Exhibit 4.2
CBIZ, Inc.
2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Effective May 9, 2019
Contents
Article 1. Establishment, Purpose | A-1 | |
Article 2. Definitions | A-1 | |
Article 3. Administration | A-6 | |
Article 4. Shares Subject to The Plan, Maximum Awards and Minimum Vesting Standards | A-8 | |
Article 5. Eligibility and Participation | A-10 | |
Article 6. Stock Options | A-10 | |
Article 7. Stock Appreciation Rights | A-12 | |
Article 8. Restricted Stock | A-13 | |
Article 9. Restricted Stock Units | A-14 | |
Article 10. Performance Share Units | A-14 | |
Article 11. Performance Units | A-15 | |
Article 12. Other Stock-Based Awards and Cash-Based Awards | A-15 | |
Article 13. Forfeiture and Recoupment of Awards | A-16 | |
Article 14. Transferability of Awards and Shares | A-18 | |
Article 15. Nonemployee Director Awards | A-19 | |
Article 16. Effect of a Change in Control | A-19 | |
Article 17. Dividends and Dividend Equivalents | A-21 | |
Article 18. Beneficiary Designation | A-22 | |
Article 19. Rights of Participants | A-22 | |
Article 20. Amendment and Termination | A-22 | |
Article 21. General Provisions | A-24 |
CBIZ, Inc.
2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Article 1. Establishment, Purpose and Duration
1.1Establishment. CBIZ, Inc., a Delaware corporation, establishes an incentive compensation plan to be known as CBIZ, Inc. 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as set forth in this document. The Plan permits the grant of various forms of equity- and cash-based awards. The Plan shall become effective upon shareholder approval (the “Effective Date”) and shall remain in effect as provided in Section 1.3. The Plan and each Award granted hereunder are conditioned on and shall be of no force or effect until the Plan is approved by the shareholders of the Company.
1.2Purpose of the Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to foster and promote the long-term financial success of the Company by (a) motivating superior performance by means of performance-related incentives, (b) encouraging and providing for the acquisition of an ownership interest in the Company by Participants, and (c) enabling the Company to attract andretain qualified and competent persons as employees of the Company and to serve as members of the Board whose judgment, interest and performance are required for the successful operations of the Company.
1.3Duration of the Plan. Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, the Plan shall terminate ten (10) years from the Effective Date. After the Plan is terminated, no Awards may be granted but Awardspreviously granted shall remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and the Plan’s terms and conditions.
Article 2. Definitions
Whenever used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below, and when the meaning is intended, the initial letter of the word shall be capitalized.
2.1 “Affiliate” means any entity that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company.
2.2 “Award”means a grant under the Plan of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Share Units, Performance Units, Cash-Based Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards, in each case subject to the terms of the Plan.
2.3 “Award Agreement”means a written or electronic agreement entered into by the Company and a Participant, or a written or electronic statement issued by the Company to a Participant, which in either case contains (either expressly or by reference to this Plan or any subplan created hereunder) the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted under the Plan, including any amendment or modification thereof. The Committee may provide for the use of electronic, Internet or othernon-paper Award Agreements, and the use of electronic, Internet or othernon-paper means for the acceptance thereof and actions thereunder by a Participant.
2.4 “Beneficial Owner”shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule13d-3 of the General Rules andRegulations under the Exchange Act and the terms“Beneficial Ownership” and“Beneficially Own” shall have the corresponding meanings.
2.5 “Board”means the Board of Directors of the Company.
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2.6 “Cash-Based Award”means an Award, denominated in cash, granted to a Participant as described in Article 12.
2.7 “Cause”means, except as may otherwise be provided in a then-effective written agreement (including an Award Agreement) between a Participant and the Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate or in any Company severance policy to which a Participant is subject, in the sole judgment of the Committee:
(a) Material misconduct of the Participant,
(b) Continued failure of the Participant to perform essential job functions,
(c) Continued failure of the Participant to achieve significant goals and objectives clearly communicated by the Participant’s supervisor and reasonably expected of a person in the Participant’s position,
(d) The conviction of the Participant by a court of competent jurisdiction of a felony or entering the plea ofnolo contendereto a felony by the Participant, or
(e) The commission by the Participant of an act of theft, fraud or dishonesty against the Company, any Affiliate or any Subsidiary.
2.8 “Change in Control”means, except as may otherwise be provided in an Award Agreement, the occurrence of any one of the following events:
(a) An acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 40% or more of either (1) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (2) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); excluding, however, the following: (1) any acquisition directly from the Company, other than an acquisition by virtue of the exercise of a conversion privilege unless the security being so converted was itself acquired directly from the Company, (2) any acquisition by the Company, (3) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any entity controlled by the Company, or (4) any acquisition pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (1), (2) and (3) of subsection (c) of this Section 2.8; or
(b) A change in the composition of the Board such that the individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (such Board being hereinafter referred to as the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, for purposes of this Section 9(a), that any individual who becomes a member of the Board subsequent to the Effective Date, whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of those individuals who are members of the Board and who were also members of the Incumbent Board (or deemed to be such pursuant to this provision) shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board; but, provided further, that any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board shall not be so considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; or
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(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (“Corporate Transaction”); excluding, however, such a Corporate Transaction pursuant to which (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who are the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock, and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities 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 through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (2) no Person (other than the Company, any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction) will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 40% 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 voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Corporate Transaction, and (3) 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) A complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, however, in any circumstance or transaction in which compensation resulting from or in respect of an Award would result in the imposition of an additional tax under Code Section 409A if the foregoing definition of “Change in Control” were to apply, but would not result in the imposition of any additional tax if the term “Change in Control” were defined herein to mean a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury RegulationSection 1.409A-3(i)(5), then “Change in Control” shall mean a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury RegulationSection 1.409A-3(i)(5), but only to the extent necessary to prevent such compensation from becoming subject to an additional tax under Code Section 409A.
2.9 “Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. For purposes of the Plan, references to sections of the Code shall be deemed to include references to any applicable regulations thereunder and any successor or similar provision.
2.10 “Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
2.11 “Committee” means the Compensation and Human Capital Committee of the Board or a subcommittee thereof or any other committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan. The members of the Committee shall be appointed from time to time by and shall serve at the discretion of the Board. If the Committee does not exist or cannot function for any reason, the Board may take any action under the Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee. Each member of the Committee shall be (i) an independent director within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the NYSE (or such other national securities exchange which is the principal market on which the Shares are then traded) and (ii) anon-employee director within the meaning of Exchange Act Rule16b-3.
2.12 “Company” means CBIZ, Inc. and any successor thereto as provided in Section 21.20.
2.13 “Director” means any individual who is a member of the Board.
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2.14 “Disability” means, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, “permanent and totaldisability” within the meaning of Code Section 22(e)(3).
2.15 “Dividend Equivalent” has the meaning set forth in Section 17.2.
2.16 “Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1.
2.17 “Employee” means any individual performing services for the Company, an Affiliate or a Subsidiary and designated as an employee of the Company, an Affiliate or the Subsidiary on its payroll records. An individual shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or among the Company, or any Affiliate or any Subsidiary. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed 90 days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, then three months following the 91st day of such leave, any Incentive Stock Option held by a Participant shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonqualified Stock Option. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company shall be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Director who is an Employee experiences a Termination of Service in his or her capacity as an Employee, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may continue to treat such Director as an Employee hereunder for a period of three years following his Termination of Service as an Employee for the purpose of continuing the vesting schedule pursuant to an Award Agreement entered into between the Company and the Director Employee prior to his Termination of Service as an Employee, provided that he remains a Director for that three year period.
2.18 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
2.19 “Exercise Price”means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a Participant pursuant to an Option.
