EXHIBIT 10.8
[PARENT] CORPORATION
2006 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE
SECTION 1.1 Purpose. This 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is
established by [Parent] Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company") to
create incentives which are designed to motivate Participants to put forth
maximum effort toward the success and growth of the Company and to enable the
Company to attract and retain experienced individuals who by their position,
ability and diligence are able to make important contributions to the Company's
success. Toward these objectives, the Plan provides for the grant of Options,
Restricted Stock Awards, SARs, Performance Units and Performance Bonuses to
Eligible Employees and the grant of Nonqualified Stock Options, Restricted Stock
Awards, SARs and Performance Units to Consultants and Eligible Directors,
subject to the conditions set forth in the Plan.
SECTION 1.2 Establishment. The Plan is effective as of ___________, 2006
and for a period of ten years thereafter. The Plan shall continue in effect
until all matters relating to the payment of Awards and administration of the
Plan have been settled. The Plan is subject to approval by the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, present, or represented, and
entitled to vote at a meeting called for such purposes, which approval must
occur within the period ending twelve months after the date the Plan is adopted
by the Board. Pending such approval by the shareholders, Awards under the Plan
may be granted, but no such Awards may be exercised prior to receipt of
shareholder approval. In the event shareholder approval is not obtained within a
twelve-month period, all Awards granted shall be void.
SECTION 1.3 Shares Subject to the Plan. Subject to the limitations set
forth in the Plan, Awards may be made under this Plan for a total of 2,400,000
shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.0001 per share (the "Common
Stock"). Any shares granted as Options shall be counted against this limit as
one share for each share granted. Any shares granted as Restricted Stock Awards
shall be counted against this limit as three shares for each share granted. A
maximum of _________ shares of Common Stock of the total authorized under this
Section 1.3 may be granted as Incentive Stock Options. The limitations of this
Section 1.3 shall be subject to the adjustment provisions of Article X.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 2.1 "Account" means the recordkeeping account established by the
Company to which will be credited an Award of Performance Units to a
Participant.
SECTION 2.2 "Affiliated Entity" means any corporation, partnership, limited
liability company or other form of legal entity in which a majority of the
partnership or other similar interest thereof is owned or controlled, directly
or indirectly, by the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries or Affiliated
Entities or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, the Company, a
Subsidiary or an Affiliated Entity shall be deemed to have a majority ownership
interest in a partnership or limited liability company if the Company, such
Subsidiary or Affiliated Entity shall be allocated a majority of partnership or
limited liability company gains or losses or shall be or control a managing
director or a general partner of such partnership or limited liability company.
SECTION 2.3 "Award" means, individually or collectively, any Option,
Restricted Stock Award, SAR, Performance Unit or Performance Bonus granted under
the Plan to an Eligible Employee by the Board or any Nonqualified Stock Option,
Performance Unit SAR or Restricted Stock Award granted under the Plan to a
Consultant or an Eligible Director by the Board pursuant to such terms,
conditions, restrictions, and/or limitations, if any, as the Board may establish
by the Award Agreement or otherwise.
SECTION 2.4 "Award Agreement" means any written instrument that establishes
the terms, conditions, restrictions, and/or limitations applicable to an Award
in addition to those established by this Plan and by the Board's exercise of its
administrative powers.
SECTION 2.5 "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company and, if the
Board has appointed a Committee as provided in Section 3.1, the term "Board"
shall include such Committee.
SECTION 2.6 "Change of Control Event" means each of the following:
(i) Any transaction in which shares of voting securities of the Company
representing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of all outstanding
voting securities of the Company are issued by the Company, or sold or
transferred by the shareholders of the Company as a result of which those
persons and entities who beneficially owned voting securities of the Company
representing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of all outstanding
voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction cease to
beneficially own voting securities of the Company representing more than 50% of
the total combined voting power of all outstanding voting securities of the
Company immediately after such transaction;
(ii) The merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another
entity as a result of which those persons and entities who beneficially owned
voting securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the total
combined voting power of all outstanding voting securities of the Company
immediately prior to such merger or consolidation cease to beneficially own
voting securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the total
combined voting power of all outstanding voting securities of the surviving
corporation or resulting entity immediately after such merger of consolidation ;
or
(iii) The sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets to
an entity of which those persons and entities who beneficially owned voting
securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the total combined
voting power of all outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately
prior to such asset sale do not beneficially own voting securities of the
purchasing entity representing more than 50% of the total combined voting power
of all outstanding voting securities of the purchasing entity immediately after
such asset sale.
