licensed to practice law in the jurisdiction in which the Companys headquarters are then located and the arbitration shall take place in such jurisdiction. Such arbitrator shall be neutral within the meaning of the JAMS Employment Arbitration Rules and Procedures (or the successor to such rules and procedures) as then in effect (the JAMS Rules). Any challenge to the neutrality of the arbitrator shall be resolved by the arbitrator, whose decision shall be final and conclusive. This Section 24 shall be enforceable in accordance with the FAA. References to Delaware law made herein shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights under the FAA, or any rights to have such dispute resolution provisions governed, interpreted and enforced under the FAA. In the event that any person refuses to submit to arbitration as required by this Section 24, any other person that would be a party to such arbitration may request a United States Federal District Court to compel arbitration in accordance with the FAA. All persons with an interest in such dispute consent to the jurisdiction of such court to enforce this Section 24 and to confirm and enforce the performance of any award of the arbitrator. The arbitration shall be administered and conducted by the arbitrator pursuant to the FAA, and to the extent not inconsistent with the FAA, with the JAMS Rules. Each side shall bear its own fees and expenses, including its own attorneys fees, and, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, each side shall bear one half of the arbitrators fees and expenses. The decision of the arbitrator on the issue(s) presented for arbitration shall be final and conclusive and may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction.
| 25. | No Right to Employment, Reelection or Continued Service |
Nothing in this Plan or an Award Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company, its Subsidiaries and/or its affiliates to terminate any Participants employment, service on the Board or service for the Company at any time or for any reason not prohibited by law, nor shall this Plan or an Award itself confer upon any Participant any right to continue his or her employment or service for any specified period of time. Neither an Award nor any benefits arising under this Plan shall constitute an employment contract with the Company, any Subsidiary and/or its affiliates. Subject to Sections 4 and 20, this Plan and the benefits hereunder may be terminated at any time in the sole and exclusive discretion of the Board without giving rise to any liability on the part of the Company, its Subsidiaries and/or its affiliates.
| 26. | Severability |
If any provision of the Plan or any Award is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any Person, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Administrator, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or, if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the Administrators determination, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
| 27. | Unfunded Plan |
The Plan is intended to be an unfunded plan. Participants are and shall at all times be general creditors of the Company with respect to their Awards. If the Administrator or the Company chooses to set aside funds in a trust or otherwise for the payment of Awards under the Plan, such funds shall at all times be subject to the claims of the creditors of the Company in the event of its bankruptcy or insolvency.
| 28. | Section 409A |
Awards granted under the Plan are intended to comply with, or be exempt from, the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and shall be limited, construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. In the event that any provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement is determined by the Administrator to not comply with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code or the applicable regulations and other guidance issued thereunder, the Administrator shall have the authority to take such actions and to make such changes to the Plan or an Award Agreement as the Administrator deems necessary to comply with such requirements. Although the Company does not guarantee any particular tax treatment, to the extent that any Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, it shall be paid in a manner that is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code, including regulations and any other guidance issued by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service with respect thereto. In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on a Participant by Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code.
To the extent any payment under this Plan is considered deferred compensation subject to the restrictions contained in Section 409A of the Code, and to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of taxes under Section 409A of the Code, such payment may not be made to a specified employee (as determined in accordance with a uniform policy adopted by the Company with respect to all arrangements subject to Section 409A of the Code) upon separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) before the date that is six months after the specified employees separation from service (or, if earlier, the specified employees death). Any payment that would otherwise be made during this period of delay shall be accumulated and paid, without interest, on the sixth month plus one day following the specified employees separation from service (or, if earlier, as soon as administratively practicable after the specified employees death).
For purposes of Section 409A of the Code (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), a Participants right to receive any payments or benefits under this Plan that are considered deferred compensation subject to the restrictions contained in Section 409A of the Code shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment.
Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator in an Award Agreement or otherwise, in the event that the timing of payments in respect of any Award (that would otherwise be considered nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code) would be accelerated upon the occurrence of (x) a Change in Control, no such acceleration shall be permitted unless the event giving rise to the Change in Control satisfies the definition of a change in the ownership or effective control of a corporation, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of a corporation pursuant to Section 409A of the Code; or (y) a Disability, no such acceleration shall be permitted unless the Disability also satisfies the definition of Disability pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.