Shares in lieu of receiving cash compensation is effective for a calendar year, it shall remain effective for subsequent calendar years, unless a new written notice is delivered to the Chief Human Resources Officer prior to the applicable Election Deadline. For each Non-Employee Director electing to receive Common Shares in lieu of such cash compensation, the date on which the Common Shares will be granted will be the date on which the cash compensation would otherwise have been earned, which is the last business day of each fiscal quarterly period, and the number of Common Shares will be determined by dividing (i) the cash compensation that the Non-Employee Director elects to forgo in exchange for such Common Shares, by (ii) the Fair Market Value (as defined in the Equity Plan) of a Common Share on the date of grant.
Travel Expenses
The Company will reimburse each Non-Employee Director for ordinary, necessary and reasonable out-of-pocket travel expenses in accordance with the Company’s travel and expense policy, as in effect from time to time, to cover in-person attendance at and participation in Board meetings and meetings of any committee of the Board; provided, that the Non-Employee Director timely submits to the Company appropriate documentation substantiating such expenses in accordance with such policy. To the extent that any taxable reimbursements are provided to any Non-Employee Director, they will be provided in accordance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including, but not limited to, the following provisions: (i) the amount of any such expenses eligible for reimbursement during such individual’s taxable year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year; (ii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense must be made no later than the last day of such individual’s taxable year that immediately follows the taxable year in which the expense was incurred; and (iii) the right to any reimbursement may not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
Director Education Expenses
Pursuant to the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Nominating and Governance Committee provides an orientation and education program for new directors to familiarize them with the Company and its business. The Company will reimburse directors for reasonable expenses of attendance at such programs. Additionally, the Company encourages directors to participate in continuing education programs provided by outside sources. The Company will reimburse directors for reasonable expenses of attendance by a director at one such program annually.
Compensation Limits. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Director Compensation Policy, all compensation payable hereunder will be subject to any limits on the maximum amount of Non-Employee Director compensation set forth in the Equity Plan, as in effect from time to time.
Administration
The Board will have the sole discretion and authority to administer and interpret the Policy, and the decisions of the Board will be final and binding on all persons having an interest in the Policy.