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SECTION 2.7 "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
References in the Plan to any section of the Code shall be deemed to include any
amendments or successor provisions to such section and any regulations under
such section.
SECTION 2.8 "Committee" means the Committee appointed by the Board as
provided in Section 3.1.
SECTION 2.9 "Common Stock" means the common stock, par value $.00001 per
share, of the Company, and after substitution, such other stock as shall be
substituted therefore as provided in Article X.
SECTION 2.10 "Consultant" means any person who is engaged by the Company, a
Subsidiary or an Affiliated Entity to render consulting or advisory services.
SECTION 2.11 "Date of Grant" means the date on which the grant of an Award
is authorized by the Board or such later date as may be specified by the Board
in such authorization.
SECTION 2.12 "Disability" means the Participant is unable to continue
employment 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 12 months. For purposes of this Plan, the
determination of Disability shall be made in the sole and absolute discretion of
the Board.
SECTION 2.13 "Eligible Employee" means any employee of the Company, a
Subsidiary, or an Affiliated Entity as approved by the Board.
SECTION 2.14 "Eligible Director" means any member of the Board who is not
an employee of the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliated Entity.
SECTION 2.15 "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
SECTION 2.16 "Fair Market Value" means (A) during such time as the Common
Stock is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the closing price of
the Common Stock as reported by an established stock exchange or automated
quotation system on the day for which such value is to be determined, or, if no
sale of the Common Stock shall have been made on any such stock exchange or
automated quotation system that day, on the next preceding day on which there
was a sale of such Common Stock, or (B) during any such time as the Common Stock
is not listed upon an established stock exchange or automated quotation system,
the mean between dealer "bid" and "ask" prices of the Common Stock in the
over-the-counter market on the day for which such value is to be determined, as
reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or (C) during
any such time as the Common Stock cannot be valued pursuant to (A) or (B) above,
the fair market value shall be as determined by the Board considering all
relevant information including, by example and not by limitation, the services
of an independent appraiser.
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SECTION 2.17 "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option within the meaning of
Section 422 of the Code.
SECTION 2.18 "Nonqualified Stock Option" means an Option which is not an
Incentive Stock Option.
SECTION 2.19 "Option" means an Award granted under Article V of the Plan
and includes both Nonqualified Stock Options and Incentive Stock Options to
purchase shares of Common Stock.
SECTION 2.20 "Participant" means an Eligible Employee, a Consultant or an
Eligible Director to whom an Award has been granted by the Board under the Plan.
SECTION 2.21 "Performance Bonus" means the cash bonus which may be granted
to Eligible Employees under Article IX of the Plan.
SECTION 2.22 "Performance Units" means those monetary units that may be
granted to Eligible Employees, Consultants or Eligible Directors pursuant to
Article VIII hereof.
SECTION 2.23 "Plan" means [Parent] Corporation 2006 Long-Term Incentive
Plan.
SECTION 2.24 "Restricted Stock Award" means an Award granted to an Eligible
Employee, Consultant or Eligible Director under Article VI of the Plan.
SECTION 2.25 "Retirement" means the termination of an Eligible Employee's
employment with the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliated Entity on or after
attaining age 62.
SECTION 2.26 "SAR" means a stock appreciation right granted to an Eligible
Employee, Consultant or Eligible Director under Article VII of the Plan.
SECTION 2.27 "Subsidiary" shall have the same meaning set forth in Section
424 of the Code.
ARTICLE III
ADMINISTRATION
SECTION 3.1 Administration of the Plan by the Board. The Board shall
administer the Plan. The Board may, by resolution, appoint a committee to
administer the Plan and delegate its powers described under this Section 3.1 for
purposes of Awards granted to Eligible Employees and Consultants.
Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall have exclusive power
to:
(a) Select Eligible Employees and Consultants to participate in the Plan.
(b) Determine the time or times when Awards will be made to Eligible
Employees or Consultants.
