NETRIX CORPORATION
1999 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
(As Amended September 29, 1999)
1. PURPOSE. The purpose of this 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan")
of Netrix Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), is to advance the
interests of the Company and its stockholders by providing a means to attract,
retain, and reward directors, officers and other key employees and consultants
of the Company and its subsidiaries (including consultants providing services of
substantial value) and to enable such persons to acquire or increase a
proprietary interest in the Company, thereby promoting a closer identity of
interests between such persons and the Company's stockholders.
2. DEFINITIONS. The definitions of awards under the Plan, including
Options, SARs (including Limited SARs), Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock, Stock
granted as a bonus or in lieu of other awards, Dividend Equivalents, and Other
Stock-Based Awards, are set forth in Section 6 of the Plan. Such awards,
together with any other right or interest granted to a Participant under the
Plan, are termed "Awards." For purposes of the Plan, the following additional
terms shall be defined as set forth below:
(a) "AWARD AGREEMENT" means any written agreement, contract, or other
instrument or document evidencing an Award.
(b) "BENEFICIARY" shall mean the person, persons, trust, or trusts
which have been designated by a Participant in his or her most recent written
beneficiary designation filed with the Committee to receive the benefits
specified under this Plan upon such Participant's death or, if there is no
designated Beneficiary or surviving designated Beneficiary, then the person,
persons, trust, or trusts entitled by will or the laws of descent and
distribution to receive such benefits.
(c) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(d) A "CHANGE IN CONTROL" shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(i) any person, other than the Company or an employee benefit
plan of the Company, acquires directly or indirectly the Beneficial Ownership
(as defined in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended)
of any voting security of the Company and immediately after such acquisition
such Person is, directly or indirectly, the Beneficial Owner of voting
securities representing 50% or more of the total voting power of all of the
then-outstanding voting securities of the Company;
(ii) the stockholders of the Company shall approve a merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, or reorganization of the Company, a reverse
stock split of outstanding voting securities, or consummation of any such
transaction if stockholder approval is not sought or obtained, other than any
such transaction which would result in at least 75% of the total voting power
represented by the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding
immediately after such transaction being Beneficially Owned by at least 75% of
the holders of outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to
the transaction, with the voting power of each such continuing holder relative
to other such continuing holders not substantially altered in the transaction;
or
(iii) the stockholders of the Company shall approve a plan of
complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition
by the Company of all or a substantial portion of the Company's assets (i.e.,
50% or more of the total assets of the Company).
(e) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time. References to any provision of the Code shall be deemed to include
regulations thereunder and successor provisions and regulations thereto.
(f) "COMMITTEE" means the Compensation Committee of the Board, or such
other Board committee as may be designated by the Board to administer the Plan;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that to the extent necessary to comply with Rule 16b-3, the
Committee shall consist of two or more directors, each of whom is a
"disinterested person" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3.
(g) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time. References to any provision of the Exchange Act shall
be deemed to include rules thereunder and successor provisions and rules
thereto.
(h) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, with respect to Stock, Awards, or other
property, the fair market value of such Stock, Awards, or other property
determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to
time by the Committee, provided, however, that (i) if the Stock is listed on a
national securities exchange or quoted in an interdealer quotation system, the
Fair Market Value of such Stock on a given date shall be based upon the last
sales price or, if unavailable, the average of the closing bid and asked prices
per share of the Stock on such date (or, if there was no trading or quotation in
the Stock on such date, on the next preceding date on which there was trading or
quotation) as provided by one of such organizations, (ii) the "fair market
value" of Stock on the date on which shares of Stock are first issued and sold
pursuant to a registration statement filed with and declared effective by the
Securities and Exchange Commission shall be the Initial Public Offering price of
the shares so issued and sold, as set forth in the first final prospectus used
in such offering and (iii) the "fair market value" of Stock prior to the date of
the Initial Public Offering shall be as determined by the Board of Directors.
(i) "INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING" shall mean an initial public offering of
shares of Stock in a firm commitment underwriting registered with the Securities
and Exchange Commission in compliance with the provisions of the 1933 Act.
(j) "ISO" means any Option intended to be and designated as an
incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(k) "NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR" shall mean a member of the Board who is not
otherwise an employee of the Company or any subsidiary.
(l) "PARTICIPANT" means a person who, at a time when eligible under
Section 5 hereof, has been granted an Award under the Plan.
(m) "RULE 16B-3" means Rule 16b-3, as from time to time in effect and
applicable to the Plan and Participants, promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(n) "STOCK" means the Common Stock, $.01 par value, of the Company and
such other securities as may be substituted for Stock or such other securities
pursuant to Section 4.
3. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) AUTHORITY OF THE COMMITTEE. The Plan shall be administered by the
Committee. The Committee shall have full and final authority to take the
following actions, in each case subject to and consistent with the provisions of
the Plan:
(i) to select Participants to whom Awards may be granted;
(ii) to determine the type or types of Awards to be granted
to each Participant;
(iii) to determine the number of Awards to be granted, the
number of shares of Stock to which an Award will relate, the terms and
conditions of any Award granted under the Plan (including, but not limited to,
any exercise price, grant price, or purchase price, any restriction or
condition, any schedule for lapse of restrictions or conditions relating to
transferability or forfeiture, exercisability, or settlement of an Award, and
waivers or accelerations thereof, and waivers of or modifications to performance
conditions relating to an Award, based in each case on such considerations as
the Committee shall determine), and all other matters to be determined in
connection with an Award;
(iv) to determine whether, to what extent, and under what
circumstances an Award may be settled, or the exercise price of an Award may be
paid, in cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be
cancelled, forfeited, or surrendered;
(v) to determine whether, to what extent, and under what
circumstances cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property payable with respect
to an Award will be deferred either automatically, at the election of the
Committee, or at the election of the Participant;
(vi) to prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need
not be identical for each Participant;
(vii) to adopt, amend, suspend, waive, and rescind such rules
and regulations and appoint such agents as the Committee may deem necessary or
advisable to administer the Plan;
(viii) to correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile
any inconsistency in the Plan and to construe and interpret the Plan and any
Award, rules and regulations, Award Agreement, or other instrument hereunder;
and
(ix) to make all other decisions and determinations as may be
required under the terms of the Plan or as the Committee may deem necessary or
advisable for the administration of the Plan.
(b) MANNER OF EXERCISE OF COMMITTEE AUTHORITY. Unless authority is
specifically reserved to the Board under the terms of the Plan, the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, or applicable law, the Committee shall
have sole discretion in exercising authority under the Plan. Any action of the
Committee with respect to the Plan shall be final, conclusive, and binding on
all persons, including the Company, subsidiaries of the Company, Participants,
any person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participant,
and stockholders. The express grant of any specific power to the Committee, and
the taking of any action by the Committee, shall not be construed as limiting
any power or authority of the Committee. The Committee may delegate to officers
or managers of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company the authority,
subject to such terms as the Committee shall determine, to perform
administrative functions and, with respect to Participants not subject to
Section 16 of the Exchange Act, to perform such other functions as the Committee
may determine, to the extent permitted under Rule 16b-3, if applicable, and
other applicable law.
(c) LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. Each member of the Committee shall be
entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information
furnished to him by any officer or other employee of the Company or any
subsidiary, the Company's independent certified public accountants, or any
executive compensation consultant, legal counsel, or other professional retained
by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan. No member of the
Committee, nor any officer or employee of the Company acting on behalf of the
Committee, shall be personally liable for any action, determination, or
interpretation taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and all
members of the Committee and any officer or employee of the Company acting on
their behalf shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and
protected by the Company with respect to any such action, determination, or
interpretation.
4. STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN.
(a) AMOUNT OF STOCK RESERVED. The total amount of Stock that may be
subject to outstanding Awards, determined immediately after the grant of any
Award, shall not exceed 4,800,000 shares of the total number of shares of Stock
outstanding. Shares subject to ISOs, Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock Awards
shall not be deemed delivered if such Awards are forfeited, expire or otherwise
terminate without delivery of shares to the Participant. If an Award valued by
reference to Stock may only be settled in cash, the number of shares to which
such Award relates shall be deemed to be Stock subject to such Award for
purposes of this Section 4(a). Any shares of Stock delivered pursuant to an
Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares or
treasury shares.
(b) ADJUSTMENTS. In the event of any dividend or other distribution
(whether in the form of cash, Stock, or other property), recapitalization,
forward or reverse split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off,
combination, repurchase, or share exchange, or other similar corporate
transaction or event, affects the Stock such that an adjustment is appropriate
in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants under
the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable,
adjust any or all of (i) the number and kind of shares of Stock deemed to be
available thereafter for grants of Awards under Section 4(a) (including with
respect to the limitations relating to ISOs and to Restricted and Deferred
Stock), (ii) the number and kind of shares of Stock that may be delivered or
deliverable in respect of outstanding Awards, and (iii) the exercise price,
grant price, or purchase price relating to any Award (or, if deemed appropriate,
the Committee may make provision for a cash payment with respect to any
outstanding Award). In addition, the Committee is authorized to make adjustments
in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards (including,
without limitation, cash payments in exchange for an Award or substitution of
Awards using stock of a successor or other entity) in recognition of unusual or
nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, events described in the
preceding sentence) affecting the Company or any subsidiary or the financial
statements of the Company or any subsidiary, or in response to changes in
applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles. The foregoing
notwithstanding, no adjustments shall be authorized under this Section 4(c) with
respect to ISOs or SARs in tandem therewith to the extent that such authority
would cause the Plan to violate Section 422(b)(1) of the Code, and no such
adjustment shall be authorized with respect to Options or other Awards granted
in accordance with Section 7(f) hereof to the extent that such authority would
cause such Options or other Awards to fail to qualify as "performance-based
compensation" under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code and regulations thereunder
(including Regulation 1.162-27(e)(2)).
