UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14C INFORMATION
Information Statement Pursuant to Section 14(c)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Check the appropriate box:
☒ | Preliminary Information Statement |
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☐ | Confidential, for use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14c-5(d)(2)) |
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☐ | Definitive Information Statement |
AMPLITECH GROUP, INC. |
(Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter) |
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☐ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT IS BEING PROVIDED TO
YOU BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE
REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY
AMPLITECH GROUP INC.,
620 Johnson Avenue
Bohemia, NY 11716
(631) 521-7831
INFORMATION STATEMENT
(Preliminary)
October __, 2020
GENERAL INFORMATION
This Information Statement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is being furnished, pursuant to Section 14C of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), to the holders (the “Stockholders”) of the common stock, par value $.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of Amplitech Group Inc., a Nevada Corporation (the “Company”), to notify such Stockholders that on or about October 7, 2020, the Company received written consents in lieu of a meeting of Stockholders from holders of approximately 74% of voting securities of the total issued and outstanding shares of voting stock of the Company (the “Majority Stockholders”) to authorize the Company’s Board of Directors to approve the following:
(1) the authorization of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board” or the “Board of Directors”) to effect a reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock, in connection with a potential listing on a national stock exchange in a ratio to be determined by the Board based on market conditions and the Company’s trading price at the time of such reverse split in the range of 1:100 to 1:200, whereby every 100-200 (such number of shares, the “Split Denominator”) shares of the authorized, issued and outstanding common stock shall be combined into one (1) share of authorized, issued and outstanding common stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”);
(2) to amend and restate the Company’s articles of incorporation to keep the authorized shares of Common Stock at 500,000,000 and set the authorized shares of blank check preferred stock at 1,000,000 (the “Authorized Shares”), in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Amended Articles”);
(3) to amend and restate the Company’s Bylaws (the “Amended Bylaws”) in order to clarify and disclose the current bylaws, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B;
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(4) to amend and restate the certificate of designation of preferences, rights and limitations (the “Amended Certificate”), of the Series A convertible preferred stock (the “Series A Preferred”) in order to restate the designation of 401,000 shares of blank check Preferred Stock as Series A Preferred and refile the rights thereof, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C;
(5) to withdraw the Series B preferred stock designation (the “Withdrawal,” and collectively with the Amended Articles, the Amended Bylaws and the Amended Certificate, the “Amendments”); and
(6) to adopt the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D.
On October 7, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the Reverse Stock Split, the Amendments, and the Plan, subject to Stockholder approval. The Majority Stockholder approved the Reverse Stock Split, the Amendments, and the Plan by written consent in lieu of a meeting on October 7, 2020. Accordingly, your consent is not required and is not being solicited in connection with the approval of the actions. The Amended Articles, the Amended Certificate and the Withdrawal will become effective when we file the Amended Articles, the Amended Certificate and the Withdrawal with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada as soon as practicable after the 20th calendar day after this Information Statement is mailed or furnished to the stockholders of record as of October 7, 2020. The Plan and Bylaws will become effective after the 20th calendar day after this Information Statement is mailed or furnished to the stockholders of record as of October 7, 2020. The Reverse Stock Split will become effective at such future date as determined by the Board, as evidenced by the filing of a Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada, but in no event earlier than the 20th calendar day after this Information Statement is mailed or furnished to the stockholders of record as of October 9, 2020.
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND A PROXY.
| For the Board of Directors of |
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Amplitech Group Inc. |
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Date: October __, 2020 | By: | /s/ Fawad Maqbool |
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| Fawad Maqbool |
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| Chief Executive Officer and Director |
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RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) believes that the stockholders of the Company will benefit from the Reverse Stock Split because it will allow the Company to qualify for the listing standards of a senior exchange. In order to meet such requirements, the Board has determined that the capitalization structure of the Company must be consolidated so that the market price of the Company’s Common Stock meets the senior exchange's requirements. The Board believes that the stockholders of the Company will benefit from the Amendments because it will condense and clarify the previous filings by the Company with the State of Nevada, allowing them to be more easily obtained, reviewed and understood. The Board believes that the stockholders of the Company will benefit from the Plan because it will allow the Company to attract and retain qualified individuals to help the Company grow its business.
ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN
This Information Statement contains a brief summary of the material aspects of the actions approved by the Board and the holders of the majority of the outstanding voting capital stock of the Company.
ACTION I REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
DECREASE THE NUMBER OF ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING SHARES OF OUR
COMMON STOCK BY THE SPLIT DENOMINATOR
GENERAL
The Board approved a resolution to effectuate a reverse stock split using the Split Denominator, to be appropriately adjusted by the Board of Directors, in accordance with the listing standards of a senior exchange, immediately prior to effectiveness (the “Reverse Stock Split”). Under the Reverse Stock Split each 100 to 200 shares, as determined by our Board of Directors, of our common stock (the “Common Stock”) will be automatically converted into 1 share of Common Stock. To avoid the issuance of fractional shares of Common Stock, the Company will issue an additional share to all holders of fractional shares. The Reverse Stock Split will become effective at such future date as determined by the Board, as evidenced by the filing of a Certificate of Change with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada in the form attached as Exhibit E, but in no event earlier than the 20th calendar day after this Information Statement is mailed or furnished to the stockholders of record as of October 9, 2020.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT WILL NOT CHANGE YOUR PROPORTIONATE EQUITY INTERESTS IN THE COMPANY, EXCEPT AS MAY RESULT FROM THE ISSUANCE OR CANCELLATION OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE FRACTIONAL SHARES.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SHARES THE COMPANY WILL BE ABLE TO ISSUE TO NEW OR EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES WILL REMAIN AT 500,000,000.
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PURPOSE AND MATERIAL EFFECTS OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
The Board of Directors believes that, among other requirements, the price of our Common Stock needs to be higher so that the Company meets a senior exchange's listing standards. The Board of Directors has proposed the Reverse Stock Split as one of the steps necessary to meet such listing requirements.
When a company engages in a reverse stock split, it substitutes one share of stock for a predetermined amount of shares of stock. It does not increase the market capitalization of the company. An example of a reverse split is the following. A company has 10,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding. Assume the market price is $.01 per share. Assume that the company declares a 1 for 5 reverse stock split. After the reverse split, that company will have 1/5 as many shares outstanding, or 2,000,000 shares outstanding. The stock will have a market price of $0.05. If an individual investor owned 10,000 shares of that company before the split at $.01 per share, he will own 2,000 shares at $.05 after the split. In either case, his stock will be worth $100. He or she is no better off before or after. Except that such company hopes that the higher stock price will make that company look better and thus the company will be a more attractive merger target for potential business. There is no assurance that that company’s stock will rise in price after a reverse split or that it would continue to meet the senior exchange's requirements.
We believe that the reverse stock split may improve the price level of our Common Stock and that the higher share price could help the Company’s listing application. However, the effect of the reverse split upon the market price for our Common Stock cannot be predicted, and the history of similar stock split combinations for companies in like circumstances is varied. There can be no assurance that the market price per share of our Common Stock after the reverse split will rise in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding resulting from the reverse split. The market price of our Common Stock may also be based on our performance and other factors, some of which may be unrelated to the number of shares outstanding.
The Reverse Stock Split will affect all of our stockholders uniformly and will not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interests in the Company or proportionate voting power, except to the extent that the reverse split results in any of our stockholders owning a fractional share. All stockholders holding a fractional share shall be issued an additional share. The principal effect of the Reverse Stock Split will be that the number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding will be reduced from approximately 51,588,958 shares of Common Stock as of October 7, 2020, to between approximately 257,945 and 515,890 shares (depending on the ratio and the number of fractional shares that are issued or cancelled). The Reverse Stock Split will affect the shares of common stock outstanding.
The Reverse Stock Split will not affect the par value of our Common Stock. As a result, on the effective date of the Reverse Stock Split, the stated capital on our balance sheet attributable to our Common Stock will be reduced to less than the present amount, and the additional paid-in capital account shall be credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. The per share net income or loss and net book value of our Common Stock will be increased because there will be fewer shares of our Common Stock outstanding.
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The Reverse Stock Split will not affect the par value of our Series A Preferred, nor change the voting rights. However, the number of shares of Common Stock into which the Series A Preferred may convert shall be reduced proportionately by the Split Denominator. This will have the same effect to the Series A Preferred on the balance sheet as the Reverse Stock Split will on the Common Stock.
The Reverse Stock Split will not change the proportionate equity interests of our stockholders, nor will the respective voting rights and other rights of stockholders be altered. The Common Stock issued pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split will remain fully paid and non-assessable. The Reverse Stock Split is not intended as, and will not have the effect of, a “going private transaction” covered by Rule 13e-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We will continue to be subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Stockholders should recognize that they will own fewer numbers of shares than they presently own (a number equal to the number of shares owned immediately prior to the filing of the certificate of amendment divided by 100 to 200. While we expect that the Reverse Stock Split will result in an increase in the potential market price of our Common Stock, there can be no assurance that the Reverse Stock Split will increase the potential market price of our Common Stock by a multiple equal to the exchange number or result in the permanent increase in any potential market price (which is dependent upon many factors, including our performance and prospects). Also, should the market price of our Common Stock decline, the percentage decline as an absolute number and as a percentage of our overall market capitalization may be greater than would pertain in the absence of a reverse split. Furthermore, the possibility exists that potential liquidity in the market price of our Common Stock could be adversely affected by the reduced number of shares that would be outstanding after the Reverse Stock Split. In addition, the Reverse Stock Split will increase the number of stockholders of the Company who own odd lots (less than 100 shares). Stockholders who hold odd lots typically will experience an increase in the cost of selling their shares, as well as possible greater difficulty in effecting such sales. Consequently, there can be no assurance that the Reverse Stock Split will achieve the desired results that have been outlined above.
Anti-Takeover Effects of the Reverse Stock Split
THE OVERALL EFFECT OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT MAY BE TO RENDER MORE DIFFICULT THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF MERGERS OR THE ASSUMPTION OF CONTROL BY A PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER, AND THUS MAKE DIFFICULT THE REMOVAL OF MANAGEMENT.
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The effective increase in our authorized shares could potentially be used by management to thwart a take-over attempt. The over-all effects of this proposal might be to render it more difficult or discourage a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, or the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of the Company’s securities and the removal of incumbent management. The proposal could make the accomplishment of a merger or similar transaction more difficult, even if, it is beneficial to shareholders. Management might use the additional shares to resist or frustrate a third-party transaction, favored by a majority of the independent stockholders, that would provide an above market premium, by issuing additional shares to frustrate the take-over effort.
This proposal is not the result of management’s knowledge of an effort to accumulate the issuer’s securities or to obtain control of the issuer by means of a merger, tender offer, solicitation or otherwise. It was done as a way to attract potential investors and conduct a financing transaction.
Neither the Company’s charter nor its by-laws presently contain any provisions having anti-takeover effects and this proposal is not a plan by management to adopt a series of amendments to the Company’s charter or by-laws to institute an anti-takeover provision. The Company does not have any plans or proposals to adopt other provisions or enter into other arrangements that may have material anti-takeover consequences.
As discussed above, the Reverse Stock Split was the subject of a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors approving the Reverse Stock Split. There are no rules or practices on any stock exchange that permit such exchange to reserve the right to refuse to list or to de-list any stock which completes a reverse stock split.
PLANS, PROPOSALS OR ARRANGEMENTS TO ISSUE NEWLY AVAILABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
The main purpose of completing this Reverse Stock Split is to list the Company’s Common Stock on a senior exchange. The Company will do so in conjunction with a potential re-IPO offering and registration statement of newly available shares.
FRACTIONAL SHARES
We will not issue fractional certificates for post-reverse split shares in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Instead, an additional share shall be issued to all holders of a fractional share. To the extent any holders of pre-reverse split shares are entitled to fractional shares as a result of the Reverse Stock Split, the Company will issue an additional share to all holders of fractional shares.
STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT ANY CERTIFICATES WITHOUT THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
SUMMARY OF REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
Below is a brief summary of the reverse stock split:
The issued and outstanding Common Stock shall be reduced on the basis of one post-split share of the Common Stock for every 100 to 200, as to be determined by the Board prior to effectiveness from FINRA, pre-split shares of the Common Stock outstanding. The consolidation shall not affect any rights, privileges or obligations with respect to the shares of the Common Stock existing prior to the consolidation.
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Stockholders of record of the Common Stock as of ______, 2020 shall have their total shares reduced on the basis of one post-split share of Common Stock by the Split Denominator, as to be determined by the Board prior to effectiveness from FINRA, pre-split shares outstanding.
As a result of the reduction of the Common Stock, the pre-split total of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock approximately 51,588,958 shares of Common Stock, as of October 7, 2020, to between approximately 257,945 and 515,890 shares (depending on the ratio and the number of fractional shares that are issued or cancelled).
The Company’s authorized number of Common Stock shall remain at 500,000,000 shares of the Common Stock.
This action has been approved by the Board and the written consents of the holders of the majority of the outstanding voting capital stock of the Company.
The entire cost of furnishing this Information Statement will be borne by the Company. The Company will request brokerage houses, nominees, custodians, fiduciaries and other like parties to forward this Information Statement to the beneficial owners of the Common Stock held of record by them and will reimburse such persons for their reasonable charges and expenses in connection therewith. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on October 9, 2020, as the record date for the determination of Stockholders who are entitled to receive this Information Statement.