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(c) Determine the form of an Award, whether an Incentive Stock Option,
Nonqualified Stock Option, Restricted Stock Award, SAR, Performance Unit,
or Performance Bonus, the number of shares of Common Stock or Performance
Units subject to the Award, the amount and all the terms, conditions
(including performance requirements), restrictions and/or limitations, if
any, of an Award, including the time and conditions of exercise or vesting,
and the terms of any Award Agreement, which may include the waiver or
amendment of prior terms and conditions or acceleration or early vesting or
payment of an Award under certain circumstances determined by the Board.
(d) Determine whether Awards will be granted singly or in combination.
(e) Accelerate the vesting, exercise or payment of an Award or the
performance period of an Award.
(f) Determine whether and to what extent a Performance Bonus may be
deferred, either automatically or at the election of the Participant or the
Board.
(g) Take any and all other action it deems necessary or advisable for the
proper operation or administration of the Plan.
SECTION 3.2 Administration of Grants to Eligible Directors. The Board shall
have the exclusive power to select Eligible Directors to participate in the Plan
and to determine the number of Nonqualified Stock Options, Performance Units,
SARs or shares of Restricted Stock awarded to Eligible Directors selected for
participation. If the Board appoints a committee to administer the Plan, it may
delegate to the committee administration of all other aspects of the Awards made
to Eligible Directors.
SECTION 3.3 Board to Make Rules and Interpret Plan. The Board in its sole
discretion shall have the authority, subject to the provisions of the Plan, to
establish, adopt, or revise such rules and regulations and to make all such
determinations relating to the Plan, as it may deem necessary or advisable for
the administration of the Plan. The Board's interpretation of the Plan or any
Awards and all decisions and determinations by the Board with respect to the
Plan shall be final, binding, and conclusive on all parties.
SECTION 3.4 Section 162(m) Provisions. The Company intends for the Plan and
the Awards made thereunder to qualify for the exception from Section 162(m) of
the Code for "qualified performance based compensation" if it is determined by
the Board that such qualification is necessary for an Award. Accordingly, the
Board shall make determinations as to performance targets and all other
applicable provisions of the Plan as necessary in order for the Plan and Awards
made thereunder to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.
ARTICLE IV
GRANT OF AWARDS
SECTION 4.1 Grant of Awards. Awards granted under this Plan shall be
subject to the following conditions:
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(a) Subject to Article X, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
made subject to the grant of Options and/or SARs to any Eligible Employee in any
calendar year may not exceed _______.
(b) Subject to Article X, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
made subject to the grant of Restricted Stock Awards and Performance Unit Awards
to any Eligible Employee in any calendar year may not exceed _______.
(c) The maximum amount made subject to the grant of Performance Bonuses to
any Eligible Employee in any calendar year may not exceed $_________.
(d) Any shares of Common Stock related to Awards which terminate by
expiration, forfeiture, cancellation or otherwise without the issuance of shares
of Common Stock or are exchanged in the Board's discretion for Awards not
involving Common Stock, shall be available again for grant under the Plan and
shall not be counted against the shares authorized under Section 1.3.
(e) Common Stock delivered by the Company in payment of an Award authorized
under Articles V and VI of the Plan may be authorized and unissued Common Stock
or Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company.
(f) The Board shall, in its sole discretion, determine the manner in which
fractional shares arising under this Plan shall be treated.
(g) Separate certificates or a book-entry registration representing Common
Stock shall be delivered to a Participant upon the exercise of any Option.
(h) The Board shall be prohibited from canceling, reissuing or modifying
Awards if such action will have the effect of repricing the Participant's Award.
(i) Eligible Directors may only be granted Nonqualified Stock Options,
Restricted Stock Awards, SARs or Performance Units under this Plan.
(j) Subject to Article X, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
made subject to the grant of Options to any individual Eligible Director in any
calendar year may not exceed ______.
(k) Subject to Article X, in no event shall more than ______ shares of
Restricted Stock be awarded to any individual Eligible Director in any calendar
year.
(l) The maximum term of any Award shall be ten years.
