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TURBOCHEF TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
SIX CONCOURSE PARKWAY
SUITE 1900
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30328
Richard E. Perlman | James K. Price | |||||
Chairman of the Board | President and Chief Executive Officer |
2008 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
1. | Election of seven directors for a term of one year; |
2. | Approval of an amendment to the Company’s 2003 Stock Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for awards under the Plan by an additional 1,666,667 shares; |
3. | Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2008; and |
4. | Such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. |
Richard E. Perlman | James K. Price | |||||
Chairman of the Board | President and Chief Executive Officer |
June 11, 2008
2008 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
PROXY STATEMENT
PAGE | ||||||
PROPOSAL ONE — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | 3 | |||||
• Nominees | 3 | |||||
GENERAL INFORMATION | 5 | |||||
• Board of Directors | 5 | |||||
• Director Nominations | 7 | |||||
• Director Compensation | 8 | |||||
• Executive Officers | 9 | |||||
• Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance | 9 | |||||
• Related Party Transactions | 10 | |||||
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT | 11 | |||||
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | 13 | |||||
• Compensation Discussion and Analysis | 13 | |||||
• Summary Compensation Table | 18 | |||||
• Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control | 22 | |||||
• Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation | 23 | |||||
• Compensation Committee Report | 23 | |||||
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION | 24 | |||||
PROPOSAL TWO — AMENDMENT OF THE COMPANY’S 2003 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS BY AN ADDITIONAL 1,666,667 SHARES | 24 | |||||
• Description of the Plan | 24 | |||||
• Federal Income Tax Consequences | 26 | |||||
• Plan Awards | 28 | |||||
• Vote Required | 28 | |||||
• Recommendation of the Board of Directors | 28 | |||||
PROPOSAL THREE — SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2008 | 29 | |||||
• Report of the Audit Committee | 29 | |||||
• Independent Accountant Fees | 30 | |||||
OTHER MATTERS | 30 | |||||
PROXIES | 31 | |||||
COMMUNICATING WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 31 | |||||
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2009 ANNUAL MEETING | 31 | |||||
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION | 31 |
2008 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
PROXY STATEMENT
L.L.C., a merchant banking and financial advisory firm specializing in corporate restructuring and middle market companies, and has served as its president since its inception in May 1995. From 1991 to 1995, Mr. Perlman was executive vice president of Matthew Stuart & Co., Inc., an investment banking firm. Mr. Perlman is a director of Alloy, Inc., a media and marketing services company. Mr. Perlman received a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters in Business Administration from the Columbia University Graduate School of Business.
the Financial Services Center, an industry-focused practice unit of the firm. Mr. Presby currently serves also as a director of Tiffany & Co., AMVESCAP PLC, American Eagle Outfitters Inc., First Solar, Inc. and World Fuel Services Corporation. Mr. Presby received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Rutgers University, and an M.S. in Industrial Administration from the Carnegie Mellon University Graduate School of Business. He is a Certified Public Accountant in New York and Ohio.
manufacturing firms in which he has an interest (see “Related Party Transactions” below). Notwithstanding any such change in status, a majority of the members of the Board of Directors will still be independent, as will all of the members of the above-mentioned committees.
• | All of the directors hold a limited partnership interest in OvenWorks LLLP, which holds less than 5% of the outstanding stock of the Company, but which is controlled by Mr. Perlman, Chairman of the Company. |
• | Messrs. Presby, Shutzer, Welsh and DeYoung have participated financially in investment opportunities jointly with other directors, including the directors who are also executive officers of the Company — Messrs Perlman and Price. |
• | Mr. DeYoung provides consulting services to the Company and has been paid for such services with a combination of cash and equity instruments. |
• | Messrs. Presby and Shutzer both lease an office from the Company in a suite of offices also occupied by the Company’s Chairman and other employees of the Company. |
• | Messrs. Presby and Shutzer both are members of the same board of directors of another public company. |
• | Messrs. Presby, Shutzer and Welsh have been acquaintances of Mr. Perlman for a long period of time. |
administration of the Company’s compensation programs and employment benefit plans. The Committee also establishes salaries, incentives and other forms of compensation for executive officers and administers the Company’s incentive compensation plans.
should expressly indicate that such stockholder desires that the Board or Committee consider such stockholder’s nominee for inclusion with the Board’s slate of nominees for the meeting.
Name | Fees Paid in Cash | Restricted Stock Units Awards(1) | All Other Compensation | Total | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J. Thomas Presby(4) | $ | 25,000 | $ | 53,836 | $ | 78,836 | ||||||||||||
William A. Shutzer(5) | $ | 25,000 | $ | 53,836 | $ | 78,836 | ||||||||||||
Raymond H. Welsh(6) | $ | 25,000 | $ | 38,454 | $ | 63,454 | ||||||||||||
James W. DeYoung(7) | $ | 25,000 | $ | 38,454 | $ | 49,959(2 | )(3) | $ | 113,413 | |||||||||
Sir Anthony Jolliffe(8) | $ | 25,000 | $ | 38,454 | $ | 24,961(2 | ) | $ | 88,415 |
(1) | The grant date fair value under SFAS 123R of the RSUs awarded on October 29, 2006 was $12.83 per share and $15.48 per share on October 29, 2007. |
(2) | Compensation was in the form of 4,580 restricted stock units each, awarded on May 2, 2006 for consulting services, vesting monthly over one year, with a delayed payout until May 2, 2009. The grant date fair value under SFAS 123R was $13.23 per share. |
(3) | Compensation was in the form of 4,408 restricted stock units awarded on October 2, 2007 for consulting services, vesting monthly over one year. The grant date fair value under SFAS 123R was $13.67 per share. Compensation also included $10,000 cash paid for consulting services. |
(4) | At year end, Mr. Presby held stock options on 68,332 shares, all of which were vested, and RSUs for 10,500 shares, none of which were vested. |
(5) | At year end, Mr. Shutzer held stock options on 68,332 shares, all of which were vested, and RSUs for 10,500 shares, none of which were vested. |
(6) | At year end, Mr. Welsh held stock options on 53,332 shares, all of which were vested, and RSUs for 7,500 shares, none of which were vested. |
(7) | At year end, Mr. DeYoung held stock options on 61,665 shares, all of which were vested, and RSUs for 16,488 shares, 4,580 of which were vested but not payable until May 2, 2009 and 1102 of which were vested but not payable until October 2, 2008. |
(8) | At year end, Sir Anthony Jolliffe held stock options on 89,998 shares, all of which were vested, and RSUs for 12,080 shares, 4,580 of which were vested but not payable until May 2, 2009. |
NAME | POSITION | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Richard E. Perlman | Chairman of the Board of Directors | |||||
James K. Price | President and Chief Executive Officer | |||||
J. Miguel Fernandez de Castro | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||||
Paul P. Lehr | Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | |||||
Stephen J. Beshara | Senior Vice President and Chief Branding Officer | |||||
Dennis J. Stockwell | Vice President and General Counsel |
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Executive officers, directors and ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Title of Class | Name and Address of Beneficial Owner of Class | Amount of Beneficial Ownership | Percent of Class(1) | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Common | FMR Corp. 82 Devonshire Street Boston, MA 02109 | 4,408,144(2 | ) | 14.5 | % | |||||||||
Common | Jack Silver SIAR Capital LLC 660 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10021 | 2,947,378(3 | ) | 9.7 | % |
(1) | Based upon 30,390,471 shares outstanding on June 2, 2008. |
(2) | Based upon ownership reported in an amended Schedule 13G filed on February 14, 2008. The amended Schedule 13G was filed by FMR Corp. as well as Edward C. Johnson 3d, Chairman of FMR Corp. |
(3) | Based upon ownership reported in a Form 4 filed on May 8, 2008 by Jack Silver. |
• | each of TurboChef’s directors; |
• | each of TurboChef’s named executive officers; and |
• | all of TurboChef’s directors and executive officers as a group. |
Name of Beneficial Owner | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (1) | Percent of Class | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Richard E. Perlman | 2,569,698 | (2) | 8.3 | % | ||||||
James K. Price | 2,208,802 | (3) | 7.2 | % | ||||||
J. Thomas Presby | 192,070 | (4) | * | |||||||
William A. Shutzer | 1,889,561 | (5) | 6.2 | % | ||||||
Raymond H. Welsh | 93,763 | (6) | * | |||||||
Sir Anthony Jolliffe | 110,158 | (7) | * | |||||||
James W. DeYoung | 368,038 | (8) | 1.2 | % | ||||||
J. Miguel Fernandez de Castro | 79,916 | (9) | * | |||||||
Paul P. Lehr | 40,000 | (10) | * | |||||||
Stephen J. Beshara | 119,650 | (11) | * | |||||||
James A. Cochran | 234,027 | (12) | * | |||||||
All current directors and executive officers as a group (11 persons) | 7,604,667 | (2)(13) | 23.9 | % |
* | Less than 1% |
(1) | Unless otherwise indicated, the Company believes that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned by them. Percentages herein assume a base of 30,390,471 shares of common stock outstanding as of June 2, 2008. |
(2) | Includes 416,633 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options and 432,185 shares of common stock currently owned by OvenWorks, LLLP, which is controlled by Mr. Perlman. Mr. Perlman has pledged 1,676,587 shares as security. Mr. Perlman’s address is 655 Madison Avenue, Suite 1500, New York, NY 10021. |
(3) | Includes 416,666 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options and 71,257 shares of common stock currently owned by OvenWorks, LLLP. Mr. Price has pledged 900,000 shares as security. Mr. Price’s address is Six Concourse Parkway, Suite 1900, Atlanta, GA 30328. |
(4) | Includes 68,333 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options and 4,811 shares of common stock currently owned by OvenWorks, LLLP. |
(5) | Includes 68,333 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options and 72,746 shares of common stock currently owned by OvenWorks, LLLP. Mr. Shutzer’s address is 655 Madison Avenue, Suite 1500, New York, NY 10021. |
(6) | Includes 53,332 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options. |
(7) | Includes 89,998 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options and 2,530 shares of common stock currently owned by OvenWorks, LLLP. |
(8) | Includes 61,665 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options and 8,333 shares of common stock currently owned by OvenWorks, LLLP. |
(9) | Includes 48,333 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options. |
(10) | Includes 40,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options. |
(11) | Includes 86,666 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options. |
(12) | Includes 148,333 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options and 10,802 shares of common stock currently owned by OvenWorks, LLLP. Mr. Cochran has pledged 74,892 shares as security. |
(13) | Includes 1,425,208 shares issuable upon exercise of options and 432,185 shares of common stock currently owned by OvenWorks, LLLP. Does not include beneficial holdings of James A. Cochran, who is no longer an executive officer. |
compensation package and how the balance of the components for an individual matches the overall compensation philosophy of the Committee.