2.20 “Fair Market Value” means, as applied to a specific date and unless otherwise specified in an Award Agreement, the price of a Share that is equal to the closing price of a Share on the New York Stock Exchange (or, on such other national securities exchange that is the primary trading market for the Shares, if Shares are not then listed on the NYSE) on the day preceding the date of determination, or if no sales of Shares shall have occurred on such exchange on the day preceding the applicable date of determination, the closing price of the Shares on such exchange on the next preceding date on which there were such sales. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Shares are not traded on any established stock securities exchange or under such other circumstances as determined reasonable by the Committee at the time of Award for the purpose of calculating the number of Award(s) to a Participant, the Fair Market Value means the price of a Share as established by the Committee acting in good faith based on a reasonable valuation method that is consistent with the requirements of Code Section 409A and the regulations thereunder.
2.21 “Grant Date” means the date an Award to a Participant pursuant to the Plan is approved by the Committee (or such later date as specified in such approval by the Committee).
2.22 “Grant Price” means the per Share price established at the time of grant of a SAR pursuant to Article 7.
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2.23 “Incentive Stock Option” or“ISO” means an Award granted pursuant to Article 6 that is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and that is intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 422 or any successor provision.
2.24 “Nonemployee Director” means a Director who is not an Employee.
2.25 “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Award that is not intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 422, or that otherwise does not meet such requirements.
2.26 “Option” means an Award granted pursuant to Article 6, which Award may be an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.
2.27 “Other Stock-Based Award”means an equity-based or equity-related Award not otherwise described by the terms of the Plan that is granted pursuant to Article 12.
2.28 “Normal Retirement” means, except as may otherwise be provided in a then-effective written agreement (including an Award Agreement) between a Participant and the Company, a Participant’s voluntary Termination of Service on or after the date the Participant has (i) attained at least age sixty (60) and (ii) completed at least five (5) years of continuous service as an Employee; provided however, the Participant provides to the Company at least six (6) months advance written notice of the date on which the Participant intends to terminate his or her employment and the Participant agrees to maintain compliance with the terms of the restrictive covenants contained in the Participant’s Award Agreements.
2.29 “Participant” means any eligible individual as set forth in Article 5 to whom an Award is granted.
2.30 “Performance Period”means the period of time during whichpre-established performance goals must be met in order to determine the degree of payout and/or vesting with respect to an Award.
2.31 “Performance Share Unit”means an Award granted pursuant to Article 10.
2.32 “Performance Unit” means an Award granted pursuant to Article 11.
2.33 “Period of Restriction” means the period when Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units are subject to a vesting requirement (based on the continued service, the achievement of performance goals or upon the occurrence of other events as determined by the Committee, in its discretion) as provided in Articles 8 and 9.
2.34 “Plan” means the CBIZ, Inc. 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as the same may be amended from time to time.
2.35 “Prior Plan”means the CBIZ, Inc. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan. Upon shareholder approval of this Plan, no further grants of awards shall be made under the Prior Plan.
2.36 “Restricted Stock” means an Award granted pursuant to Article 8.
2.37 “Restricted Stock Unit” means an award granted under Article 9.
2.38 “Share” means a share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.
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2.39 “Stock Appreciation Right” or“SAR” means an Award granted under Article 7.
2.40 “Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity, whether domestic or foreign, in which the Company has or obtains, directly or indirectly, ownership of more than 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock.
2.41 “Substitute Award” means an Award granted upon the assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, outstanding awards granted by a company or other entity acquired by the Company, Subsidiary or any Affiliate or with which the Company, Subsidiary or any Affiliate combines.
2.42 “Termination of Service” means the following:
(a) for an Employee, the date on which the Employee is no longer an Employee;
(b) for aNon-Employee Director, the date on which theNon-Employee Director is no longer a member of the Board; and
(c) for a Third-Party Service Provider, the date on which such individual no longer provides substantial services on a regular basis to the Company.
With respect to any payment of an Award subject to Code Section 409A, a Termination of Service shall mean a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A.
2.43 “Third-Party Service Provider” means any consultant, agent, advisor or independent contractor who renders bona fide services to the Company or Subsidiary or any Affiliate that (a) are not in connection with the offer and sale of the Company’s securities in a capital raising transaction, (b) do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities, and (c) are provided by a natural person who has contracted directly with the Company, its Affiliates or its Subsidiaries to render such services
Article 3. Administration
3.1General. The Committee shall be responsible for administering the Plan, subject to this Article 3 and the other provisions of the Plan. The Committee may employ attorneys, consultants, accountants, agents and other individuals, any of whom may be an Employee, and the Committee, the Company, and its officers and Directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions or valuations of any such individuals. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Committee shall be final and binding upon the Participants, the Company, Subsidiaries, Affiliates, and all other parties. Any action of the Committee shall be valid and effective even if the members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied all of the criteria for membership in clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 2.11.
3.2Authority of the Committee. Subject to any express limitations set forth in the Plan, the Committee shall have full and exclusive discretionary power and authority to take such actions as it deems necessary and advisable with respect to the administration of the Plan including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) To determine from time to time which of the persons eligible under the Plan shall be granted Awards, when and how each Award shall be granted, what type or combination of types of Awards shall be granted, the provisions of each Award granted (which need not be identical), including the time or times when a person shall be permitted to receive Shares pursuant to an Award and the number of Shares subject to an Award or the value of an Award;
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(b) To construe and interpret the Plan and Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend, and revoke rules and regulations for its administration;
(c) To correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in an Award Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan fully effective;
(d) To approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan;
(e) To determine Fair Market Value of a Share;
(f) To amend any Award Agreement as permitted under the Plan;
(g) To adoptsub-plans and/or special provisions applicable to stock awards regulated by the laws of a jurisdiction other than and outside of the United States, to Cash-Based Awards, or to awards to Directors (as contemplated by Article 15). Suchsub-plans and/or special provisions shall be subject to and consistent with the terms of the Plan, except to the extent the Committee determines that different terms and conditions are necessary or desirable to comply with the laws of a jurisdiction other than and outside of the United States;
(h) To authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to affect the grant of an Award;
(i) To determine whether Awards shall be settled in Shares, cash or in any combination thereof;
(j) To determine whether Awards shall provide for Dividend Equivalents;
(k) To establish a program whereby Participants designated by the Committee may reduce compensation otherwise payable in cash in exchange for Awards under the Plan;
(l) To authorize a program permitting eligible Participants to surrender outstanding Awards in exchange for newly granted Awards subject to any applicable shareholder approval requirements set forth in Section 20.1 of the Plan;
(m) To impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by a Participant or other subsequent transfers by a Participant of any Shares, including, without limitation, restrictions under an insider trading policy and restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers;
(n) To waive any restrictions, conditions or limitations imposed on an Award at the time the Award is granted or at any time thereafter. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, in situations involving Termination of Service by reason of Normal Retirement or Involuntary Termination of Service without Cause, the Committee may, at its sole discretion, accelerate vesting or remove restrictions to vesting of an Award or Awards following a determination, in the sole discretion of the Committee, that such accelerated vesting or removal of restrictions to vesting of an Award or Awards is warranted, taking into consideration factors including, but not limited to, the personal contributions of a Participant to the Company’s financial ornon-financial goals, and the personal and professional conduct
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of the Participant. The Committee may also consider, in its sole discretion, based on facts and information reasonably available to the Committee at the time of its decision, if such acceleration or removal of vesting restrictions is not reasonably expected to cause the Company to fail to meet its publicly stated financial performance guidance for the year in which the Participant’s Retirement or Involuntary Termination of Service without Cause occurs;
(o) To permit Participants to elect to defer payments of Awards; provided that any such deferrals shall comply with applicable requirements of the Code, including Code Section 409A; and
(p) To extend the timing of the settlement or payment of an Award to the extent permitted under Code Section 409A and other applicable law and rules of the exchange that is the primary trading market of the Shares.