ARTICLE V
STOCK OPTIONS
SECTION 5.1 Grant of Options. The Board may, from time to time, subject to
the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may
determine, grant Options to Eligible Employees. These Options may be Incentive
Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock
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Options, or a combination of both. The Board may, subject to the provisions of
the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant
Nonqualified Stock Options to Eligible Directors and Consultants. Each grant of
an Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement executed by the Company and
the Participant, and shall contain such terms and conditions and be in such form
as the Board may from time to time approve, subject to the requirements of
Section 5.2.
SECTION 5.2 Conditions of Options. Each Option so granted shall be subject
to the following conditions:
(a) Exercise Price. As limited by Section 5.2(e) below, each Option shall
state the exercise price which shall be set by the Board at the Date of Grant;
provided, however, no Option shall be granted at an exercise price which is less
than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant.
(b) Form of Payment. The exercise price of an Option may be paid (i) in
cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Company;
(ii) by delivering shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value on the date
of payment equal to the amount of the exercise price, but only to the extent
such exercise of an Option would not result in an adverse accounting charge to
the Company for financial accounting purposes with respect to the shares used to
pay the exercise price unless otherwise determined by the Board; or (iii) a
combination of the foregoing. In addition to the foregoing, the Board may permit
an Option granted under the Plan to be exercised by a broker-dealer acting on
behalf of a Participant through procedures approved by the Board.
(c) Exercise of Options. Options granted under the Plan shall be
exercisable, in whole or in such installments and at such times, and shall
expire at such time, as shall be provided by the Board in the Award Agreement.
Exercise of an Option shall be by written notice to the Secretary of the Company
at least two business days in advance of such exercise stating the election to
exercise in the form and manner determined by the Board. Every share of Common
Stock acquired through the exercise of an Option shall be deemed to be fully
paid at the time of exercise and payment of the exercise price.
(d) Other Terms and Conditions. Among other conditions that may be imposed
by the Board, if deemed appropriate, are those relating to (i) the period or
periods and the conditions of exercisability of any Option; (ii) the minimum
periods during which Participants must be employed by the Company, its
Subsidiaries, or an Affiliated Entity, or must hold Options before they may be
exercised; (iii) the minimum periods during which shares acquired upon exercise
must be held before sale or transfer shall be permitted; (iv) conditions under
which such Options or shares may be subject to forfeiture; (v) the frequency of
exercise or the minimum or maximum number of shares that may be acquired at any
one time; (vi) the achievement by the Company of specified performance criteria;
and (vii) non-compete and protection of business matters.
(e) Special Restrictions Relating to Incentive Stock Options. Options
issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options shall only be granted to Eligible
Employees of the Company or a Subsidiary, and not to Eligible Employees of an
Affiliated Entity unless such entity shall be
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considered as a "disregarded entity" under the Code and shall not be
distinguished for federal tax purposes from the Company or the applicable
Subsidiary.
(f) Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the
sale of Common Stock pursuant to Options will be used for general corporate
purposes.
(g) Shareholder Rights. No Participant shall have a right as a shareholder
with respect to any share of Common Stock subject to an Option prior to purchase
of such shares of Common Stock by exercise of the Option.
ARTICLE VI
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
SECTION 6.1 Grant of Restricted Stock Awards. The Board may, from time to
time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions
as it may determine, grant a Restricted Stock Award to Eligible Employees,
Consultants or Eligible Directors. Restricted Stock Awards shall be awarded in
such number and at such times during the term of the Plan as the Board shall
determine. Each Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to an Award Agreement
setting forth the terms of such Restricted Stock Award and may be evidenced in
such manner as the Board deems appropriate, including, without limitation, a
book-entry registration or issuance of a stock certificate or certificates. .
SECTION 6.2 Conditions of Restricted Stock Awards. The grant of a
Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to the following:
(a) Restriction Period. Restricted Stock Awards granted to an Eligible
Employee shall require the holder to remain in the employment of the Company, a
Subsidiary, or an Affiliated Entity for a prescribed period. Restricted Stock
Awards granted to Consultants or Eligible Directors shall require the holder to
provide continued services to the company for a period of time. These employment
and service requirements are collectively referred to as a "Restriction Period".