to receive the shares. The Compensation Committee believes RSUs vesting over a significant time period are an appropriate vehicle for the equity component of executive compensation.
Name of NEO | RSUs Awarded | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J. Miguel Fernandez de Castro | 60,000 | |||||
Paul P. Lehr | 75,000 | |||||
Stephen J. Beshara | 75,000 | |||||
James A. Cochran | 30,000 |
annual matching grant to the individual accounts of an amount equal to 50% of the participant’s contribution to the plan, with the Company’s contribution capped at 3% of the participant’s salary.
becomes aware in the marketplace, the financial position of the Company and its projected budgets, and progress management personnel have made or are making toward expected goals.
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary | Bonus | Stock Awards(1) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation | All Other Compensation | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Richard E. Perlman | 2007 | $ | 399,770 | $ | 134,154 | $ | 220,057 | $ | 29,629 | (2) | $ | 783,610 | ||||||||||||||||||
Chairman | 2006 | $ | 393,608 | $ | 75,000 | $ | 35,862 | $ | 504,470 | |||||||||||||||||||||
James K. Price | 2007 | $ | 474,770 | $ | 134,154 | $ | 220,057 | $ | 7,500 | $ | 836,481 | |||||||||||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer | 2006 | $ | 393,608 | $ | 75,000 | $ | 23,130 | $ | 491,738 | |||||||||||||||||||||
J. Miguel Fernandez de Castro | 2007 | $ | 159,038 | $ | 150,945 | (3) | $ | 83,912 | $ | 3,995 | $ | 397,890 | ||||||||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer | 2006 | $ | 135,000 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 3,995 | $ | 163,995 | |||||||||||||||||||||
James A. Cochran | 2007 | $ | 266,148 | $ | 46,260 | $ | 70,571 | $ | 7,500 | $ | 390,479 | |||||||||||||||||||
Sr. Vice President (former | 2006 | $ | 262,046 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 17,739 | $ | 304,785 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Paul P. Lehr | 2007 | $ | 296,154 | $ | 152,926 | (4) | $ | 520,376 | $ | 2,769 | $ | 972,225 | ||||||||||||||||||
Chief Operating Officer | 2006 | $ | 200,000 | $ | 50,000 | $ | 19,682 | $ | 269,682 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen J. Beshara | 2007 | $ | 296,154 | $ | 524,613 | (5) | $ | 100,000 | $ | 6,000 | $ | 926,767 | ||||||||||||||||||
Chief Branding Officer | 2006 | $ | 200,000 | $ | 50,000 | $ | 176,400 | $ | 6,000 | $ | 432,400 |
(1) | The amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes under FAS 123R for restricted stock unit awards, including for certain named executives, the effect of option amendments (see footnotes 3, 4 and 5). Assumptions used in calculation of these amounts are included in Note 2 to the Company’s audited financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
(2) | Includes amounts for automobile allowance, life and disability insurance premiums, credit card fees and a matching grant under the Company’s 401(k) plan. |
(3) | Includes the incremental combined value under FAS 123(R) of restricted stock units awarded to compensate for the aggregate difference in exercise prices of certain stock options that were re-priced upwards to avoid adverse tax consequences under IRC Section 409A and the difference in value under FAS 123(R) of those re-priced options. The RSUs awarded in connection with the options amendment are valued at $187,998 under FAS 123(R), but the newly-price options are valued under FAS 123(R) at $106,443 less than they were pre-modification, netting $81,555 of incremental value. See footnote 4 to the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table below. |
(4) | Includes the incremental combined value under FAS 123(R) of restricted stock units awarded to compensate for the aggregate difference in exercise prices of certain stock options that were re-priced upwards to avoid adverse tax consequences under IRC Section 409A and the difference in value under FAS 123(R) of those re-priced options. The RSUs awarded in connection with the options amendment are valued at $20,437 under FAS 123(R), but the newly-price options are valued under FAS 123(R) at $20,169 less than they were pre-modification, netting $268 of incremental value. See footnote 4 to the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table below. |
(5) | Includes the incremental combined value under FAS 123(R) of restricted stock units awarded to compensate for the aggregate difference in exercise prices of certain stock options that were re-priced upwards to avoid adverse tax consequences under IRC Section 409A and the difference in value under FAS 123(R) of those re-priced options. The RSUs awarded in connection with the options amendment are valued at $300,602 under FAS 123(R), but the newly-price options are valued under FAS 123(R) at $193,247 less than they were pre-modification, netting $107,355 of incremental value. See footnote 4 to the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table below. |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards | Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Grant Date | Target ($) | Maximum ($) | Target (#) | All Other Stock Awards; Number of Shares of Stock Or Units (#) | All Other Option Awards; Number of Securities Underlying Options (#) | Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh) | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock And Option Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Richard E. Perlman | March 29, 2007 | $ | 75,000 | (2 | ) | 58,000 | $ | 894,360 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
James K. Price | March 29, 2007 | $ | 75,000 | (2 | ) | 58,000 | $ | 894,360 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Miguel Fernandez | March 29, 2007 | $ | 25,000 | (2 | ) | 30,000 | $ | 462,600 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
de Castro | December 7, 2007 | (5 | ) | 33,333 | $ | 14.58(5 | ) | $ | 71,559 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 7, 2007 | (5 | ) | 15,000 | $ | 11.95(5 | ) | $ | 9,996 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
James A. Cochran | March 29, 2007 | $ | 30,000 | (2 | ) | 20,000 | $ | 308,400 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Paul P. Lehr | March 29, 2007 | $ | 50,000 | (3 | ) | 66,000 | $ | 1,017,720 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 7, 2007 | (5 | ) | 4,666 | $ | 14.58(5 | ) | $ | 268 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen J. Beshara | March 29, 2007 | $ | 50,000 | (4 | ) | 66,000 | $ | 1,017,720 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 7, 2007 | (5 | ) | 46,667 | $ | 12.99(5 | ) | $ | 80,698 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 7, 2007 | (5 | ) | 40,000 | $ | 11.95(5 | ) | $ | 26,657 | (5) |
(1) | Restricted stock unit awards granted under the 2007 Incentive-based Compensation Plan for retention purposes with time-based (not performance based) vesting. |
(2) | Maximum cash bonuses under the 2007 Incentive-based Compensation Plan are determined by allocating a share of a pool comprised of 15% of the excess EBITDA, if EBITDA results are 15–25% better than budgeted, or 25% of the excess EBITDA, if EBITDA results are more than 25% better than budgeted. The additional bonus amounts are calculated from the foregoing formula applied to each of four categories of results — commercial, residential, marketing and consolidated — and weighing each at 25% of the total possible pool. Actual bonuses earned under this plan are set forth above in the Summary Compensation Table. |
(3) | Maximum cash bonus under the 2007 Incentive-based Compensation Plan is determined by allocating a share of a pool comprised of 15% of the excess EBITDA, if EBITDA results are 15–25% better than budgeted, or 25% of the excess EBITDA, if EBITDA results are more than 25% better than budgeted applied to commercial business results. The actual bonus earned under this plan is set forth above in the Summary Compensation Table. |
(4) | Maximum cash bonus under the 2007 Incentive-based Compensation Plan is determined under a subjective analysis by the Compensation Committee of qualitative and quantitative results for residential business and marketing results, with 25% of additional EBITDA serving as a maximum measure of possible additional bonus. The actual bonus earned under this plan is set forth above in the Summary Compensation Table. |
(5) | Under transition rules of IRC Section 409A, options previously awarded to these named executive officers were amended to fair market value on their new measurement date, increasing the exercise price, and the option holder was awarded restricted stock units under the Company’s 2003 Stock Incentive Plan. The restricted stock units are denominated in dollars (reflecting the aggregate difference in the exercise prices) and payable in shares on March 7, 2008. The number of shares underlying the restricted stock units to match the dollar denomination will be determined from the closing price on the last trading day before March 7, 2008. The combination of the restricted stock unit award and amendment of the options to increase the exercise price compared to the pre-modification stock options netted a positive incremental compensation value under FAS 123R, which is reported in this table. See footnotes 3, 4 and 5 to the Summary Compensation Table above. The amended exercise prices of the prior option awards are as follows: |
Old Price | New Price | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$7.92 | $12.99 | |||||
$9.66 | $14.58 | |||||
$10.35 | $11.95 |
Name | Base Salary | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Richard E. Perlman | $441,024 | |||||
James K. Price | $439,324 | |||||
J. Miguel Fernandez de Castro | $200,000 | |||||
Paul P. Lehr | $360,000 | |||||
Stephen J. Beshara | $300,000 | |||||
James A. Cochran | $274,439 |
Messrs. Perlman, Price, Fernandez de Castro, Cochran and Lehr. An additional annual bonus for residential business and marketing employees, including Mr. Beshara, for exceeding targets would be determined by the Compensation Committee considering a proposal from management based upon actual results exceeding the targets and other qualitative and quantitative factors that the Committee believes reasonably supports approval. Named executive officers received base bonuses and additional bonuses for 2007 under the 2007 Compensation Plan.