You are being provided with this Information Statement pursuant to Section 14C of the Exchange Act and Regulation 14C and Schedule 14C thereunder, and, in accordance therewith, the Reverse Stock Split will not be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada or become effective until at least 20 calendar days after the mailing of this Information Statement.
ACTION II THE AMENDED ARTICLES
AUTHORIZED SHARES
GENERAL
The Board approved a resolution to amend and restate the Company’s articles of incorporation to keep the authorized shares of Common Stock at 500,000,000 and set the authorized shares of blank check preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”) at 1,000,000 (the “Authorized Shares”), while restating the Company’s organizational provisions (the “Amended Articles”).
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE AUTHORIZED SHARES AVAILABLE WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SHARES THE COMPANY WILL BE ABLE TO ISSUE TO NEW OR EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS.
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PURPOSE AND MATERIAL EFFECTS OF THE AUTHORIZED SHARES
The Board of Directors has taken this action to attract investors to our growing business via our planned registered public offering and to increase shareholder value. The Board of Directors has also taken this action to increase the number of blank check preferred stock authorized, and clarify, organize and restate its charter document.
We believe that the Authorized Shares may improve the ability of the Company to use equity to raise the capital, which could help generate interest in the Company among investors and other business opportunities. However, the effect of the Authorized Shares upon the market price for our Common Stock cannot be predicted, and the history of similar actions for companies in like circumstances is varied. There can be no assurance that the market price per share of our Common Stock after the Authorized Shares will rise or fall. The market price of our Common Stock may also be based on our performance and other factors, some of which may be unrelated to the number of shares authorized.
The Authorized Shares will not affect the par value of our Common Stock. As a result, on the effective date of the Authorized Shares, the stated capital on our balance sheet attributable to our Common Stock will remain the same. The per share net income or loss and net book value of our Common Stock will remain the same.
The Authorized Shares will not change the proportionate equity interests of our stockholders, nor will the respective voting rights and other rights of stockholders be altered. We will continue to be subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Anti-Takeover Effects of the Authorized Shares
THE OVERALL EFFECT OF THE AUTHORIZED SHARES MAY BE TO RENDER MORE DIFFICULT THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF MERGERS OR THE ASSUMPTION OF CONTROL BY A PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER.
The authorized but unissued Authorized Shares could potentially be used by management to thwart a take-over attempt. The over-all effects of this proposal might be to render it more difficult or discourage a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, or the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of the Company’s securities and the removal of incumbent management. The proposal could make the accomplishment of a merger or similar transaction more difficult, even if, it is beneficial to shareholders. Management might use the additional shares to resist or frustrate a third-party transaction, favored by a majority of the independent stockholders that would provide an above market premium, by issuing additional shares to frustrate the take-over effort.
This proposal is not the result of management’s knowledge of an effort to accumulate the issuer’s securities or to obtain control of the issuer by means of a merger, tender offer, solicitation or otherwise. It was done as a way to attract potential investors in order to enhance shareholder value.
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Neither the Company’s articles of incorporation, as amended and currently constituted, nor its by-laws presently contain any provisions having anti-takeover effects and this proposal is not a plan by management to adopt a series of amendments to the Company’s charter or by-laws to institute an anti-takeover provision. The Company does not have any plans or proposals to adopt other provisions or enter into other arrangements that may have material anti-takeover consequences.
As discussed above, the Amended Articles was the subject of a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors approving the Amended Articles. There are no rules or practices on any stock exchange that permit such exchange to reserve the right to refuse to list or to de-list any stock which completes an Authorized Shares.
PLANS, PROPOSALS OR ARRANGEMENTS TO ISSUE NEWLY AVAILABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
The main purpose of completing this Authorized Shares is to attract potential investors to our underwritten registered offering to further advance our business and enhance shareholder value.
SUMMARY OF AUTHORIZED SHARES
Below is a brief summary of the Amended Articles:
The authorized shares of Common Stock shall remain at 500,000,000 and the authorized shares of blank check Preferred Stock shall be 1,000,000.
This action has been approved by the Board and the written consent of the holders of the majority of the outstanding voting power of the Company.
ACTION III
THE AMENDED BYLAWS
GENERAL
The Board approved a resolution to amend and restate the Company’s Bylaws (the “Amended Bylaws”).
PURPOSE AND MATERIAL EFFECTS OF THE AMENDED BYLAWS
The Board of Directors has taken this action to attract investors to our growing business via clarity and transparency.
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We believe that the Amended Bylaws may improve the ability of the Company to attract investors by clearly restating its bylaws.
The Amended Bylaws will not affect the par value of our Common Stock. As a result, on the effective date of the Amended Bylaws, the stated capital on our balance sheet attributable to our Common Stock will remain the same. The per share net income or loss and net book value of our Common Stock will remain the same.
The Amended Bylaws will not change the proportionate equity interests of our stockholders, nor will the respective voting rights and other rights of stockholders be altered. We will continue to be subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Anti-Takeover Effects of the Amended Bylaws
THE OVERALL EFFECT OF THE AMENDED BYLAWS MAY BE TO RENDER MORE DIFFICULT THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF MERGERS OR THE ASSUMPTION OF CONTROL BY A PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER.
This proposal is not the result of management’s knowledge of an effort to accumulate the issuer’s securities or to obtain control of the issuer by means of a merger, tender offer, solicitation or otherwise. It was done as a way to attract potential investors in order to enhance shareholder value.
Neither the Company’s articles of incorporation, as amended and currently constituted, nor its by-laws presently contain any provisions having anti-takeover effects and this proposal is not a plan by management to adopt a series of amendments to the Company’s charter or by-laws to institute an anti-takeover provision. The Company does not have any plans or proposals to adopt other provisions or enter into other arrangements that may have material anti-takeover consequences.
As discussed above, the Amended Bylaws was the subject of a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors approving the Amended Bylaws.
PLANS, PROPOSALS OR ARRANGEMENTS TO ISSUE NEWLY AVAILABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
The main purpose of completing the Amended Bylaws is to provide clarity and transparency to potential investors to further advance our business and enhance shareholder value.
SUMMARY OF AMENDED BYLAWS
Below is a brief summary of the Amended Bylaws:
The Amended Bylaws set forth the corporate governance provisions of the Company and are newly restated. They will be available to the public upon the filing of our registration statement on Form S-1.
This action has been approved by the Board and the written consent of the holders of the majority of the outstanding voting power of the Company.
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ACTION IV
THE AMENDED CERTIFICATE
GENERAL
The Board approved a resolution to amend and restate the certificate of designation (the “Amended Certificate”), of preferences, rights and limitations of Series A convertible preferred stock (the “Series A Preferred”) to restate that there are 401,000 shares of the Company’s Preferred Stock designated as Series A Preferred. The Amended Certificate clarifies that the Series A Preferred convert at a rate of one hundred shares of the Company’s Common Stock for every share of Series A Preferred. The Amended Certificate also restates that the Series A Preferred shall be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to shareholders of the Corporation for each share of Series A Preferred owned on the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote on such matter or, if no such record date is established, on the date such vote is taken or any written consent of shareholders is solicited. The number of votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the Series A Preferred equals that number of votes that, together with votes otherwise entitled to be cast by the holders of the Series A Preferred at a meeting, whether by virtue of stock ownership, proxies, voting trust agreements or otherwise, entitle the holders to exercise 51% of all votes entitled to be cast to approve any action which Nevada law provides may or must be approved by vote or consent of the holders of Common Stock entitled to vote.
PURPOSE AND MATERIAL EFFECTS OF THE AMENDED CERTIFICATE
The Board of Directors has taken this action to attract investors to our growing business via clarity and transparency.
We believe that the Amended Certificate may improve the ability of the Company to attract investors by clearly restating its clearly stating the rights and designation of the Series A Preferred.
The Amended Certificate will not change the proportionate equity interests of our stockholders, nor will the respective voting rights and other rights of stockholders be altered. We will continue to be subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Anti-Takeover Effects of the Amendments
THE OVERALL EFFECT OF THE AMENDED CERTIFICATE MAY BE TO RENDER MORE DIFFICULT THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF MERGERS OR THE ASSUMPTION OF CONTROL BY A PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER.
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The authorized but unissued Series A Preferred could potentially be used by management to thwart a take-over attempt. The over-all effects of this proposal might be to render it more difficult or discourage a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, or the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of the Company’s securities and the removal of incumbent management. The proposal could make the accomplishment of a merger or similar transaction more difficult, even if, it is beneficial to shareholders. Management might use the additional shares to resist or frustrate a third-party transaction, favored by a majority of the independent stockholders that would provide an above market premium, by issuing additional shares to frustrate the take-over effort.
This proposal is not the result of management’s knowledge of an effort to accumulate the issuer’s securities or to obtain control of the issuer by means of a merger, tender offer, solicitation or otherwise. It was done as a way to attract potential investors in order to enhance shareholder value.
Neither the Company’s articles of incorporation, as amended and currently constituted, nor its by-laws presently contain any provisions having anti-takeover effects and this proposal is not a plan by management to adopt a series of amendments to the Company’s charter or by-laws to institute an anti-takeover provision. The Company does not have any plans or proposals to adopt other provisions or enter into other arrangements that may have material anti-takeover consequences.
As discussed above, the Amended Certificate was the subject of a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors approving the Amended Certificate.
PLANS, PROPOSALS OR ARRANGEMENTS TO ISSUE NEWLY AVAILABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
The main purpose of completing this Authorized Shares is to attract potential investors to our underwritten registered offering to further advance our business and enhance shareholder value.
SUMMARY OF AMENDED CERTIFICATE
Below is a brief summary of the Amended Certificate:
The Amended Certificate designates 401,000 shares of the Preferred Stock as the Series A Preferred. The Amended Certificate clarifies that the Series A Preferred convert at a rate of one hundred shares of the Company’s Common Stock for every share of Series A Preferred. The Amended Certificate also restates that the Series A Preferred shall be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to shareholders of the Corporation for each share of Series A Preferred owned on the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote on such matter or, if no such record date is established, on the date such vote is taken or any written consent of shareholders is solicited. The number of votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the Series A Preferred equals that number of votes that, together with votes otherwise entitled to be cast by the holders of the Series A Preferred at a meeting, whether by virtue of stock ownership, proxies, voting trust agreements or otherwise, entitle the holders to exercise 51% of all votes entitled to be cast to approve any action which Nevada law provides may or must be approved by vote or consent of the holders of Common Stock entitled to vote
This action has been approved by the Board and the written consent of the holders of the majority of the outstanding voting power of the Company.
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ACTION V
THE WITHDRAWAL
GENERAL
The Board approved a resolution to withdraw the Series B Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred”) designation by filing a certificate of withdrawal (the “Withdrawal,” and collectively with the Amended Articles, the Amended Bylaws and the Amended Certificate, the “Amendments”).
PURPOSE AND MATERIAL EFFECTS OF THE WITHDRAWAL
The Board of Directors has taken this action to remove the Series B Preferred designation from any of its blank check Preferred Stock. There are currently no holders of the Series B Preferred and the Company has no plans to issue Series B Preferred. Therefore, the Board of Directors believed it was in the best interest of the shareholders of the Company to withdraw the Series B Preferred designation and rights.
We believe that the Withdrawal may improve the ability of the Company to attract investors by not having shares of Preferred Stock designated without any intentions of utilizing such series.
The Withdrawal will not change the proportionate equity interests of our stockholders, nor will the respective voting rights and other rights of stockholders be altered.
Anti-Takeover Effects of the Amendments
THE OVERALL EFFECT OF ALL OF THE AMENDMENTS MAY BE TO RENDER MORE DIFFICULT THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF MERGERS OR THE ASSUMPTION OF CONTROL BY A PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER.
The authorized but unissued Common Stock and Series A Preferred, and the undesignated Preferred Stock added by the Withdrawal, could potentially be used by management to thwart a take-over attempt. The over-all effects of this proposal might be to render it more difficult or discourage a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, or the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of the Company’s securities and the removal of incumbent management. The proposal could make the accomplishment of a merger or similar transaction more difficult, even if, it is beneficial to shareholders. Management might use the additional shares to resist or frustrate a third-party transaction, favored by a majority of the independent stockholders that would provide an above market premium, by issuing additional shares to frustrate the take-over effort.
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This proposal is not the result of management’s knowledge of an effort to accumulate the issuer’s securities or to obtain control of the issuer by means of a merger, tender offer, solicitation or otherwise. It was done as a way to attract potential investors in order to enhance shareholder value.
Neither the Company’s articles of incorporation, as amended and currently constituted, nor its by-laws presently contain any provisions having anti-takeover effects and this proposal is not a plan by management to adopt a series of amendments to the Company’s charter or by-laws to institute an anti-takeover provision. The Company does not have any plans or proposals to adopt other provisions or enter into other arrangements that may have material anti-takeover consequences.
As discussed above, the Withdrawal was the subject of a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors approving the Withdrawal.
PLANS, PROPOSALS OR ARRANGEMENTS TO ISSUE NEWLY AVAILABLE SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK
The main purpose of completing this Withdrawal is to attract potential investors to our underwritten registered offering to further advance our business and enhance shareholder value.