The Board or the Committee, as the case may be, shall determine the Restriction
Period or Periods which shall apply to the shares of Common Stock covered by
each Restricted Stock Award or portion thereof. In addition to any time vesting
conditions determined by the Board or the Committee, as the case may be,
Restricted Stock Awards may be subject to the achievement by the Company of
specified performance criteria based upon the Company's achievement of all or
any of the operational, financial or stock performance criteria set forth on
Exhibit A annexed hereto, as may from time to time be established by the Board
or the Committee, as the case may be. At the end of the Restriction Period,
assuming the fulfillment of any other specified vesting conditions, the
restrictions imposed by the Board or the Committee, as the case may be shall
lapse with respect to the shares of Common Stock covered by the Restricted Stock
Award or portion thereof. In addition to acceleration of vesting upon the
occurrence of a Change of Control Event as provided in Section 11.6, the Board
or the Committee, as the case may be, may, in its discretion, accelerate the
vesting of a Restricted Stock Award in the case of the death, Disability or
Retirement of the Participant who is an Eligible Employee or resignation of a
Participant who is a Consultants or an Eligible Director.
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(b) Restrictions. The holder of a Restricted Stock Award may not sell,
transfer, pledge, exchange, hypothecate, or otherwise dispose of the shares of
Common Stock represented by the Restricted Stock Award during the applicable
Restriction Period. The Board shall impose such other restrictions and
conditions on any shares of Common Stock covered by a Restricted Stock Award as
it may deem advisable including, without limitation, restrictions under
applicable Federal or state securities laws, and may legend the certificates
representing Restricted Stock to give appropriate notice of such restrictions.
(c) Rights as Shareholders. During any Restriction Period, the Board may,
in its discretion, grant to the holder of a Restricted Stock Award all or any of
the rights of a shareholder with respect to the shares, including, but not by
way of limitation, the right to vote such shares and to receive dividends. If
any dividends or other distributions are paid in shares of Common Stock, all
such shares shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability as the
shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.
ARTICLE VII
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
SECTION 7.1 Grant of SARs. The Board may from time to time, in its sole
discretion, subject to the provisions of the Plan and subject to other terms and
conditions as the Board may determine, grant a SAR to any Eligible Employee,
Consultant or Eligible Director. SARs may be granted in tandem with an Option,
in which event, the Participant has the right to elect to exercise either the
SAR or the Option. Upon the Participant's election to exercise one of these
Awards, the other tandem Award is automatically terminated. SARs may also be
granted as an independent Award separate from an Option. Each grant of a SAR
shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement executed by the Company and the
Participant and shall contain such terms and conditions and be in such form as
the Board may from time to time approve, subject to the requirements of the
Plan. The exercise price of the SAR shall not be less than the Fair Market Value
of a share of Common Stock on the Date of Grant of the SAR.
SECTION 7.2 Exercise and Payment. SARs granted under the Plan shall be
exercisable in whole or in installments and at such times as shall be provided
by the Board in the Award Agreement. Exercise of a SAR shall be by written
notice to the Secretary of the Company at least two business days in advance of
such exercise. The amount payable with respect to each SAR shall be equal in
value to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock
on the exercise date over the exercise price of the SAR. Payment of amounts
attributable to a SAR shall be made in shares of Common Stock.
SECTION 7.3 Restrictions. In the event a SAR is granted in tandem with an
Incentive Stock Option, the Board shall subject the SAR to restrictions
necessary to ensure satisfaction of the requirements under Section 422 of the
Code. In the case of a SAR granted in tandem with an Incentive Stock Option to
an Eligible Employee who owns more than 10% of the combined voting power of the
Company or its Subsidiaries on the date of such grant, the amount payable with
respect to each SAR shall be equal in value to the applicable percentage of the
excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the
exercise date over the exercise price of the SAR, which exercise price shall not
be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the
date the SAR is granted.
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ARTICLE VIII
PERFORMANCE UNITS
SECTION 8.1 Grant of Awards. The Board may, from time to time, subject to
the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may
determine, grant Performance Units to Eligible Employees, Consultants and
Eligible Directors. Each Award of Performance Units shall be evidenced by an
Award Agreement executed by the Company and the Participant, and shall contain
such terms and conditions and be in such form as the Board may from time to time
approve, subject to the requirements of Section 8.2.