3.3Delegation.To the extent permitted by law, the Committee may delegate to one or more of its members or to one or more officers of the Company or any Subsidiary or to one or more agents or advisors such administrative duties or powers as it may deem advisable, and the Committee or any individuals to whom it has delegated duties or powers as aforesaid may employ one or more individuals to render advice with respect to any responsibility the Committee or such individuals may have under the Plan. To the extent permitted by law, the Committee may delegate to one or more of its members or more officers of the Company the authority, subject to the terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine, to (a) designate employees to be recipients of Awards under the Plan and (b) determine the size of any Awards; provided that (x) the Committee shall not delegate such responsibilities for Awards granted to an employee who was an officer, Director, or 10% beneficial owner of any class of the Company’s equity securities that is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, as determined by the Board in accordance with Section 16 of the Exchange Act; (y) the resolution providing for such authorization sets forth the total number of Shares such officer(s) may grant; and (z) the officer(s) shall report periodically to the Committee regarding the nature and scope of the Awards granted pursuant to the authority delegated.
Article 4. Shares Subject to The Plan and Minimum Vesting Standards
4.1Number of Shares Authorized and Available for Awards. Subject to adjustment as provided under Section 4.3, the total number of Shares that may be the subject of Awards and issued under the Plan shall be 3,062,788. Such Shares may be authorized and unissued Shares or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, issued shares that have been reacquired by the Company. Any of the authorized Shares may be used for any type of Award under the Plan, and any or all of the Shares may be allocated to Incentive Stock Options. Solely for the purpose of determining the number of Shares available for Awards under this Section 4.1, the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by one (1.00) Share for every one (1.00) Share granted in respect of an Award, provided however that in the case of an Award that provides for a range of potential Share payouts the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by the maximum number of Shares that may be paid under such an Award.
4.2Share Usage.In determining the number of Shares available for grant under the Plan at any time, the following rules shall apply:
(a) Any Shares subject to an Award granted under the Plan or Prior Plan that on or after the Effective Date terminates by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation or otherwise without the issuance of the Shares (or with the forfeiture of Shares in connection with a Restricted Stock Award), is settled in cash in lieu of Shares, or is exchanged with the Committee’s permission, prior to the issuance of Shares, for an Award not involving Shares shall become available again for grant under the Plan.
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(b) Any Shares that are withheld by the Company or tendered by a Participant (by either actual delivery or attestation) on or after the Effective Date (i) to pay the Exercise Price of an Option granted under the Plan or (ii) to satisfy tax withholding obligations associated with an Award granted under the Plan, shall not become available again for grant under the Plan.
(c) Any Shares that were subject to a stock-settled SAR granted under the Plan that were not issued upon the exercise of such SAR on or after the Effective Date shall not become available again for grant under the Plan.
(d) Any Shares that were purchased by the Company on the open market with the proceeds from the exercise of a Stock Option granted under the Plan on or after the Effective Date shall not become available for grant under the Plan.
(e) Shares subject to Substitute Awards shall not be counted against the share reserve specified in Section 4.1.
4.3Adjustments.All Awards shall be subject to the following provisions:
(a) In the event of any equity restructuring (within the meaning of FASB ASC Topic 718) that causes the per share value of Shares to change, such as a stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split up,spin-off, rights offering or recapitalization through an extraordinary dividend, the Committee, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of Participants’ rights under the Plan, shall substitute or adjust, as applicable, (i) the number and kind of Shares or other securities that may be issued under the Plan or under particular forms of Award Agreements, (ii) the number and kind of Shares or other securities subject to outstanding Awards, (iii) the Exercise Price or Grant Price applicable to outstanding Awards, and (iv) other value determinations applicable to outstanding Awards. In the event of any other change in corporate capitalization (including, but not limited to, a merger, consolidation, any reorganization (whether or not such reorganization comes within the definition of such term in Section 368 of the Code), or any partial or complete liquidation of the Company to the extent such events do not constitute equity restructurings or business combinations within the meaning of FASB ASC Topic 718, such equitable adjustments described in the foregoing sentence may be made as determined to be appropriate and equitable by the Committee to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights. In either case, any such adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes of the Plan. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the number of Shares subject to an Award shall always be a whole number.
(b) In addition to the adjustments permitted under paragraph (a) above, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may make such other adjustments or modifications in the terms of any Awards that it deems appropriate to reflect any of the events described in Section 4.3(a), including, but not limited to, (i) modifications of performance goals and changes in the length of Performance Periods, or (ii) the substitution of other property of equivalent value (including, without limitation, cash, other securities and securities of entities other than the Company that agree to such substitution) for the Shares available under the Plan or the Shares covered by outstanding Awards, including arranging for the assumption, or replacement with new awards, of Awards held by Participants and (iii) in connection with any sale of a Subsidiary, arranging for the assumption, or replacement with new awards, of Awards held by Participants employed by the affected Subsidiary by the Subsidiary or an entity that controls the Subsidiary following the sale of such Subsidiary.
(c) The determination of the Committee as to the foregoing adjustments set forth in this Section 4.3, if any, shall be made in accordance with Code Sections 409A or 424, to the extent applicable, and shall conclusive and binding on Participants under the Plan.
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4.4Effect of Plans Operated by Acquired Companies. If a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate or with which the Company or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate combines has shares available under apre-existing plan approved by shareholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of suchpre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan. Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of thepre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not Employees orNon-Employee Directors prior to such acquisition or combination.
4.5Minimum Vesting Standards. Any Award and all portions of an Award granted to Employees under this Plan shall be subject to a minimum vesting period of at least one year. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, (i) the Committee may permit and authorize acceleration of vesting of Awards pursuant to Section 3.2(n) of this Plan, and (ii) the Committee may grant Awards covering up to five percent (5%) of the total number of Shares authorized under this Plan without respect to the minimum vesting standards set forth in this Section 4.5.
Article 5. Eligibility and Participation
5.1Eligibility to Receive Awards. Individuals eligible to participate in the Plan shall be limited to Employees, Nonemployee Directors and Third-Party Service Providers of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
5.2Participation in the Plan. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select from all individuals eligible to participate in the Plan, those individuals to whom Awards shall be granted and shall determine, in its sole discretion, the nature of any and all terms permissible by law and the amount of each Award.
5.3Award Agreements. The Committee shall have the exclusive authority to determine the terms of an Award Agreement evidencing an Award granted under the Plan, subject to the provisions herein. The terms of an Award Agreement need not be uniform among all Participants or among similar types of Awards.
Article 6. Stock Options
6.1Grant of Options. Options may be granted to Participants covering such number of Shares, and upon such terms, and at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. Each grant of an Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall specify whether the Option is in the form of a Nonqualified Stock Option or an Incentive Stock Option.
6.2Exercise Price. The Exercise Price for each Option shall be determined by the Committee and shall be specified in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option;provided,however, the Exercise Price must be at least equal to 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share as of the Option’s Grant Date, except in the case of Substitute Awards (to the extent consistent with Code Section 409A and, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, Code Section 424), and subject to adjustment as provided for under Section 4.3.
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6.3Term of Option. The term of an Option granted to a Participant shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, no Option shall be exercisable later than the tenth anniversary of its Grant Date.
6.4Exercise of Option. An Option shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions and vesting conditions as the Committee shall in each instance approve, which terms and restrictions need not be the same for each grant or for each Participant.
6.5Payment of Exercise Price. An Option shall be exercised by the delivery of a notice of exercise to the Company or an agent designated by the Company in a form specified or accepted by the Committee, or by complying with any alternative procedures that may be authorized by the Committee, setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment for the Shares. Any Shares issued upon exercise of an Option are subject to Section 14.3. A condition of the issuance of the Shares as to which an Option shall be exercised shall be the payment of the Exercise Price and the payment of applicable withholding taxes. The Exercise Price of any exercised Option shall be payable to the Company in accordance with one of the following methods to the extent permitted under a Participant’s applicable Award Agreement as determined by the Committee in its discretion on the date of grant:
(a) In cash or its equivalent,
(b) By tendering (either by actual delivery or by attestation) previously acquired Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the Exercise Price,
(c) By a cashless (broker-assisted) exercise,
(d) By authorizing the Company to withhold Shares otherwise issuable upon the exercise of the Option having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the Exercise Price,
(e) By any combination of (a), (b), (c) or (d), or
(f) By any other method approved or accepted by the Committee.
