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EXHIBIT A
FLOW INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
1995 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
SECTION 1.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Flow International Corporation 1995 Long-Term Incentive
Compensation Plan (the "Plan") is to enhance the long-term profitability and
stockholder value of Flow International Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), by offering incentives and rewards to those employees, consultants
and agents of the Company and its Subsidiaries (as defined in Section 2 below)
who are key to the Company's growth and success, and to encourage them to remain
in the service of the Company and its Subsidiaries and to acquire and maintain
stock ownership in the Company.
SECTION 2.
DEFINITIONS
For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth
below:
2.1 AWARD
"Award" means an award or grant made to a Participant pursuant to the Plan,
including, without limitation, awards or grants of Options, Stock Appreciation
Rights, Stock Awards, Other Stock-Based Awards or any combination of the
foregoing (including any Dividend Equivalent Rights granted in connection with
such Awards).
2.2 BOARD
"Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.3 CAUSE
"Cause" means dishonesty, fraud, misconduct, unauthorized use or disclosure
of confidential information or trade secrets, or conviction or confession of a
crime punishable by law (except minor violations), in each case as determined by
the Plan Administrator, and its determination shall be conclusive and binding.
2.4 CODE
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time.
2.5 COMMON STOCK
"Common Stock" means the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the
Company.
2.6 CORPORATE TRANSACTION
"Corporate Transaction" means any of the following events:
(a) Approval by the holders of the Common Stock of any merger or
consolidation of the Company in which the Company is not the continuing or
surviving corporation or pursuant to which shares of Common Stock are converted
into cash, securities or other property, other than a merger of the Company in
which the holders of the Common Stock immediately prior to the merger have
substantially the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving
corporation immediately after the merger;
(b) Approval by the holders of the Common Stock of any sale, lease,
exchange or other transfer in one transaction or a series of related
transactions of all or substantially all of the Company's assets other than a
transfer of the Company's assets to a majority-owned subsidiary (as the term
"subsidiary" is defined in Section 8.3 of the Plan) of the Company; or
(c) Approval by the holders of the Common Stock of any plan or proposal
for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
2.7 DISABILITY
"Disability" means "disability" as that term is defined for purposes of the
Company's Long Term Disability Income Plan or other similar successor plan
applicable to salaried employees.
2.8 DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHT
"Dividend Equivalent Right" means an Award granted under Section 12 of the
Plan.
2.9 EARLY RETIREMENT
"Early Retirement" means retirement as that term is defined by the Plan
Administrator from time to time for purposes of the Plan.
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2.10 EXCHANGE ACT
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
2.11 FAIR MARKET VALUE
"Fair Market Value" means the closing price for the Common Stock as
reported in The Wall Street Journal NASDAQ National Market Issues (or similar
successor transactions reports) for a single trading day.
2.12 GOOD REASON
"Good Reason" means the occurrence of any of the following events or
conditions:
(a) a change in the Holder's status, title, position or responsibilities
(including reporting responsibilities) that, in the Holder's reasonable
judgment, represents a substantial reduction of the status, title, position or
responsibilities as in effect immediately prior thereto; the assignment to the
Holder of any duties or responsibilities that, in the Holder's reasonable
judgment, are inconsistent with such status, title, position or
responsibilities; or any removal of the Holder from or failure to reappoint or
reelect the Holder to any of such positions, except in connection with the
termination of the Holder's employment for Cause, for Disability or as a result
of his or her death, or by the Holder other than for Good Reason;
(b) a reduction in the Holder's annual base salary;
(c) the Company's requiring the Holder (without the Holder's consent) to
be based at any place outside a 35-mile radius of his or her place of employment
prior to a Corporate Transaction, except for reasonably required travel on the
Company's business that is not materially greater than such travel requirements
prior to the Corporate Transaction;
(d) the Company's failure to (i) continue in effect any material
compensation or benefit plan (or the substantial equivalent thereof in which the
Holder was participating at the time of a Corporate Transaction, including, but
not limited to, the Plan, or (ii) provide the Holder with compensation and
benefits at least equal (in terms of benefit levels and/or reward opportunities)
to those provided for under each employee benefit plan, program and practice as
in effect immediately prior to the Corporate Transaction (or as in effect
following the Corporate Transaction, if greater);
(e) any material breach by the Company of any provision of the Plan; or
(f) any purported termination of the Holder's employment or service for
Cause by the Company that does not comply with the terms of the Plan.
