EXHIBIT 3.1
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
BYLAWS
OF
SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC.
As Amended and Restated on August 27, 1998
and as Further Amended on September 2, 1999
and on January 20, 2000
Table of Contents
Page
----
ARTICLE I
SHAREHOLDERS
Section 1.1 Annual Meetings............................................ 1
Section 1.2 Special Meetings........................................... 2
Section 1.3 Notice of Meetings......................................... 2
Section 1.4 Record Date................................................ 3
Section 1.5 Organization............................................... 4
Section 1.6 Adjournments............................................... 4
Section 1.7 Waiver of Notice; Attendance at Meeting.................... 4
Section 1.8 Quorum and Voting Requirements............................. 4
Section 1.9 Proxies.................................................... 5
Section 1.10 Inspectors of Elections.................................... 7
Section 1.11 List of Shareholders Entitled to Vote...................... 8
Section 1.12 Conduct of Meetings........................................ 8
ARTICLE II
DIRECTORS
Section 2.1 General Powers............................................. 9
Section 2.2 Number and Term............................................ 9
Section 2.3 Nomination; Election....................................... 9
Section 2.4 Resignation; Removal....................................... 11
Section 2.5 Vacancies.................................................. 11
Section 2.6 Meetings of the Board...................................... 12
Section 2.7 Notice of Meetings......................................... 12
Section 2.8 Waiver of Notice; Attendance at Meeting.................... 13
Section 2.9 Quorum; Voting............................................. 13
Section 2.10 Telephone Participation.................................... 13
Section 2.11 Action without Meeting..................................... 13
Section 2.12 Organization............................................... 14
Section 2.13 Regulations; Manner of Acting.............................. 14
Section 2.14 Compensation............................................... 14
Section 2.15 Director Emeritus.......................................... 14
ARTICLE III
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
Section 3.1 Constitution of Committees................................. 15
i
Section 3.2 Authority of Committee..................................... 15
Section 3.3 Executive Committee........................................ 15
Section 3.4 Audit Committee............................................ 16
Section 3.5 Compensation Committee..................................... 16
Section 3.6 Proceedings................................................ 17
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 4.1 Officers Generally......................................... 17
Section 4.2 Election................................................... 17
Section 4.3 Removal of Officers........................................ 18
Section 4.4 Authority and duties of Officers........................... 18
Section 4.5 Chairman of the Board...................................... 18
Section 4.6 Chief Executive Officer.................................... 18
Section 4.7 Chief Financial Officer.................................... 19
Section 4.8 Secretary.................................................. 19
Section 4.9 Voting Securities of Other Corporations.................... 19
Section 4.10 Bonds...................................................... 19
ARTICLE V
CAPITAL STOCK
Section 5.1 Form....................................................... 20
Section 5.2 Transfer Agents and Registrars............................. 20
Section 5.3 Transfers.................................................. 20
Section 5.4 Restrictions on Transfer................................... 20
Section 5.5 Lost Certificates.......................................... 21
Section 5.6 Holder of Record........................................... 21
ARTICLE VI
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 6.1 Fiscal Year................................................ 21
Section 6.2 Seal....................................................... 21
Section 6.3 Execution of Instruments................................... 21
Section 6.4 Construction............................................... 22
Section 6.5 Amendments................................................. 22
ARTICLE I
SHAREHOLDERS
ii
Section 1.1 Annual Meetings. (a) The Corporation shall hold an annual
meeting of the shareholders for the election of directors and for the
transaction of such other business as properly may come before the meeting at
such place, either within or without the Commonwealth of Virginia, and at such
date and time as may be designated from time to time by resolution of the Board
of Directors and set forth in the notice or waiver of notice of the meeting.
(b) At an annual meeting of the shareholders, only such business
shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be
properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be (i) specified in the
notice of the meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction
of the Board of Directors, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by
or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (iii) otherwise properly
brought before the meeting by a shareholder. For business to be properly brought
before an annual meeting by a shareholder, the shareholder must have given
timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be
timely, a shareholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at
the principal executive offices of the Corporation (i) on or after May 1st and
before June 1st of the year in which the annual meeting will be held, if clause
(ii) of this sentence is not applicable, or (ii) not less than 50 days before
the date of the annual meeting if the meeting date is earlier than August 1st or
later than September 30th. In addition, for business to be brought properly
before the meeting by a shareholder, such shareholder's notice to the Secretary
must set forth as to each matter the shareholder proposes to bring before such
meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the
meeting, including the complete text of any resolutions to be presented and the
reasons for wanting to conduct such business, (ii) the name and address, as they
appear on the Corporation's books, of the shareholder proposing such business,
(iii) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which
are beneficially owned by the shareholder, and (iv) any material interest of the
shareholder in such business.