Option Awards | Stock Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable(1) | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) | ||||||||||||||||||
Richard E. Perlman | 416,633 | $ | 5.25 | October 29, 2013 | 58,000 | (3) | $ 957,000 | ||||||||||||||||
James K. Price | 416,666 | $ | 5.25 | October 29, 2013 | 58,000 | (3) | $ 957,000 | ||||||||||||||||
J. Miguel Fernandez de Castro | 33,333 | $ | 14.58 | April 19, 2014 | 30,000 | (3) | $ 495,000 | ||||||||||||||||
15,000 | (2) | $ | 11.95 | May 3, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||
Paul P. Lehr | 40,000 | $ | 10.35 | May 3, 2015 | 66,000 | (3) | $1,089,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Stephen J. Beshara | 46,676 | $ | 12.99 | November 21, 2013 | 106,000 | (4) | $1,749,000 | ||||||||||||||||
40,000 | (2) | $ | 11.95 | May 3, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||
James A. Cochran | 133,333 | $ | 5.25 | October 29, 2013 | 20,000 | (3) | $ 330,000 | ||||||||||||||||
15,000 | (2) | $ | 10.35 | May 3, 2015 |
(1) | The Company accelerated the vesting of all outstanding stock options on December 31, 2005, so all options listed are fully vested. While the executive officer may exercise the options at any time, each has agreed not to sell the underlying shares until the date the shares would have vested but for the Company’s acceleration |
of vesting at the end of 2005. The shares underlying options that are still subject to the purchase-and-hold provision of the stock option modification agreements are indicated by footnote. |
(2) | Shares are released from the purchase-and-hold provision described in footnote (1) in equal amounts every three months over a three-year period beginning May 3, 2005. |
(3) | The restricted stock units vest one-fifth on March 10, 2008 and thereafter each of the remaining one-fifths on each of the next four anniversaries thereof. |
(4) | 13,200 of the restricted stock units vest on March 10, 2008 and thereafter 13,200 units vest on each of the next four anniversaries thereof. 40,000 of the restricted stock units vest on May 2, 2008. |
Option Awards | Stock Awards | ||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) | Value Realized on Exercise ($) | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) | Value Realized on Vesting ($) | |||||||||||||||
Richard E. Perlman | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | |||||||||||||||
James K. Price | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | |||||||||||||||
J. Miguel Fernandez de Castro | -0- | -0- | (1 | ) | $ | 187,998 | |||||||||||||
Paul P. Lehr | 4,666 | $ | 8,819 | (1 | ) | $ | 20,437 | ||||||||||||
Stephen J. Beshara | -0- | -0- | (1 | ) | $ | 300,602 | |||||||||||||
James A. Cochran | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- |
(1) | See footnotes 3, 4 and 5 to the Summary Compensation Table and footnote 4 to the Grants of Plan-based Awards table above. |
Name | Type of Severance Benefit | Amount Payable | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Richard E. Perlman | Base Salary | $ | 1,236,672 | |||||||
Bonus | 225,000 | |||||||||
Benefits | 24,681 | |||||||||
IRC Sec. 4999 Gross Up | 1,104,863 | |||||||||
Total value: | $ | 2,591,216 | ||||||||
James K. Price | Base Salary | $ | 1,236,672 | |||||||
Bonus | 225,000 | |||||||||
Benefits | 33,426 | |||||||||
IRC Sec. 4999 Gross Up | 1,085,261 | |||||||||
Total value: | $ | 2,580,359 | ||||||||
J. Miguel Fernandez de Castro | Base Salary | $ | 600,000 | |||||||
Bonus | 75,000 | |||||||||
Benefits | 32,712 | |||||||||
IRC Sec. 4999 Gross Up | 571,516 | |||||||||
Total value: | $ | 1,279,228 | ||||||||
James A. Cochran | Base Salary | $ | 823,317 | |||||||
Bonus | 90,000 | |||||||||
Benefits | 14,265 | |||||||||
IRC Sec. 4999 Gross Up | 536,403 | |||||||||
Total value: | $ | 1,463,985 | ||||||||
Paul P. Lehr | Base Salary | $ | 150,000 | |||||||
IRC Sec. 4999 Gross Up | 0 | |||||||||
Total value: | $ | 150,000 | ||||||||
Stephen J. Beshara | Base Salary | $ | 150,000 | |||||||
IRC Sec. 4999 Gross Up | 454,254 | |||||||||
Total value: | $ | 604,254 |
Raymond H. Welsh
James W. DeYoung
Plan category | (b) Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | (a) Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | (b) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in first column) | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 3,651,571 | $ | 9.35 | 861,126 | ||||||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | — | — | — | |||||||||||
Total | 3,651,571 | $ | 9.35 | 861,126 |
(a) | The weighted-average exercise price does not take into account the shares issuable upon vesting of outstanding restricted stock units which have no exercise price. |
(b) | Includes 265,668 shares issued on or about March 7, 2008 pursuant to the vesting of restricted stock units. The RSUs were denominated in dollars, aggregating $1.9 million, and the actual number of shares issuable was determined from the closing price of the Common Stock on March 6, 2008. |
the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), a subcommittee of the Committee shall be appointed to grant awards to Named Executive Officers (as defined above under “Executive Compensation”) and to officers who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and each member of such subcommittee shall satisfy the requirements of (i) and (ii) above. References to the Committee in this summary shall include and, as appropriate, apply to any such subcommittee.
independently. If a SAR is granted in tandem with a stock option, the grantee may exercise the stock option or the SAR, but not both. The Committee shall determine and set forth in the award agreement the extent to which SARs are exercisable after termination of employment.
“performance-based” compensation, those performance measures must be approved by our current stockholders, and approval of the Plan will also constitute approval of those measures.
NAME AND POSITION | NUMBER OF OPTIONS | NUMBER OF RSUs | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Named Executive Officers: | ||||||||||
Richard E. Perlman — Chairman | 416,667 | 58,000 | ||||||||
James K. Price — CEO | 416,667 | 58,000 | ||||||||
J. Miguel Fernandez de Castro — CFO (from 10/07) | 48,333 | 90,000 | ||||||||
Paul A. Lehr — COO | 173,333 | 156,000 | ||||||||
Stephen J. Beshara — Chief Branding Officer | 173,333 | 181,000 | ||||||||
James A. Cochran — Senior Vice President | 148,333 | 50,000 | ||||||||
Current Executive Officers, as a Group* | 1,331,666 | 588,000 | ||||||||
Non-Executive Officer Director nominees: | ||||||||||
J. Thomas Presby | 68,333 | 14,000 | ||||||||
William A. Shutzer | 68,333 | 14,000 | ||||||||
Raymond H. Welsh | 53,332 | 10,000 | ||||||||
James W. DeYoung | 61,665 | 18,988 | ||||||||
Sir Anthony Jolliffe | 89,998 | 14,580 | ||||||||
Non-executive Officer Directors, as a Group | 341,661 | 71,568 | ||||||||
Employees (including officers) who are not Executive Officers, as a Group | 1,657,104 | 740,668 |
* | Does not include awards to James A. Cochran, who is still an officer of the Company but no longer an executive officer. |
ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2008
— | the plan for, and the independent auditors’ report on, the audit of the Company’s financial statements; |
— | the Company’s financial disclosure documents, including all financial statements and reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or sent to the Company’s stockholders; |
— | management’s selection, application and disclosure of critical accounting policies; |
— | changes in the Company’s accounting practices, principles, controls or methodologies; |
— | significant developments or changes in accounting rules applicable to the Company; and |
— | the adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and accounting and financial personnel. |
— | methods to account for significant unusual transactions; |
— | the effect of significant accounting policies in controversial or emerging areas for which there is a lack of authoritative guidance or consensus; |
— | the process used by management in formulating particularly sensitive accounting estimates and the basis for the auditors’ conclusions regarding the reasonableness of those estimates; and |
— | disagreements with management over the application of accounting principles, the basis for management’s accounting estimates and the disclosures in the financial statements. |
to bear on independence, confirm their perceived independence and engage in a discussion of independence. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors the matters disclosed in this letter and their independence from the Company. The Audit Committee also considered whether the independent auditors’ provision of the other, non-audit related services to the Company which are described in “Independent Accountant Fees” below is compatible with maintaining such auditors’ independence.