2.13 GRANT DATE
"Grant Date" means the date designated in a resolution of the Plan
Administrator as the date an Award is granted. If the Plan Administrator does
not designate a Grant Date in the resolution, the Grant Date shall be the date
the Plan Administrator adopted the resolution.
2.14 HOLDER
"Holder" means the Participant to whom an Award is granted, or the
personal representative of a Holder who has died.
2.15 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION
"Incentive Stock Option" means an option to purchase Common Stock granted
under Section 7 of the Plan with the intention that it qualify as an "incentive
stock option" as that term is defined in Section 422 of the Code.
2.16 NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION
"Nonqualified Stock Option" means an option to purchase Common Stock
granted under Section 7 of the Plan other than an Incentive Stock Option.
2.17 OPTION
"Option" means the right to purchase Common Stock granted under Section 7
of the Plan.
2.18 OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARD
"Other Stock-Based Award" means an Award granted under Section 11 of the
Plan.
2.19 PARTICIPANT
"Participant" means an individual who is a Holder of an Award or, as the
context may require, any employee, consultant or agent of the Company or a
Subsidiary who has been designated by the Plan Administrator as eligible to
participate in the Plan.
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2.20 PLAN ADMINISTRATOR
"Plan Administrator" means any committee of the Board designated to
administer the Plan under Section 3.1 of the Plan.
2.21 RESTRICTED STOCK
"Restricted Stock" means shares of Common Stock granted under Section 10
of the Plan, the rights of ownership of which are subject to restrictions
prescribed by the Plan Administrator.
2.22 RETIREMENT
"Retirement" means retirement as of the individual's normal retirement
date under the Company's Voluntary Pension and Salary Deferral Plan or other
similar successor plan applicable to salaried employees.
2.23 STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHT
"Stock Appreciation Right" means an Award granted under Section 9 of the
Plan.
2.24 STOCK AWARD
"Stock Award" means an Award granted under Section 10 of the Plan.
2.25 SUBSIDIARY
"Subsidiary," except as expressly provided otherwise, means any entity
that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company or in which the Company
has a significant ownership interest, as determined by the Plan Administrator,
and any entity that may become a direct or indirect parent of the Company.
2.26 WINDOW PERIOD
"Window Period" means a period of 10 days on which there is trading in the
Common Stock on the NASDAQ National Market, beginning with the second trading
day after disclosure by the Company to the public of its earnings for the fiscal
period just ended and ending with the eleventh such day.
2.27 WINDOW PERIOD FAIR
MARKET VALUE
"Window Period Fair Market Value" means the highest Fair Market Value
during a Window Period.
SECTION 3.
ADMINISTRATION
3.1 PLAN ADMINISTRATOR
The Plan shall be administered by a committee or committees (which term
includes subcommittees) appointed by, and consisting of one or more members of,
the Board. The Board may delegate the responsibility for administering the Plan
with respect to designated classes of eligible Participants to different
committees, subject to such limitations as the Board deems appropriate.
Committee members shall serve for such term as the Board may determine, subject
to removal by the Board at any time. The composition of any committee
responsible for administering the Plan with respect to officers and directors of
the Company who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to
securities of the Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3
promulgated under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision.
3.2 ADMINISTRATION AND
INTERPRETATION BY THE PLAN
ADMINISTRATOR
Except for the terms and conditions explicitly set forth in the Plan, the
Plan Administrator shall have exclusive authority, in its discretion, to
determine all matters relating to Awards under the Plan, including the selection
of individuals to be granted Awards, the type of Awards, the number of shares of
Common Stock subject to an Award, all terms, conditions, restrictions and
limitations, if any, of an Award and the terms of any instrument that evidences
the Award. The Plan Administrator shall also have exclusive authority to
interpret the Plan and may from time to time adopt, and change, rules and
regulations of general application for the Plan's administration.