(c) No business shall be conducted at an annual meeting of the
shareholders except in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section
1.1(b). The presiding officer of an annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant,
determine and declare to the meeting that business has not been properly brought
before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.1(b), in which
event such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be
transacted.
By-Laws, Page 2
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.1, a
shareholder seeking to have a proposal included in the Corporation's proxy
statement for a meeting of the shareholders shall comply with the requirements
of Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from
time to time, or with any successor regulation.
Section 1.2 Special Meetings. Special meetings of shareholders for any
purpose or purposes may be called at any time (i) by the Chairman of the Board,
the Chief Executive Officer or the President, if any, pursuant to a notice
delivered to the Secretary or (ii) by the Board of Directors pursuant to a
resolution approved by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, and no
business shall be conducted at such meeting other than the business set forth in
such notice or resolution. Such special meetings shall be held at such places,
either within or without the Commonwealth of Virginia, and at such date and time
as shall be specified in such notice or resolution.
Section 1.3 Notice of Meetings. (a) The Corporation shall notify
shareholders of the date, time, and place of each annual and special
shareholders' meeting. Such notice shall be given no less than 10 nor more than
60 days before the meeting date except that notice of a shareholders' meeting to
act on an amendment to the articles of incorporation, a plan of merger or share
exchange, a proposed sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the property of the Corporation otherwise than in the usual
and regular course of business, or the dissolution of the Corporation shall be
given not less than 25 nor more than 60 days before the meeting date. Unless the
Virginia Stock Corporation Act or the Articles of Incorporation require
otherwise, the Corporation is required to give notice only to shareholders
entitled to vote at the meeting.
(b) Unless the Virginia Stock Corporation Act or the Articles of
Incorporation require otherwise, notice of an annual meeting need not state the
purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Notice of a special
meeting shall state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.
(c) If an annual or special meeting is adjourned to a different date,
time, or place, notice need not be given if the new date, time, or place is
announced at the meeting before adjournment. If a new record date for the
adjourned meeting is or shall be given under Section 1.4 hereof, however, notice
of the adjourned meeting shall be given under this Section to persons who are
shareholders as of the new record date.
By-Laws, Page 3
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no notice of a meeting of the
shareholders need be given to a shareholder if (i) an annual report and proxy
statements for two consecutive annual meetings of shareholders or (ii) all, and
at least two, checks in payment of dividends or interest on securities during a
12-month period, have been sent by first-class United States mail, with postage
thereon prepaid, addressed to the shareholder at his address as it appears on
the share transfer books of the Corporation, and returned undeliverable. The
obligation of the Corporation to give notice of meetings of the shareholders to
any such shareholder shall be reinstated once the Corporation has received a new
address for such shareholder for entry on its share transfer books.
(e) Notice of a meeting of the shareholders may be communicated in
person, by telephone, telegraph, teletype, or other form of wire or wireless
communication, or by mail (including electronic mail) or private carrier.
Written notice to a shareholder is effective when mailed, if mailed postpaid and
correctly addressed to the shareholder's address shown on the Corporation's
current record of shareholders.
Section 1.4 Record Date. The Board of Directors (or in the case of a
special meeting of shareholders called by any of the officers specified in
Section 1.2, such officer in the notice referred to therein) shall fix, in
advance, a record date in order to make a determination of the shareholders for
any purpose. The record date may not be more than 70 days before the meeting or
action requiring a determination of shareholders. A determination of
shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a shareholders' meeting is
effective for any adjournment of the meeting unless the Board of Directors fixes
a new record date, which it shall do if the meeting is adjourned to a date more
than 120 days after the date fixed for the original meeting.
Section 1.5 Organization. At every meeting of shareholders, the presiding
officer shall be the first listed among the following officers who is present
and able to preside at such meeting: the Chairman of the Board, the Chief
Executive Officer, the President, if any, the Chief Operating Officer, if any,
any Executive Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer and the Secretary. In
the absence of all of the foregoing persons, the meeting shall be presided over
by a chairman designated by the Board of Directors, or in the absence of such
designation, by a chairman chosen at the meeting. The Secretary, or in his
absence, an Assistant Secretary, if any, or in his absence, an appointee of the
presiding officer shall act as secretary of the meeting.
By-Laws, Page 4
Section 1.6 Adjournments. Subject to the provisions of Section 1.3 hereof,
any meeting of shareholders, annual or special, may adjourn from time to time to
reconvene at a different date, time or place. At the adjourned meeting the
Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the
original meeting.