William A. Shutzer
Raymond H. Welsh
Appendix to Schedule 14A
TURBOCHEF TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
2003 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
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TURBOCHEF TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
2003 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.1 Establishment of Plan. TurboChef Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby establishes an incentive compensation plan to be known as the “TurboChef Technologies, Inc. 2003 Stock Incentive Plan” (the “Plan”), as set forth in this document.
1.2 Purpose of Plan. The objectives of the Plan are to (i) attract and retain employees, directors, consultants, advisors and other persons who perform services for the Company by providing compensation opportunities that are competitive with other companies; (ii) provide incentives to those individuals who contribute significantly to the long-term performance and growth of the Company and its affiliates; and (iii) align the long-term financial interests of employees’ and other Eligible Participants with those of the Company’s stockholders.
1.3 Types of Awards. Awards under the Plan may be made to Eligible Participants in the form of Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units or any combination of these.
1.4 Effective Date. The Plan shall be effective on October 29, 2003, the date it was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Effective Date”), subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders within the 12-month period immediately thereafter.
1.5 Duration of the Plan. The Plan shall commence on the Effective Date, and shall remain in effect, subject to the right of the Committee to amend or terminate the Plan at any time pursuant to Article 13, until the day prior to the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date.
Except where the context otherwise indicates, the following definitions apply:
2.1 “Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as now in effect or as hereafter amended. All citations to sections of the Act or rules thereunder are to such sections or rules as they may from time to time be amended or renumbered.
2.2 “Agreement” means the written agreement evidencing an Award granted to the Participant under the Plan.
2.3 “Award” means an award granted to a Participant under the Plan that is an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Share, Performance Unit or combination of these.
2.4 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
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2.5 “Cause” means, unless provided otherwise in the Agreement: any conduct amounting to fraud, dishonesty, willful misconduct, negligence, significant activities materially harmful to the reputation of the Company or an Employer, insubordination or conviction of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude, all as determined in the exercise of good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company. Without limiting the foregoing, the following shall constitute Cause: (i) Participant’s breach of this Plan or any agreement between Participant and the Employer, (ii) negligence in Participant’s attention to the business or affairs of the Employer or intentionally failing to perform a reasonably requested directive or assignment or failure to perform his duties with the Employer substantially in accordance with the Employer’s operating and personnel policies and procedures generally applicable to all of its employees, (iii) the misappropriation (or attempted misappropriation) of any of the Employer’s funds or property. “Cause” under (i), (ii) and (iii) above shall be determined by the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant has entered into an employment agreement with the Employer that is binding as of the date of employment termination, and if such employment agreement defines “Cause,” then the definition of “Cause” in such agreement shall apply to the Participant for purposes of this Plan.
2.6 “Change in Control” means:
(a) Any Person is or becomes the beneficial owner within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Act (but without regard to any time period specified in Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i)), of 50 percent or more of either (i) the then outstanding Shares or (ii) the combined voting power of then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); excluding, however, (1) any acquisition by the Company or (2) any acquisition by an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company;
(b) Individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of such Board; provided that any individual who becomes a director of the Company subsequent to the Effective Date whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by the vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be deemed a member of the Incumbent Board; and provided further, that any individual who was initially elected as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or threatened election contest, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Act, or any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any Person other then the Board shall not be deemed a member of the Incumbent Board;
(c) Consummation by the Company of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Corporate Transaction”); excluding, however, a Corporate Transaction pursuant to which (i) all or substantially all of the individuals or entities who are the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Shares and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 66 2/3 percent of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock, and the
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combined voting power of the outstanding securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or indirectly) in substantially the same proportions relative to each other as their ownership, immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction, of the Outstanding Shares and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (other than: the Company, any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company, the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction, and any Person which beneficially owned, immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction, directly or indirectly 33 1/3 percent or more of the Outstanding Shares or the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be) will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 33 1/3 percent or more of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction or the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and (iii) individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board will constitute at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction; or
(d) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
2.7 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as now in effect or as hereafter amended. All citations to sections of the Code are to such sections as they may from time to time be amended or renumbered.
2.8 “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or such other committee consisting of two or more members as may be appointed by the Board to administer this Plan pursuant to Article 3. If any member of the Committee does not qualify as (i) a “Non-Employee Director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Act, and (ii) an “outside director” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m), a subcommittee of the Committee shall be appointed to grant Awards to Named Executive Officers and to officers who are subject to Section 16 of the Act, and each member of such subcommittee shall satisfy the requirements of (i) and (ii) above. References to the Committee in the Plan shall include and, as appropriate, apply to any such subcommittee. If, at any time, the Board has not appointed a Committee, the Board shall be the Committee.
2.9 “Company” means TurboChef Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its successors and assigns.
2.10 “Director” means any individual who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company; provided, however, that any Director who is employed by the Company or any Employer shall not be considered a Director, but instead shall be considered an employee for purposes of the Plan.
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2.11 “Disability” means, with respect to any Incentive Stock Option, disability as determined under Code Section 22(e)(3), and with respect to any other Award, (i) with respect to a Participant who is eligible to participate in the Employer’s program of long-term disability insurance, if any, a condition with respect to which the Participant is entitled to commence benefits under such program, and (ii) with respect to any Participant (including a Participant who is eligible to participate in the Employer’s program of long-term disability insurance, if any), a disability as determined under procedures established by the Committee or in any Award.
2.12 “Effective Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1.4 hereof.
2.13 “Eligible Participant” means an employee of the Employer (including an officer) as well as any other natural person, including a Director or proposed Director and a consultant or advisor who provides bona fide services to the Employer not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction, subject to limitations as may be provided by the Code, the Act or the Committee, as shall be determined by the Committee.
2.14 “Employer” means the Company and any entity during any period that it is a “parent corporation” or a “subsidiary corporation” with respect to the Company within the meaning of Code Sections 424(e) and 424(f). With respect to all purposes of the Plan, including but not limited to, the establishment, amendment, termination, operation and administration of the Plan, the Company shall be authorized to act on behalf of all other entities included within the definition of “Employer.”
2.15 “Fair Market Value” means the fair market value of a Share, as determined in good faith by the Committee; provided, however, that
(a) if the Shares are traded on a national or regional securities exchange or on The Nasdaq National Market System (“Nasdaq”) on a given date, Fair Market Value on such date shall be the closing sales price for a Share on the securities exchange on the immediately preceding date (or, if no sales of Shares were made on such exchange on such date, on the next preceding day on which sales were made on such exchange), all as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable; and
(b) if the Shares are not listed on any securities exchange or traded on Nasdaq, but nevertheless are publicly traded and reported (through the OTC Bulletin Board or otherwise), Fair Market Value on such date shall be the closing sales price on the immediately preceding day (or, if there are no sales on such date, on the next preceding day); provided, however, that the Fair Market Value for stock options granted on the Effective Date shall be $1.75, which is the volume-weighted average price on such date.
For purposes of subsection (a) above, if Shares are traded on more than one securities exchange then the following exchange shall be referenced to determine Fair Market Value: (i) the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), or (ii) if shares are not traded on the NYSE, the Nasdaq, or (iii) if shares are not traded on the NYSE or Nasdaq, the largest regional exchange on which Shares are traded.
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2.16 “Incentive Stock Option” or “ISO” means an Option granted to an Eligible Participant under Article 5 of the Plan which is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
2.17 “Insider” shall mean an individual who is, on the relevant date, subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Act.
2.18 “Named Executive Officer” means a Participant who, as of the date an Award could be deductible by the Employer, is one of the group of “covered employees” as defined in the regulations promulgated or other guidance under Code Section 162(m).
2.19 “Nonqualified Stock Option” or “NQSO” means an Option granted to an Eligible Participant under Article 5 of the Plan which is not intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
2.20 “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option. An Option shall be designated as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option, and in the absence of such designation, shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option.
2.21 “Option Price” means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a Participant pursuant to an Option.
2.22 “Participant” means an Eligible Participant to whom an Award has been granted.
2.23 “Performance Share” means an Award under Article 8 of the Plan that is valued by reference to a Share, which value may be paid to the Participant by delivery of such property as the Committee shall determine, including without limitation, cash or Shares, or any combination thereof, upon achievement of such performance objectives during the relevant performance period as the Committee shall establish at the time of such Award or thereafter, but not later than the time permitted by Code Section 162(m) in the case of a Named Executive Officer, unless the Committee determines not to comply with Code Section 162(m).
2.24 “Performance Unit” means an Award under Article 8 of the Plan that has a value set by the Committee, which value may be paid to the Participant by delivery of such property as the Committee shall determine, including without limitation, cash or Shares, or any combination thereof, upon achievement of such performance objectives during the relevant performance period as the Committee shall establish at the time of such Award or thereafter, but not later than the time permitted by Code Section 162(m) in the case of a Named Executive Officer, unless the Committee determines not to comply with Code Section 162(m).
2.25 “Plan” means this TurboChef Technologies, Inc. 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.
2.26 “Restricted Stock” means an Award of Shares under Article 7 of the Plan, which Shares are issued with such restriction(s) as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may impose, including without limitation, any restriction on the right to retain such Shares, to sell, transfer, pledge or assign such Shares, to vote such Shares, and/or to receive any cash dividends with
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respect to such Shares, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee may deem appropriate.