SUMMARY OF THE WITHDRAWAL
Below is a brief summary of the Withdrawal:
The Series B Preferred designation shall be withdrawn, and the authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock previously designated as Series B shall become blank check Preferred Stock.
These actions have been approved by the Board and the written consent of the holders of the majority of the outstanding voting power of the Company.
15 |
ACTION VI THE PLAN
ADOPT THE 2020 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
GENERAL
The Board approved a resolution to adopt the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Plan”).
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PLAN WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF DECREASING THE NUMBER OF SHARES THE COMPANY WILL BE ABLE TO ISSUE TO NEW OR EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS BY DESIGNATING SHARES FOR ISSUANCE UNDER THE PLAN.
PURPOSE AND MATERIAL EFFECTS OF THE PLAN
The Board of Directors has taken this action to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, to provide incentives to individuals who perform services for the Company, and to promote the success of the Company’s business.
We believe that the Plan will improve the ability of the Company to employ, engage, and hire top level talent in the Company’s industry using equity in the company as an incentive.
The Plan will not affect the par value of our Common Stock. As a result, on the effective date of the Plan, the stated capital on our balance sheet attributable to our Common Stock will remain the same. The per share net income or loss and net book value of our Common Stock will remain the same.
The Plan itself will not change the proportionate equity interests of our stockholders, nor will the respective voting rights and other rights of stockholders be altered. However, any issuance under the Plan will change the equity interests of our stockholders. The Common Stock when issued pursuant to the Plan will be fully paid and non-assessable.
Anti-Takeover Effects of the Plan
THE OVERALL EFFECT OF THE PLAN MAY BE TO RENDER MORE DIFFICULT THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF MERGERS OR THE ASSUMPTION OF CONTROL BY A PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER.
The Plan could potentially be used by management to thwart a take-over attempt. The over-all effects of this proposal might be to render it more difficult or discourage a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, or the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of the Company’s securities and the removal of incumbent management. The proposal could make the accomplishment of a merger or similar transaction more difficult, even if, it is beneficial to shareholders. Management might use the shares designated for the Plan to resist or frustrate a third-party transaction, favored by a majority of the independent stockholders that would provide an above market premium, by issuing additional shares to frustrate the take-over effort.
This proposal is not the result of management’s knowledge of an effort to accumulate the issuer’s securities or to obtain control of the issuer by means of a merger, tender offer, solicitation or otherwise. It was done as a way to attract potential investors in order to enhance shareholder value.
Neither the Company’s charter nor its by-laws presently contain any provisions having anti-takeover effects and this proposal is not a plan by management to adopt a series of amendments to the Company’s charter or by-laws to institute an anti-takeover provision. The Company does not have any plans or proposals to adopt other provisions or enter into other arrangements that may have material anti-takeover consequences.
16 |
As discussed above, the Plan was the subject of a majority vote by the Board of Directors approving the Plan. There are no rules or practices on any stock exchange that permit such exchange to reserve the right to refuse to list or to de-list any stock which approves an equity incentive plan.
PLANS, PROPOSALS OR ARRANGEMENTS TO ISSUE NEWLY AVAILABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
The main purpose of adopting the Plan is attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, to provide incentives to individuals who perform services for the Company, and to promote the success of the Company’s business.
SUMMARY OF THE PLAN
Below is a brief summary of the Plan:
The Company shall reserve 25,000,000 shares of common stock to grant shares of common stock of the Company to employees and individuals who perform services for the Company.
This action has been approved by the Board and the written consents of the holders of the majority of the outstanding voting power of the Company.
17 |
The entire cost of furnishing this Information Statement will be borne by the Company. The Company will request brokerage houses, nominees, custodians, fiduciaries and other like parties to forward this Information Statement to the beneficial owners of the Common Stock held of record by them and will reimburse such persons for their reasonable charges and expenses in connection therewith.
You are being provided with this Information Statement pursuant to Section 14C of the Exchange Act and Regulation 14C and Schedule 14C thereunder, and, in accordance therewith, the Amendments will not be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada or become effective until at least 20 calendar days after the mailing of this Information Statement.
This Information Statement is being mailed on or about October 23, 2020 to all Stockholders of record as of October 9, 2020.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information including annual and quarterly reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q (the “1934 Act Filings”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). Reports and other information filed by the Company can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained at the Commission at Room 1580, 100 F Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such material can be obtained upon written request addressed to the Commission, Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission maintains a web site on the Internet (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the Commission through the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”).
The following documents as filed with the Commission by the Company are incorporated herein by reference:
| 1. | Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended June 30, 2020; |
| 2. | Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020; |
| 3. | Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019; and |
| 4. | Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019. |
OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES
Our authorized capital stock consists of (i) 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which 51,588,958 are outstanding as of October 7, 2020, and (ii) 500,000 Series A Convertible Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which 1,000 are outstanding as of October 7, 2020
18 |
EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The following summary compensation table sets forth all compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to, the named person, during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:
Summary Compensation of Named Executive Officers
Name and Principal Position |
| Fiscal Year |
| Salary ($) |
|
| Bonus ($) |
|
| Stock Awards ($) |
|
| All Other Compensation ($) |
|
| Total ($) |
| |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
Fawad Maqbool |
| 2019 |
|
| 212,400 |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| 212,400 |
|
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer |
| 2018 |
|
| 167,300 |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| 167,300 |
|
Louisa Sanfratello |
| 2019 |
|
| 101,463 |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| 101,463 |
|
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary |
| 2018 |
|
| 74,000 |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| 74,000 |
|
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
Except as indicated in the above table, none of our executive officers received any equity awards, including, options, restricted stock or other equity incentives during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Compensation of Our President and Chief Executive Officer
Fawad Maqbool, has authority and discretion to determine his own compensation for serving as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
Compensation of Directors
During the year ended December 31, 2019, our former director Wayne Homschek received $45,000 in compensation. In April 2019 we issued him a warrant exercisable into 3,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.03 per share, vesting 50% on the six month anniversary of issuance and 50% on the one year anniversary of issuance.
During the year ending December 31, 2018, none of the directors received any compensation solely for the service as director.
We do not currently intend to issue our officers and directors equity under the Plan.
19 |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following information table sets forth certain information regarding the Company’s common stock owned on the October 7, 2020, by (i) each who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of its outstanding Common Stock, (ii) each director and officer, and (iii) all officers and directors as a group:
Name of Beneficial Owner |
| Number of Common Shares Owned |
|
| Percent of Class (1) |
| ||
Fawad Maqbool, (2) Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer |
|
| 11,780,280 |
|
|
| 22.8 | % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Louisa Sanfratello, Chief Financial Officer |
|
| 200,000 |
|
| Less than 1 | % | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All officers and directors as group (2 people) |
|
| 11,980,280 |
|
|
| 23.6 | % |
(1) Based on 51,588,958 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
(2) Excludes (i) 1,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and (ii) an option to purchase 400,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The holder of the Series A Convertible Preferred is entitled to 51% of the total votes on all matters and each outstanding share of Series A is convertible at $0.0206 per share at the option of the holder into 100 shares of the Company’s common stock.
20 |
DISSENTER’S RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL
The Stockholders have no right under Nevada Corporate Law, the Company’s articles of incorporation consistent with above, or By-Laws to dissent from any of the provisions adopted in by the Board.
EFFECTIVE DATESAMENDMENTS AND PLAN
Pursuant to Rule 14c-2 under the Exchange Act, the Reverse Stock Split and Authorized Shares shall not be effective until a date at least twenty (20) days after the date on which this Information Statement has been mailed to the Stockholders. The Amended Articles, the Amended Certificate and the Withdrawal will become effective when we file the Amended Articles, the Amended Certificate and the Withdrawal with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada as soon as practicable after the 20th calendar day after this Information Statement is mailed or furnished to the stockholders of record as of October 7, 2020. The Plan and Bylaws will become effective after the 20th calendar day after this Information Statement is mailed or furnished to the stockholders of record as of October 7, 2020. The Reverse Stock Split will become effective at such future date as determined by the Board, as evidenced by the filing of a Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada, but in no event earlier than the 20th calendar day after this Information Statement is mailed or furnished to the stockholders of record as of October 9, 2020.
CONCLUSION
As a matter of regulatory compliance, we are sending you this Information Statement which describes the purpose and effect of the above actions. Your consent to the above action is not required and is not being solicited in connection with this action. This Information Statement is intended to provide our stockholders information required by the rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY. THE ATTACHED MATERIAL IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.
Date: October __, 2020 | ||
|
| |
By Order of the Board of Directors |
| |
|
| |
/s/ Fawad Maqbool |
| |
Fawad Maqbool |
| |
Chief Executive Officer and Director |
|
21 |
EXHIBIT A
AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
AMPLITECH GROUP, INC.
A Nevada Corporation
AmpliTech Group, Inc. (the “Corporation”), a corporation incorporated under the laws of the state of Nevada, hereby amends and restates its Articles of Incorporation, as amended, to embody in one document its original articles thereto, pursuant to Sections 78.390 and 78.403 of the Nevada Revised Statutes.
The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation were approved and adopted by the board of directors of the Corporation by written consent on October 7, 2020 and by the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stockholders of the Corporation on October 7, 2020. As a result, these Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation were authorized and adopted in accordance with the Nevada Revised Statutes.
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of the corporation is AMPLITECH GROUP, INC. (the “Corporation”).
ARTICLE II
RESIDENT AGENT AND REGISTERED OFFICE
The name of the Corporation’s resident agent for service of process is Corporate Creations Network Inc., at 8275 South Eastern Avenue #200, Las Vegas, NV, 89123.
ARTICLE III
CAPITAL STOCK
3.01 Authorized Capital Stock. The total number of shares of stock this Corporation is authorized to issue shall be five hundred one million (501,000,000) shares, par value $.001 per share. This stock shall be divided into two classes to be designated as “Common Stock” and “Blank Check Preferred Stock” (“Preferred Stock”).
3.02 Common Stock. The total number of authorized shares of Common Stock shall be five hundred million (500,000,000).
3.03 Blank Check Preferred Stock. The total number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock shall be one million (1,000,000) shares. The board of directors shall have the authority to authorize the issuance of the Preferred Stock from time to time in one or more classes or series, and to state in the resolution or resolutions from time to time adopted providing for the issuance thereof the following:
(a) Whether or not the class or series shall have voting rights, full or limited, the nature and qualifications, limitations and restrictions on those rights, or whether the class or series will be without voting rights;
(b) The number of shares to constitute the class or series and the designation thereof;
1 |
(c) The preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, if any, with respect to any class or series;
(d) Whether or not the shares of any class or series shall be redeemable and if redeemable, the redemption price or prices, and the time or times at which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such shares shall be redeemable and the manner of redemption;
(e) Whether or not the shares of a class or series shall be subject to the operation of retirement or sinking funds to be applied to the purchase or redemption of such shares for retirement, and if such retirement or sinking funds be established, the amount and the terms and provisions thereof;
(f) The dividend rate, whether dividends are payable in cash, stock of the Corporation, or other property, the conditions upon which and the times when such dividends are payable, the preference to or the relation to the payment of dividends payable on any other class or classes or series of stock, whether or not such dividend shall be cumulative or noncumulative, and if cumulative, the date or dates from which such dividends shall accumulate;
(g) The preferences, if any, and the amounts thereof which the holders of any class or series thereof are entitled to receive upon the voluntary or involuntary dissolution of, or upon any distribution of assets of, the Corporation;
(h) Whether or not the shares of any class or series are convertible into, or exchangeable for, the shares of any other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation and the conversion price or prices or ratio or ratios or the rate or rates at which such exchange may be made, with such adjustments, if any, as shall be stated and expressed or provided for in such resolution or resolutions; and
(i) Such other rights and provisions with respect to any class or series as may to the board of directors seem advisable.
The shares of each class or series of the Preferred Stock may vary from the shares of any other class or series thereof in any respect. The Board of Directors may increase the number of shares of the Preferred Stock designated for any existing class or series by a resolution adding to such class or series authorized and unissued shares of the Preferred Stock not designated for any existing class or series of the Preferred Stock and the shares so subtracted shall become authorized, unissued and undesignated shares of the Preferred Stock.
ARTICLE IV
DIRECTORS
The number of directors comprising the board of directors shall be fixed and may be increased or decreased from time to time in the manner provided in the bylaws of the Corporation, except that at no time shall there be less than one director.
ARTICLE V
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”).
2 |
ARTICLE VI
DIRECTORS’ AND OFFICERS’ LIABILITY
The individual liability of the directors and officers of the Corporation is hereby eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by the NRS, as the same may be amended and supplemented. Any repeal or modification of this Article by the stockholders of the Corporation shall be prospective only, and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of a director or officer of the Corporation for acts or omissions prior to such repeal or modification.
ARTICLE VII
INDEMNITY
Every person who was or is a party to, or is threatened to be made a party to, or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he, or a person of whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, or as its representative in a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall be indemnified and held harmless to the fullest extent legally permissible under the laws of the State of Nevada from time to time against all expenses, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by him in connection therewith. Such right of indemnification shall be a contract right which may be enforced in any manner desired by such person. The expenses of officers and directors incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding must be paid by the Corporation as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation. Such right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other right which such directors, officers or representatives may have or hereafter acquire, and, without limiting the generality of such statement, they shall be entitled to their respective rights of indemnification under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders, provision of law, or otherwise, as well as their rights under this Article.