Section 1.7 Waiver of Notice; Attendance at Meeting. A shareholder may
waive any notice required by the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, the Articles of
Incorporation, or these Bylaws before or after the date and time of the meeting
that is the subject of such notice. The waiver shall be in writing, be signed by
the shareholder entitled to the notice and be delivered to the Secretary for
inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records. A shareholder's
attendance at a meeting (i) waives objection to lack of notice or defective
notice of the meeting unless the shareholder, at the beginning of the meeting,
objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting and (ii)
waives objection to consideration of a particular matter at the meeting that is
not within the purpose or purposes described in the meeting notice unless the
shareholder objects to considering the matter when it is presented.
Section 1.8 Quorum and Voting Requirements. (a) Each outstanding share of
common stock shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at
a meeting of the shareholders. Shares of other classes and series shall be
entitled to such vote as may be provided in the Articles of Incorporation.
(b) Shares entitled to vote as a separate voting group may take
action on any matter at a meeting only if a quorum of those shares exists with
respect to that matter. Unless otherwise required by law, a majority of the
votes entitled to be cast on a matter by a voting group constitutes a quorum of
that voting group for action on that matter. Once a share is represented for any
purpose at a meeting, it is deemed present for quorum purposes for the remainder
of the meeting and for any adjournment of that meeting unless a new record date
is or shall be set for that adjourned meeting. If a quorum exists, action on a
matter, other than the election of directors, by a voting group is approved if
the votes cast within the voting group favoring the action exceed the votes cast
opposing the action, unless a greater number of affirmative votes is required by
law. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shares
entitled to vote in the election at a meeting at which a quorum is present,
unless a different vote is required by the Articles of Incorporation. Less than
a quorum may adjourn a meeting.
By-Laws, Page 5
Section 1.9 Proxies. (a) A shareholder may vote his shares in person or by
proxy.
(b) Without limiting the manner in which a shareholder may authorize
another person or persons to act for him as proxy pursuant to subsection (a) of
this Section, the following shall constitute a valid means by which a
shareholder may grant such authority:
(1) A shareholder may execute a writing authorizing another
person or persons to act for him as proxy. Execution may be accomplished
by the shareholder or his authorized officer, director, employee or agent
signing such writing or causing his or her signature to be affixed to such
writing by any reasonable means including, but not limited to, by facsimile
signature.
(2) A shareholder may authorize another person or persons to act
for him as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of a
telegram, cablegram or other means of electronic transmission to the person
who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy
support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person
who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided
that any such telegram, cablegram or other means of electronic transmission
must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be
determined that the telegram, cablegram, or other electronic transmission
was authorized by the shareholder. If it is determined that such telegrams,
cablegrams or other electronic transmissions are valid, the inspectors or,
if there are no inspectors, such other persons making that determination
shall specify the information upon which they relied.
(3) Any copy, facsimile, telecommunication or other reliable
reproduction of the writing or transmission created pursuant to this
paragraph (b) of this Section may be submitted or used in lieu of the
original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the
original writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy,
facsimile, telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete
reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.
By-Laws, Page 6
(c) An appointment of a proxy is effective when received by the
Secretary or other officer or agent authorized to tabulate votes. An appointment
is valid for 11 months unless a longer period is expressly provided in the
appointment form.
(d) An appointment of a proxy is revocable by the shareholder unless
the appointment form conspicuously states that it is irrevocable and the
appointment is coupled with an interest. An appointment made irrevocable under
this paragraph (d) is revoked when the interest with which it is coupled is
extinguished. A transferee for value of shares subject to an irrevocable
appointment may revoke the appointment if he did not know of its existence when
he acquired the shares and the existence of the irrevocable appointment was not
noted conspicuously on the certificate representing the shares or on the
information statement for shares without certificates.
(e) The death or incapacity of the shareholder appointing a proxy
shall not affect the right of the Corporation to accept the proxy's authority
unless notice of the death or incapacity is received by the Secretary or other
officer or agent authorized to tabulate votes before the proxy exercises his
authority under the appointment.
(f) Subject to any legal limitations on the right of the Corporation
to accept the vote or other action of a proxy and to any express limitation on
the proxy's authority appearing on the face of the appointment form, the
Corporation is entitled to accept the proxy's vote or other action as that of
the shareholder making the appointment. Any fiduciary who is entitled to vote
any shares may vote such shares by proxy.
Section 1.10 Inspectors of Elections. (a) The Corporation shall, in
advance of any meeting of shareholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at
the meeting and to make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate
one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails
to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of
shareholders, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more
inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the
discharge of his duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the
duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his
ability.
By-Laws, Page 7
(b) The inspectors shall: (i) ascertain the number of shares
outstanding and the voting power of each; (ii) determine the shares represented
at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots; (iii) count all votes
and ballots; (iv) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the
disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors; and
(v) certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the
meeting, and their count of all votes and ballots. The inspectors may appoint or
retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of
the duties of the inspectors.