2.27 “Restricted Stock Unit” or “RSU” means a right granted under Article 7 of the Plan to receive a number of shares, or a cash payment for each such share equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share, on a specified date.
2.28 “Restriction Period” means the period commencing on the date an Award of Restricted Stock or an RSU is granted and ending on such date as the Committee shall determine.
2.29 “Retirement” means termination of employment other than for Cause after a Participant has reached the age of 65 years.
2.30 “Share” means one share of common stock of the Company (as such Share may be adjusted pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.3 of the Plan).
2.31 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means an Award granted under Article 6 which provides for an amount payable in Shares and/or cash, as determined by the Committee, equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the day the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised over the specified purchase price.
3.1 General. This Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee, in its discretion, may delegate to one or more of its members such of its powers as it deems appropriate. Members of the Committee shall be appointed originally, and as vacancies occur, by the Board, to serve at the pleasure of the Board.
3.2 Authority of the Committee.
(a) The Committee shall have the exclusive right to interpret, construe and administer the Plan, to select the persons who are eligible to receive an Award, and to act in all matters pertaining to the granting of an Award and the contents of the Agreement evidencing the Award, including without limitation, the determination of the number of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, RSUs, Shares of Restricted Stock, Performance Shares or Performance Units subject to an Award and the form, terms, conditions and duration of each Award, and any amendment thereof consistent with the provisions of the Plan. The Committee may adopt such rules, regulations and procedures of general application for the administration of this Plan, as it deems appropriate.
(b) The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Agreement in the manner and to the extent it shall deem desirable to carry it into effect.
(c) In the event the Company shall assume outstanding employee benefit awards or the right or obligation to make future such awards in connection with the acquisition of another
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corporation or business entity, the Committee may, in its discretion, make such adjustments in the terms of Awards under the Plan as it shall deem appropriate.
(d) All acts, determinations and decisions of the Committee made or taken pursuant to grants of authority under the Plan or with respect to any questions arising in connection with the administration and interpretation of the Plan, including the severability of any and all of the provisions thereof, shall be conclusive, final and binding upon all parties, including the Company, its stockholders, Participants, Eligible Participants and their estates, beneficiaries and successors.
3.3 Participation Outside of the United States. The Committee or its designee shall have the authority to amend the Plan (including by the adoption of appendices or subplans) and/or the terms and conditions relating to an Award to the extent necessary to permit participation in the Plan by eligible individuals who are located outside of the United States on terms and conditions comparable to those afforded to eligible individuals located within the United States, provided that any such action taken with respect to a Named Executive Officer shall be taken in compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code.
3.4 Delegation of Authority. Except with respect to Named Executive Officers and Insiders, the Committee may, at any time and from time to time, delegate to one or more persons any or all of its authority under Section 3.2, to the full extent permitted by law.
3.5 Award Agreements. Each Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written Agreement. Each Agreement shall be subject to and incorporate, by reference or otherwise, the applicable terms and conditions of the Plan, and any other terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as may be imposed by the Committee, including without limitation, provisions related to the consequences of termination of employment. A copy of such document shall be provided to the Participant, and the Committee may, but need not, require that the Participant sign a copy of the Agreement.
3.6 Indemnification. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as directors or as members of the Committee, the members of the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company against reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan or any Award granted thereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof, provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by the Company, or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment or settlement in any such action, suit or proceeding, except as to matters as to which the Committee member has been negligent or engaged in misconduct in the performance of his duties; provided, that within 60 days after institution of any such action, suit or proceeding, a Committee member shall in writing offer the Company the opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same.
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ARTICLE 4 – SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
4.1 Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3, the total number of Shares available for grant of Awards under the Plan shall be six million (6,000,000) Shares, all of which may be granted as Incentive Stock Options. The Shares may, in the discretion of the Company, be either authorized but unissued Shares or Shares held as treasury shares, including Shares purchased by the Company, whether on the market or otherwise.
The following rules shall apply for purposes of the determination of the number of Shares available for grant under the Plan:
(a) If, for any reason, any Shares awarded or subject to purchase under the Plan are not delivered or purchased, or are reacquired by the Company, for reasons including, but not limited to, a forfeiture of Restricted Stock or termination, expiration or cancellation of an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Performance Shares or Performance Units, such Shares (“Returned Shares”) shall not be charged against the aggregate number of Shares available for issuance pursuant to Awards under the Plan and shall again be available for issuance pursuant to Award under the Plan. If the exercise price and/or withholding obligation under an Option is satisfied by tendering Shares to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation), only the number of Shares issued net of the Shares so tendered shall be deemed delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan.
(b) Each RSU and each Performance Share awarded that may be settled in Shares shall be counted as one Share subject to an Award. Each Performance Unit awarded that may be settled in Shares shall be counted as a number of Shares subject to an award, with the number determined by dividing the value of the Performance Unit at grant by the Fair Market Value of a Share at Grant. Performance Shares and Units and RSUs that may not be settled in Shares (or that may be settled in Shares but are not) shall not result in a charge against the aggregate number of Shares available for issuance.
(c) Each Stock Appreciation Right that may be settled in Shares shall be counted as one Share subject to an award. Stock Appreciation Rights that may not be settled in Shares (or that may be settled in Shares but are not) shall not result in a charge against the aggregate number of Shares available for issuance. In addition, if a Stock Appreciation Right is granted in connection with an Option and the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right results in the loss of the Option right, the Shares that otherwise would have been issued upon the exercise of such related Option shall not result in a charge against the aggregate number of Shares available for issuance.
4.2 Individual Limits. Except to the extent the Committee determines that an Award to a Named Executive Officer shall not comply with the performance-based compensation provisions of Code Section 162(m), the following rules shall apply to Awards under the Plan:
(a) Options and SARs. The maximum number of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights that, in the aggregate, may be granted pursuant to Awards in any one calendar year to any one Participant shall be one million five hundred thousand (1,500,000) Shares.
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(b) Restricted Stock, RSUs and Performance Shares. The maximum number of Shares of Restricted Stock and the maximum number of Shares subject to RSUs that may be granted pursuant to Awards in any one calendar year to any one Participant shall be one million (1,000,000) Shares. The maximum grant of Performance Shares and Units (valued as of the grant date) that may be granted in any one fiscal year to any one Participant shall equal the value of one million (1,000,000) Shares.
4.3 Lapsed Award. If any Award granted under this Plan is canceled, terminates, expires or lapses for any reason, or if Shares are withheld in payment of the Option Price or for withholding taxes, any Shares subject to such Award or that are withheld shall again be available for the grant of an Award under the Plan. However, in the event that prior to the Award's cancellation, termination, expiration or lapse, the holder of the Award at any time received one or more “benefits of ownership” pursuant to such Award (as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to any rule or interpretation promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act), the Shares subject to such Award shall not again be made available for regrant under the Plan.
4.4 Adjustment of Shares. In the event of a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any stock split, recapitalization, reorganization (whether or not such reorganization comes within the definition of such term in Code Section 368), merger, consolidation, separation, including a spin-off, other distribution of stock or property of the Company, or any partial or complete liquidation of the Company), the Committee, in its sole discretion, may make adjustments as it determines to be appropriate and equitable to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights, including but not limited to adjustment in the number and class of Shares which may be delivered under the Plan, in the number and class of and/or price of Shares subject to outstanding Awards granted under the Plan, and any other adjustments as the Committee determines to be equitable; provided, however, that the number of Shares subject to any Award shall always be a whole number and the Committee shall make such adjustments as are necessary to insure Awards of whole Shares. Any such adjustment in the Shares or other stock or securities subject to outstanding Incentive Stock Options (including any adjustments in the purchase price) shall be made in such manner as not to constitute a modification as defined by Section 424(h)(3) of the Code and only to the extent otherwise permitted by Sections 422 and 424 of the Code.
5.1 Grant of Options. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Options may be granted to Eligible Participants at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. The Committee shall have sole discretion in determining the number of Shares subject to Options granted to each Participant. The Committee may grant a Participant ISOs, NQSOs or a combination thereof, and may vary such Awards among Participants; provided that only an employee may be granted ISOs.
5.2 Agreement. Each Option grant shall be evidenced by an Agreement that shall specify the Option Price, the duration of the Option, the number of Shares to which the Option pertains and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine. The Option Agreement shall further specify whether the Award is intended to be an ISO or an NQSO. Any portion of an
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Option that is not designated as an ISO or otherwise fails or is not qualified as an ISO (even if designated as an ISO) shall be an NQSO.
5.3 Option Price. The Option Price for each grant of an ISO shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option is granted. The Option Price for each grant of an NQSO may be less than, equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option is granted.
5.4 Duration of Options. Each Option shall expire at such time as the Committee shall determine at the time of grant; provided, however, that no Option shall be exercisable later than the tenth (10th) anniversary of its grant date.
5.5 Exercise of Options. Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee shall in each instance approve, including conditions related to the employment of or provision of services by the Participant with the Company or any Employer, which need not be the same for each grant or for each Participant. The Committee may provide in the Agreement for automatic accelerated vesting and other rights upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company or upon the occurrence of other events as specified in the Agreement. In addition, the Committee may provide in the Agreement for the deferral of option gains related to an exercise.