Without limiting the application of the foregoing, the board of directors may adopt bylaws from time to time with respect to indemnification, to provide at all times the fullest indemnification permitted by the laws of the State of Nevada, and may cause the Corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as director or officer of another corporation, or as its representative in a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprises against any liability asserted against such person and incurred in any such capacity or arising out of such status, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person.
The indemnification provided in this Article shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person.
Dated: October 8, 2020 | By: | /s/ Fawad Maqbool |
|
|
| Fawad Maqbool |
|
|
| President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
3 |
EXHIBIT B
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BY-LAWS
OF
AMPLITECH GROUP, INC.
A Nevada Corporation
Effective ____, 2020
1 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
| Page | |
ARTICLE I | ||||
|
| |||
OFFICES |
| |||
Section 1.1 | Registered Office |
| 6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 1.2 | Principal Office |
| 6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 1.3 | Other Offices |
| 6 |
|
ARTICLE II | ||||
|
| |||
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS | ||||
Section 2.1 | Annual Meetings |
| 6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 2.2 | Special Meetings |
| 7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 2.3 | Place Of Meetings |
| 7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 2.4 | Notice |
| 7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 2.5 | Adjournments |
| 7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 2.6 | Quorum |
| 8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 2.7 | Voting |
| 8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 2.8 | Proxies |
| 8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 2.9 | Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting |
| 9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 2.10 | List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote |
| 11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 2.11 | Record Date |
| 11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 2.12 | Stock Ledger |
| 12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 2.13 | Conduct of Meetings |
| 12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 2.14 | Inspectors of Election |
| 13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 2.15 | Nature of Business at Meetings of Stockholders |
| 13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 2.16 | Nomination of Directors |
| 15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 2.17 | Meetings Through Electronic Communications |
| 17 |
|
2 |
ARTICLE III | ||||
|
| |||
DIRECTORS | ||||
Section 3.1 | Number, Election and Term of Directors |
| 18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 3.2 | Vacancies |
| 18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 3.3 | Duties and Powers |
| 19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 3.4 | Meetings |
| 19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 3.5 | Organization |
| 19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 3.6 | Resignations and Removals of Directors |
| 19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 3.7 | Quorum and Voting |
| 20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 3.8 | Actions of the Board by Written Consent |
| 20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 3.9 | Meetings by Means of Conference Telephone |
| 20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 3.10 | Committees |
| 21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 3.11 | Compensation |
| 21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 3.12 | Interested Directors |
| 21 |
|
ARTICLE IV | ||||
|
| |||
OFFICERS | ||||
Section 4.1 | General |
| 22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 4.2 | Election, Qualification and Term of Office |
| 22 |
|
|
|
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Section 4.3 | Voting Securities Owned by the Corporation |
| 22 |
|
|
|
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Section 4.4 | Removal |
| 23 |
|
|
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Section 4.5 | Resignation |
| 23 |
|
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Section 4.6 | Vacancies |
| 23 |
|
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Section 4.7 | Powers and Duties |
| 23 |
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Section 4.8 | Salaries |
| 23 |
|
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|
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Section 4.9 | Other Officers |
| 23 |
|
3 |
ARTICLE V | ||||
|
| |||
STOCK | ||||
Section 5.1 | Shares of Stock |
| 24 |
|
|
|
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Section 5.2 | Signatures |
| 24 |
|
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Section 5.3 | Lost Certificates |
| 24 |
|
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|
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|
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Section 5.4 | Transfers |
| 24 |
|
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|
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Section 5.5 | Regulations |
| 25 |
|
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Section 5.6 | Dividend Record Date |
| 25 |
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|
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Section 5.7 | Record Owners |
| 25 |
|
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Section 5.8 | Transfer and Registry Agents |
| 25 |
|
|
|
|
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Section 5.9 | Consideration for Shares |
| 25 |
|
ARTICLE VI | ||||
|
| |||
NOTICES | ||||
Section 6.1 | Notices |
| 26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 6.2 | Waivers of Notice |
| 26 |
|
ARTICLE VII | ||||
|
| |||
GENERAL PROVISIONS | ||||
Section 7.1 | Dividends |
| 27 |
|
|
|
|
|
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Section 7.2 | Disbursements |
| 27 |
|
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|
|
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Section 7.3 | Fiscal Year |
| 27 |
|
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|
|
|
|
Section 7.4 | Corporate Seal |
| 27 |
|
4 |
ARTICLE VIII | ||||
|
| |||
INDEMNIFICATION | ||||
Section 8.1 | Power To Indemnify In Actions, Suits Or Proceedings Other Than Those By Or In The Right Of The Corporation |
| 27 |
|
|
|
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|
|
Section 8.2 | Power To Indemnify In Actions, Suits Or Proceedings By Or In The Right Of The Corporation |
| 28 |
|
|
|
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|
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Section 8.3 | Authorization Of Indemnification |
| 28 |
|
|
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|
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Section 8.4 | Good Faith Defined |
| 29 |
|
|
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Section 8.5 | Indemnification By A Court |
| 29 |
|
|
|
|
|
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Section 8.6 | Expenses Payable In Advance |
| 29 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 8.7 | Nonexclusivity Of Indemnification And Advancement Of Expenses |
| 30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 8.8 | Insurance |
| 30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 8.9 | Certain Definitions |
| 30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 8.10 | Survival Of Indemnification And Advancement Of Expenses |
| 31 |
|
|
|
|
|
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Section 8.11 | Limitation On Indemnification |
| 31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 8.12 | Indemnification Of Employees And Agents |
| 31 |
|
ARTICLE IX | ||||
|
| |||
MISCELLANEOUS | ||||
Section 9.1 | Acquisition Of Controlling Interest Statute Opt–Out |
| 31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 9.2 | Forum for Adjudication of Disputes |
| 31 |
|
ARTICLE X | ||||
|
| |||
AMENDMENTS | ||||
Section 10.1 | Amendments |
| 32 |
|
|
|
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Section 10.2 | Entire Board Of Directors |
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AMENDED AND RESTATED
BY-LAWS
OF
AMPLITECH GROUP, INC.
(hereinafter called the “Corporation”)
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1.1 Registered Office. The registered office of the corporation shall be established and maintained at the office of Corporate Creations Network Inc., at 8275 South Eastern Avenue #200, Las Vegas, NV, 89123, in the State of Nevada; the Registered Agent Inc. shall be the registered agent of the corporation in charge thereof. The registered office and registered agent may be changed from time to time by action of the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) and the appropriate filing by the corporation in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada.
Section 1.02. Principal Office. The principal office for the transaction of the business of the Corporation shall be at 620 Johnson Avenue, Bohemia, New York 11716. The Board of Directors is hereby granted full power and authority to change said principal office from one location to another.
Section 1.3 Other Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Nevada, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 2.1 Annual Meetings. The Annual Meeting of stockholders of the Corporation (“Stockholders”) for purposes of the Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”) 78.330 shall be held on such date and at such time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. The election of directors and any other proper business may be transacted at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
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Section 2.2 Special Meetings. A Special meeting of the stockholders (a “Special Meeting”) for any purpose or purposes may be called by the president of the Corporation, the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors that has been duly designated by the Board of Directors and whose powers and authority, as provided in a resolution of the Board of Directors or in these by-laws (“By-Laws”), include the power to call such meetings. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. Unless otherwise prescribed by law, the articles of incorporation of the Corporation, as amended and restated from time to time (the “Articles of Incorporation”) or these By-Laws, a Special Meeting may not be called by any other person or persons. No business may be transacted at any Special Meeting other than such business as may be designated in the notice (or any supplement thereto) calling such meeting.
Section 2.3 Place of Meetings. The president, the Board of Directors, or a committee of the Board of Directors, as the case may be, may designate the time and place, either within or without the State of Nevada, for any Annual Meeting or for any Special Meeting of the Stockholders called by the president, the Board of Directors, or a committee of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that any meeting of the stockholders shall be held by means of electronic communications or other available technology in accordance with Section 2.17.
Section 2.4 Notice. Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting, the means of electronic communication, if any, and, in the case of a Special Meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Unless otherwise required by law, written notice of any meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting, and shall be delivered in accordance with NRS 78.370.
Section 2.5 Adjournments. Any meeting of the stockholders may be adjourned from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than sixty (60) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, notice of the adjourned meeting in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.4 hereof shall be given to each stockholder of record (including the new record date) entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.
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Section 2.6 Quorum. Unless otherwise required by applicable law or the Articles of Incorporation, the holders of one-third (1/3) of the Corporation’s capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business. A quorum, once established, shall not be broken by the withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum. If, however, a quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, in the manner provided in Section 2.5 hereof, until a quorum shall be present or represented.
Section 2.7 Voting.
(a) Unless otherwise required by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these By-Laws, any question brought before any meeting of the stockholders, other than the election of directors, shall be decided by the vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast on a matter at the meeting at which a quorum is present. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the election. Broker non-votes and abstentions are considered for purposes of establishing a quorum but not considered as votes cast for or against a proposal or director nominee.
(b) Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, and subject to Section 2.11(a), each stockholder represented at a meeting of the stockholders shall be entitled to cast one (1) vote for each share of the capital stock entitled to vote thereat held by such stockholder. Such votes may be cast in person or by proxy as provided in Section 2.8. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, or the officer of the Corporation presiding at a meeting of the stockholders, in such officer’s discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.
Section 2.8 Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of the stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted upon after six months from its date of creation, unless such proxy provides for a longer period, which may not exceed seven years from the date of its creation. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy, the following shall constitute a valid means by which a stockholder may grant such authority:
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(i) A stockholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy. Execution may be accomplished by the stockholder or such stockholder’s authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing such writing or causing such person’s signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means, including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature.
(ii) A stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of an electronic record to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive the transmission, provided that any such electronic record must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic record was authorized by the stockholder. If it is determined that such electronic record is valid, the inspectors or, if there are no inspectors, such other persons making that determination shall specify the information on which they relied.
Any copy, facsimile or other electronic telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic record authorizing another person or persons to act as proxy for a stockholder may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or electronic record for any and all purposes for which the original writing or electronic record could be used; provided, however, that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or electronic record.
Section 2.9 Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any Annual or Special Meeting of Stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation’s principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of the stockholders are recorded, to the attention of the Secretary of the Corporation. Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated consent delivered in the manner required by this Section 2.9 to the Corporation, written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take action are delivered to the Corporation by delivery to the Corporation’s principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of the stockholders are recorded, to the attention of the Secretary of the Corporation. Any copy, facsimile or other reliable reproduction of a consent in writing may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing for any and all purposes for which the original writing could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take the action were delivered to the Corporation as provided above in this Section 2.9.
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(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which date shall not be less than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. Any stockholder of record seeking to have the stockholders authorize or take corporate action by written consent shall, by written notice to the Secretary of the Corporation, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date. The Board of Directors shall promptly, but in all events within ten (10) days after the date on which such a request is received, adopt a resolution fixing the record date. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors within ten (10) days of the date on which such a request is received, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is required by applicable law, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation’s principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of the stockholders are recorded, to the attention of the Secretary of the Corporation. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of Directors is required by applicable law, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the date on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.
(c) In the event of the delivery, in the manner provided by this Section 2.9, to the Corporation of the requisite written consent or consents to take corporate action and/or any related revocation or revocations, the Corporation shall engage independent inspectors of elections for the purpose of performing promptly a ministerial review of the validity of the consents and revocations. For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, no action by written consent without a meeting shall be effective until such date as the independent inspectors certify to the Corporation that the consents delivered to the Corporation in accordance with this Section 2.9 represent at least a minimum number of votes that would be necessary to take the corporate action. Nothing contained in this Section 2.9(c) shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the board of directors or any stockholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any consent or revocation thereof, whether before or after such certification by the independent inspectors, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution, or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).
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Section 2.10 List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. The officer of the Corporation who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days but not more than sixty (60) days, before every meeting of the stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders of record entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder of record and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder of record. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting (i) either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. Except as otherwise required by law, such list shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of the stockholders. In the event that more than one group of shares is entitled to vote as a separate voting group at the meeting, there shall be a separate listing of the stockholders of each group.
Section 2.11 Record Date.
(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of the stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day before the day on which the first notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is required by applicable law, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation’s principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of the stockholders are recorded, to the attention of the Secretary of the Corporation. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of Directors is required by applicable law, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.
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Section 2.12 Stock Ledger. The stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger, the list required by Section 2.10 or the books of the Corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of the stockholders.
Section 2.13 Conduct of Meetings. Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the chairman of the Board of Directors (the “Chairman”), or, in the absence of the Chairman, by the vice chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or if there be no vice chairman or in the absence of the vice chairman, by the chief executive officer, if any, or if there be no chief executive officer or in the absence of the chief executive officer, by the president, or, in the absence of the president, or, in the absence of any of the foregoing persons, by a chairman designated by the Board of Directors, or by a chairman chosen at the meeting by the stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes which all stockholders present in person or by proxy are entitled to cast. The individual acting as chairman of the meeting may delegate any or all of his or her authority and responsibilities as such to any director or officer of the Corporation present in person at the meeting. The secretary, or in the absence of the secretary an assistant secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the absence of the secretary and any assistant secretary the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting. The order of business at each such meeting shall be as determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts and things as are necessary or desirable for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, (i) the establishment of procedures for the maintenance of order and safety, (ii) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting, (iii) limitation on participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies and such other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall permit, (iv) limitation on the time allotted for consideration of each agenda item and for questions or comments by meeting participants, (v) restrictions on entry to such meeting after the time prescribed for the commencement thereof, and (vi) the opening and closing of the voting polls. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, or the chairman of the meeting, in his or her discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.