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, all payments under all of the methods indicated above shall be paid in United States dollars or Shares, as applicable.
6.6Special Rules Regarding ISOs. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, an Option granted in the form of an ISO to a Participant shall be subject to the following rules:
(a) An Option shall constitute an Incentive Stock Option only if the Participant receiving the Option is an Employee and only if the Employee is employed by the Company, or a parent corporation or Subsidiary corporation within the meaning of Code Section 424, and only to the extent that (i) it is so designated in the applicable Award Agreement and (ii) the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the Option’s Grant Date) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options held by the Participant first become exercisable in any calendar year (under the Plan and all other plans of the Company and its Affiliates) does not exceed $100,000. To the extent an Option granted to a Participant exceeds this limit, the Option shall be treated as aNon-Statutory Stock Option.
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(b) No Participant may receive an Incentive Stock Option under the Plan if, immediately after the grant of such Award, the Participant would own (after application of the rules contained in Code Section 424(d)) Shares possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, unless (i) the exercise price for that Incentive Stock Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to that Incentive Stock Option on the Grant Date and (ii) that Option shall expire no later than five years after its Grant Date.
(c) For purposes of continued service by a Participant who has been granted an Incentive Stock Option, no approved leave of absence may exceed three months unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is provided by statute or contract. If reemployment is not so provided, then on the date six months following the first day of such leave, any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as aNon-Statutory Stock Option.
(d) If an Incentive Stock Option is exercised after the expiration of the exercise periods that apply for purposes of Code Section 422, such Option shall thereafter be treated as aNon-Statutory Stock Option.
(e) Each Participant awarded an Incentive Stock Option shall notify the Company in writing immediately after the date he or she makes a disqualifying disposition of any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Incentive Stock Option. A disqualifying disposition is any disposition (including any sale) of such Shares before the later of (i) two years after the Grant Date of the Incentive Stock Option or (ii) one year after the date of exercise of the Incentive Stock Option.
Article 7. Stock Appreciation Rights
7.1Grant of SARs. SARs may be granted to Participants in such number, and upon such terms, and at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. Each grant of SARs shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.
7.2Grant Price. The Grant Price for each grant of an SAR shall be determined by the Committee and shall be specified in the Award Agreement evidencing the SAR;provided,however, the Grant Price must be at least equal to 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share as of the Grant Date, except in the case of Substitute Awards (to the extent consistent with Code Section 409A), and subject to adjustment as provided for under Section 4.3.
7.3Term of SAR. The term of an SAR granted to a Participant shall be determined by the Committee;provided,however, no SAR shall be exercisable later than the tenth anniversary of its Grant Date.
7.4Exercise of SAR. An SAR shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions and vesting conditions as the Committee shall in each instance approve, which terms and restrictions need not be the same for each grant or for each Participant.
7.5Notice of Exercise. An SAR shall be exercised by the delivery of a notice of exercise to the Company or an agent designated by the Company in a form specified or accepted by the Committee, or by complying with any alternative procedures that may be authorized by the Committee, setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is to be exercised.
7.6Settlement of SARs.Upon the exercise of an SAR, pursuant to a notice of exercise properly completed and submitted to the Company in accordance with Section 7.5, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount equal to the product of (a) and (b) below:
(a) The excess of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the Grant Price.
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(b) The number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.
Payment shall be made in cash, Shares or a combination thereof as provided for under the applicable Award Agreement. Any Shares issued in payment of an SAR shall be subject to Section 14.3.
Article 8. Restricted Stock
8.1Grant of Restricted Stock. Restricted Stock Awards may be granted to Participants in such number of Shares, and upon such terms, and at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. Each grant of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.
8.2Nature of Restrictions. Each grant of Restricted Stock may be subject to a requirement that a Participant pay a stipulated purchase price for each Share of Restricted Stock, and shall be subject to a Period of Restriction that shall lapse upon the satisfaction of such vesting conditions as are determined by the Committee and set forth in an applicable Award Agreement. Such conditions or restrictions may include, without limitation, one or more of the following:
(a) that the Shares of Restricted Stock may not be transferred in any fashion prior to their applicable vesting date or
(b) that the Shares of Restricted Stock may vest only upon completion of a specified period of continuous employment or other service and/or to the degree that specific performance goals have been achieved.
8.3Delivery of Shares. Unvested Shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award shall be evidenced by a book-entry in the name of the Participant with the Company’s transfer agent or by one or more stock certificates issued in the name of the Participant. Any such stock certificate shall be deposited with the Company or its designee, together with an assignment separate from the certificate, in blank, signed by the Participant, and bear an appropriate legend referring to the restricted nature of the Restricted Stock evidenced thereby. Any book-entry shall be subject to comparable restrictions and corresponding stop transfer instructions. Upon the vesting of Shares of Restricted Stock, and the Company’s determination that any necessary conditions precedent to the release of vested Shares (such as satisfaction of tax withholding obligations and compliance with applicable legal requirements) have been satisfied, such vested Shares shall be made available to the Participant in such manner as may be prescribed or permitted by the Committee. Such vested Shares shall be subject to Section 14.3.
8.4Voting Rights. As set forth in a Participant’s applicable Award Agreement, the Committee shall determine the extent to which a Participant holding Shares of Restricted Stock shall be granted the right to exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares.
8.5Section 83(b) Election.No election under Section 83(b) of the Code (to include in gross income in the year of transfer the amounts specified in Code Section 83(b)) or under a similar provision of the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States may be made unless expressly permitted by the terms of the Award document or by action of the Committee in writing prior to the making of such election. In any case in which a Participant is permitted to make such an election in connection with an Award, the Participant shall notify the Company of such election within ten days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service or other governmental authority, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant to regulations issued under Code Section 83(b) or other applicable provision.
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Article 9. Restricted Stock Units
9.1Grant of Restricted Stock Units. Restricted Stock Units may be granted to Participants in such number, and upon such terms, and at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. A grant of Restricted Stock Units shall not represent the grant of Shares but shall represent a promise to deliver a corresponding number of Shares or the value of such number of Shares based upon the completion of service, performance conditions, or such other terms and conditions as specified in the applicable Award Agreement over the Period of Restriction. Each grant of Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.
9.2Nature of Restrictions.Each grant of Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to a Period of Restriction that shall lapse upon the satisfaction of such vesting conditions as are determined by the Committee and set forth in an applicable Award Agreement. Such conditions or restrictions may include, without limitation, one or more of the following:
(a) that the Restricted Stock Units may not be transferred in any fashion, subject to Section 14.1, or
(b) that the Restricted Stock Units may vest only upon completion of a specified period of continuous employment or other service and/or to the degree that specific performance goals have been achieved.
9.3Voting Rights. A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder or the Shares subject to any Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder prior to the issuance of the Shares.
9.4Settlement and Payment of Restricted Stock Units. Unless otherwise elected by the Participant as permitted under the Award Agreement, or otherwise provided for in the Award Agreement, Restricted Stock Units shall be settled upon the date such Restricted Stock Units vest. Such settlement shall be made in Shares, cash or a combination thereof as provided for under the applicable Award Agreement. Any Shares issued in settlement of Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to Section 14.3.
Article 10. Performance Share Units
10.1Grant of Performance Share Units. Performance Share Units may be granted to Participants in such number, and upon such terms and at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. Each grant of Performance Share Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.
10.2Value of Performance Share Units. Each Performance Share Unit shall have a value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date. The Committee shall set performance goals that, depending on the extent to which they are met over the specified Performance Period and the satisfaction of applicable service-based vesting conditions, shall determine the number of Performance Share Units that shall vest, which may be greater than the target number of Performance Share Units granted, and be paid to a Participant.