The Plan Administrator's interpretation of the Plan and its rules and
regulations, and all actions taken and determinations made by the Plan
Administrator pursuant to the Plan, shall be conclusive and binding on all
parties involved or affected. The Plan Administrator may delegate administrative
duties to such of the Company's officers as it so determines.
SECTION 4.
STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
4.1 AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES
Subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Section 16.1, a
maximum of 750,000 shares of Common Stock shall be available for issuance under
the Plan, except that any shares of Common Stock that, as of the date the Plan
is approved by the Company's stockholders, are avail-
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able for issuance under the Company's 1991 Stock Option Plan and 1984 Restated
Stock Option Plan (or that thereafter become available for issuance under those
plans in accordance with their terms as in effect on such date) and that are not
issued under those plans shall be added to the aggregate number of shares
available for issuance under the Plan. No more than 250,000 shares may be issued
as Stock Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards under the Plan. Shares issued under
the Plan shall be drawn from authorized and unissued shares or shares now held
or subsequently acquired by the Company as treasury shares.
4.2 INDIVIDUAL AWARD LIMIT
Subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Section 16.1, not
more than 250,000 shares of Common Stock may be made subject to Awards under the
Plan to any Participant in any one fiscal year of the Company, such limitation
to be applied in a manner consistent with the requirements of, and only to the
extent required for compliance with, the exclusion from the limitation on
deductibility of compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code.
4.3 REUSE OF SHARES
Any shares of Common Stock that have been made subject to an Award that
cease to be subject to the Award (other than by reason of exercise or payment of
the Award to the extent it is exercised for or settled in shares), including,
without limitation, in connection with the cancellation of an Award and the
grant of a replacement Award, shall again be available for issuance in
connection with future grants of Awards under the Plan. Shares that are subject
to tandem Awards shall be counted only once.
SECTION 5.
ELIGIBILITY
Awards may be granted under the Plan to those officers and key employees
(including directors who are also employees) of the Company and its Subsidiaries
as the Plan Administrator from time to time selects. Awards may also be made to
consultants and agents who provide services to the Company and its Subsidiaries.
SECTION 6.
AWARDS
6.1 FORM AND GRANT OF AWARDS
The Plan Administrator shall have the authority, in its sole discretion,
to determine the type or types of Awards to be made under the Plan. Such Awards
may include, but are not limited to, Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock
Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Stock Awards, Other Stock-Based Awards and
Dividend Equivalent Rights. Awards may be granted singly, in combination or in
tandem so that the settlement or payment of one automatically reduces or cancels
the other. Awards may also be made in combination or in tandem with, in
replacement of, as alternatives to, or as the payment form for, grants or rights
under any other employee or compensation plan of the Company.
6.2 ACQUIRED COMPANY AWARDS
Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Plan
Administrator may grant Awards under the Plan in substitution for awards issued
under other plans, or assume under the Plan awards issued under other plans, if
the other plans are or were plans of other entities ("Acquired Entities") (or
the parent of the acquired entity) and the new Award is substituted, or the old
award is assumed, by reason of a merger, consolidation, acquisition of property
or of stock, reorganization or liquidation (the "Acquisition Transaction"). In
the event that a written agreement pursuant to which the Acquisition Transaction
is completed is approved by the Board and said agreement sets forth the terms
and conditions of the substitution for or assumption of outstanding awards of
the acquired entity, said terms and conditions shall be deemed to be the action
of the Plan Administrator without any further action by the Plan Administrator,
except as may be required for compliance with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act,
and the persons holding such Awards shall be deemed to be Participants and
Holders.
SECTION 7.
AWARDS OF OPTIONS
7.1 GRANT OF OPTIONS
The Plan Administrator is authorized under the Plan, in its sole
discretion, to issue Options as Incentive Stock Options or as Nonqualified Stock
Options, which shall be appropriately designated.