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Section 2.14 Inspectors of Election. In advance of any meeting of the stockholders, the Board of Directors, by resolution, the Chairman or the president shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. One or more other persons may be designated as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of the stockholders, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, inspectors may be officers, employees or agents of the Corporation. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of the duties of inspector, shall take and sign an oath to faithfully execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of such inspector’s ability. The inspector or inspectors may (i) ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each; (ii) determine the number of shares represented at a meeting and the validity of proxies or ballots; (iii) count all votes and ballots; (iv) determine any challenges made to any determination made by the inspector(s); and (v) certify the determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and the count of all votes and ballots.
Section 2.15 Nature of Business at Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business (other than nominations for election to the Board of Directors and the election of directors, which must comply with the provisions of Section 2.16) may be transacted at an Annual Meeting of Stockholders as is either (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof), (b) otherwise properly brought before the Annual Meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof), or (c) otherwise properly brought before the Annual Meeting by any stockholder of the Corporation (i) who is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2.15 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such Annual Meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.15.
In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be properly brought before an Annual Meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation.
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To be timely, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or be mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one-hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding Annual Meeting of Stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the Annual Meeting is called for a date that is not within twenty-five (25) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such notice of the date of the Annual Meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the Annual Meeting was made, whichever first occurs. In no event shall the adjournment or postponement of an Annual Meeting, or the public announcement of such an adjournment or postponement, commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.
To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth the following information: (a) as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the Annual Meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the Annual Meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the Annual Meeting, and (b) as to the stockholder giving notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is being made, (i) the name and address of such person, (ii) (A) the class or series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such person and any affiliates or associates of such person, (B) the name of each nominee holder of shares of all stock of the Corporation owned beneficially but not of record by such person or any affiliates or associates of such person, and the number of such shares of stock of the Corporation held by each such nominee holder, (C) whether and the extent to which any derivative instrument, swap, option, warrant, short interest, hedge or profit interest or other transaction has been entered into by or on behalf of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, with respect to stock of the Corporation and (D) whether and the extent to which any other transaction, agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares of stock of the Corporation) has been made by or on behalf of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, the effect or intent of any of the foregoing being to mitigate loss to, or to manage risk or benefit of stock price changes for, such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, or to increase or decrease the voting power or pecuniary or economic interest of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, with respect to stock of the Corporation; (iii) a description of all agreements, arrangements, or understandings (whether written or oral) between or among such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business and any material interest of such person or any affiliates or associates of such person, in such business, including any anticipated benefit therefrom to such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, (iv) a representation that the stockholder giving notice intends to appear in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting to bring such business before the meeting; and (v) any other information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies by such person with respect to the proposed business to be brought by such person before the Annual Meeting pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
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A stockholder providing notice of business proposed to be brought before an Annual Meeting shall further update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 2.15 shall be true and correct as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive notice of the Annual Meeting and such update and supplement shall be delivered to or be mailed and received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive notice of the Annual Meeting.
No business shall be conducted at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders except business brought before the Annual Meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.15; provided, however, that, once business has been properly brought before the Annual Meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in this Section 2.15 shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any such business. If the chairman of an Annual Meeting determines that business was not properly brought before the Annual Meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the chairman shall declare to the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting and such business shall not be transacted.
Nothing contained in this Section 2.15 shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act (or any successor provision of law).
Section 2.16 Nomination of Directors. Only natural persons of at least 18 years of age who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation, except as may be otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation with respect to the right of holders of preferred stock, if any, of the Corporation to nominate and elect a specified number of directors in certain circumstances. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at any Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or at any Special Meeting of Stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (b) by any stockholder of the Corporation (i) who is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2.16 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such Annual Meeting or Special Meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.16.
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In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or be mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (a) in the case of an Annual Meeting, not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one-hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding Annual Meeting of Stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the Annual Meeting is called for a date that is not within twenty-five (25) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such notice of the date of the Annual Meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the Annual Meeting was made, whichever first occurs; and (b) in the case of a Special Meeting of Stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which notice of the date of the Special Meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the Special Meeting was made, whichever first occurs. In no event shall the adjournment or postponement of an Annual Meeting or a Special Meeting called for the purpose of electing directors, or the public announcement of such an adjournment or postponement, commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.
To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth the following information: (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of such person and that such person is a natural person of at least 18 years of age, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of such person, (iii) (A) the class or series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such person and any affiliates or associates of such person, (B) the name of each nominee holder of shares of all stock of the Corporation owned beneficially but not of record by such person or any affiliates or associates of such person, and the number of such shares of stock of the Corporation held by each such nominee holder, (C) whether and the extent to which any derivative instrument, swap, option, warrant, short interest, hedge or profit interest or other transaction has been entered into by or on behalf of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, with respect to stock of the Corporation and (D) whether and the extent to which any other transaction, agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares of stock of the Corporation) has been made by or on behalf of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, the effect or intent of any of the foregoing being to mitigate loss to, or to manage risk or benefit of stock price changes for, such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, or to increase or decrease the voting power or pecuniary or economic interest of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, with respect to stock of the Corporation; and (iv) any other information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice, and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made, (i) the name and record address of the stockholder giving the notice and the name and principal place of business of such beneficial owner; (ii) (A) the class or series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such person and any affiliates or associates of such person, (B) the name of each nominee holder of shares of the Corporation owned beneficially but not of record by such person or any affiliates or associates of such person, and the number of shares of stock of the Corporation held by each such nominee holder, (C) whether and the extent to which any derivative instrument, swap, option, warrant, short interest, hedge or profit interest or other transaction has been entered into by or on behalf of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, with respect to stock of the Corporation and (D) whether and the extent to which any other transaction, agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares of stock of the Corporation) has been made by or on behalf of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, the effect or intent of any of the foregoing being to mitigate loss to, or to manage risk or benefit of stock price changes for, such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, or to increase or decrease the voting power or pecuniary or economic interest of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, with respect to stock of the Corporation; (iii) a description of all agreements, arrangements, or understandings (whether written or oral) between such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, and any proposed nominee or any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are being made by such person, and any material interest of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, in such nomination, including any anticipated benefit therefrom to such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person; (iv) a representation that the stockholder giving notice intends to appear in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting or Special Meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice; and (v) any other information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.
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A stockholder providing notice of any nomination proposed to be made at an Annual Meeting or Special Meeting shall further update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 2.16 shall be true and correct as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive notice of the Annual Meeting or Special Meeting, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to or be mailed and received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive notice of such Annual Meeting or Special Meeting.
No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.16. If the chairman of the meeting determines that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the chairman shall declare to the meeting that the nomination was defective and such defective nomination shall be disregarded.
Section 2.17 Meetings Through Electronic Communications. Stockholders may participate in a meeting of the stockholders by any means of electronic communications, videoconferencing, teleconferencing or other available technology permitted under the NRS (including, without limitation, a telephone conference or similar method of communication by which all individuals participating in the meeting can hear each other) and utilized by the Corporation. If any such means are utilized, the Corporation shall, to the extent required under the NRS, implement reasonable measures to (a) verify the identity of each person participating through such means as a stockholder and (b) provide the stockholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to communicate, and to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting in a substantially concurrent manner with such proceedings. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section 2.17 constitutes presence in person at the meeting.
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ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 3.1 Number, Election and Term of Directors. The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than one nor more than nine members, the exact number of which shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. Except as provided in Section 3.2, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at each Annual Meeting of Stockholders and each director so elected shall hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualified. Directors must be natural persons of at least 18 years of age but need not be stockholders of the Corporation or residents of the State of Nevada.
Section 3.2 Vacancies. Unless otherwise required in the Articles of Incorporation, vacancies on the Board of Directors or any committee thereof arising through death, resignation, removal, an increase in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors or such committee or otherwise may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. The directors so chosen shall, in the case of the Board of Directors, hold office until the next annual election and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation or removal and, in the case of any committee of the Board of Directors, shall hold office until their successors are duly appointed by the Board of Directors or until their earlier death, resignation or removal.
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Section 3.3 Duties and Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Articles of Incorporation or by these By-Laws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
Section 3.4 Meetings. The Board of Directors and any committee thereof may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Nevada. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be held without notice at such time and at such place as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors or such committee, respectively. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman, if any, or the president. Special meetings of any committee of the Board of Directors may be called by the chairman of such committee, if any, the president, or any director serving on such committee. Notice thereof stating the place, date and hour of the meeting shall be given to each director (or, in the case of a committee, to each member of such committee) either by mail not less than seventy-two (72) hours before the date of the meeting, by telephone or electronic mail on twenty-four (24) hours’ notice, or on such shorter notice as the person or persons calling such meeting may deem necessary or appropriate in the circumstances.
Section 3.5 Organization. At each meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof, the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the chairman of such committee, as the case may be, or, in his or her absence or if there be none, a director chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall act as chairman. Except as provided below, the Secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary at each meeting of the Board of Directors and of each committee thereof. In case the Secretary shall be absent from any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof, an Assistant Secretary shall perform the duties of secretary at such meeting; and in the absence from any such meeting of the Secretary and all the Assistant Secretaries, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the members of each committee of the Board of Directors may appoint any person to act as secretary of any meeting of such committee and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation may, but need not if such committee so elects, serve in such capacity.
Section 3.6 Resignations and Removals of Directors. Any director of the Corporation may resign from the Board of Directors or any committee thereof at any time, by giving notice in writing to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, the president or the secretary of the Corporation and, in the case of a committee, to the chairman of such committee, if any. Such resignation shall take effect at the time therein specified or, if no time is specified, immediately; and, unless otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Except as otherwise required by applicable law and subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of shares of preferred stock then outstanding, any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed from office at any time, with or without cause, and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the combined voting power of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Any director serving on a committee of the Board of Directors may be removed from such committee at any time by the Board of Directors.
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Section 3.7 Quorum and Voting.
(a) Except as otherwise required or permitted by the Articles of Incorporation, the NRS or the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or quotation system on which the Corporation’s securities are listed or quoted for trading, at all meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof, a majority of the entire Board of Directors or a majority of the directors constituting such committee, as the case may be, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the directors or committee members present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors or such committee, as applicable. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting of the time and place of the adjourned meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
(b) Each director shall have one vote for any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or any committee thereof or without a meeting as provided herein. In accordance with NRS 78.330, all directors and classes of directors shall have the same voting rights.
Section 3.8 Actions of the Board by Written Consent. Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation or these By-Laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all the members of the Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or such committee.
Section 3.9 Meetings by Means of Conference Telephone. Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation or these By-Laws, members of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section 3.9 shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
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Section 3.10 Committees. The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. Each member of a committee must meet the requirements for membership, if any, imposed by applicable law and the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or quotation system on which the securities of the Corporation are listed or quoted for trading. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of any such committee. Subject to the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or quotation system on which the securities of the Corporation are listed or quoted for trading, in the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, and in the absence of a designation by the Board of Directors of an alternate member to replace the absent or disqualified member, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another qualified member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any absent or disqualified member. Any committee, to the extent permitted by law and provided in the resolution establishing such committee, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. Each committee shall keep regular minutes and report to the Board of Directors when required. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article III, the resolution of the Board of Directors establishing any committee of the Board of Directors and/or the charter of any such committee may establish requirements or procedures relating to the governance and/or operation of such committee that are different from, or in addition to, those set forth in these By-Laws and, to the extent that there is any inconsistency between these By-Laws and any such resolution or charter, the terms of such resolution or charter shall be controlling; provided that it complies with the NRS.
Section 3.11 Compensation. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary for service as director, payable in cash or securities. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for service as committee members.
Section 3.12 Interested Directors. No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association or other organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or officers or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because any such director’s or officer’s vote is counted for such purpose if: (i) the material facts as to the director’s or officer’s relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board of Directors or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; or (ii) the material facts as to the director’s or officer’s relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders holding a majority of the voting power (the votes of the common or interested directors may be counted); and (iii) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof or the stockholders. Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction as set forth herein.
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ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 4.1 General. The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a chief executive officer, president, chief operating officer, chief financial officer and a secretary, each of whom shall be elected by the Board. Such other officers and assistant officers as may be deemed necessary may be elected or appointed by the Board. All officers must be natural persons and any natural person may hold two or more offices, except that in the event that the Corporation shall have more than one director, the offices of president and secretary shall be held by different persons.
Section 4.2 Election, Qualification and Term of Office. Each of the officers shall be elected by the Board. None of said officers need be a director. Except as hereinafter provided or subject to the express provisions of a contract authorized by the Board of Directors, each of said officers shall hold office from the date of his/her election until the next annual meeting of the Board and until his/her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until his or her removal or resignation.
Section 4.3 Voting Securities Owned by the Corporation. Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the president or any vice president or any other officer authorized to do so by the Board of Directors and any such officer may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation may own securities and at any such meeting shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and power incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed if present. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.