SECTION 8.2 Conditions of Awards. Each Award of Performance Units shall be
subject to the following conditions:
(a) Establishment of Award Terms. Each Award shall state the target,
maximum and minimum value of each Performance Unit payable upon the achievement
of performance goals.
(b) Achievement of Performance Goals. The Board shall establish performance
targets for each Award for a period of no less than a year based upon some or
all of the operational, financial or performance criteria listed in Exhibit A
attached. The Board shall also establish such other terms and conditions as it
deems appropriate to such Award. The Award may be paid out in cash or Common
Stock as determined in the sole discretion of the Board.
ARTICLE IX
PERFORMANCE BONUS
SECTION 9.1 Grant of Performance Bonus. The Board may from time to time,
subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as the
Board may determine, grant a Performance Bonus to certain Eligible Employees
selected for participation. The Board will determine the amount that may be
earned as a Performance Bonus in any period of one year or more upon the
achievement of a performance target established by the Board. The Board shall
select the applicable performance target(s) for each period in which a
Performance Bonus is awarded. The performance target shall be based upon all or
some of the operational, financial or performance criteria more specifically
listed in Exhibit A attached.
SECTION 9.2 Payment of Performance Bonus. In order for any Participant to
be entitled to payment of a Performance Bonus, the applicable performance
target(s) established by the Board must first be obtained or exceeded. Payment
of a Performance Bonus shall be made within 60 days of the Board's certification
that the performance target(s) has been achieved unless the Participant has
previously elected to defer payment pursuant to a nonqualified deferred
compensation plan adopted by the Company. Payment of a Performance Bonus may be
made in either cash or Common Stock as determined in the sole discretion of the
Board.
ARTICLE X
STOCK ADJUSTMENTS
In the event that the shares of Common Stock, as constituted on the
effective date of the Plan, shall be changed into or exchanged for a different
number or kind of shares of stock or other securities of the Company or of
another corporation (whether by reason of merger,
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consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, spin-off,
combination of shares or otherwise), or if the number of such shares of Common
Stock shall be increased through the payment of a stock dividend, or a dividend
on the shares of Common Stock, or if rights or warrants to purchase securities
of the Company shall be issued to holders of all outstanding Common Stock, then
there shall be substituted for or added to each share available under and
subject to the Plan, and each share theretofore appropriated under the Plan, the
number and kind of shares of stock or other securities into which each
outstanding share of Common Stock shall be so changed or for which each such
share shall be exchanged or to which each such share shall be entitled, as the
case may be, on a fair and equivalent basis in accordance with the applicable
provisions of Section 424 of the Code; provided, however, with respect to
Options, in no such event will such adjustment result in a modification of any
Option as defined in Section 424(h) of the Code. In the event there shall be any
other change in the number or kind of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or
any stock or other securities into which the Common Stock shall have been
changed or for which it shall have been exchanged, then if the Board shall, in
its sole discretion, determine that such change equitably requires an adjustment
in the shares available under and subject to the Plan, or in any Award,
theretofore granted, such adjustments shall be made in accordance with such
determination, except that no adjustment of the number of shares of Common Stock
available under the Plan or to which any Award relates that would otherwise be
required shall be made unless and until such adjustment either by itself or with
other adjustments not previously made would require an increase or decrease of
at least 1% in the number of shares of Common Stock available under the Plan or
to which any Award relates immediately prior to the making of such adjustment
(the "Minimum Adjustment"). Any adjustment representing a change of less than
such minimum amount shall be carried forward and made as soon as such adjustment
together with other adjustments required by this Article X and not previously
made would result in a Minimum Adjustment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
adjustment required by this Article X which otherwise would not result in a
Minimum Adjustment shall be made with respect to shares of Common Stock relating
to any Award immediately prior to exercise, payment or settlement of such Award.
No fractional shares of Common Stock or units of other securities shall be
issued pursuant to any such adjustment, and any fractions resulting from any
such adjustment shall be eliminated in each case by rounding downward to the
nearest whole share.
ARTICLE XI
GENERAL
SECTION 11.1 Amendment or Termination of Plan. The Board may alter, suspend
or terminate the Plan at any time. In addition, the Board may, from time to
time, amend the Plan in any manner, but may not without shareholder approval
adopt any amendment which would (i) increase the aggregate number of shares of
Common Stock available under the Plan (except by operation of Article X), (ii)
materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the
Plan, or (iii) materially increase the benefits to Participants provided by the
Plan.