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10.3Earning of Performance Share Units.After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the number of Performance Share Units earned by the Participant over the Performance Period shall be determined as a function of the extent to which the applicable corresponding performance goals have been achieved. This determination shall be made by the Committee.
10.4Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Share Units.The Company shall pay at the close of the applicable Performance Period, or as soon as practicable thereafter, any earned Performance Share Units in the form of Shares, cash or a combination thereof as provided for under the applicable Award Agreement. Any Shares issued in settlement of Performance Share Units are subject to Section 14.3.
Article 11. Performance Units
11.1Grant of Performance Units. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Performance Units may be granted to a Participant in such number, and upon such terms and at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. Each grant of Performance Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.
11.2Value of Performance Units.Each Performance Unit shall have an initial notional value equal to a dollar amount determined by the Committee. The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion that, depending on the extent to which they are met over the specified Performance Period and the satisfaction of applicable service-based vesting conditions, shall determine the number of Performance Units that shall vest, the settlement value of each Performance Unit (if variable), and the settlement amount to be paid to the Participant.
11.3Earning of Performance Units. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the number of Performance Units earned by the Participant over the Performance Period shall be determined as a function of the extent to which the applicable corresponding performance goals have been achieved. This determination shall be made by the Committee.
11.4Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units.The Company shall pay at the close of the applicable Performance Period, or as soon as practicable thereafter, any earned Performance Units in the form of cash, Shares or a combination thereof, as provided for under the applicable Award Agreement. Any Shares issued in settlement of Performance Units are subject to Section 14.3.
Article 12. Other Stock-Based Awards and Cash-Based Awards
12.1 Grant of Other Stock-Based Awards and Cash-Based Awards.
(a) The Committee may grant Other Stock-Based Awards not otherwise described by the terms of the Plan to a Participant in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine. Such Awards may involve the transfer of actual Shares to Participants, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of Shares.
(b) The Committee may grant Cash-Based Awards not otherwise described by the terms of the Plan to a Participant in such amounts and upon such terms as the Committee shall determine.
(c) Each grant of Other Stock-Based Awards and Cash-Based Awards shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement and/or subject to a subplan or special provisions approved by the Committee.
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12.2 Value of Other Stock-Based Awards and Cash-Based Awards.
(a) Each Other Stock-Based Award shall be expressed in terms of Shares or units based on Shares, as determined by the Committee.
(b) Each Cash-Based Award shall specify a payment amount or payment range as determined by the Committee. If the Committee exercises its discretion to establish performance goals, the value of Cash-Based Awards that shall be paid to the Participant will depend on the extent to which such performance goals are met and any service-based payment conditions are satisfied.
12.3Payment of Other Stock-Based Awards and Cash-Based Awards. Payment, if any, with respect to Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards shall be made in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement in the form of cash, Shares or other forms of Awards under the Plan or a combination of cash, Shares and other forms of Awards. The determination of the form in which Awards subject to this Article 12 will be paid shall be made by the Committee, unless the Committee chooses to provide in an applicable Award Agreement that a Participant may elect, in accordance with such procedures and limitations as the Committee may specify, the form in which such an Award will be paid. To the extent any Award subject to this Article 12 is to be paid in other forms of Awards under the Plan, such Awards issued in payment shall be valued for purposes of such payment at their grant date fair value. If the Committee permits a Participant to elect to receive some or all of an amount that would otherwise be payable in cash under an Award subject to this Article 12 in Shares or other forms of Awards, the Committee may also provide in the applicable Award Agreement that the Fair Market Value of the Shares or the grant date fair value of the other forms of Awards may exceed the amount of cash that otherwise would have been payable.
Article 13. Forfeiture and Recoupment of Awards
13.1General Rule on Forfeitures. Unless otherwise provided in a then-effective written agreement (including an Award Agreement) between a Participant and the Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate, Sections 13.3, 13.4 and 13.5 below set forth the effect of a Participant’s Termination of Service on any Award then held by a Participant:
13.2Termination for Cause. If a Participant Termination of Service is due to Cause, then the Participant shall forfeit, as of the date immediately preceding such Termination of Service, the Participant’s (i) outstanding and unexercised Options and SARs, and (ii) outstanding and not yet settled Restricted Stock, RSUs, Performance Share Units, Performance Units, Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards granted to the Participant.
13.3Options and SARs. Subject to Section 13.1, upon a Participant’s Termination of Service, any then held Options and/or SARs shall be subject to the following rules:
(a)Termination of Service due to death. If a Participant incurs a Termination of Service by reason of death, any nonvested Option and/or SAR held by the Participant shall become fully vested and exercisable for a period of one (1) year from the date of such Termination of Employment or until the expiration of the stated term of the Option, whichever period is the shorter.
(b)Termination of Service due to Disability. If a Participant incurs a Termination of Service by reason of Disability, any nonvested Option and/or SAR then held by the Participant shall become fully vested and exercisable for a period of one (1) year from the date of such Termination of Service or until the expiration of the stated term of the Option, whichever period is the shorter;provided, however, that if the Participant dies during such one (1) year period, any unexercised Options held by the Participant shall continue to be exercisable for a period of one (1) year from the date of the Participant’s death or until the expiration of the stated term of the Option, whichever period is the shorter.
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(c)Termination of Service by reason of Normal Retirement or Involuntary Termination of Service without Cause. If a Participant incurs a Termination of Service by reason of Normal Retirement or Involuntary Termination of Service without Cause, and in the case of Normal Retirement has provided the required notice to the Company under Section 2.28, then following a determination by the Committee that a waiver of restrictions, conditions or limitations imposed on a Participant’s Award or Awards is appropriate pursuant to Section 3.2(n), any nonvested Option and/or SAR then held by the Participant may become fully vested and exercisable for a period of two years from the date of such Termination of Service or until the expiration of the stated term of the Option, whichever period is the shorter;provided, however, that if the Participant dies within suchtwo-year (2) period any unexercised Option held by the Participant shall continue to be exercisable for a period of one year from the date of such death or until the expiration of the stated term of the Option, whichever period is the shorter.
(d)Other Termination of Service. If a Participant incurs a Termination of Service for any reason other than death, Disability, Normal Retirement, or Involuntary Termination of Service without Cause, any nonvested Option and or SAR then held by the Participant, to the extent it was then exercisable at such Termination of Service, or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine, may be exercised for the period of the earlier of three (3) months from the date of such Termination of Service or the expiration of the stated term of the Option;provided, however, that if the Participant dies within such three-month (3) period, any unexercised Option held by such Participant shall, notwithstanding the expiration of such three-month period, continue to be exercisable to the extent to which it was exercisable at the time of death for a period of one (1) year from the date of the Participant’s death or until the expiration of the stated term of the Option, whichever period is the shorter.
13.4Time-based Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. Subject to Section 13.1, upon a Participant’s Termination of Service, any then held nonvested Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units, the vesting of which is solely conditioned upon the completion of a service period, shall be subject to the following rules:
(a)Termination of Service due to death or Disability. If a Participant incurs a Termination of Service by reason of death or Disability, any nonvested Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units then held by the Participant shall become fully vested and, in the case of Restricted Stock Units, shall be settled within sixty (60) days from the date of such Termination of Service.
(b)Termination of Service due to Normal Retirement or Involuntary Termination of Service without Cause. If a Participant incurs a Termination of Service by reason of Normal Retirement or Involuntary Termination of Service without Cause, and in the case of Normal Retirement has provided the required notice to the Company under Section 2.28, then following a determination by the Committee that a waiver of restrictions, conditions or limitations imposed on a Participant’s Award or Awards is appropriate pursuant to Section 3.2(n), any nonvested Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units then held by the Participant shall become fully vested and, in the case of Restricted Stock Units, shall be settled within sixty (60) days from the date of such Termination.