7.2 OPTION EXERCISE PRICE
The exercise price for shares purchased under an Option shall be as
determined by the Plan Administrator, but shall not be less than 100% of the
Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the
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Grant Date with respect to Incentive Stock Options.
7.3 TERM OF OPTIONS
The term of each Option shall be as established by the Plan Administrator
or, if not so established, shall be 10 years from the Grant Date.
7.4 EXERCISE OF OPTIONS
The Plan Administrator shall establish and set forth in each instrument
that evidences an Option the time at which or the installments in which the
Option shall become exercisable, which provisions may be waived or modified by
the Plan Administrator at any time. If not so established in the instrument
evidencing the Option, the Option will become exercisable according to the
following schedule, which may be waived or modified by the Plan Administrator at
any time:
PERIOD OF HOLDER'S CONTINUOUS
EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE WITH THE
COMPANY OR ITS SUBSIDIARIES PERCENT OF TOTAL OPTION
FROM THE OPTION GRANT DATE THAT IS EXERCISABLE
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after one year 50%
after two years 100%
To the extent that the right to purchase shares has accrued thereunder, an
Option may be exercised from time to time by written notice to the Company, in
accordance with procedures established by the Plan Administrator, setting forth
the number of shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised and
accompanied by payment in full as described in Section 7.5.
7.5 PAYMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE
The exercise price for shares purchased under an Option shall be paid in
full to the Company by delivery of consideration equal to the product of the
Option exercise price and the number of shares purchased. Such consideration
must be paid in cash, except that the Plan Administrator may, either at the time
the Option is granted or at any time before it is exercised and subject to such
limitations as the Plan Administrator may determine, authorize payment in cash
and/or one or more of the following alternative forms: (i) Common Stock already
owned by the Holder for at least six months (or any shorter period necessary to
avoid a charge to the Company's earnings for financial reporting purposes)
having a Fair Market Value on the day prior to the exercise date equal to the
aggregate Option exercise price;
(ii) a promissory note authorized pursuant to Section 13; (iii) delivery of a
properly executed exercise notice, together with irrevocable instructions, to
(a) a brokerage firm designated by the Company to deliver promptly to the
Company the aggregate amount of sale or loan proceeds to pay the Option exercise
price and any withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with the
exercise and (b) the Company to deliver the certificates for such purchased
shares directly to such brokerage firm, all in accordance with the regulations
of the Federal Reserve Board; or (iv) such other consideration as the Plan
Administrator may permit.
7.6 POST-TERMINATION EXERCISES
The Plan Administrator shall establish and set forth in each instrument
that evidences an Option whether the Option will continue to be exercisable, and
the terms and conditions of such exercise, if a Holder ceases to be employed by,
or to provide services to, the Company or its Subsidiaries, which provisions may
be waived or modified by the Plan Administrator at any time. If not so
established in the instrument evidencing the Option, the Option will be
exercisable according to the following terms and conditions, which may be waived
or modified by the Plan Administrator at any time. In case of termination of the
Holder's employment or services other than by reason of death or Cause, the
Option shall be exercisable, to the extent of the number of shares purchasable
by the Holder at the date of such termination, only: (i) within three years if
the termination of the Holder's employment or services are coincident with
Retirement, Early Retirement at the Company's request or Disability or (ii)
within three months after the date the Holder ceases to be an employee,
consultant or agent of the Company or a Subsidiary if termination of the
Holder's employment or services is for any reason other than Retirement, Early
Retirement at the Company's request, or Disability, but in no event later than
the remaining term of the Option. Any Option exercisable at the time of the
Holder's death may be exercised, to the extent of the number of shares
purchasable by the Holder at the date of the Holder's death by the personal
representative of the Holder's estate entitled thereto at any time or from time
to time within three years after the date of death, but in no event later than
the remaining term of the Option. In case of termination of the Holder's
employment or services for Cause, the Option shall automatically terminate upon
first notification to
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the Holder of such termination, unless the Plan Administrator determines
otherwise. If a Holder's employment or services with the Company are suspended
pending an investigation of whether the Holder shall be terminated for Cause,
all the Holder's rights under any Option likewise shall be suspended during the
period of investigation. A transfer of employment or services between or among
the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be considered a termination of
employment or services. Unless the Plan Administrator determines otherwise, a
leave of absence approved in accordance with Company procedures shall not be
considered a termination of employment or services, except that with respect to
Incentive Stock Options such leave of absence shall be subject to any
requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
SECTION 8.
INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION LIMITATIONS
To the extent required by Section 422 of the Code, Incentive Stock Options
shall be subject to the following additional terms and conditions:
8.1 DOLLAR LIMITATION
To the extent the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the Grant
Date) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are
exercisable for the first time during any calendar year (under the Plan and all
other stock option plans of the Company) exceeds $100,000, such portion in
excess of $100,000 shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option. In the event
the Participant holds two or more such Options that become exercisable for the
first time in the same calendar year, such limitation shall be applied on the
basis of the order in which such Options are granted.
8.2 10% STOCKHOLDERS
If a Participant owns 10% or more of the total voting power of all classes of
the Company's stock, then the exercise price per share of an Incentive Stock
Option shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock
on the Grant Date and the Option term shall not exceed five years.
8.3 ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES
Individuals who are not employees of the Company or one of its parent
corporations or subsidiary corporations may not be granted Incentive Stock
Options. For purposes of this Section 8.3, "parent corporation" and "subsidiary
corporation" shall have the meanings attributed to those terms for purposes of
Section 422 of the Code.
8.4 TERM
The term of an Incentive Stock Option shall not exceed 10 years.
8.5 EXERCISABILITY
An Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option must be exercised within three
months after termination of employment for reasons other than death or one year
after termination of employment or services due to Disability to qualify for
Incentive Stock Option tax treatment.
SECTION 9.
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
9.1 GRANT OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
The Plan Administrator may grant a Stock Appreciation Right separately or in
tandem with a related Option.
9.2 TANDEM STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
A Stock Appreciation Right granted in tandem with a related Option will give
the Holder the right to surrender to the Company all or a portion of the related
Option and to receive an appreciation distribution (in shares of Common Stock or
cash or any combination of shares and cash, as the Plan administrator shall
determine at any time) in an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value
for the Window Period during which the Stock appreciation Right is exercised
over the exercise price per share of the right, which shall be the same as the
exercise price of the related Option, except that if the right is exercised
during a Window Period, the amount will be equal to the excess of the Window
Period Fair Market Value for the Window Period during which the Stock
Appreciation Plight is exercised over the exercise price per share of the right.
A tandem Stock Appreciation Right will have the same other terms and provisions
as the related Option. Upon and to the extent a tandem Stock Appreciation Right
is exercised, the related Option will terminate.
9.3 STAND-ALONE STOCK
APPRECIATION RIGHTS
A Stock Appreciation Right granted separately and not in tandem with an
Option will give the Holder the right to receive an appreciation distribu-
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tion in an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value for the date the
Stock Appreciation Right is exercised over the per share exercise price of the
right, except that if the right is exercised during a Window Period, the amount
will be equal to the excess of the Window Period Fair Market Value for the
Window Period during which the right is exercised over the per share exercise
price of the right. A standalone Stock Appreciation Right will have such terms
as the Plan Administrator may determine, except that the term of the right, if
not otherwise established by the Plan Administrator, shall be 10 years from the
Grant Date.
9.4 EXERCISE OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
Unless otherwise provided by the Plan Administrator in the instrument that
evidences the Stock Appreciation Right, the provisions of Section 7.6 relating
to the termination of a Holder's employment or services shall apply equally, to
the extent applicable, to the Holder of a Stock Appreciation Right. Stock
Appreciation Rights held by Participants who are subject to Section 16 of the
Exchange Act may be exercised solely in accordance with the requirements for
compliance with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.
SECTION 10.