(c) The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for
each matter upon which the shareholders will vote at a meeting shall be
announced at the meeting. No ballot, proxies or votes, nor any revocations
thereof or changes thereto, shall be accepted by the inspectors after the
closing of the polls unless the circuit court of the city or county where the
Corporation's principal office is located or, if none in the Commonwealth of
Virginia, where its registered office is located, upon application by a
shareholder, shall determine otherwise.
(d) In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots,
the inspectors shall be limited to an examination of the proxies, any envelopes
submitted with those proxies, any information provided in accordance with
paragraph (b)(2) of Section 1.9 hereof, ballots and the regular books and
records of the Corporation, except that the inspectors may consider other
reliable information for the limited purpose of reconciling proxies and ballots
submitted by or on behalf of banks, brokers, their nominees or similar persons
which represent more votes than the holder of a proxy is authorized by the
record owner to cast or more votes than the shareholder holds of record. If the
inspectors consider other reliable information for the limited purpose permitted
herein, the inspectors at the time they make their certification pursuant to
paragraph (b)(v) of this Section 1.10 shall specify the precise information
considered by them including the person or persons from whom they obtained the
information, when the information was obtained, the means by which the
information was obtained and the basis for the inspectors' belief that such
information is accurate and reliable.
Section 1.11 List of Shareholders Entitled to Vote. (a) The officer or
agent having charge of the share transfer books of the Corporation shall make,
at least 10 days before each meeting of shareholders, a complete list of the
shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof, with
the address of and the number of shares held by each. The list shall be arranged
by voting group and within each
By-Laws, Page 8
voting group by class or series of shares. For a period of 10 days prior to the
meeting, such list shall be kept on file at the registered office of the
Corporation or at its principal office or at the office of its transfer agent or
registrar and shall be subject to inspection by any shareholder at any time
during usual business hours. Such list shall also be produced and kept open at
the time and place of the meeting and shall be subject to the inspection of any
shareholder during the whole time of the meeting for the purpose thereof. The
original share transfer books shall be prima facie evidence as to which
shareholders are entitled to examine such list or transfer books or to vote at
any meeting of the shareholders. The right of a shareholder to inspect such list
prior to the meeting shall be subject to the conditions and limitations set
forth by law.
(b) If the requirements of this Section have not been substantially
complied with, the meeting shall, on the demand of any shareholder in person or
by proxy, be adjourned until such requirements are met. Refusal or failure to
prepare or make available the shareholders' list does not affect the validity of
action taken at the meeting prior to the making of any such demand, but any
action taken by the shareholders after the making of any such demand shall be
invalid and of no effect.
Section 1.12 Conduct of Meetings. The Board of Directors of the
Corporation may, to the extent not prohibited by law, adopt by resolution such
rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of shareholders as it shall
deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and
regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the presiding officer of any
meeting of shareholders shall have the right and authority to prescribe such
rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of
such officer, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules,
regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or
prescribed by the presiding officer, may to the extent not prohibited by law
include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda
or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining
order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on
attendance at or participation in the meeting to shareholders of record of the
Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies and any such other
persons as the presiding officer shall determine; (iv) restrictions on the entry
to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v)
limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants.
Unless, and to the extent, determined by the Board of Directors or the presiding
officer of the meeting, meetings of shareholders shall not be required to be
held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.
By-Laws, Page 9
ARTICLE II
DIRECTORS
Section 2.1 General Powers. The Corporation shall have a Board of
Directors. All corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of,
and the business and affairs of the Corporation managed under the direction of,
the Board of Directors, subject to any limitation set forth in the Articles of
Incorporation.
Section 2.2 Number and Term. The Board of Directors shall consist of not
less than three nor more than 16 members, the precise number to be determined
from time to time by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the
directors at a meeting where a quorum is present. Except as provided in Section
2.5 hereof, directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of the
shareholders and shall serve for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of
the shareholders following their election. A decrease in the number of directors
shall not shorten an incumbent director's term. Despite the expiration of a
director's term, he shall continue to serve until his successor is elected and
qualified or until there is a decrease in the number of directors.