(c)Other Termination of Service. If a Participant incurs a Termination of Service for any reason other than death, Disability, Normal Retirement, or Involuntary Termination of Service without Cause, any nonvested Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units then held by the Participant shall be forfeited.
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13.5Performance-Based Awards. Subject to Section 13.1, upon a Participant’s Termination of Service prior to the end of the applicable Performance Period, any then held Award, the vesting of which is subject to the satisfaction of one or more performance conditions (“Performance-Based Awards”), shall be subject to the following rules:
(a)Termination of Service due to death or Disability. If a Participant incurs a Termination of Service by reason of death or Disability, any Performance-Based Awards then held by the Participant shall become fully vested and all performance conditions shall be deemed satisfied as if target performance was achieved, and shall be settled in cash, Shares or a combination thereof, as provided for in the applicable Award Agreement, within sixty (60) days of such Termination of Service.
(b)Termination of Service by reason of Normal Retirement. If a Participant incurs a Termination of Service by reason of Normal Retirement and has provided the required notice to the Company under Section 2.28, then following a determination by the Committee that a waiver of restrictions, conditions or limitations imposed on a Participant’s Award or Awards is appropriate pursuant to Section 3.2(n), any Performance-Based Awards then held by the Participant shall become fully vested based on actual performance achieved through the end of the applicable performance period, and shall be shall be settled in cash, Shares or a combination thereof, as provided for in the applicable Award Agreement, within sixty (60) days following the end of such performance period.
(c)Involuntary Termination of Service without Cause. If a Participant incurs an Involuntary Termination without Cause, any Performance-Based Awards then held by the Participant shall be subject to the following rules:
(i) If a Participant has completed less than five (5) years of continuous service as an Employee through the date of such termination, then following a determination by the Committee that a waiver of restrictions, conditions or limitations imposed on a Participant’s Award or Awards is appropriate pursuant to Section 3.2(n), any Performance-Based Awards then held by the Participant shall become fully vested based on actual performance achieved through the end of the applicable performance period and prorated based on the number of full calendar months that the Participant was an Employee through the date of such termination, and shall be settled in cash, Shares or a combination thereof, as provided for in the applicable Award Agreement, within sixty (60) days following the end of such performance period.
(ii) If a Participant has completed five (5) or more years of continuous service as an Employee through the date of such termination, then following a determination by the Committee that a waiver of restrictions, conditions or limitations imposed on a Participant’s Award or Awards is appropriate pursuant to Section 3.2(n), any Performance-Based Awards then held by the Participant shall become fully vested based on actual performance achieved through the end of the applicable performance period and shall be settled in cash, Shares or a combination thereof, as provided for in the applicable Award Agreement, within sixty (60) days following the end of such performance period.
(d)Other Terminations of Service. If a Participant incurs a Termination of Service for any reason other than death, Disability, Normal Retirement or Involuntary Termination of Service without Cause, any Performance-Based Award then held by the Participant shall be forfeited.
Article 14. Transferability of Awards and Shares
14.1Transferability of Awards. Except as provided in Section 14.2, Awards shall not be transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Committee, pursuant to a domestic relations order entered into by a court of competent jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, ISOs may only be transferred by will or the laws of descent and during
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the lifetime of the Participant may only be exercised by the Participant in accordance with Code Section 422 and the applicable regulations thereunder. No Awards shall be subject, in whole or in part, to attachment, execution or levy of any kind; and any purported transfer in violation of this Section 14.1 shall be null and void. The Committee may establish such procedures as it deems appropriate for a Participant to designate a beneficiary to whom any amounts payable or Shares deliverable in the event of, or following, the Participant’s death may be provided.
14.2Committee Action. The Committee may, in its discretion, approve a Participant’s transfer, by gift, of an Award (except in the case of an ISO which can only be transferred as provided above), on such terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate and to the extent permissible and in compliance with Code Sections 409A and 83 and applicable securities laws and exchange rules, (i) to an “Immediate Family Member” (as defined below) of the Participant, (ii) to an inter vivos or testamentary trust in which the Award is to be passed to the Participant’s designated beneficiaries, or (iii) to a charitable institution. Any transferee of the Participant’s rights shall succeed and be subject to all of the terms of the applicable Award Agreement and the Plan, including restrictions on further transferability, compliance with applicable securities laws, and providing required investment representations. “Immediate Family Member” means any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew,mother-in-law,father-in-law,son-in-law,daughter-in-law,brother-in-law, orsister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, a trust in which these persons have more than fifty (50%) percent of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the Participant) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the Participant) own more than fifty (50%) percent of the voting interests.
14.3Restrictions on Share Transferability. The Committee may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired by a Participant under the Plan as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, minimum holding period requirements, restrictions under applicable federal securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are then listed or traded or under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such Shares, provided no such restriction shall cause the Shares not to be “service recipient stock” within the meaning of Code Section 409A to the extent applicable for Options and SARs.
Article 15. Nonemployee Director Awards
15.1Awards to Nonemployee Directors.The Committee shall approve all Awards to Nonemployee Directors. The terms and conditions of any grant of any Award to a Nonemployee Director shall be set forth in an Award Agreement.
15.2Annual Award Limit. The maximum aggregate value of equity and cash based Awards granted to any Nonemployee Director during any calendar year shall not exceed $1,000,000. The value of an equity-based Award shall be based on the Award’s grant date fair value as determined under applicable accounting standards.
Article 16. Effect of a Change in Control
16.1 Default Provisions.
Subject to Section 4.3, upon a Change in Control all then-outstanding Awards shall immediately vest and be settled in accordance with paragraphs (a) and (b) below, except as may otherwise be provided in a then-effective written agreement (including an Award Agreement) between a Participant and the Company. The immediately preceding sentence shall not apply the extent that (i) another award meeting the requirements of Section 16.2 (“Replacement Award”) is provided to the Participant pursuant to Section 4.3 to replace an Award (“Replaced Award”) subject to Sections 16.2(a) and (b), or (ii) upon a Change in Control, the Plan and the Participant’s then-outstanding Awards remain unaltered and are continued in effect.
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(a)Outstanding Awards Subject Solely to a Service Condition.
(i) Upon a Change in Control, a Participant’s then-outstanding Awards, other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, that are not vested and as to which vesting depends solely on the satisfaction of a service obligation by the Participant to the Company or any Affiliate shall become fully vested and shall be settled in cash, Shares or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee, within sixty (60) days or as soon as administratively practical following such Change in Control (except to the extent that settlement of the Award must be made pursuant to its original schedule in order to comply with Code Section 409A).
(ii) Upon a Change in Control, a Participant’s then-outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights that are not vested and as to which vesting depends solely on the satisfaction of a service obligation by the Participant to the Company or any Affiliate shall immediately become fully vested and exercisable over the exercise period set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding the sentence, the Committee may elect to cancel such outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights and pay the Participant an amount of cash (less normal withholding taxes) equal to the excess of (i) the value, as determined by the Committee, of the consideration (including cash) received by the holder of a Share as a result of the Change in Control (or if the Company shareholders do not receive any consideration as a result of the Change in Control, the Fair Market Value of a Share on the day immediately prior to the Change in Control) over (ii) the exercise price of such Options or the grant price of such Stock Appreciation Rights, multiplied by the number of Shares subject to each such Award in accordance with Code Section 409A to the extent applicable. No payment shall be made to a Participant for any Option or Stock Appreciation Right if the exercise price or grant price for such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, respectively, exceeds the value, as determined by the Committee, of the consideration (including cash) received by the holder of a Share as a result of Change in Control.
(b)Outstanding Awards Subject to a Performance Condition.