STOCK AWARDS
10.1 GRANT OF STOCK AWARDS
The Plan Administrator is authorized to make Awards of Common Stock to
Participants on such terms and conditions and subject to such restrictions, if
any (whether based on performance standards, periods of service or otherwise),
as the Plan Administrator shall determine, which terms, conditions and
restrictions shall be set forth in the instrument evidencing the Award. The
terms, conditions and restrictions that the Plan Administrator shall have the
power to determine shall include, without limitation, the manner in which shares
subject to Stock Awards are held during the periods they are subject to
restrictions and the circumstances under which forfeiture of Restricted Stock
shall occur by reason of termination of the Holder's services.
10.2 ISSUANCE OF SHARES
Upon the satisfaction of any terms, conditions and restrictions prescribed in
respect to a Stock Award, or upon the Holder's release from any terms,
conditions and restrictions of a Stock Award, as determined by the Plan
Administrator, the Company shall deliver, as soon as practicable, to the Holder
or, in the case of the Holder's death, to the personal representative of the
Holder's estate or as the appropriate court directs, a stock certificate for the
appropriate number of shares of Common Stock.
10.3 WAIVER OF RESTRICTIONS
Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, the Plan Administrator may,
in its sole discretion, waive the forfeiture period and any other terms,
conditions or restrictions on any Restricted Stock under such circumstances and
subject to such terms and conditions as the Plan Administrator shall deem
appropriate.
SECTION 11.
OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS
The Plan Administrator may grant other Awards under the Plan pursuant to
which shares of Common Stock (which may, but need not, be shares of Restricted
Stock pursuant to Section 10) are or may in the future be acquired, or Awards
denominated in stock units, including ones valued using measures other than
market value. Such Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted alone or in addition
to or in tandem with any Award of any type granted under the Plan and must be
consistent with the Plan's purpose.
SECTION 12.
DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS
Any Awards under the Plan may, in the Plan Administrator's discretion, earn
Dividend Equivalent Rights. In respect of any Award that is outstanding on the
dividend record date for Common Stock, the Participant may be credited with an
amount equal to the cash or stock dividends or other distributions that would
have been paid on the shares of Common Stock covered by such Award had such
covered shares been issued and outstanding on such dividend record date. The
Plan Administrator shall establish such rules and procedures governing the
crediting of Dividend Equivalent Plights, including the timing, form of payment
and payment contingencies of such Dividend Equivalent Rights, as it deems are
appropriate or necessary.
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SECTION 13.
LOANS, LOAN GUARANTEES AND INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS
To assist a Holder (including a Holder who is an officer or director of the
Company) in acquiring shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award granted under
the Plan, the Plan Administrator may authorize, either at the Grant Date or at
any time before the acquisition of Common Stock pursuant to the Award, (i) the
extension of a loan to the Holder by the Company, (ii) the payment by the Holder
of the purchase price, if any, of the Common Stock in installments, or (iii) the
guarantee by the Company of a loan obtained by the grantee from a third party.
The terms of any loans, installment payments or guarantees, including the
interest rate and terms of repayment, will be subject to the Plan
Administrator's discretion. Loans, installment payments and guarantees may be
granted with or without security. The maximum credit available is the purchase
price, if any, of the Common Stock acquired plus the maximum federal and state
income and employment tax liability that may be incurred in connection with the
acquisition.
SECTION 14.
ASSIGNABILITY
No Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Other Stock-Based Award or Dividend
Equivalent Right granted under the Plan may be assigned or transferred by the
Holder other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and during
the Holder's lifetime, such Awards may be exercised only by the Holder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, and to the extent permitted by Rule 16b-3 under
the Exchange Act and Section 422 of the Code, the Plan Administrator, in its
sole discretion, may permit such assignment, transfer and exercisability and may
permit a Holder of such Awards to designate a beneficiary who may exercise the
Award or receive compensation under the Award after the Holder's death.
SECTION 15.
