| ● | acquisition of the Company by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; or |
| ● | removal of the Company’s incumbent officers and directors. |
These provisions, summarized below, could have the effect of discouraging certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions may also encourage persons seeking to acquire control of the Company to first negotiate with the Board.
Classified Board. The Articles of Incorporation provide that the Board is to be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, with directors in each class serving three-year terms. This provision may have the effect of delaying or discouraging an acquisition of the Company or a change in the Company’s management.
Filling Vacancies. The Articles of Incorporation provide that newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall, unless otherwise provided by law or resolution of the Board, be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum. The directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of office of the class to which they have been chosen expires.
Removal. The Bylaws and the Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”) provide that any director may be removed from the Board by the vote or written consent of stockholders representing not less than two-thirds of the voting power of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote.
Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals. The Bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the Board.
Special Meetings of the Stockholders. The Bylaws provide that special meetings of the stockholders may be called by the Chair of the Board or the Company’s President, or by the Board acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by the total number of authorized directors, whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships.
No Cumulative Voting. The Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws do not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.
Undesignated Preferred Stock. The authorization of undesignated Preferred Stock in the Articles of Incorporation makes it possible for the Board to issue Preferred Stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change control of the Company. These and other provisions may have the effect of deferring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of the Company.
Amendment of Charter Provisions. The amendment of any of the above provisions set forth in the Articles of Incorporation, except for the provision making it possible for the Board to issue undesignated Preferred Stock, would require approval by a stockholder vote by the holders of at least 66-2/3% of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.