Section 2.3 Nomination; Election. (a) No person shall be eligible for
election as a director unless nominated (i) by the Board of Directors upon
recommendation of any nominating committee or otherwise, or (ii) by a
shareholder entitled to vote on the election of directors pursuant to the
procedures of this Section 2.3(a). Nominations, other than those made by the
Board of Directors, may be made only by a shareholder who is a shareholder of
record of a class of shares entitled to vote for the election of directors at
the time of the giving of the notice hereinafter described in this Section 2.3
and only if written notice of the shareholder's intent to nominate one or more
persons for election as directors has been given, either by personal delivery or
by United States certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the Secretary of
the Corporation at the principal office of the Corporation and received (i) on
or after May 1st and before June 1st of the year in which the meeting is held,
if the meeting is an annual meeting and clause (ii) is not applicable, or (ii)
not less than 50 days before the date of an annual meeting, if the meeting date
is earlier than August 1st or later than September 30th, or (iii) not later than
the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which notice of a
special meeting of the shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors
is first mailed to the shareholders.
By-Laws, Page 10
(b) Each such shareholder's notice shall contain the following
information:
(i) as to the shareholder giving the notice (A) the name and
address of such shareholder as they appear on the Corporation's stock
transfer books, (B) the class and number of shares of stock of the
Corporation beneficially owned by such shareholder, (C) a representation
that such shareholder is a shareholder of record and intends to appear in
person or by proxy at such meeting to nominate the person or persons
specified in the notice, and (D) a description of all arrangements or
understandings, if any, between such shareholder and each nominee and any
other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which
the nomination or nominations are to be made; and
(ii) as to each person whom the shareholder wishes to nominate
for election as a director: (A) the name, age, business address and
residential address of each such nominee, (B) the principal occupation or
employment of each such nominee, (C) the class and number of shares of the
Corporation which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by each
such nominee or over which such nominee has voting control, and (D) such
other information concerning each such nominee as would be required under
the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission to be included in a
proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of directors;
and such notice shall include a signed consent by each such nominee to serve as
a director of the Corporation if elected and a written statement by such nominee
to the effect that the information about him in the notice is correct.
(c) Except as provided in Section 2.5 hereof or in the Articles of
Incorporation, the directors shall be elected by the holders of the common
shares at each annual meeting of the shareholders and those persons who receive
the greatest number of votes shall be deemed elected even though they do not
receive a majority of the votes cast. No individual shall be named or elected as
a director without his prior consent.
Section 2.4 Resignation; Removal. A director may resign at any time upon
delivering a written notice of resignation, signed by such director, to the
Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President, if any, or the
Secretary. Unless a
By-Laws, Page 11
later date is specified therein, such resignation shall take effect upon
delivery. The shareholders may remove one or more directors with or without
cause. If a director is elected by a voting group, only the shareholders of that
voting group may vote to remove him. Unless the Articles of Incorporation
require a greater vote, a director may be removed if the number of votes cast to
remove him constitutes a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at an
election of directors of the voting group or voting groups by which such
director was elected. A director may be removed by the shareholders only at a
meeting called for the purpose of removing him and the meeting notice must state
that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is removal of the
director.
Section 2.5 Vacancies. A vacancy on the Board of Directors, including a
vacancy resulting from the removal of a director or an increase in the number of
directors, may be filled by (i) the shareholders, (ii) the Board of Directors or
(iii) the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors though less
than a quorum of the Board of Directors and may, in the case of a resignation
that will become effective at a specified later date, be filled before the
vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy
occurs.
Section 2.6 Meetings of the Board. (a) The annual meeting of the Board of
Directors for the purpose of electing officers and for the transaction of such
other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held as soon as
possible following the annual meeting of shareholders. The Board of Directors
may also adopt a schedule of additional meetings which, together with the annual
meeting referred to in the preceding sentence, shall be considered the regular
meetings of the Board of Directors. Regular meetings may be held at such places
within or without the Commonwealth of Virginia and at such times as the Chairman
of the Board or the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time. If no
place is designated, regular meetings shall be held at the principal executive
offices of the Corporation.
(b) Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the
Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, if any, or
not less than one-third of the directors then in office and shall be held at
such times and at such places, within or without the Commonwealth of Virginia,
as the person or persons calling the meetings shall designate. If no such place
is designated in the notice of the meeting, it shall be held at the principal
executive offices of the Corporation.
By-Laws, Page 12
Section 2.7 Notice of Meetings. (a) No notice need be given of regular
meetings of the Board of Directors.
(b) Notices of special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be
given to each director in person or delivered to his residence or business
address (or such other place as he may have directed in writing) not less than
24 hours before the meeting by mail, messenger, telecopier, telegraph or other
means of written communication or by telephoning such notice to him. Any such
notice shall set forth the time and place of the meeting and state the purpose
for which it is called.
Section 2.8 Waiver of Notice; Attendance at Meeting. (a) A director may
waive any notice required by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws
before or after the date and time stated in the notice and such waiver shall be
equivalent to the giving of such notice. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of
this Section, the waiver shall be in writing, signed by the director entitled to
the notice and filed with the minutes or corporate records.