5.6 Payment. Options shall be exercised by the delivery of a written notice of exercise to the Company, setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment for the Shares (less any amount previously paid by the Participant to acquire the Option). The Option Price upon exercise of any Option shall be payable to the Company in full, either: (a) in cash, (b) cash equivalent approved by the Committee, (c) if approved by the Committee, by tendering previously acquired Shares (or delivering a certification or attestation of ownership of such Shares) having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total Option Price (provided that the tendered Shares must have been held by the Participant for any period required by the Committee), or (d) by a combination of (a), (b) and (c). The Committee also may allow cashless exercises as permitted under Federal Reserve Board's Regulation T, subject to applicable securities law restrictions, or by any other means which the Committee determines to be consistent with the Plan's purpose and applicable law.
5.7 Nontransferability of Options
(a) Incentive Stock Options. No ISO granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Further, all ISOs granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant.
(b) Nonqualified Stock Options. Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Award Agreement consistent with securities and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, no NQSO granted under this Article 5 may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Further, except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Award Agreement, all NQSOs granted to a
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Participant under this Article 5 shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant.
5.8 Special Rules for ISOs. Notwithstanding the above, in no event shall any Participant who owns (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) stock of the Company possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company be eligible to receive an ISO at an Option Price less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share on the date the ISO is granted or be eligible to receive an ISO that is exercisable later than the fifth (5th) anniversary date of its grant. No Participant may be granted ISOs (under the Plan and all other incentive stock option plans of the Employer) which are first exercisable in any calendar year for Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date an Option is granted) that exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000).
ARTICLE 6 - STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
6.1 Grant of SARs. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to an Eligible Participant in connection with an Option granted under Article 5 of this Plan or may be granted independently of any Option. A Stock Appreciation Right shall entitle the holder, within the specified period, to exercise the SAR and receive in exchange therefor a payment having an aggregate value equal to the amount by which the Fair Market Value of a Share exceeds the exercise price, times the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised. A SAR granted in connection with an Option (a “Tandem SAR”) shall entitle the holder of the related Option, within the period specified for the exercise of the Option, to surrender the unexercised Option, or a portion thereof, and to receive in exchange therefore a payment having an aggregate value equal to the amount by which the Fair Market Value of a Share exceeds the Option Price per Share, times the number of Shares under the Option, or portion thereof, which is surrendered.
6.2 Tandem SARs. Each Tandem SAR shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as the related Option, including limitations on transferability, and shall be exercisable only to the extent such Option is exercisable and shall terminate or lapse and cease to be exercisable when the related Option terminates or lapses. The grant of Stock Appreciation Rights related to ISOs must be concurrent with the grant of the ISOs. With respect to NQSOs, the grant either may be concurrent with the grant of the NQSOs, or in connection with NQSOs previously granted under Article 5, which are unexercised and have not terminated or lapsed.
6.3 Payment. The Committee shall have sole discretion to determine in each Agreement whether the payment with respect to the exercise of an SAR will be in the form of all cash, all Shares, or any combination thereof. If payment is to be made in Shares, the number of Shares shall be determined based on the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise. If the Committee elects to make full payment in Shares, no fractional Shares shall be issued and cash payments shall be made in lieu of fractional shares. The Committee shall have sole discretion as to the timing of any payment made in cash or Shares, or a combination thereof, upon exercise of SARs. Payment may be made in a lump sum, in annual installments or may be otherwise deferred; and the Committee shall have sole discretion to determine whether any deferred payments may bear amounts equivalent to interest or cash dividends.
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6.4 Exercise of SARs. Upon exercise of an SAR, the number of Shares subject to exercise under any related Option shall automatically be reduced by the number of Shares represented by the Option or portion thereof which is surrendered.
ARTICLE 7 - RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
7.1 Grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. Awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs") may be made to Eligible Participants as a reward for past service or as an incentive for the performance of future services that will contribute materially to the successful operation of the Employer. Awards of Restricted Stock and RSUs may be made either alone or in addition to or in tandem with other Awards granted under the Plan and may be current grants of Restricted Stock and RSUs or deferred grants of Restricted Stock and RSUs.
7.2 Restricted Stock Agreement. The Restricted Stock Agreement shall set forth the terms of the Award, as determined by the Committee, including, without limitation, the purchase price, if any, to be paid for such Restricted Stock, which may be more than, equal to, or less than Fair Market Value and may be zero, subject to such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law; any restrictions applicable to the Restricted Stock such as continued service or achievement of performance goals; the length of the Restriction Period, if any, and whether any circumstances, such as death, Disability, or a Change in Control, will shorten or terminate the Restriction Period; and rights of the Participant to vote or receive dividends with respect to the Shares during the Restriction Period.
7.3 Restricted Stock Units Agreement. The Restricted Stock Unit Agreement shall set forth the terms of the Award, as determined by the Committee, including without limitation, the number of RSUs granted to the Participant; the restrictions, terms and conditions of the Award; whether the Award will be paid in cash, Shares, or a combination of the two and the time when the Award will be payable; any requirements such as continued service or achievement of certain performance measures; the length of the Restriction Period, if any, and whether any circumstances such as Change in Control, termination of employment, disability or death will shorten or terminate any vesting or Restriction Period; and whether dividend equivalents will be paid or accrued with respect to the RSUs.
7.4 Nontransferability. Except as otherwise provided in this Article 7, no RSUs and no Shares of Restricted Stock received by a Participant shall be sold, exchanged, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of during the Restriction Period.
7.5 Certificates. Upon an Award of Restricted Stock to a Participant, Shares of Restricted Stock shall be registered in the Participant’s name. Certificates, if issued, may either be held in custody by the Company until the Restriction Period expires or until restrictions thereon otherwise lapse and/or be issued to the Participant and registered in the name of the Participant, bearing an appropriate restrictive legend and remaining subject to appropriate stop-transfer orders. If required by the Committee, the Participant shall deliver to the Company one or more stock powers endorsed in blank relating to the Restricted Stock. If and when the Restriction Period expires without a prior forfeiture of the Restricted Stock subject to such Restriction Period, unrestricted certificates for such shares shall be delivered to the Participant; provided, however, that the Committee may cause such legend or legends to be placed on any
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such certificates as it may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable federal or state law. The Company shall not be required to deliver any fractional Share but will pay, in lieu thereof, the Fair Market Value (determined as of the date the restrictions lapse) of such fractional Share to the holder thereof. Concurrently with the delivery of a certificate for Restricted Stock, the holder shall be required to pay an amount necessary to satisfy any applicable federal, state and local tax requirements as set out in Article 12 below.
7.6 Dividends and Other Distributions. Except as provided in this Article 7 or in the Award Agreement, a Participant receiving a Restricted Stock Award shall have, with respect to such Restricted Stock Award, all of the rights of a stockholder of the Company, including the right to vote the Shares to the extent, if any, such Shares possess voting rights and the right to receive any dividends; provided, however, the Committee may require that any dividends on such Shares of Restricted Stock shall be automatically deferred and reinvested in additional Restricted Stock subject to the same restrictions as the underlying Award, or may require that dividends and other distributions on Restricted Stock shall be paid to the Company for the account of the Participant. The Committee shall determine whether interest shall be paid on such amounts, the rate of any such interest, and the other terms applicable to such amounts. In addition, with respect to Named Executive Officers, the Committee may apply any restrictions it deems appropriate to the payment of dividends declared with respect to Restricted Stock such that the dividends and/or Restricted Stock maintain eligibility for the performance-based compensation exception under Code Section 162(m).
ARTICLE 8 - PERFORMANCE SHARES AND UNITS
8.1 Grant of Performance Shares/Units. Performance Shares, Performance Units or both may be granted to Participants in such amounts and upon such terms, and at any time and from time to time, as shall be determined by the Committee.
8.2 Value of Performance Shares/Units. Each Performance Unit shall have an initial value that is established by the Committee at the time of grant. Each Performance Share shall have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number and/or value of Performance Shares, Performance Units or both that will be paid out to the Participant. For purposes of this Article 8, the time period during which the performance goals must be met shall be called a “Performance Period.”
8.3 Earning of Performance Shares/Units. Subject to the terms of this Plan, after the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Shares/Units shall be entitled to receive a payout of the number and value of Performance Shares/Units earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance goals have been achieved.
8.4 Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Shares/Units. Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Shares/Units in the form of cash or in Shares (or in a combination thereof) which has an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Shares/Units at the close of the applicable
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Performance Period. Such Shares may be granted subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee. The determination of the Committee with respect to the form and timing of payout of such Awards shall be set forth in the Award Agreement pertaining to the grant of the Award.
Except as otherwise provided in the Participant’s Award Agreement, a Participant shall be entitled to receive any dividends declared with respect to Shares earned in connection with earned grants of Performance Shares/Units, that have not yet been distributed to the Participant (such dividends shall be subject to the same accrual, forfeiture, and payout restrictions as apply to dividends earned with respect to Shares of Restricted Stock, as set forth in Section 7.6 herein). In addition, unless otherwise provided in the Participant’s Award Agreement, a Participant shall be entitled to exercise full voting rights with respect to such Shares.
8.5 Nontransferability. Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Award Agreement, Performance Shares/Units may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Further, except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Award Agreement, a Participant’s rights under the Plan shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative.