(i) Upon a Change in Control, a Participant’s then-outstanding Awards, other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, that are not vested and as to which vesting depends upon the satisfaction of one or more performance conditions shall immediately vest and all performance conditions shall be deemed satisfied as if target performance was achieved, and shall be settled in cash, Shares or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee, within sixty (60) days or as soon as administratively practical following such Change in Control (except to the extent that settlement of the Award must be made pursuant to its original schedule in order to comply with Code Section 409A), notwithstanding that the applicable performance period, retention period or other restrictions and conditions have not been completed or satisfied.
(ii) Upon a Change in Control, a Participant’s then-outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights that are not vested and as to which vesting depends upon the satisfaction of one or more performance conditions shall immediately vest and all performance conditions shall be deemed satisfied as if target performance was achieved. Such vested Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be deemed exercised as of the date of the Change in Control and shall be settled cash within sixty (60) days following such Change in Control (except to the extent that settlement of the Award must be made pursuant to its original schedule in order to comply with Code Section 409A) in an amount equal to the excess of (i) the value, as determined by the Committee, of the consideration (including cash)
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received by the holder of a Share as a result of the Change in Control (or if the Company shareholders do not receive any consideration as a result of the Change in Control, the Fair Market Value of a Share on the day immediately prior to the Change in Control) over (ii) the exercise price of such Options or the grant price of such Stock Appreciation Rights, multiplied by the number of Shares subject to each such Award in accordance with Code Section 409A to the extent applicable. No payment shall be made to a Participant for any Option or Stock Appreciation Right if the exercise price or grant price for such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, respectively, exceeds the value, as determined by the Committee, of the consideration (including cash) received by the holder of a Share as a result of Change in Control.
16.2 Definition of Replacement Award.
(a) An Award shall meet the conditions of this Section 16.2(a) (and hence qualify as a Replacement Award) if: (i) it is of the same type as the Replaced Award (or, if it is of a different type as the Replaced Award (such as a deferred cash equivalent award), the Committee, as constituted immediately prior to the Change in Control, finds such type acceptable); (ii) it has a value at least equal to the value of the Replaced Award; (iii) it relates to publicly traded equity securities listed on a U.S. national securities exchange of the Company or its successor in the Change in Control or another entity that is affiliated with the Company or its successor following the Change in Control, except in the case of a Replacement Award granted in the form of a deferred cash equivalent award; (iv) its terms and conditions comply with Section 16.2(b); and (v) its other terms and conditions are not less favorable to the Grantee than the terms and conditions of the Replaced Award (including the provisions that would apply in the event of a subsequent Change in Control). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Replacement Award may take the form of a continuation of the Replaced Award if the requirements of the preceding sentence are satisfied. The determination of whether the conditions of this Section 16.2(a) are satisfied shall be made by the Committee, as constituted immediately before the Change in Control, in its sole discretion. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may determine the value of Awards and Replacement Awards that are stock options or stock appreciation rights by reference to either their intrinsic value or their fair value.
(b) Upon an Involuntary Termination of Service of a Participant without Cause occurring within two years following the Change in Control, all Replacement Awards held by the Participant shall become fully vested and free of restrictions and, in the case of Replacement Awards in the form of (i) stock options or stock appreciation rights shall be fully exercisable, (ii) performance-based Awards shall be deemed to be satisfied at target performance and paid upon or within 60 days of such Termination of Service, (iii) service-based Awards (other than stock options or stock appreciation rights) shall be paid upon or within 60 days of such Termination of Service. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award that is considered deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A, settlement of such Award shall be made pursuant to its original schedule if necessary to comply with Code Section 409A.
Article 17. Dividends and Dividend Equivalents
17.1Payment of Dividends on Restricted Stock. With respect to an Award of Restricted Stock, the Committee may grant or limit the right of a Participant to receive dividends declared on Shares that are subject to such Award to the extent the Award is not yet vested. The terms of any right to dividends shall be as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, including the time and form of payment and whether such dividends shall be credited with interest or deemed to be reinvested in additional shares of Restricted Stock. If the Committee grants the right of a Participant to receive dividends declared on Shares subject to an unvested Award of Restricted Stock, then such dividends shall be subject to the same performance conditions and/or service conditions, as applicable, as the underlying Award.
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17.2Payment of Dividend Equivalents on Awards Other than Options, SARs and Restricted Stock. Except for Options, SARs and Restricted Stock, the Committee may grant Dividend Equivalents on the units or other Share equivalents subject to an Award based on the dividends actually declared and paid on outstanding Shares. The terms of any dividend equivalents shall be as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, including the time and form of payment and whether such dividend equivalents shall be credited with interest or deemed to be reinvested in additional units or Share equivalents. Dividend Equivalents shall be subject to the same performance conditions and service conditions, as applicable, as the underlying Award.
Article 18. 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 death before he 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 Committee, and shall be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s lifetime. In the absence of any such beneficiary designation, benefits remaining unpaid or rights remaining unexercised at the Participant’s death shall be paid to or exercised by the Participant’s executor, administrator or legal representative.
Article 19. Rights of Participants
19.1Employment. Nothing in the Plan or an Award Agreement shall (a) interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate to terminate any Participant’s employment with the Company or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate at any time or for any reason not prohibited by law or (b) confer upon any Participant any right to continue his employment or service as a Director for any specified period of time. Neither an Award nor any benefits arising under the Plan shall constitute an employment contract with the Company or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate.
19.2Participation. No individual shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award under the Plan, or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive a future Award.
19.3Rights as a Shareholder.Except as otherwise provided herein, a Participant shall have none of the rights of a shareholder with respect to Shares covered by any Award until the Participant becomes the record holder of such Shares.
Article 20. Amendment and Termination
20.1 Amendment and Termination of the Plan and Awards.
(a) Subject to subparagraphs (b) and (c) of this Section 20.1 and Section 20.4 of the Plan, the Board may at any time amend, suspend or terminate the Plan, and the Board or Committee may at any time amend, suspend or terminate any outstanding Award Agreement.
(b) Without the prior approval of the Company’s shareholders and except as provided for in Section 4.3, no Option or SAR Award may be (i) amended to reduce the Exercise Price or the Grant Price thereof, as applicable; (ii) cancelled in exchange for the grant of any new Option or SAR with a lower Exercise Price or Grant Price, as applicable; or (iii) cancelled in exchange for cash, other property or the grant of any new Award at a time when the Exercise Price of the Option or the Grant Price of the SAR is greater than the current Fair Market Value of a Share.
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(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment of the Plan shall be made without shareholder approval if shareholder approval is required pursuant to rules promulgated by any stock exchange or quotation system on which Shares are listed or quoted or by applicable U.S. state corporate laws or regulations, or U.S. federal laws or regulations.
20.2 Adjustment of Awards upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events.
(a) The Committee may make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in Section 4.3) affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent unintended dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan.
(b) The Committee shall retain the discretion to decrease the amount payable pursuant to a Cash-Based Award below the amount that would otherwise be payable upon attainment of the applicable performance goal(s) over a Performance Period that does not exceed a term of one (1) year, either on a formula or discretionary basis or any combination, as the Committee or its authorized delegate determines is appropriate.
(c) Any subplan may provide that the Committee shall retain the discretion to decrease the amount payable pursuant to a Cash-Based Award granted under such subplan below the amount that would otherwise be payable upon attainment of the applicable performance goal(s) over a Performance Period that does not exceed a term of one (1) year, either on a formula or discretionary basis or any combination, as the Committee or its authorized delegate determines is appropriate.
(d) The determination of the Committee as to any adjustments made pursuant to subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) above shall be conclusive and binding on Participants under the Plan. By accepting an Award under the Plan, a Participant agrees to any adjustment to the Award made pursuant to this Section 20.2 without further consideration or action.
20.3Amendment to Conform to Law. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Board may amend the Plan and the Board or the Committee may amend an Award Agreement, to take effect retroactively or otherwise, as deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of conforming the Plan or an Award Agreement to (i) any law relating to plans of this or similar nature, and to the administrative regulations and rulings promulgated thereunder, (ii) any applicable exchange requirements and (iii) any compensation recoupment policy adopted by the Company. By accepting an Award under the Plan, a Participant agrees to any amendment made pursuant to this Section 20.3 without further consideration or action.