(b) A director's attendance at or participation in a meeting waives
any required notice to him of the meeting unless the director, at the beginning
of the meeting or promptly upon his arrival, objects to holding the meeting or
transacting business at the meeting and does not thereafter vote for or assent
to action taken at the meeting.
Section 2.9 Quorum; Voting. A majority of the number of directors
determined by the Board of Directors pursuant to these Bylaws shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of the Board of Directors.
If a quorum is present when a vote is taken, the affirmative vote of a majority
of the directors present is the act of the Board of Directors. A director who is
present at a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of
Directors when corporate action is taken is deemed to have assented to the
action taken unless (i) he objects, at the beginning of the meeting or promptly
upon his arrival, to holding it or transacting specified business at the meeting
or (ii) he votes against or abstains from the action taken.
Section 2.10 Telephone Participation. The Board of Directors may permit
any or all directors to participate in a regular or special meeting by, or
conduct the meeting through the use of, any means of communication by which all
directors participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. A
director
By-Laws, Page 13
participating in a meeting by this means is deemed to be present in person at
the meeting.
Section 2.11 Action without Meeting. Action required or permitted to be
taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if
the action is taken by all members of the Board. The action shall be evidenced
by one or more written consents stating the action taken, signed by each
director either before or after the action is taken and included in the minutes
or filed with the corporate records. Action taken under this section shall be
effective when the last director signs the consent unless the consent specifies
a different effective date in which event the action taken is effective as of
the date specified therein provided the consent states the date of execution by
each director.
Section 2.12 Organization. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be
presided over by the Chairman of the Board, or in his absence by a chairman
chosen at the meeting. The Secretary, if present, shall act as secretary of the
meeting, but in his absence the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person
to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 2.13 Regulations; Manner of Acting. To the extent consistent with
applicable law, the Articles of Incorporation, and these Bylaws, the Board of
Directors may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings of
the Board of Directors and for the management of the property, affairs and
business of the Corporation as the Board of Directors may deem appropriate.
Section 2.14 Compensation. The Board of Directors may fix the
compensation of directors and may provide for the payment of all expenses
incurred by them in attending meetings of the Board of Directors or any
Committee thereof.
Section 2.15 Director Emeritus. The Board of Directors may appoint to the
position of Director Emeritus any retiring director who has served not less than
five years as a director of the Corporation. Such person so appointed shall have
the title of "Director Emeritus" and shall be entitled to receive notice of, and
to attend all meetings of the Board, but shall not in fact be a director, shall
not be entitled to vote, and shall not be counted in determining a quorum of the
Board and shall not have any of the duties or liabilities of a director under
law.
By-Laws, Page 14
ARTICLE III
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
Section 3.1 Constitution of Committees. The Board of Directors may, by
resolution adopted by a vote of a majority of the directors then in office,
create one or more committees and appoint members of the Board of Directors to
serve on them. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, each such committee
shall consist of two or more members who serve at the pleasure of the Board of
Directors.
Section 3.2 Authority of Committee. To the extent specified by the Board
of Directors, each committee may exercise the authority of the Board of
Directors, except that a committee may not (i) approve or recommend to the
shareholders action that is required by law to be approved by shareholders, (ii)
fill vacancies on the Board of Directors or on any of its committees, (iii)
amend the Articles of Incorporation, (iv) adopt, amend, or repeal these Bylaws,
(v) approve a plan of merger not requiring shareholder approval, (vi) authorize
or approve a distribution, except according to a general formula or method
prescribed by the Board of Directors or (vii) authorize or approve the issuance
or sale or contract for sale of shares, or determine the designation and
relative rights, preferences, and limitations of a class or series of shares;
provided, however, that the Board of Directors may authorize a committee, or a
senior executive officer of the Corporation, to do so within limits specifically
prescribed by the Board of Directors.
Section 3.3 Executive Committee. The Board of Directors shall appoint
each year an Executive Committee consisting of not less than two directors.
During the intervals between the meetings of the Board of Directors, the
Executive Committee shall have and may exercise, to the fullest extent permitted
by law, all of the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the
management of the property, affairs and business of the Corporation, except to
the extent such powers or authority are limited by the provisions of Section 3.2
hereof.
By-Laws, Page 15
Section 3.4 Audit Committee. The Board of Directors shall appoint each
year an Audit Committee in accordance with the terms of an Audit Committee
Charter which the Board of Directors shall adopt and shall amend as the Board of
Directors shall determine from time to time.
Section 3.5 Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors shall appoint
each year a Compensation Committee in accordance with the terms of a
Compensation Committee Charter which the Board of Directors shall adopt and
shall amend as the Board of Directors shall determine from time to time.