ARTICLE 9 - PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Until the Committee proposes for stockholder vote and stockholders approve a change in the general performance measures set forth in this Article 9, the attainment of which may determine the degree of payout and/or vesting with respect to Named Executive Officers’ Awards that are intended to qualify under the performance-based compensation provisions of Code Section 162(m), the performance measure(s) to be used for purposes of such Awards shall be chosen from among the following: earnings, earnings per share, consolidated pre-tax earnings, net earnings, operating income, EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes), EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), gross margin, revenues, revenue growth, market value added, economic value added, return on equity, return on investment, return on assets, return on net assets, return on capital employed, total stockholder return, profit, economic profit, capitalized economic profit, after-tax profit, pre-tax profit, cash flow measures, cash flow return, sales, sales volume, inventory turnover ratio, stock price, cost, and/or unit cost. The Committee can establish other performance measures for Awards granted to Eligible Participants that are not Named Executive Officers.
The Committee shall be authorized to make adjustments in performance based criteria or in the terms and conditions of other Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company or its financial statements or changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles. The Committee shall also have the discretion to adjust the determinations of the degree of attainment of the pre-established performance goals; provided, however, that Awards which are designed to qualify for the performance-based compensation exception from the deductibility limitations of Code Section 162(m), and which are held by Named Executive Officers, may not be adjusted upward (the Committee shall retain the discretion to adjust such Awards downward).
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If applicable tax and/or securities laws change to permit Committee discretion to alter the governing performance measures without obtaining stockholder approval of such changes, the Committee shall have sole discretion to make such changes without obtaining stockholder approval. In addition, in the event that the Committee determines that it is advisable to grant Awards which shall not qualify for the performance-based compensation exception from the deductibility limitations of Code Section 162(m), the Committee may make such grants without satisfying the requirements of Code Section 162(m).
ARTICLE 10 - BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION
Each Participant under the Plan may, from time to time, name any beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be named contingently or successively) to whom any benefit under the Plan is to be paid in case of his or her death before he or she receives any or all of such benefit. Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form prescribed by the Company, and will be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s lifetime. In the absence of any such designation, benefits remaining unpaid at the Participant’s death shall be paid to the Participant’s estate.
The Committee may permit or require a Participant to defer such Participant’s receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant by virtue of the exercise of an Option or SAR, the lapse or waiver of restrictions with respect to Restricted Stock, or RSUs, or the satisfaction of any requirements or goals with respect to Performance Shares. If any such deferral election is required or permitted, the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, establish rules and procedures for such payment deferrals.
12.1 Tax Withholding. The Company shall 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, and local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of this Plan. If a Participant makes a disposition within the meaning of Section 424(c) of the Code and regulation promulgated thereunder, of any Share or Shares issued to him pursuant to his exercise of an Incentive Stock Option within the two-year period commencing on the day after the date of the grant or within the one-year period commencing on the day after the date of transfer of such Share or Shares to the Optionee pursuant to such exercise, the Optionee shall, within ten (10) days of such disposition, notify the Company thereof, by delivery of written notice to the Company at its principal executive office, and immediately deliver to the Company the amount of any required tax withholding.
12.2 Share Withholding. With respect to withholding required upon the exercise of Options or SARS, upon the lapse of restrictions on Restricted Stock or RSUs, or upon any other taxable event arising as a result of Awards granted hereunder which are to be paid in the form of Shares, Participants may elect, subject to the approval of the Committee, to satisfy the
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withholding requirement, in whole or in part, by having the Company withhold Shares having a Fair Market Value on the date the tax is to be determined equal to not more than the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld with respect to the transaction. All such elections shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.
ARTICLE 13 - AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
13.1 Amendment of Plan. The Committee may at any time terminate or from time to time amend the Plan in whole or in part, but no such action shall adversely affect any rights or obligations with respect to any Awards previously granted under the Plan, unless the affected Participants consent in writing. To the extent required by Code Sections 162(m) or 422 and/or the rules of the exchange upon which the Shares are traded or other applicable law, no amendment, without approval by the Company’s stockholders, shall (i) modify the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Plan; (ii) except as provided in Section 4.3, increase the maximum number of Shares which are available for issuance in accordance with Section 4.1; (iii) increase the maximum grants that may be made to a Participant under Section 4.2, or (iv) change the performance measures in Article 9.
13.2 Amendment of Award Agreement. The Committee may, at any time, amend outstanding Agreements in a manner not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan; provided, however, except as provided in Section 13.4 and 13.5, if such amendment is adverse to the Participant, as determined by the Committee, the amendment shall not be effective unless and until the Participant consents, in writing, to such amendment. To the extent not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, the Committee may, at any time, amend an outstanding Agreement in a manner that is not unfavorable to the Participant without the consent of such Participant. Notwithstanding the above provision, the Committee shall not have the authority to decrease the Option Price of any outstanding Option, except in accordance with Section 4.3 or unless such an amendment is approved by the stockholders of the Company.
13.3 Termination of Plan. No Awards shall be granted under the Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date of the Plan.
13.4 Cancellation of Awards for Detrimental Activity. The Committee may provide in the Award Agreement that if a Participant engages in any “Detrimental Activity” (as defined below), the Committee may, notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan to the contrary, cancel, rescind, suspend, withhold or otherwise restrict or limit any unexpired, unexercised, unpaid or deferred Award as of the first date the Participant engages in the Detrimental Activity, unless sooner terminated by operation of another term of this Plan or any other agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agreement may also provide that if the Participant exercises an Option or SAR, receives a Performance Share, Performance Unit, or RSU payout, or receives Shares under an Award at any time during the period beginning six months prior to the date the Participant first engages in Detrimental Activity and ending six months after the date the Participant ceases to engage in any Detrimental Activity, the Participant shall be required to pay to the Company the excess of the then fair market value of the Shares subject to the Award over the total price paid by the Participant for such Shares.
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For purposes of this Section , “Detrimental Activity” means any of the following, as determined by the Committee in good faith: (i) the violation of any agreement between the Company and the Participant relating to the disclosure of confidential information or trade secrets, the solicitation of employees, customers, suppliers, licensees, licensors or contractors, or the performance of competitive services; (ii) conduct that constitutes Cause (as defined in Section 2.5 above), whether or not the Participant’s employment is terminated for Cause; (iii) making, or causing or attempting to cause any other person to make, any statement, either written or oral, or conveying any information about the Company which is disparaging or which in any way reflects negatively upon the Company; (iv) improperly disclosing or otherwise misusing any confidential information regarding the Company; or (v) the refusal or failure of a Participant to provide, upon the request of the Company, a certification, in a form satisfactory to the Company, that he or she is in full compliance with the terms and conditions of the Plan; provided, that the Committee may provide in the Agreement that only certain of the restrictions provided above apply for purposes of the Award Agreement.
13.5 Assumption or Cancellation of Awards Upon a Corporate Transaction. In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the assets or stock of the Company, the merger of the Company with or into another corporation such that stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the merger exchange their shares of stock in the Company for cash and/or shares of another entity or any other Change in Control or corporate transaction to which the Committee deems this provision applicable (any such event is referred to as a “Corporate Transaction”), the Committee may, in its discretion, cause each Award to be assumed or for an equivalent Award to be substituted by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation (and adjusted as appropriate).
In addition or in the alternative, the Committee, in its discretion, may determine that all or certain types of Awards will be cancelled at or immediately prior to the time of the Corporate Transaction; provided, however, that at least 30 days prior to the Corporate Transaction (or, if not feasible to provide 30 days notice, within a reasonable period prior to the Corporate Transaction), the Committee notifies the Participant that, subject to rescission if the Corporate Transaction is not successfully completed within a certain period, the Award will be terminated and provides the Participant, either, at the election of the Committee, (i) a payment (in cash or Shares) equal to value of the Award, as determined below, or (ii) the right to exercise the Option or other Award as to all Shares, including Shares as to which the Option or other Award would not otherwise be exercisable (or with respect to Restricted Stock, RSUs, Performance Shares or Performance Units, provide that all restrictions shall lapse) prior to the Corporate Transaction. For purposes of this provision, the value of the Award shall be measured as of the date of the Corporate Transaction and shall equal the amount of cash or Shares that would be payable to the Participant upon exercise or vesting of the Award, less the amount of any payment required to be tendered by the Participant upon such exercise. For example, the amount payable to the Participant upon the Committee’s decision to cancel outstanding Options would equal the difference between the Fair Market Value of the Options and the Exercise Price for such Options, computed as of the date of the Corporate Transaction.
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ARTICLE 14- MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
14.1 Restrictions on Shares. All certificates for Shares delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Shares are then listed and any applicable federal or state laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be placed on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. In making such determination, the Committee may rely upon an opinion of counsel for the Company.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Company shall have no liability to deliver any Shares under the Plan or make any other distribution of the benefits under the Plan unless such delivery or distribution would comply with all applicable laws (including, without limitation, the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933), and the applicable requirements of any securities exchange or similar entity.
14.2 Rights of a Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided in Article 7 of the Plan and in the Restricted Stock Agreement, each Participant who receives an Award of Restricted Stock shall have all of the rights of a stockholder with respect to such Shares, including the right to vote the Shares to the extent, if any, such Shares possess voting rights and receive dividends and other distributions. Except as provided otherwise in the Plan or in an Agreement, no Participant awarded an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, RSU, Performance Unit, or Performance Share shall have any right as a stockholder with respect to any Shares covered by such Award prior to the date of issuance to him or her of a certificate or certificates for such Shares.