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Section 4.4 Removal. The Board of Directors shall have the right to remove, with or without cause, any officer of the Corporation.
Section 4.5 Resignation. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice to the Board, the president or the secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice or at any later date specified therein; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 4.6 Vacancies. The Board of Directors shall fill any office which becomes vacant with a successor who shall hold office for the unexpired term and until his/her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until his or her removal or resignation.
Section 4.7 Powers and Duties. The powers and duties of the respective corporate officers shall be determined by the Board.
Section 4.8 Salaries. The salaries of all executive officers of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors or by such committee of the Board of Directors as may be designated from time to time by a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors.
Section 4.9 Other Officers. Such other officers as the Board of Directors may choose shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may delegate to any other officer of the Corporation the power to choose such other officers and to prescribe their respective duties and powers.
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ARTICLE V
STOCK
Section 5.1 Shares of Stock. The shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be represented by a certificate, unless and until the Board of Directors adopts a resolution permitting shares to be uncertificated. Notwithstanding the adoption of any such resolution providing for uncertificated shares, every holder of capital stock of the Corporation theretofore represented by certificates and, upon request, every holder of uncertificated shares, shall be entitled to have a certificate for shares of capital stock of the Corporation signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, (a) the Chairman, the chief executive officer or the president, and (b) the chief financial officer or the secretary, certifying the number of shares owned by such stockholder in the Corporation.
Section 5.2 Signatures. Any or all of the signatures on a certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
Section 5.3 Lost Certificates. Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation or these By-laws, the Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or uncertificated shares be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issuance of a new certificate or uncertificated shares, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to identify the same in such manner as the Board of Directors shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.
Section 5.4 Transfers. Stock of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by applicable law and in these By-Laws. Transfers of stock shall be made only on the books of the Corporation, and in the case of certificated shares of stock, only by the person named in the certificate or by such person’s attorney lawfully constituted in writing and upon the surrender of the certificate therefor, properly endorsed for transfer and payment of all necessary transfer taxes; or, in the case of uncertificated shares of stock, upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered holder of the shares or by such person’s attorney lawfully constituted in writing, and upon payment of all necessary transfer taxes and compliance with appropriate procedures for transferring shares in uncertificated form; provided, however, that such surrender and endorsement, compliance or payment of taxes shall not be required in any case in which the officers of the Corporation shall determine to waive such requirement. With respect to certificated shares of stock, every certificate exchanged, returned or surrendered to the Corporation shall be marked “Cancelled,” with the date of cancellation, by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or the transfer agent thereof. No transfer of stock shall be valid as against the Corporation for any purpose until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing from and to whom transferred.
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Section 5.5 Regulations. The Board of Directors may make such rules and regulations as it may deem expedient, not inconsistent with these By-Laws, concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates for shares or uncertificated shares of the stock of the Corporation.
Section 5.6 Dividend Record Date. Subject to compliance with NRS 78.288 and 78.300, and the Articles of Incorporation, in order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
Section 5.7 Record Owners. The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise required by law.
Section 5.8 Transfer and Registry Agents. The Corporation may from time to time maintain one or more transfer offices or agencies and registry offices or agencies at such place or places as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Section 5.9 Consideration for Shares. The Board of Directors may authorize shares to be issued for consideration consisting of any tangible or intangible property or benefit to the Corporation including, without limitation, cash, services performed or other securities of the Corporation. When the Corporation receives the consideration for which the Board of Directors authorized the issuance of shares, such shares shall be fully paid and non-assessable (if non-assessable stock) and the stockholders shall not be liable to the Corporation or to its creditors in respect thereof.
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ARTICLE VI
NOTICES
Section 6.1 Notices. Whenever written notice is required by the NRS, the Articles of Incorporation or these By-Laws, to be given to any director, member of a committee or stockholder, such notice may be given by mail in accordance with the NRS, and as permitted thereby, addressed to such director, member of a committee or stockholder, at such person’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail. Written notice may also be given personally or by electronic transmission (by fax, electronic mail, or posting on electronic network).
Section 6.2 Waivers of Notice. Whenever any notice is required by applicable law, the Articles of Incorporation or these By-Laws, to be given to any director, member of a committee or stockholder, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to notice, or by transmission of an electronic record by that person, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.
Attendance of a person at a meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where the person attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any Annual or Special Meeting of Stockholders or any regular or special meeting of the directors or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless so required by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these By-Laws.
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ARTICLE VII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 7.1 Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation, subject to the requirements of the NRS and the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors (or any action by written consent in lieu thereof in accordance with Section 3.8 hereof), and may be paid in cash or in property other than shares. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in its absolute discretion, deems proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for purchasing any of the shares of capital stock, warrants, rights, options, bonds, debentures, notes, scrip or other securities or evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for any proper purpose, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.
Section 7.2 Disbursements. All checks or demands for money and notes of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
Section 7.3 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 7.4 Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Nevada”. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.1 Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings other than Those by or in the Right of the Corporation. Subject to Section 8.3 and to the fullest extent permitted by the NRS, the Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was a director or officer of the Corporation serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such person’s conduct was unlawful.
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Section 8.2 Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings by or in the Right of the Corporation. Subject to Section 8.3 and to the fullest extent permitted by the NRS, the Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was a director or officer of the Corporation serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation; except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court in which such action or suit was brought deem proper.
Section 8.3 Authorization of Indemnification. Any indemnification under this Article VIII (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as permitted by the NRS and authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director or officer is proper in the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2, as the case may be. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (i) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iv) by the stockholders. Such determination shall be made, with respect to former directors and officers, by any person or persons having the authority to act on the matter on behalf of the Corporation. To the extent, however, that a present or former director or officer of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding described above, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith, without the necessity of authorization in the specific case.
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Section 8.4 Good Faith Defined. For purposes of any determination under Section 8.3, a person shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, or, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, to have had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful, if such person’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Corporation or another enterprise, or on information supplied to such person by the officers of the Corporation or another enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Corporation or another enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Corporation or another enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Corporation or another enterprise. The provisions of this Section 8.4 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the circumstances in which a person may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2, as the case may be.
Section 8.5 Indemnification by a Court. Notwithstanding any contrary determination in the specific case under Section 8.3, and notwithstanding the absence of any determination thereunder, any director or officer may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Nevada for indemnification to the extent otherwise permissible under Section 8.1 or Section 8.2. The basis of such indemnification by a court shall be a determination by such court that indemnification of the director or officer is proper in the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2, as the case may be. Neither a contrary determination in the specific case under Section 8.3 nor the absence of any determination thereunder shall be a defense to such application or create a presumption that the director or officer seeking indemnification has not met any applicable standard of conduct. Notice of any application for indemnification pursuant to this Section 8.5 shall be given to the Corporation promptly upon the filing of such application. If successful, in whole or in part, the director or officer seeking indemnification shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such application.
Section 8.6 Expenses Payable in Advance. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a director or officer in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article VIII. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Corporation deems appropriate.
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Section 8.7 Nonexclusivity of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VIII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the Articles of Incorporation, these By-Laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, it being the policy of the Corporation that indemnification of the persons specified in Section 8.1 and Section 8.2 shall be made to the fullest extent permitted by law. The provisions of this Article VIII shall not be deemed to preclude the indemnification of any person who is not specified in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2 but whom the Corporation has the power or obligation to indemnify under the provisions of the NRS, or otherwise.
Section 8.8 Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was a director or officer of the Corporation serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power or the obligation to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Article VIII.
Section 8.9 Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Article VIII, references to “the Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors or officers, so that any person who is or was a director or officer of such constituent corporation, or is or was a director or officer of such constituent corporation serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
The term “another enterprise” as used in this Article VIII shall mean any other corporation or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which such person is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent. For purposes of this Article VIII, references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director or officer with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this Article VIII.
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Section 8.10 Survival of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VIII shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
Section 8.11 Limitation on Indemnification. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Article VIII to the contrary, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification (which shall be governed by Section 8.5), the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any director or officer (or his or her heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives) or advance expenses in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized or consented to by the Board of Directors.
Section 8.12 Indemnification of Employees and Agents. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, provide rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to employees and agents of the Corporation similar to those conferred in this Article VIII to directors and officers of the Corporation.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1 Acquisition of Controlling Interest Statute Opt–Out. The provisions of NRS 78.378 to 78.3793, inclusive, shall not apply to the Corporation or to an acquisition of a “controlling interest” (as defined in NRS 78.3785).
Section 9.2 Forum for Adjudication of Disputes. To the fullest extent permitted by law, and unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Eighth Judicial District Court of Clark County, Nevada, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for each of the following: (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought in the name or right of the Corporation or on its behalf, (b) any action asserting a claim for breach of any fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (c) any action arising or asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of NRS Chapters 78 or 92A or any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or these By-laws or (d) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, including, without limitation, any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Articles of Incorporation or these By-laws. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section 9.2.
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ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
Section 10.1 Amendments. These By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided notice of the proposed change was given in the notice of the meeting not less than two days prior to the meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, these By-laws may be amended or repealed in any respect, and new by-laws may be adopted, in each case by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the outstanding voting power of the Corporation, voting together as a single class.
Section 10.2 Entire Board of Directors. As used in this Article X and in these By-Laws generally, the term “entire Board of Directors” means the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies.
* * *
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, as the duly elected Secretary of AmpliTech Group, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify that the Board of Directors of the Corporation adopted the foregoing Amended and Restated By-laws as of October 8, 2020.
| /s/ Louisa Sanfratello |
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| Louisa Sanfratello, Secretary |
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EXHIBIT C
AMPLITECH GROUP, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF PREFERENCES,
RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS
OF
SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
Pursuant to Section 78.1955 of Chapter 78
of the Nevada Revised Statutes of the State of Nevada
The following resolutions were duly adopted by the Board of Directors of AmpliTech Group, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Corporation”) by unanimous written consent on October 7, 2020 and approved by a majority of votes of said Corporation on October 7, 2020, pursuant to the provisions of Section 78.1955 of Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes of the State of Nevada:
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Corporation is authorized, within the limitations and restrictions stated in the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, by resolution or resolutions to divide the Corporation’s One Million (1,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), into series, to designate each series, to fix and determine separately for each series any one or more rights or preferences including the voting rights, number of shares to constitute the class or series and the designation thereof, redemption rights and prices, dividend rates, operation of retirement or sinking funds provisions, preferences and amounts thereof payable upon voluntary or involuntary dissolution or distribution of assets of the Corporation, the terms and conditions on which shares may be converted or exchanged and such other rights and provisions with respect to any class or series as the board of directors may deem advisable.
WHEREAS, on July 29, 2013, the Corporation filed a Certificate of Designation authorizing the designation of 140,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”);
WHEREAS, on May 6, 2014, the Corporation filed a Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Designation for the Series A Preferred Stock, setting forth certain voting rights for the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock;
WHEREAS, on January 16, 2015, the Corporation filed a Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Designation for the Series A Preferred Stock, authorizing the designation of 401,000 shares of the Series A Preferred Stock;
WHEREAS, the Corporation now desires to amend and restate the Certificate of Designation of the Series A Preferred Stock in its entirety in accordance with the terms hereof;
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that it is the desire of the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the holders of all the issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, pursuant to their respective authority as aforesaid, to amend and restate and authorize and fix the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock and the number of shares constituting such series, as follows:
Section 1. Designation and Authorized Shares. The Corporation shall be authorized to issue 401,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock.
Section 2. Dividends. The Series A Preferred Stock will not bear dividends.
Section 3. Liquidation. The holder of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to receive any distributions in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, either voluntary or involuntary.
Section 4. Conversion.
(a) Conversion Right. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock may, from time to time, be converted into shares of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock (the “Conversion Shares”) at a rate of one hundred shares of the Company’s Common Stock for every share of Series A Preferred Stock.
(b) Conversion Procedure. In order to exercise the conversion privilege under this Section 4, the holder of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted shall give written notice to the Corporation at its principal office that such holder elects to convert such shares of Series A Preferred Stock or a specified portion thereof into shares of Common Stock as set forth in such notice. At such time as the certificate or certificates representing the Series A Preferred Stock which has been converted are surrendered to the Corporation, the Corporation shall issue and deliver a certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of Common Stock determined pursuant to this Section 4. In case of conversion of only a part of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock represented by a certificate surrendered to the Corporation, the Corporation shall issue and deliver a new certificate for the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock which have not been converted. Until such time as the certificate or certificates representing Series A Preferred Stock which has been converted are surrendered to the Corporation and a certificate or certificates representing the Common Stock into which such Series A Preferred Stock has been converted have been issued and delivered, the certificate or certificates representing the Series A Preferred Stock which have been converted shall represent the shares of Common Stock into which such shares of Series A Preferred Stock have been converted. The Corporation shall pay all documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on the issue of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock.
Section 5. Voting. Except as otherwise expressly required by law or this Section 5, holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to shareholders of the Corporation for each share of Series A Preferred Stock owned on the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote on such matter or, if no such record date is established, on the date such vote is taken or any written consent of shareholders is solicited. The number of votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock equals that number of votes that, together with votes otherwise entitled to be cast by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock at a meeting, whether by virtue of stock ownership, proxies, voting trust agreements or otherwise, entitle the holders to exercise 51% of all votes entitled to be cast to approve any action which Nevada law provides may or must be approved by vote or consent of the holders of Common Stock entitled to vote. Except as otherwise required by law or this Section 5, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall vote together with the holders of Common Stock on all matters and shall not vote as a separate class.