ADJUSTMENTS
15.1 ADJUSTMENT OF SHARES
In the event that at any time or from time to time a stock dividend, stock
split, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares, recapitalization, merger,
consolidation, distribution to stockholders other than a normal cash dividend,
or other change in the Company's corporate or capital structure results in (i)
the outstanding shares, or any securities exchanged therefor or received in
their place, being exchanged for a different number or class of securities of
the Company or of any other corporation or (ii) new, different or additional
securities of the Company or of any other corporation being received by the
holders of shares of Common Stock of the Company, then the Plan Administrator,
in its sole discretion, shall make such equitable adjustments as it shall deem
appropriate in the circumstances in (a) the maximum number of and class of
securities subject to the Plan as set forth in Section 4. 1, (b) the maximum
number and class of securities that may be made subject to Awards to any
individual Participant as set forth in Section 4.2, and (e) the number and class
of securities that are subject to any outstanding Award and the per share price
of such securities, without any change in the aggregate price to be paid
therefor. The determination by the Plan Administrator as to the terms of any of
the foregoing adjustments shall be conclusive and binding.
15.2 CORPORATE TRANSACTION
Except as otherwise provided in the instrument that evidences the Award, in
the event of any Corporate Transaction, each Option, Stock Appreciation Right or
Stock Award that is at the time outstanding shall automatically accelerate so
that each such Award shall, immediately prior to the specified effective date
for the Corporate Transaction, become 100% vested, except that such acceleration
will not occur if in the opinion of the Company's accountants it would render
unavailable "pooling of interest" accounting for a Corporate Transaction that
would otherwise qualify for such accounting treatment. All such Awards shall
terminate and cease to remain outstanding immediately following the consummation
of the Corporate Transaction, except to the extent assumed by the successor
corporation or its parent corporation. Any such Awards that are assumed or
replaced in the Corporate Transaction and do not otherwise accelerate at that
time shall be accelerated in the event the Holder's employment or services
should subsequently terminate within two years following such Corporate
Transaction, unless such employment or services are terminated by the Company
for Cause or by the Holder voluntarily without Good Reason. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no Incentive Stock
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Option shall become exercisable pursuant to this Section 15.2 without the
Holder's consent, if the result would be to cause such Option not to be treated
as an Incentive Stock Option (whether by reason of the annual limitation
described in Section 8.1 or otherwise).
15.3 FURTHER ADJUSTMENT OF AWARDS
Without limiting the preceding Section 15.2, and subject to the limitations
set forth in Section 11, the Plan Administrator shall have the discretion,
exercisable at any time before a sale, merger, consolidation, reorganization,
liquidation or change in control of the Company, as defined by the Plan
Administrator, to take such further action as it determines to be necessary or
advisable, and fair and equitable to Participants, with respect to Awards. Such
authorized action may include (but shall not be limited to) establishing,
amending or waiving the type, terms, conditions or duration of, or restrictions
on, Awards so as to provide for earlier, later, extended or additional time for
exercise, payment or settlement or lifting restrictions, differing methods for
calculating payments or settlements, alternate forms and amounts of payments and
settlements and other modifications, and the Plan Administrator may take such
actions with respect to all Participants, to certain categories of Participants
or only to individual Participants. The Plan Administrator may take such actions
before or after granting Awards to which the action relates and before or after
any public announcement with respect to such sale, merger, consolidation,
reorganization, liquidation or change in control that is the reason for such
action.
15.4 LIMITATIONS
The grant of Awards will in no way affect the Company's right to adjust,
reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or
to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part
of its business or assets.
SECTION 16.
WITHHOLDING OF TAXES
The Company may require the Holder to pay to the Company the amount of any
withholding taxes that the Company is required to withhold with respect to the
grant, exercise, payment or settlement of any Award. In such instances, the Plan
Administrator may, in its discretion and subject to the Plan and applicable law,
permit the Holder to satisfy withholding obligations, in whole or in part, by
paying cash, by electing to have the Company withhold shares of Common Stock or
by transferring shares of Common Stock to the Company, in such amounts as are
equivalent to the Fair Market Value of the withholding obligation.
SECTION 17.