SECTION 11.2 Termination of Employment; Termination of Service. If an
Eligible Employee's employment with the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliated
Entity terminates as a result of death, Disability or Retirement, the Eligible
Employee (or personal representative in the case of death) shall be entitled to
purchase all or any part of the shares subject to any (i) vested Incentive Stock
Option for a period of up to three months from such date of termination (one
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year in the case of death or Disability (as defined above) in lieu of the
three-month period), and (ii) vested Nonqualified Stock Option during the
remaining term of the Option. If an Eligible Employee's employment terminates
for any other reason, the Eligible Employee shall be entitled to purchase all or
any part of the shares subject to any vested Option for a period of up to three
months from such date of termination. In no event shall any Option be
exercisable past the term of the Option. The Board may, in its sole discretion,
accelerate the vesting of unvested Options in the event of termination of
employment of any Participant.
In the event a Consultant ceases to provide services to the Company or an
Eligible Director terminates service as a director of the Company, the unvested
portion of any Award shall be forfeited unless otherwise accelerated pursuant to
the terms of the Eligible Director's Award Agreement or by the Board. The
Consultant or Eligible Director shall have a period of three years following the
date he ceases to provide consulting services or ceases to be a director, as
applicable, to exercise any Nonqualified Stock Options which are otherwise
exercisable on his date of termination of service.
SECTION 11.3 Limited Transferability - Options. The Board may, in its
discretion, authorize all or a portion of the Nonqualified Stock Options granted
under this Plan to be on terms which permit transfer by the Participant to (i)
the ex-spouse of the Participant pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations
order, (ii) the spouse, children or grandchildren of the Participant ("Immediate
Family Members"), (iii) a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of such
Immediate Family Members, or (iv) a partnership or limited liability company in
which such Immediate Family Members are the only partners or members. In
addition there may be no consideration for any such transfer. The Award
Agreement pursuant to which such Nonqualified Stock Options are granted
expressly provide for transferability in a manner consistent with this
paragraph. Subsequent transfers of transferred Nonqualified Stock Options shall
be prohibited except as set forth below in this Section 11.3. Following
transfer, any such Nonqualified Stock Options shall continue to be subject to
the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to transfer,
provided that for purposes of Section 11.2 hereof the term "Participant" shall
be deemed to refer to the transferee. The events of termination of employment of
Section 11.2 hereof shall continue to be applied with respect to the original
Participant, following which the Nonqualified Stock Options shall be exercisable
by the transferee only to the extent, and for the periods specified in Section
11.2 hereof. No transfer pursuant to this Section 11.3 shall be effective to
bind the Company unless the Company shall have been furnished with written
notice of such transfer together with such other documents regarding the
transfer as the Board shall request. With the exception of a transfer in
compliance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 11.3, all other types
of Awards authorized under this Plan shall be transferable only by will or the
laws of descent and distribution; however, no such transfer shall be effective
to bind the Company unless the Board has been furnished with written notice of
such transfer and an authenticated copy of the will and/or such other evidence
as the Board may deem necessary to establish the validity of the transfer and
the acceptance by the transferee of the terms and conditions of such Award.
SECTION 11.4 Withholding Taxes. Unless otherwise paid by the Participant,
the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of its Affiliated Entities shall be
entitled to deduct from any payment under the Plan, regardless of the form of
such payment, the amount of all applicable income and employment taxes required
by law to be withheld with respect to such payment or
12
may require the Participant to pay to it such tax prior to and as a condition of
the making of such payment. In accordance with any applicable administrative
guidelines it establishes, the Board may allow a Participant to pay the amount
of taxes required by law to be withheld from an Award by (i) directing the
Company to withhold from any payment of the Award a number of shares of Common
Stock having a Fair Market Value on the date of payment equal to the amount of
the required withholding taxes or (ii) delivering to the Company previously
owned shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value on the date of payment
equal to the amount of the required withholding taxes. However, any payment made
by the Participant pursuant to either of the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) shall
not be permitted if it would result in an adverse accounting charge with respect
to such shares used to pay such taxes unless otherwise approved by the Board.