Section 6. Other Provisions. The Corporation and its transfer agent, if any, for the Series A Preferred Stock may deem and treat the record holder of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock and, upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Conversion Shares, as reflected on the books and records of the Corporation as the sole true and lawful owner thereof for all purposes, and neither the Corporation nor any such transfer agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Certificate of Designation this 8th day of October, 2020.
| AMPLITECH GROUP, INC. |
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| By: | /s/ Fawad Maqbool |
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| Name: | Fawad Maqbool |
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| Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
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EXHIBIT D
AMPLITECH GROUP INC.
2020 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Plan are:
• | to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, |
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• | to provide incentives to individuals who perform services for the Company, and |
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• | to promote the success of the Company’s business. |
The Plan permits the grant of Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares and other stock or cash awards as the Administrator may determine.
2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions will apply:
(a) “Administrator” means the Board or any of its Committees as will be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 hereof.
(b) “Affiliate” means any corporation or any other entity (including, but not limited to, partnerships and joint ventures) controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company.
(c) “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards under U.S. federal and state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.
(d) “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares and other stock or cash awards as the Administrator may determine.
(e) “Award Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan. The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(f) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(g) “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) A change in the ownership of the Company which occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (“Person”), acquires ownership of stock in the Company that, together with the stock already held by such Person, constitutes more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the acquisition of additional stock by any Person who is considered to own more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company before the acquisition will not be considered a Change in Control; or
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(ii) A change in the effective control of the Company, which occurs on the date that a majority of the members of the Board are replaced during any twelve (12) month period by Directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election. For purposes of this subsection (ii), if any Person is considered to effectively control the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person will not be considered a Change in Control; or
(iii) A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, which occurs on the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (iii), the following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets or a Change in Control: (A) a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the Company’s stockholders immediately after the transfer, or (B) a transfer of assets by the Company to: (1) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (2) an entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (3) a Person that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or (4) an entity, at least 50% of the total equity or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in subsection (iii)(B)(3) above. For purposes of this subsection (iii), gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, as to any Award under the Plan that consists of deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, the definition of “Change in Control” shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code.
For purposes of this Section 2(g), persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation or other entity that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.
(h) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Code herein will be a reference to any successor or amended section of the Code.
(i) “Committee” means a committee of Directors or of other individuals satisfying Applicable Laws appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 hereof.
(j) “Common Stock” means the common stock, $.001 par value per share, of the Company.
(k) “Company” means Amplitech Group Inc., a Nevada corporation, or any successor thereto.
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(l) “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate to render services to the Company or a Subsidiary.
(m) “Determination Date” means the latest possible date that will not jeopardize the qualification of an Award granted under the Plan as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(n) “Director” means a member of the Board.
(o) “Disability” means permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, provided that in the case of Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, the Administrator in its discretion may determine whether a permanent and total disability exists in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards adopted by the Administrator from time to time.
(p) “Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company will be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.
(q) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(r) “Exchange Program” means a program under which (i) outstanding Awards are surrendered or cancelled in exchange for Awards of the same type (which may have lower exercise prices and different terms), Awards of a different type, and/or cash, (ii) Participants would have the opportunity to transfer any outstanding Awards to a financial institution or other person or entity selected by the Administrator, and/or (iii) the exercise price of an outstanding Award is reduced. The Administrator will determine the terms and conditions of any Exchange Program in its sole discretion.
(s) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market or the Nasdaq Capital Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such stock (or if no closing sales price was reported on that date, as applicable, on the last trading date such closing sales price was reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share will be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the day of determination (or, if no bids and asks were reported on that date, as applicable, on the last trading date such bids and asks were reported), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or
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(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, or if such Common Stock is not regularly quoted or does not have sufficient trades or bid prices which would accurately reflect the actual Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Administrator upon the advice of a qualified valuation expert.
(t) “Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company.
(u) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms qualifies and is otherwise intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(v) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(w) “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(x) “Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to Section 6 hereof.
(y) “Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(z) “Participant” means the holder of an outstanding Award.
(aa) “Performance Goals” will have the meaning set forth in Section 11 hereof.
(bb) “Performance Period” means any Fiscal Year of the Company or such other period as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
(cc) “Performance Share” means an Award denominated in Shares which may be earned in whole or in part upon attainment of Performance Goals or other vesting criteria as the Administrator may determine pursuant to Section 10 hereof.
(dd) “Performance Unit” means an Award which may be earned in whole or in part upon attainment of Performance Goals or other vesting criteria as the Administrator may determine and which may be settled for cash, Shares or other securities or a combination of the foregoing pursuant to Section 10 hereof.
(ee) “Period of Restriction” means the period during which transfers of Shares of Restricted Stock are subject to restrictions and, therefore, the Shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. Such restrictions may be based on the passage of time, the achievement of target levels of performance, or the occurrence of other events as determined by the Administrator.
(ff) “Plan” means this 2020 Equity Incentive Plan.
(gg) “Restricted Stock” means Shares issued pursuant to an Award of Restricted Stock under Section 8 hereof, or issued pursuant to the early exercise of an Option.
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(hh) “Restricted Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share, granted pursuant to Section 9 hereof. Each Restricted Stock Unit represents an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company.
(ii) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan.
(jj) “Section 16(b)” means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.
(kk) “Service Provider” means an Employee, Director, or Consultant.
(ll) “Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 15 hereof.
(mm) “Stock Appreciation Right” means an Award, granted alone or in connection with an Option, that pursuant to Section 7 is designated as a Stock Appreciation Right.
(nn) “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
3. Stock Subject to the Plan.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 15 hereof, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be awarded and sold under the Plan is 25,000,000 Shares. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.
(b) Lapsed Awards. If an Award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, is surrendered pursuant to an Exchange Program, or, with respect to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units, is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company, the unpurchased Shares (or for Awards other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the forfeited or repurchased Shares) which were subject thereto will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated). Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right settled in Shares, the gross number of Shares covered by the portion of the Award so exercised will cease to be available under the Plan. Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan under any Award will not be returned to the Plan and will not become available for future distribution under the Plan; provided, however, that if unvested Shares of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units are repurchased by the Company or are forfeited to the Company, such Shares will become available for future grant under the Plan. Shares used to pay the tax and/or exercise price of an Award will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan. To the extent an Award under the Plan is paid out in cash rather than Shares, such cash payment will not result in reducing the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3(b), subject to adjustment provided in Section 14 hereof, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will equal the aggregate Share number stated in Section 3(a) above, plus, to the extent allowable under Section 422 of the Code, any Shares that become available for issuance under the Plan under this Section 3(b).
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(c) Share Reserve. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
(d) Limitation on Number of Shares Subject to Awards. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be paid in cash during any calendar year (measured from the date of any payment) with respect to one or more Awards payable in cash shall be $100,000.
4. Administration of the Plan.
(a) Procedure.
(i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. Different Committees with respect to different groups of Service Providers may administer the Plan.
(ii) Section 162(m). To the extent that the Administrator determines it to be desirable to qualify Awards granted hereunder as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan will be administered by a Committee of two (2) or more “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(iii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder will be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.
(iv) Other Administration. Other than as provided above, the Plan will be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which committee will be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.
(b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator will have the authority, in its discretion:
(i) to determine the Fair Market Value;
(ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted hereunder;
(iii) to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;
(iv) to approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan;
(v) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder;
(vi) to institute an Exchange Program and to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, for (1) the surrender or cancellation of outstanding Awards in exchange for Awards of the same type, Awards of a different type, and/or cash, (2) the transfer of outstanding Awards to a financial institution or other person or entity, or (3) the reduction of the exercise price of outstanding Awards;
(vii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan;
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(viii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws or for qualifying for favorable tax treatment under applicable foreign laws;
(ix) to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 20(c) hereof), including but not limited to the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Awards;
(x) to allow Participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations in a manner described in Section 16 hereof;
(xi) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;
(xii) to allow a Participant to defer the receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant under an Award pursuant to such procedures as the Administrator may determine; and
(xiii) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.
(c) Effect of Administrator’s Decision. The Administrator’s decisions, determinations, and interpretations will be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of Awards.
5. Eligibility. Nonstatutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Units, Performance Shares, and such other cash or stock awards as the Administrator determines may be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.
6. Stock Options.
(a) Limitations.
(i) Each Option will be designated in the Award Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However, notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000 (U.S.), such Options will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.
(ii) The Administrator will have complete discretion to determine the number of Shares subject to an Option granted to any Participant.
(b) Term of Option. The Administrator will determine the term of each Option in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the term will be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof. Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive Stock Option will be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement.
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(c) Option Exercise Price and Consideration.
(i) Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option will be determined by the Administrator, but will be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. In addition, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price will be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(c), Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code.
(ii) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator will fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and will determine any conditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised.
(iii) Form of Consideration. The Administrator will determine the acceptable form(s) of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such consideration may consist entirely of: (1) cash; (2) check; (3) promissory note, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, (4) other Shares, provided that such Shares have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which such Option will be exercised and provided further that accepting such Shares will not result in any adverse accounting consequences to the Company, as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion; (5) consideration received by the Company under cashless exercise program (whether through a broker or otherwise) implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan; (6) by net exercise, (7) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, or (8) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment. In making its determination as to the type of consideration to accept, the Administrator will consider if acceptance of such consideration may be reasonably expected to benefit the Company.
(d) Exercise of Option.
(i) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option granted hereunder will be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
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An Option will be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) notice of exercise (in such form as the Administrator specifies from time to time) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with any applicable withholding taxes). Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Award Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option will be issued in the name of the Participant or, if requested by the Participant, in the name of the Participant and his or her spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder will exist with respect to the Shares subject to an Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company will issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 15 hereof.
(ii) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Participant’s termination as the result of the Participant’s death or Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.
(iii) Disability of Participant. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for six (6) months following the Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.
(iv) Death of Participant. If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death (but in no event may the option be exercised later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement), by the Participant’s designated beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to Participant’s death in a form acceptable to the Administrator. If no such beneficiary has been designated by the Participant, then such Option may be exercised by the personal representative of the Participant’s estate or by the person(s) to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution. In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for six (6) months following Participant’s death. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if at the time of death Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will continue to vest in accordance with the Award Agreement. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.
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7. Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a) Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, a Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.
(b) Number of Shares. The Administrator will have complete discretion to determine the number of Stock Appreciation Rights granted to any Participant.
(c) Exercise Price and Other Terms. The Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, will have complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan; provided, however, that the exercise price will be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.
(d) Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Right grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the term of the Stock Appreciation Right, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.
(e) Expiration of Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan will expire upon the date determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement; provided, however, that the term will be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Section 6(d) above also will apply to Stock Appreciation Rights.
(f) Payment of Stock Appreciation Right Amount. Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:
(i) The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price; times
(ii) The number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.
At the discretion of the Administrator, the payment upon Stock Appreciation Right exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof.
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8. Restricted Stock.
(a) Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.
(b) Restricted Stock Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the Company as escrow agent will hold Shares of Restricted Stock until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed.
(c) Transferability. Except as provided in this Section 8, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction.
(d) Other Restrictions. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate.
(e) Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan will be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the Period of Restriction. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.
(f) Voting Rights. During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise.
(g) Dividends and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.
(h) Return of Restricted Stock to Company. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed will revert to the Company and again will become available for grant under the Plan.
(i) Section 162(m) Performance Restrictions. For purposes of qualifying grants of Restricted Stock as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator, in its discretion, may set restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance Goals. The Performance Goals will be set by the Administrator on or before the Determination Date. In granting Restricted Stock which is intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator will follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the Award under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).
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9. Restricted Stock Units.
(a) Grant. Restricted Stock Units may be granted at any time and from time to time as determined by the Administrator. Each Restricted Stock Unit grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine, including all terms, conditions, and restrictions related to the grant, the number of Restricted Stock Units and the form of payout, which, subject to Section 9(d) hereof, may be left to the discretion of the Administrator.
(b) Vesting Criteria and Other Terms. The Administrator will set vesting criteria in its discretion, which, depending on the extent to which the criteria are met, will determine the number of Restricted Stock Units that will be paid out to the Participant. After the grant of Restricted Stock Units, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any restrictions for such Restricted Stock Units. Each Award of Restricted Stock Units will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the vesting criteria, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion will determine. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.
(c) Earning Restricted Stock Units. Upon meeting the applicable vesting criteria, the Participant will be entitled to receive a payout as specified in the Award Agreement.
(d) Form and Timing of Payment. Payment of earned Restricted Stock Units will be made as soon as practicable after the date(s) set forth in the Award Agreement. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Restricted Stock Units in cash, Shares, or a combination thereof. Shares represented by Restricted Stock Units that are fully paid in cash again will be available for grant under the Plan.
(e) Cancellation. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned Restricted Stock Units will be forfeited to the Company.
(f) Section 162(m) Performance Restrictions. For purposes of qualifying grants of Restricted Stock Units as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator, in its discretion, may set restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance Goals. The Performance Goals will be set by the Administrator on or before the Determination Date. In granting Restricted Stock Units which are intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator will follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the Award under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).