Section 3.6 Proceedings. The provisions of these Bylaws which govern
meetings, action without meetings, notice and waiver of notice, and quorum
requirements of the Board of Directors shall apply to committees of directors
and their members as well. Subject to applicable law, the Articles of
Incorporation and these Bylaws, each such committee may fix its own rules of
procedure and may meet at such place within or without the Commonwealth of
Virginia, at such time and upon such notice, if any, as it shall determine from
time to time. Each such committee shall keep minutes of its proceedings and
shall, if requested, report such proceedings to the Board of Directors at the
meeting of the Board of Directors next following any such proceedings.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 4.1 Officers Generally. The officers of the Corporation shall be
a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer
and a Secretary. The Board of Directors at its discretion may also elect a
President, a Chief Operating Officer, a Treasurer, a Controller, one or more
Executive Vice Presidents, one or more Vice Presidents with such further title
or titles as it desires to confer, and one or more Assistant Secretaries,
Assistant Treasurers, Assistant Controllers, and other assistant officers in
such numbers as the Board of Directors may determine. Any number of offices may
be held by the same person. Except for the Chairman of the Board, no officer
need be a director of the Corporation.
Section 4.2 Election. Officers shall be elected by the Board of
Directors. The Chief Executive Officer may from time to time appoint other
officers. Officers elected by the Board of Directors shall hold office, unless
sooner removed, until the next
By-Laws, Page 16
annual meeting of the Board of Directors or until their successors are elected.
Officers appointed by the Chief Executive Officer shall hold office, unless
sooner removed, until their successors are appointed. The action of the Chief
Executive Officer in appointing officers shall be reported to the next regular
meeting of the Board of Directors after it is taken. Any officer may resign at
any time upon written notice to the Board of Directors or the officer appointing
him and such resignation shall be effective when notice is delivered unless the
notice specifies a later effective date.
Section 4.3 Removal of Officers. The Board of Directors may remove any
officer at any time, with or without cause. The Chief Executive Officer may
remove any officer he appoints at any time, with or without cause. Such action
shall be reported to the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors after it
is taken. Any removal of an officer shall be without prejudice to the right to
the recovery of damages for breach of the contract rights, if any, of the person
removed. Election or appointment of an officer shall not of itself create
contract rights.
Section 4.4 Authority and duties of Officers. The officers of the
Corporation shall have such authority and shall exercise such powers and perform
such duties as are customary for their respective offices and as may be
specified in these Bylaws or as may be determined from time to time by the Board
of Directors, except that in any event each officer shall exercise such powers
and perform such duties as may be required by law.
Section 4.5 Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall
preside at all meetings of the shareholders and directors at which he is present
and shall have general control and supervision of the policies and operations of
the Corporation, except as may be limited by the Board of Directors, the
Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws. He shall have the authority to remove
or suspend any employee or agent of the Corporation elected or appointed by the
Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board shall perform such other duties
and have such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time
prescribe.
Section 4.6 Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall
see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into
effect. He shall manage and administer the Corporation's business and affairs
and shall also perform all duties and exercise all powers usually pertaining to
the office of a chief executive officer of a corporation, except as may be
limited by the Board of Directors,
By-Laws, Page 17
the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws. The Chief Executive Officer may
sign, execute and deliver in the name of the Corporation powers of attorney,
contracts, bonds, notes, corporate obligations and other documents. He shall
have the authority to cause the employment or appointment of such employees and
agents of the Corporation (other than those elected by the Board of Directors)
as the conduct of the business of the Corporation may require, to fix their
compensation, and to remove or suspend any employee or agent appointed by the
Chief Executive Officer.
Section 4.7 Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall
have charge of and be responsible for all securities, funds, receipts and
disbursements of the Corporation, and shall deposit or cause to be deposited, in
the name of the Corporation, all monies or valuable effects in such banks, trust
companies or other depositories as shall, from time to time, be selected by or
under authority granted by the Board of Directors; he shall be custodian of the
financial records of the Corporation; he shall keep or cause to be kept full and
accurate records of all receipts and disbursements of the Corporation and shall
render to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President,
if any, and the Board of Directors, whenever requested, an account of the
financial condition of the Corporation; and he shall perform such other duties
as may be assigned to him by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of
Directors.
Section 4.8 Secretary. The Secretary, subject to the direction of the
Chief Executive Officer, shall have general responsibility for and custody of
the minutes of all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors
and of all committees appointed by the Board. He shall have general
responsibility for and custody of the corporate seal, the transfer books, and
other records and documents of the corporation not pertaining to the performance
of duties vested in other officers. He shall cause notice to be given of
meetings of shareholders, of the Board of Directors, and of all committees
appointed by the Board of Directors. He shall perform such other duties as from
time to time may be assigned to him by the Chairman of the Board or the Board of
Directors or as may be required by law.