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF PLAN
17.1 AMENDMENT OF PLAN
The Plan may be amended by the stockholders of the Company. The Board may
also amend the Plan in such respects as it shall deem advisable; however, to the
extent required for compliance with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, Section
422 of the Code or any applicable law or regulation, stockholder approval will
be required for any amendment that will (i) increase the total number of shares
as to which Options may be granted or which may be used in payment of Stock
Appreciation Rights, Performance Awards, Other Stock-Based Awards or Dividend
Equivalent Rights under the Plan or that may be issued as Restricted Stock, (ii)
materially modify the class of persons eligible to receive Awards, (iii)
materially increase the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, or
(iv) otherwise require stockholder approval under any applicable law or
regulation.
17.2 TERMINATION OF PLAN
The stockholders or the Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time.
The Plan will have no fixed expiration date; provided, however, that no
Incentive Stock Options may be granted more than 10 years after the Plan s
effective date.
17.3 CONSENT OF HOLDER
The amendment or termination of the Plan shall not, without the consent of
the Holder of any Award under the Plan, alter or impair any rights or
obligations under any Award theretofore granted under the Plan.
SECTION 18.
GENERAL
18.1 NOTIFICATION
The Plan Administrator shall promptly notify a Participant of an Award, and a
written grant shall promptly be executed and delivered by or on behalf of the
Company.
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18.2 CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICES; RIGHTS IN AWARDS
Neither the Plan, participation in the Plan as a Participant nor any action
of the Plan Administrator taken under the Plan shall be construed as giving any
Participant or employee of the Company any right to be retained in the employ of
the Company or limit the Company's right to terminate the employment or services
of the Participant.
18.3 REGISTRATION; CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES
The Company shall be under no obligation to any Participant to register for
offering or resale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or register or
qualify under state securities laws, any shares of Common Stock, security or
interest in a security paid or issued under, or created by, the Plan. The
Company may issue certificates for shares with such legends and subject to such
restrictions on transfer and stop-transfer instructions as counsel for the
Company deems necessary or desirable for compliance by the Company with federal
and state securities laws.
18.4 NO RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER
No Option, Stock Appreciation Right or Other Stock-Based Award shall entitle
the Holder to any dividend (except to the extent provided in an Award of
Dividend Equivalent Rights), voting or other right of a stockholder unless and
until the date of issuance under the Plan of the shares that are the subject of
such Awards, free of all applicable restrictions.
18.5 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS
It is the Company's intention that, so long as any of the Company's equity
securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange
Act, the Plan shall comply in all respects with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange
Act and, if any Plan provision is later found not to be in compliance with such
Rule, the provision shall be deemed null and void, and in all events the Plan
shall be construed in favor of its meeting the requirements of Rule 16b-3.
Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Board, in its sole
discretion, may bifurcate the Plan so as to restrict, limit or condition the use
of any provision of the Plan to Participants who are officers or directors
subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act without so restricting, limiting or
conditioning the Plan with respect to other Participants. Additionally, in
interpreting and applying the provisions of the Plan, any Option granted as an
Incentive Stock Option pursuant to the Plan shall, to the extent permitted by
law, be construed as an "Incentive stock option" within the meaning of Section
422 of the Code.
18.6 NO TRUST OR FUND
The Plan is intended to constitute an "unfunded" plan. Nothing contained
herein shall require the Company to segregate any monies or other property, or
shares of Common Stock, or to create any trusts, or to make any special deposits
for any immediate or deferred amounts payable to any Participant, and no
Participant shall have any rights that are greater than those of a general
unsecured creditor of the Company.
18.7 GOVERNING LAW
The Plan and all interpretations of its provisions shall be governed by the
laws of the state of Washington and applicable federal laws.
18.8 SEVERABILITY
If any provision of the Plan or any Award is determined to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any person, or would
disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Plan
Administrator, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to
applicable laws, or, if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in
the Plan Administrator's determination, materially altering the intent of the
Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction,
person or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain
in full force and effect.
SECTION 19.
EFFECTIVE DATE
The Plan's effective date is the date on which it is adopted by the Board, so
long as it is approved by the Company's stockholders at any time within 12
months of such adoption or, if earlier, and to the extent required for
compliance with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, at the next annual meeting of
the Company's stockholders after adoption of the Plan by the Board.
Adopted by the Board on ______________, 1995 and approved by the Company's
stockholders on _____________, 1995.
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