10. Performance Units and Performance Shares.
(a) Grant of Performance Units/Shares. Performance Units and Performance Shares may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time, as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. The Administrator will have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units/Shares granted to each Participant.
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(b) Value of Performance Units/Shares. Each Performance Unit will have an initial value that is established by the Administrator on or before the date of grant. Each Performance Share will have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.
(c) Performance Objectives and Other Terms. The Administrator will set performance objectives or other vesting provisions. The Administrator may set vesting criteria based upon the achievement of Company-wide, business unit, or individual goals (including, but not limited to, continued employment), or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion. Each Award of Performance Units/Shares will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Performance Period, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.
(d) Earning of Performance Units/Shares. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units/Shares will be entitled to receive a payout of the number of Performance Units/Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance objectives or other vesting provisions have been achieved. After the grant of a Performance Unit/Share, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any performance objectives or other vesting provisions for such Performance Unit/Share.
(e) Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units/Shares. Payment of earned Performance Units/Shares will be made as soon as practicable after the expiration of the applicable Performance Period. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units/Shares in the form of cash, in Shares (which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Units/Shares at the close of the applicable Performance Period) or in a combination thereof.
(f) Cancellation of Performance Units/Shares. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned or unvested Performance Units/Shares will be forfeited to the Company, and again will be available for grant under the Plan.
(g) Section 162(m) Performance Restrictions. For purposes of qualifying grants of Performance Units/Shares as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator, in its discretion, may set restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance Goals. The Performance Goals will be set by the Administrator on or before the Determination Date. In granting Performance Units/Shares which are intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator will follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the Award under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).
11. Performance-Based Compensation Under Code Section 162(m).
(a) General. If the Administrator, in its discretion, decides to grant an Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m), the provisions of this Section 11 will control over any contrary provision in the Plan; provided, however, that the Administrator may in its discretion grant Awards that are not intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code to such Participants that are based on Performance Goals or other specific criteria or goals but that do not satisfy the requirements of this Section 11.
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(b) Performance Goals. The granting and/or vesting of Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares and Performance Units and other incentives under the Plan may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals relating to one or more business criteria within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and may provide for a targeted level or levels of achievement (“Performance Goals”) including (i) earnings per Share, (ii) operating cash flow, (iii) operating income, (iv) profit after-tax, (v) profit before-tax, (vi) return on assets, (vii) return on equity, (viii) return on sales, (ix) revenue, and (x) total shareholder return. Any Performance Goals may be used to measure the performance of the Company as a whole or a business unit of the Company and may be measured relative to a peer group or index. The Performance Goals may differ from Participant to Participant and from Award to Award. Prior to the Determination Date, the Administrator will determine whether any significant element(s) will be included in or excluded from the calculation of any Performance Goal with respect to any Participant.
(c) Procedures. To the extent necessary to comply with the performance-based compensation provisions of Code Section 162(m), with respect to any Award granted subject to Performance Goals, within the first twenty-five percent (25%) of the Performance Period, but in no event more than ninety (90) days following the commencement of any Performance Period (or such other time as may be required or permitted by Code Section 162(m)), the Administrator will, in writing, (i) designate one or more Participants to whom an Award will be made, (ii) select the Performance Goals applicable to the Performance Period, (iii) establish the Performance Goals, and amounts of such Awards, as applicable, which may be earned for such Performance Period, and (iv) specify the relationship between Performance Goals and the amounts of such Awards, as applicable, to be earned by each Participant for such Performance Period. Following the completion of each Performance Period, the Administrator will certify in writing whether the applicable Performance Goals have been achieved for such Performance Period. In determining the amounts earned by a Participant, the Administrator will have the right to reduce or eliminate (but not to increase) the amount payable at a given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Administrator may deem relevant to the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the Performance Period. A Participant will be eligible to receive payment pursuant to an Award for a Performance Period only if the Performance Goals for such period are achieved.
(d) Additional Limitations. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, any Award which is granted to a Participant and is intended to constitute qualified performance based compensation under Code Section 162(m) will be subject to any additional limitations set forth in the Code (including any amendment to Section 162(m)) or any regulations and ruling issued thereunder that are requirements for qualification as qualified performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m) of the Code, and the Plan will be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.
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12. Compliance with Code Section 409A. Awards will be designed and operated in such a manner that they are either exempt from the application of, or comply with, the requirements of Code Section 409A, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. The Plan and each Award Agreement under the Plan is intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A and will be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. To the extent that an Award or payment, or the settlement or deferral thereof, is subject to Code Section 409A the Award will be granted, paid, settled or deferred in a manner that will meet the requirements of Code Section 409A, such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Code Section 409A.
13. Leaves of Absence. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Awards granted hereunder will be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence. A Service Provider will not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company, or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, or any Subsidiary. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed three (3) months, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, then six (6) months and one day following the commencement of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant will cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and will be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
14. Transferability of Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award may only be transferred (i) by will, (ii) by the laws of descent and distribution, (iii) to a revocable trust, or (iii) as permitted by Rule 701 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
15. Adjustments; Dissolution or Liquidation; Merger or Change in Control.
(a) Adjustments. In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, or other change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting the Shares occurs, the Administrator, in order to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, will adjust the number and class of Shares that may be delivered under the Plan and/or the number, class, and price of Shares covered by each outstanding Award, and the numerical Share limits set forth in Sections 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 hereof.
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(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator will notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.
(c) Change in Control. In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation or other entity or a Change in Control, each outstanding Award will be treated as the Administrator determines (subject to the provisions of the proceeding paragraph) without a Participant’s consent, including, without limitation, that (i) Awards will be assumed, or substantially equivalent Awards will be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (the “Successor Corporation”) (or an affiliate thereof) with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices; (ii) upon written notice to a Participant, that the Participant’s Awards will terminate upon or immediately prior to the consummation of such merger or Change in Control; (iii) outstanding Awards will vest and become exercisable, realizable, or payable, or restrictions applicable to an Award will lapse, in whole or in part prior to or upon consummation of such merger or Change in Control, and, to the extent the Administrator determines, terminate upon or immediately prior to the effectiveness of such merger or Change in Control; (iv) (A) the termination of an Award in exchange for an amount of cash and/or property, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction the Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment), or (B) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion; or (v) any combination of the foregoing. In taking any of the actions permitted under this subsection (c), the Administrator will not be obligated to treat all Awards, all Awards held by a Participant, or all Awards of the same type, similarly.
In the event that the Successor Corporation does not assume or substitute for the Award, the Participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise all of his or her outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, including Shares as to which such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock will lapse, and, with respect to Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares and Performance Units, all Performance Goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at target levels and all other terms and conditions met. In addition, if an Option or Stock Appreciation Right is not assumed or substituted for in the event of a Change in Control, the Administrator will notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be fully vested and exercisable for a period of time determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, and the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will terminate upon the expiration of such period.
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For the purposes of this subsection (c), an Award will be considered assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) or, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right upon the exercise of which the Administrator determines to pay cash or a Performance Share or Performance Unit which the Administrator can determine to pay in cash, the fair market value of the consideration received in the merger or Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Change in Control is not solely common stock of the Successor Corporation, the Administrator may, with the consent of the Successor Corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or upon the payout of a Performance Share or Performance Unit, for each Share subject to such Award (or in the case of Performance Units, the number of implied shares determined by dividing the value of the Performance Units by the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control), to be solely common stock of the Successor Corporation equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control.
Notwithstanding anything in this Section 15(c) to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more Performance Goals will not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of such Performance Goals without the Participant’s consent; provided, however, a modification to such Performance Goals only to reflect the Successor Corporation’s post-Change in Control corporate structure will not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption. In the case of an Award providing for the payment of deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, any payment of such deferred compensation by reason of a Change in Control shall be made only if the Change in Control is one described in subsection (a)(2)(A)(v) of Section 409A and the guidance thereunder and shall be paid consistent with the requirements of Section 409A. If any deferred compensation that would otherwise be payable by reason of a Change in Control cannot be paid by reason of the immediately preceding sentence, it shall be paid as soon as practicable thereafter consistent with the requirements of Section 409A, as determined by the Administrator.
16. Tax Withholding.
(a) Withholding Requirements. Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof), the Company will have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local, foreign or other taxes (including the Participant’s FICA obligation) required to be withheld with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof).
(b) Withholding Arrangements. The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (without limitation) (i) paying cash, (ii) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable cash or Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld, (iii) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld, or (iv) selling a sufficient number of Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant through such means as the Administrator may determine in its sole discretion (whether through a broker or otherwise) equal to the amount required to be withheld. The amount of the withholding requirement will be deemed to include any amount which the Administrator agrees may be withheld at the time the election is made, not to exceed the amount determined by using the maximum federal, state or local marginal income tax rates applicable to the Participant with respect to the Award on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered will be determined as of the date that the taxes are required to be withheld.
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17. No Effect on Employment or Service. Neither the Plan nor any Award will confer upon a Participant any right with respect to continuing the Participant’s relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor will they interfere in any way with the Participant’s right or the Company’s right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.
18. Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Award will be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination will be provided to each Participant within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.
19. Term of Plan. Subject to Section 23 hereof, the Plan will become effective upon its adoption by the Board. It will continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless terminated earlier under Section 20 hereof.
20. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
(a) Amendment and Termination. The Administrator may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.
(b) Stockholder Approval. The Company will obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws.
(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension, or termination of the Plan will impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company. Termination of the Plan will not affect the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.
21. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.
(a) Legal Compliance. Shares will not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares will comply with Applicable Laws and will be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
(b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.
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(c) Restrictive Legends. All Award Agreements and all securities of the Company issued pursuant thereto shall bear such legends regarding restrictions on transfer and such other legends as the appropriate officer of the Corporation shall determine to be necessary or advisable to comply with applicable securities and other laws.
22. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority will not have been obtained.
23. Stockholder Approval. The Plan will be subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board. Such stockholder approval will be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws. In the event that stockholder approval is not obtained within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, the Plan and all Awards granted hereunder shall be void ab initio and of no effect. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, no Awards shall be exercisable until the date of such stockholder approval.
23. Notification of Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code. If any Service Provider shall, in connection with the acquisition of Shares under the Plan, make the election permitted under Section 83(b) of the Code, such Service Provider shall notify the Company of such election within ten (10) days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service and provide the Company with a copy thereof, in addition to any filing and a notification required pursuant to regulations issued under the authority of Section 83(b) of the Code. A Service Provider shall not be permitted to make a Section 83(b) election with respect to an Award of a Restricted Stock Unit.
24. Notification Upon Disqualifying Disposition Under Section 421(b) of the Code. Each Service Provider shall notify the Company of any disposition of Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option under the circumstances described in Section 421(b) of the Code (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), within ten (10) days of such disposition.
25. Choice of Law. The Plan and all rules and determinations made and taken pursuant hereto will be governed by the laws of the State of Nevada, to the extent not preempted by federal law, and construed accordingly.
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EXHIBIT E
| BARBARA K. CEGAVSKE Secretary of State 202 North Carson Street Carson City, Nevada 89701-4201 (775) 684-5708 Website: www.nvsos.gov |
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| Certificate of Change Pursuant to NRS 78.209 |
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TYPE OR PRINT - USE DARK INK ONLY - DO NOT HIGHLIGHT
INSTRUCTIONS: |
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| 1. Enter the current name as on file with the Nevada Secretary of State and enter the Entity or Nevada Business Identification Number (NVID). 2. Indicate the current number of authorized shares and par value, if any, and each class or series before the change. 3. Indicate the number of authorized shares and par value, if any of each class or series after the change. 4. Indicate the change of the affected class or series of issued, if any, shares after the change in exchange for each issued share of the same class or series. 5. Indicate provisions, if any, regarding fractional shares that are affected by the change. 6. NRS required statement. 7. This section is optional. If an effective date and time is indicated the date must not be more than 90 days after the date on which the certificate is filed. 8. Must be signed by an Officer. Form will be returned if unsigned. |
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1. Entity Information: |
| Name of entity as on file with the Nevada Secretary of State:
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| Amplitech Group Inc. |
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| Entity or Nevada Business Identification Number (NVID): | NV20111023140 |
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2. Current Authorized Shares: |
| The current number of authorized shares and the par value, if any, of each class or series, if any, of shares before the change: 500,000,000 shares of common stock, $.001 par value per share 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.001 par value per share
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3. Authorized Shares After Change: |
| The number of authorized shares and the par value, if any, of each class or series, if any, of shares after the change: 500,000,000 shares of common stock, $.001 par value per share 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.001 par value per share
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4. Issuance: |
| The number of shares of each affected class or series, if any, to be issued after the change in exchange for each issued share of the same class or series: Each [100/200] shares of common stock shall automatically be converted into one share of fully paid and non-assessable common stock.
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5. Provisions: |
| The provisions, if any, for the issuance of fractional shares, or for the payment of money or the issuance of scrip to stockholders otherwise entitled to a fraction of a share and the percentage of outstanding shares affected thereby: Fractional shares shall be rounded up to the nearest whole share.
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6. Provisions: |
| The required approval of the stockholders has been obtained. |
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7. Effective date and |
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time: (Optional) |
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8. Signature: |
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(Required) | X |
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| Signature of Officer |
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This form must be accompanied by appropriate fees. | Page 1 of 1 |
If necessary, additional pages may be attached to this form. | Revised: 1/1/2019 |