SECTION 11.5 Change of Control. Notwithstanding any other provision in this
Plan to the contrary, Awards granted under the Plan to any Eligible Employee,
Consultant or Eligible Director shall be immediately vested, fully earned and
exercisable upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Event.
SECTION 11.6 Amendments to Awards. Subject to the limitations of Article
IV, such as the prohibition on repricing of Options, the Board may at any time
unilaterally amend the terms of any Award Agreement, whether or not presently
exercisable or vested, to the extent it deems appropriate. However, amendments
which are adverse to the Participant shall require the Participant's consent.
SECTION 11.7 Regulatory Approval and Listings. Regulatory Approval and
Listings. As soon as practicable following approval by the shareholders of the
Company of the Plan as provided in Section 1.2 of the Plan, in the sole
discretion of the Board, the Company shall use its best efforts to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and keep continuously effective, a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 with respect to shares of Common Stock
subject to Awards hereunder. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Plan to
the contrary, the Company shall have no obligation to issue shares of Common
Stock under this Plan prior to the obtaining of any approval from, or
satisfaction of any waiting period or other condition imposed by, any
governmental agency which the Board shall, in its sole discretion, determine to
be necessary or advisable. In addition, and notwithstanding anything contained
in this Plan to the contrary, at such time as the Company is subject to the
reporting requirements of Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Company shall have
no obligation to issue shares of Common Stock under this Plan prior to:
(a) the admission of such shares to listing on the stock exchange on which
the Common Stock may be listed; and
(b) the completion of any registration or other qualification of such
shares under any state or Federal law or ruling of any governmental body which
the Board shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable.
SECTION 11.8 Right to Continued Employment. Participation in the Plan shall
not give any Eligible Employee any right to remain in the employ of the Company,
any Subsidiary, or any Affiliated Entity. The Company or, in the case of
employment with a Subsidiary or an Affiliated
13
Entity, the Subsidiary or Affiliated Entity reserves the right to terminate any
Eligible Employee at any time. Further, the adoption of this Plan shall not be
deemed to give any Eligible Employee or any other individual any right to be
selected as a Participant or to be granted an Award.
SECTION 11.9 Reliance on Reports. Each member of the Board and each member
of the Board shall be fully justified in relying or acting in good faith upon
any report made by the independent public accountants of the Company and its
Subsidiaries and upon any other information furnished in connection with the
Plan by any person or persons other than himself or herself. In no event shall
any person who is or shall have been a member of the Board be liable for any
determination made or other action taken or any omission to act in reliance upon
any such report or information or for any action taken, including the furnishing
of information, or failure to act, if in good faith.
SECTION 11.10 Construction. Masculine pronouns and other words of masculine
gender shall refer to both men and women. The titles and headings of the
sections in the Plan are for the convenience of reference only, and in the event
of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings,
shall control.
SECTION 11.11 Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Oklahoma except as superseded by
applicable Federal law.
SECTION 11.12 Other Laws. The Board may refuse to issue or transfer any
shares of Common Stock or other consideration under an Award if, acting in its
sole discretion, it determines that the issuance or transfer of such shares or
such other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation or
entitle the Company to recover the same under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act,
and any payment tendered to the Company by a Participant, other holder or
beneficiary in connection with the exercise of such Award shall be promptly
refunded to the relevant Participant, holder or beneficiary.
SECTION 11.13 No Trust or Fund Created. Neither the Plan nor an Award shall
create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a
fiduciary relationship between the Company and a Participant or any other
person. To the extent that a Participant acquires the right to receive payments
from the Company pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the
right of any general unsecured creditor of the Company.
14
EXHIBIT A
2005 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Operational Criteria may include:
o Reserve additions/replacements
o Finding & development costs
o Production volume
o Production Costs
Financial Criteria may include:
o Earnings (Net income, Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization ("EBITDA"), Earnings per share)
o Cash flow
o Operating income
o General and Administrative Expenses
o Debt to equity ratio
o Debt to cash flow
o Debt to EBITDA
o EBITDA to Interest
o Return on Assets
o Return on Equity
o Return on Invested Capital
o Profit returns/margins
o Midstream margins
Stock Performance Criteria:
o Stock price appreciation
o Total stockholder return
o Relative stock price performance
15