20.4Awards Previously Granted.Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, other than Sections 4.3, 20.2 and 20.3, no termination or amendment of the Plan or an Award Agreement shall adversely affect in any material way any Award previously granted under the Plan, without the written consent of the Participant holding such Award.
20.5Deferred Compensation.Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Award Agreement, it is not intended that any Award under the Plan, in form and/or operation, shall constitute “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and therefore, it is intended that each Award shall not be subject to the requirements applicable to deferred compensation under section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder. If a Participant is a “specified employee” as defined under
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Code Section 409A and the Participant’s Award is to be settled on account of the Participant’s separation from service (for reasons other than death) and such Award constitutes “deferred compensation” as defined under Code Section 409A, then any portion of the Participant’s Award that would otherwise be settled during thesix-month period commencing on the Participant’s separation from service shall be settled as soon as practicable following the conclusion of thesix-month period (or following the Participant’s death if it occurs during suchsix-month period). To the extent that any Award constitutes deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A, such Award shall be interpreted and construed to comply with Code Section 409A including, without limitation, a termination of employment shall mean a “separation of service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A.
Article 21. General Provisions
21.1 Forfeiture and Recoupment Events.
(a) In addition to the forfeiture events specified in paragraph (c) below, the Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable treatment of an Award.
(b) Awards and any compensation directly attributable to Awards may be made subject to forfeiture, recovery by the Company or other action pursuant to any compensation recovery policy adopted by the Board or the Committee at any time, including in response to the requirements of Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any implementing rules and regulations thereunder, or as otherwise required by law and any Award Agreement may be unilaterally amended by the Committee to comply with any such compensation recovery policy.
(c) If an Employee incurs an Involuntary Termination of Service on account of Cause, then such Employee shall forfeit, as of the date immediately preceding such Termination of Service, the Employee’s (i) outstanding and unexercised Options and SARs, and (ii) outstanding and not yet settled Restricted Stock, RSUs, Performance Share Units, Performance Units, Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards granted to the Employee.
21.2 Withholding.
(a)Tax Withholding Generally. 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 applicable federal, state and local tax withholding requirements, domestic or foreign, with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of the grant, vesting, exercise or settlement of an Award to the Participant under the Plan.
(b)Share Withholding. Unless otherwise required by the Committee, the Company may withhold, or permit a Participant to elect to have withheld from a “Share Payment” the number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory withholding requirements. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, the Company, in its discretion, may withhold Shares or permit a Participant to elect to have withheld from a Share Payment, the number of Shares having a Fair Market Value up to, but not in excess of, the maximum statutory withholding requirements. The term Share Payment shall mean the issuance or delivery of Shares upon the grant, vesting, exercise or settlement of an Award, as the case may be.
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21.3Right of Setoff.The Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, deduct from and set off against any amounts the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate may owe to the Participant from time to time (including amounts payable in connection with any Award), such amounts owed by the Participant to the Company, including amounts owed under Section (a); provided, however, that no such setoff shall be permitted if it would constitute a prohibited “acceleration” or “deferral” of a payment hereunder within the meaning of Code Section 409A. Participant shall remain liable for any part of Participant’s payment obligation not satisfied through such deduction and setoff. By accepting any Award granted hereunder, Participant agrees to any deduction or setoff under this Section 21.3.
21.4Legend.The certificates for Shares may include any legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer of such Shares.
21.5Gender and Number. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine, the plural shall include the singular, and the singular shall include the plural.
21.6Severability.In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
21.7Requirements of Law.The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.
21.8Delivery of Shares.The Company shall have no obligation to issue or deliver Shares under the Plan prior to:
(a) Obtaining any approvals from governmental agencies that the Company determines are necessary or advisable; and
(b) Completion of any registration or other qualification of the Shares under any applicable national or foreign law or ruling of any governmental body that the Company determines to be necessary or advisable.
21.9Inability to Obtain Authority.The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or deliver such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
21.10Investment Representations.The Committee may require any individual receiving Shares pursuant to an Award under the Plan to represent and warrant in writing that the individual is acquiring the Shares for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares.
21.11Employees Based Outside of the United States.Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in other countries in which the Company or any Subsidiaries operate or have Employees or Directors, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to:
(a) Determine which Subsidiaries shall be covered by the Plan;
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(b) Determine which Employees or Directors outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan;
(c) Modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to Employees or Directors outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws;
(d) Establishsub-plans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable. Anysub-plans and modifications to Plan terms and procedures established under this Section 21.10 by the Committee shall be attached to the Plan document as appendices; and
(e) Take any action, before or after an Award is made, that it deems advisable to obtain approval or comply with any necessary local government regulatory exemptions or approvals.
(f) Notwithstanding the above, the Committee may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate applicable law.
21.12Uncertificated Shares. To the extent that the Plan provides for issuance of certificates to reflect the transfer of Shares, the transfer of such Shares may be effected on anon-certificated basis, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange.
21.13Unfunded Plan.Participants shall have no right, title or interest whatsoever in or to any investments that the Company or any Subsidiaries may make to aid it in meeting its obligations under the Plan. Nothing contained in the Plan, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and any Participant, beneficiary, legal representative or any other individual. To the extent that any individual acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate under the Plan, such right shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company or the Subsidiary or the Affiliate, as the case may be. All payments to be made hereunder shall be paid from the general funds of the Company, or the Subsidiary or the Affiliate, as the case may be, and no special or separate fund shall be established, and no segregation of assets shall be made to assure payment of such amounts except as expressly set forth in the Plan.
21.14No Fractional Shares.No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award. The Committee shall determine whether cash, Awards or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.
21.15Non-Exclusivity of the Plan.The adoption of the Plan shall not be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or Committee to adopt such other compensation arrangements as it may deem desirable for any Participant.
21.16No Constraint on Corporate Action.Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to: (i) limit, impair, or otherwise affect the Company’s or a Subsidiary’s or a Affiliate’s right or power to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or changes of its capital or business structure, or to merge or consolidate, or dissolve, liquidate, sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets; or, (ii) limit the right or power of the Company or a Subsidiary or an Affiliate to take any action that such entity deems to be necessary or appropriate.
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21.17Governing Law.The Plan and each Award Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware excluding any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of the Plan to the substantive law of another jurisdiction and any litigation arising out of this Plan shall be brought in the State of Ohio or the US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
21.18Delivery and Execution of Electronic Documents.To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company may (i) deliver by email or other electronic means (including posting on a website maintained by the Company or by a third party under contract with the Company) all documents relating to the Plan or any Award thereunder (including without limitation, prospectuses required by the Commission) and all other documents that the Company is required to deliver to its security holders (including without limitation, annual reports and proxy statements) and (ii) permit Participants to electronically execute applicable Plan documents (including, but not limited to, Award Agreements) in a manner prescribed to the Committee.
21.19No Representations or Warranties Regarding Tax Effect.Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, neither the Company, any Subsidiary, any Affiliate nor any of their employees, the Board, the Committee, any shareholder or any of their agents represent nor warrant the tax treatment under any federal, state, local or foreign laws and regulations thereunder (individually and collectively referred to as the “Tax Laws”) of any Award granted or any amounts paid to any Participant under the Plan including, but not limited to, when and to what extent such Awards or amounts may be subject to tax, penalties and interest under the Tax Laws.
21.20Indemnification.Subject to requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware, each individual who is or shall have been a member of the Board, or a Committee appointed by the Board, or an officer of the Company or other person to whom authority was delegated in accordance with Article 3, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his/her own behalf, unless such loss, cost, liability or expense is a result of his/her own willful misconduct or except as expressly provided by statute. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such individuals may be entitled under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
21.21Successors.All obligations of the Company under the Plan with respect to Awards granted hereunder shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.
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