14.3 No Implied Rights. Nothing in the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the service of the Employer, or to serve as a Director thereof, or interfere in any way with the right of the Employer to terminate his or her employment or other service relationship at any time. Unless agreed by the Board, no Award granted under the Plan shall be deemed salary or compensation for the purpose of computing benefits under any employee benefit plan, severance program, or other arrangement of the Employer for the benefit of its employees. No Participant shall have any claim to an Award until it is actually granted under the Plan. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company under the Plan, such right shall, except as otherwise provided by the Committee, be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company.
(a) At all times when the Committee determines that compliance with Code Section 162(m) is required or desirable, all Awards granted under this Plan to Named Executive Officers shall comply with the requirements of Code Section 162(m). In addition, in the event that changes are made to Code Section 162(m) to permit greater flexibility with respect to any Awards under the Plan, the Committee may, subject to the requirements of Article 13, make any adjustments it deems appropriate.
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(b) The Plan and the grant of Awards shall be subject to all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations and to such approvals by any United States government or regulatory agency as may be required. Any provision herein relating to compliance with Rule 16b-3 under the Act shall not be applicable with respect to participation in the Plan by Participants who are not Insiders.
14.5 Successors. The terms of the Plan shall be binding upon the Company, and its successors and assigns.
14.6 Tax Elections. Each Participant agrees to give the Committee prompt written notice of any election made by such Participant under Code Section 83(b) or any similar provision thereof.
(a) Severability. If any provision of this Plan or an Agreement is or becomes or is deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or would disqualify the Plan or any Agreement under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Agreement, it shall be stricken and the remainder of the Plan or the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
(b) Gender and Number. Where the context admits, words in any gender shall include the other gender, words in the singular shall include the plural and words in the plural shall include the singular.
(c) Governing Law. To the extent not preempted by federal law, the Plan and all Agreements hereunder, shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Plan is executed this the 29th day of October, 2003.
| TURBOCHEF TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
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ATTEST: | By : /s/ Richard E. Perlman Authorized Officer
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/s/ James A. Cochran Secretary |
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TURBOCHEF TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
AMENDMENT TO
2003 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Background
TurboChef Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) adopted its 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) on October 29, 2003. Under Section 4.1 of the Plan, the total number of shares of Common Stock of the Company available for grant of Awards under the Plan was six million (6,000,000) shares. The Company’s Board of Directors deemed it advisable that the number of shares available for grant of Awards be increased to a total of ten million (10,000,000) shares. Under Section 13.1 of the Plan the Committee, defined in the Plan as the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, is authorized at any time to amend the Plan.
Amendment
At a meeting held on March 29, 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors, including both members of the Compensation Committee, unanimously approved amending the Plan to increase by four million the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company available for grant of Awards under the Plan. Accordingly, the Plan is amended, effective April 1, 2004, by deleting the first sentence of Section 4.1 thereof and substituting in lieu thereof the following sentence:
Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3, the total number of Shares available for grant of Awards under the Plan shall be ten million (10,000,000) Shares, all of which may be granted as Incentive Stock Options.
By authority of the Board of Directors
/s/ Dennis J. Stockwell
Dennis J. Stockwell
Secretary
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TURBOCHEF TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
SECOND AMENDMENT TO
2003 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Background
TurboChef Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) adopted its 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) on October 29, 2003. Under Section 4.1 of the Plan, the total number of shares of Common Stock of the Company available for grant of Awards under the Plan was six million (6,000,000) shares. Effective April 1, 2004, the Company amended the Plan to increase the number of shares available for Award grants to ten million (10,000,000) shares. The amended Plan was approved by stockholders of the Company on July 19, 2004. Effective December 27, 2004, the Company effected a 1-for-3 reverse split of its outstanding shares, and the number of shares available for Award grants under the Plan adjusted pursuant to Section 4.4 of the Plan to 3,333,333 shares. Under Section 13.1 of the Plan the Committee, defined in the Plan as the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, is authorized at any time to amend the Plan. The Company’s Board of Directors deemed it advisable that the number of shares available for grant of Awards be increased by an additional 2,000,000 shares, to a total of 5,333,333 shares, and by consent on June 6, 2005, the Board, including the members of the Compensation Committee, approved the amendment and recommended it for approval by the stockholders. On July 19, 2005, the amendment was approved by the Company’s stockholders.
Amendment
The Plan, as amended, is further amended, effective July 19, 2005, by deleting the first sentence of Section 4.1 thereof and substituting in lieu thereof the following sentence:
Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.4, effective July 19, 2005 the total number of Shares available for grant of Awards under the Plan shall be five million three hundred thirty three thousand three hundred thirty three (5,333,333) Shares, subject to Awards granted prior to the effective date, all of which may be granted as Incentive Stock Options.
By authority of the Board of Directors
/s/ Dennis J. Stockwell
Dennis J. Stockwell
Secretary
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TURBOCHEF TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
THIRD AMENDMENT TO
2003 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Background
TurboChef Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) adopted its 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) on October 29, 2003 and it was approved (as then currently amended) by stockholders of the Company on July 19, 2004. Under Section 13.1 of the Plan the Committee, defined in the Plan as the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, is authorized at any time to amend the Plan. In light of the accounting impact that results from the application of SFAS 123R to modifications of Awards, such as could be deemed to occur if Awards are electively adjusted in connection with restructuring events, the Committee deemed it in the best interest of the Company to amend the Plan to provide that equitable adjustments under the Plan’s antidilution provision are mandated for restructuring events, and by consent effective on September 11, 2006, the Compensation Committee, approved the amendment.
Amendment
The Plan, as amended, is further amended, effective September 11, 2006, by deleting Section 4.4 thereof and substituting in lieu thereof the following new Section 4.4:
4.4 Adjustment of Shares. In the event of a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any stock split, recapitalization, reorganization (whether or not such reorganization comes within the definition of such term in Code Section 368), merger, consolidation, separation, including a spin-off, other distribution of stock or property of the Company, or any partial or complete liquidation of the Company), the Committee shall make equitable adjustments to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights, including but not limited to adjustment in the number and class of Shares which may be delivered under the Plan, in the number and class of and/or price of Shares subject to outstanding Awards granted under the Plan, and any other adjustments as the Committee determines to be equitable; provided, however, that the number of Shares subject to any Award shall always be a whole number and the Committee shall make such adjustments as are necessary to insure Awards of whole Shares. Any such adjustment in the Shares or other stock or securities subject to outstanding Incentive Stock
Options (including any adjustments in the purchase price) shall be made in such manner as not to constitute a modification as defined by Section 424(h)(3) of the Code and only to the extent otherwise permitted by Sections 422 and 424 of the Code.
By authority of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
/s/ Dennis J. Stockwell
Dennis J. Stockwell
Secretary
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TURBOCHEF TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
FOURTH AMENDMENT TO
2003 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Background
TurboChef Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) adopted its 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) on October 29, 2003. Under Section 13.1 of the Plan the Committee is authorized at any time to amend the Plan. The Committee recognizes that the use of the closing price of stock on the day of an award, for shares traded on an exchange or with trades reported, is more widely accepted as the measure of fair market value for option pricing, compensation charge accounting and tax withholding determinations. While the Plan document uses a definition of Fair Market Value as the closing price on the last trading day before an award, the Committee believes it is in the best interests of the Company to adopt the more widely accepted measure, and the Committee approved the following amendment on March 14, 2008.
Amendment
The 2003 Stock Incentive Plan is hereby amended by modifying the definition of “Fair Market Value” in Section 2.15 thereof by deleting the words “the immediately preceding date” and “the immediately preceding day” everywhere they appear and substituting in lieu thereof the words “such date” and by deleting the words “the next preceding day” everywhere they appear and substituting in lieu thereof the words “the next day”.
This record of action shall be entered into the records of the Company.
By authority of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
/s/ Dennis J. Stockwell
__________________________
Dennis J. Stockwell
Secretary
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Please Mark Here for Address Change or Comments | c | ||||||||||||||||||
SEE REVERSE SIDE | |||||||||||||||||||
1. | Election of directors 01 Richard E. Perlman, 02 James K. Price, 03, James W. DeYoung, 04 Sir Anthony Jolliffe, 05 J. Thomas Presby, 06 William A. Shutzer and, 07 Raymond H. Welsh: | 2. | Approval of an amendment to the Company’s 2003 Stock Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for awards under the Plan by an additional 1,666,667 shares: | FOR c | AGAINST c | ABSTAIN c | |||||
FOR all nominees listed above (except as marked to the contrary below). | WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed above. | 3. | Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2008: | FOR c | AGAINST c | ABSTAIN c | |||||
c | c | ||||||||||
4. | In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. | ||||||||||
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write that nominee's name in the space below.) | | ||||||||||
| | Receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement dated June 11, 2008, is hereby acknowledged. | ||||||||||
___________________________________________ | |||||||||||
Signature | |||||||||||
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PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND PROMPTLY RETURN THIS PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. | Signature | ||||||||||
Dated:_________________________________, 2008 | |||||||||||
Please sign exactly as name appears hereon, including any official position or representative capacity. |
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