5. ELIGIBILITY. Executive officers and other key employees of the Company
and its subsidiaries, including any director and persons who provide consulting
or other services the Company deemed by the Committee to be of substantial value
to the Company, are eligible to be granted Awards under the Plan. In addition, a
person who has been offered employment by the Company or its subsidiaries is
eligible to be granted an Award under the Plan, provided that such Award shall
be cancelled if such person fails to commence such employment, and no payment of
value may be made in connection with such Award until such person has commenced
such employment.
6. SPECIFIC TERMS OF AWARDS.
(a) GENERAL. Awards may be granted on the terms and conditions set
forth in this Section 6. In addition, the Committee may impose on any Award or
the exercise thereof, at the date of grant or thereafter (subject to Section
8(e)), such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the
provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine, including terms
requiring forfeiture of Awards in the event of termination of employment or
service of the Participant. Except as provided in Sections 6(f), 6(h), or 7(a),
or to the extent required to comply with requirements of the Delaware General
Corporation Law that lawful consideration be paid for Stock, only services may
be required as consideration for the grant (but not the exercise) of any Award.
(b) OPTIONS. The Committee is authorized to grant Options to
Participants (including "reload" options automatically granted to offset
specified exercises of options) on the following terms and conditions:
(i) EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price per share of Stock
purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the
Committee.
(ii) TIME AND METHOD OF EXERCISE. The Committee shall determine
the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part, the
methods by which such exercise price may be paid or deemed to be paid, the form
of such payment, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards or
awards granted under other Company plans, or other property (including notes or
other contractual obligations of Participants to make payment on a deferred
basis, such as through "cashless exercise" arrangements, to the extent permitted
by applicable law), and the methods by which Stock will be delivered or deemed
to be delivered to Participants.
(iii) ISOS. The terms of any ISO granted under the Plan shall
comply in all respects with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code, including
but not limited to the requirement that no ISO shall be granted more than ten
years after the effective date of the Plan. Anything in the Plan to the contrary
notwithstanding, no term of the Plan relating to ISOs shall not be interpreted,
amended, or altered, nor shall any discretion or authority granted under the
Plan be exercised, so as to disqualify either the Plan or any ISO under Section
422 of the Code.
(iv) TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Unless otherwise determined by
the Committee, upon termination of a Participant's employment with the Company
and its subsidiaries, such Participant may exercise any Options during the three
month period following such termination of employment, but only to the extent
such Option was exercisable immediately prior to such termination of employment.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Committee determines that such termination
is for cause, all Options held by the Participant shall immediately terminate.
(c) STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS. The Committee is authorized to grant
SARs to Participants on the following terms and conditions:
(i) RIGHT TO PAYMENT. An SAR shall confer on the Participant to
whom it is granted a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (A)
the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the date of exercise (or, if the
Committee shall so determine in the case of any such right other than one
related to an ISO, the Fair Market Value of one share at any time during a
specified period before or after the date of exercise), over (B) the grant price
of the SAR as determined by the Committee as of the date of grant of the SAR,
which, except as provided in Section 7(a), shall be not less than the Fair
Market Value of one share of Stock on the date of grant.
(ii) OTHER TERMS. The Committee shall determine the time or
times at which an SAR may be exercised in whole or in part, the method of
exercise, method of settlement, form of consideration payable in settlement,
method by which Stock will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to
Participants, whether or not an SAR shall be in tandem with any other Award, and
any other terms and conditions of any SAR. Limited SARs that may only be
exercised upon the occurrence of a Change in Control may be granted on such
terms, not inconsistent with this Section 6(c), as the Committee may determine.
Limited SARs may be either freestanding or in tandem with other Awards.
(d) RESTRICTED STOCK. The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted
Stock to Participants on the following terms and conditions:
(i) GRANT AND RESTRICTIONS. Restricted Stock shall be subject to
such restrictions on transferability and other restrictions, if any, as the
Committee may impose, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination
at such times, under such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as
the Committee may determine. Except to the extent restricted under the terms of
the Plan and any Award Agreement relating to the Restricted Stock, a Participant
granted Restricted Stock shall have all of the rights of a stockholder
including, without limitation, the right to vote Restricted Stock or the right
to receive dividends thereon.