Section 4.9 Voting Securities of Other Corporations. Unless otherwise
provided by the Board of Directors, any one of the Chairman of the Board, the
Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary
shall have the power (and may appoint from time to time any other person) to act
for and vote on
By-Laws, Page 18
behalf of the Corporation at all meetings of the shareholders of any corporation
in which the Corporation holds stock or in connection with the consent of the
shareholders in lieu of any such meeting.
Section 4.1 Bonds. The Board of Directors may require that any or all
officers, employees and agents of the Corporation give bond to the Corporation,
with sufficient sureties, conditioned upon the faithful performance of the
duties of their respective offices or positions.
ARTICLE V
CAPITAL STOCK
Section 5.1 Form. Shares of the Corporation shall, when fully paid, be
evidenced by certificates containing such information as is required by law and
approved by the Board of Directors. Certificates for stock of the Corporation
shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the
President or a Vice President and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of
the Corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a
facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or
whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased
to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is
issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were
such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
Section 5.2 Transfer Agents and Registrars. The Board of Directors shall
have power to appoint one or more transfer agents or registrars for the transfer
and registration of certificates of stock of any class, and may require that
such stock certificates be countersigned and registered by one or more of such
transfer agents or registrars.
Section 5.3 Transfers. Upon surrender to the Corporation or to the
transfer agent or registrar of a certificate for shares endorsed or accompanied
by a written assignment signed by the holder of record or by his duly authorized
attorney-in-fact, it shall be the duty of the Corporation or its duly appointed
transfer agent or registrar, to issue a new certificate to the person entitled
thereto, to cancel the old certificate, and to record the transaction on the
books of the Corporation.
By-Laws, Page 19
Section 5.4 Restrictions on Transfer. A lawful restriction on the
transfer or registration of transfer of shares is valid and enforceable against
the holder or a transferee of the holder if the restriction complies with the
requirements of law and its existence is noted conspicuously on the front or
back of the certificate representing the shares. Unless so noted, a restriction
is not enforceable against a person without knowledge of the restriction.
Section 5.5 Lost Certificates. The Corporation may issue a new stock
certificate in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to
have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner
of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to
give the Corporation a bond (or such other agreement, undertaking or security as
the Corporation shall determine is appropriate) sufficient to indemnify it
against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss,
theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new
certificate.
Section 5.6 Holder of Record. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat
the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder thereof in
fact, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or
interest in such shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall
have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise specifically provided
by law.
ARTICLE VI
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 6.1 Fiscal Year. The Board of Directors shall have power to fix
and to change the fiscal year of the Corporation. Unless otherwise determined by
the Board, the Corporation's fiscal year shall be the 52 or 53 week period which
ends on the Sunday nearest to April 30.
Section 6.2 Seal. The corporate seal shall have the name of the
Corporation and the word "seal" inscribed thereon, and may be engraved, printed,
impressed or drawn in facsimile upon any document where appropriate.
Section 6.3 Execution of Instruments. The Chairman of the Board and the
Chief Executive Officer each may enter into any contract or execute and deliver
any instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation. The Board of
Directors, the
By-Laws, Page 20
Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may authorize any other
officer, employee or agent to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any
instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation. Any such authorization
may be general or limited to specific contracts or instruments.
Section 6.4 Construction. In the event of any conflict between the
provisions of these Bylaws as in effect from time to time and the provisions of
the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation as in effect from time to time,
the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation shall be controlling. As used in
these Bylaws, the term "Articles of Incorporation" shall mean the articles of
incorporation of the Corporation filed with the State Corporation Commission
pursuant to (S)13.1-618 of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, as amended from
time to time. As used herein, unless the context otherwise requires: (i) the
terms defined herein shall have the meaning set forth herein for all purposes;
(ii) the terms "include," "includes," and "including" are deemed to be followed
by "without limitation" whether or not they are in fact followed by such words
or words of like import; (iii) "writing," "written" and comparable terms refer
to printing, typing, handwriting and other means of reproducing words in a
visible form; (iv) "hereof," "herein," "hereunder" and comparable terms refer to
the entirety of these Bylaws and not to any particular article, section or other
subdivision hereof; and (v) references to any gender include references to all
genders, and references to the singular include references to the plural and
vice versa.
Section 6.5 Amendments. These Bylaws may be amended or repealed, and new
Bylaws may be made, at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors.
Bylaws made by the Board of Directors may be repealed or changed and new Bylaws
may be made by the shareholders, and the shareholders may prescribe that any
Bylaw made by them shall not be altered, amended or repealed by the Board of
Directors.
By-Laws, Page 21