(ii) FORFEITURE. Except as otherwise determined by the
Committee, upon termination of employment or service (as determined under
criteria established by the Committee) during the applicable restriction period,
Restricted Stock that is at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited
and reacquired by the Company; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Committee may
provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award Agreement, or may determine in
any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to
Restricted Stock will be waived in whole or in part in the event of termination
resulting from specified causes. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to
the contrary (other than Section 7(g)), all Restricted Stock Awards, other than
an Award granted pursuant to Section 7(f), shall be forfeited upon a
Participant's termination of employment or other service with the Company and
its subsidiaries within three years of the date the award is granted, provided,
however, that the Committee may make exceptions in the event such termination is
by reason of the Participant's death or disability.
(iii) CERTIFICATES FOR STOCK. Restricted Stock granted under the
Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine. If
certificates representing Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the
Participant, such certificates shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the
terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, the
Company shall retain physical possession of the certificate, and the Participant
shall have delivered a stock power to the Company, endorsed in blank, relating
to the Restricted Stock.
(iv) DIVIDENDS. Dividends paid on Restricted Stock shall be
either paid at the dividend payment date in cash or in shares of unrestricted
Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends, or the
payment of such dividends shall be deferred and/or the amount or value thereof
automatically reinvested in additional Restricted Stock, other Awards, or other
investment vehicles, as the Committee shall determine or permit the Participant
to elect. Stock distributed in connection with a Stock split or Stock dividend,
and other property distributed as a dividend, shall be subject to restrictions
and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Stock with respect
to which such Stock or other property has been distributed.
(e) DEFERRED STOCK. The Committee is authorized to grant Deferred Stock
to Participants, subject to the following terms and conditions:
(i) AWARD AND RESTRICTIONS. Delivery of Stock will occur upon
expiration of the deferral period specified for an Award of Deferred Stock by
the Committee (or, if permitted by the Committee, as elected by the
Participant). In addition, Deferred Stock shall be subject to such restrictions
as the Committee may impose, if any, which restrictions may lapse at the
expiration of the deferral period or at earlier specified times, separately or
in combination, in installments, or otherwise, as the Committee may determine.
(ii) FORFEITURE. Except as otherwise determined by the
Committee, upon termination of employment or service (as determined under
criteria established by the Committee) during the applicable deferral period or
portion thereof to which forfeiture conditions apply (as provided in the Award
Agreement evidencing the Deferred Stock), all Deferred Stock that is at that
time subject to deferral (other than a deferral at the election of the
Participant) shall be forfeited; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Committee may
provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award Agreement, or may determine in
any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to
Deferred Stock will be waived in whole or in part in the event of termination
resulting from specified causes. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to
the contrary (other than Section 7(g)), all Deferred Stock Awards, other than an
Award granted pursuant to Section 7(f), shall be forfeited upon a Participant's
termination of employment or other service with the Company and its subsidiaries
within three years of the date the award is granted, provided, however, that the
Committee may make exceptions in the event such termination is by reason of the
Participant's death or disability.
(f) BONUS STOCK AND AWARDS IN LIEU OF CASH OBLIGATIONS. The Committee
is authorized to grant Stock as a bonus, or to grant Stock or other Awards in
lieu of Company obligations to pay cash under other plans or compensatory
arrangements, provided that, in the case of Participants subject to Section 16
of the Exchange Act, such cash amounts are determined under such other plans in
a manner that complies with applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 so that the
acquisition of Stock or Awards hereunder shall be exempt from Section 16(b)
liability. Stock or Awards granted hereunder shall be subject to such other
terms as shall be determined by the Committee.
(g) DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS. The Committee is authorized to grant Dividend
Equivalents to a Participant, entitling the Participant to receive cash, Stock,
other Awards, or other property equal in value to dividends paid with respect to
a specified number of shares of Stock, or other periodic payments. Dividend
Equivalents may be awarded on a free-standing basis or in connection with
another Award. The Committee may provide that Dividend Equivalents shall be paid
or distributed when accrued or shall be deemed to have been reinvested in
additional Stock, Awards, or other investment vehicles as the Committee may
specify.
(h) OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS. The Committee is authorized, subject to
limitations under applicable law, to grant to Participants such other Awards
that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference
to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Stock, as deemed by the Committee to
be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, including, without limitation,
convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or
exchangeable into Stock, purchase rights for Stock, Awards with value and
payment contingent upon performance of the Company or any other factors
designated by the Committee, and Awards valued by reference to the book value of
Stock or the value of securities of or the performance of specified
subsidiaries. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such
Awards. Stock delivered pursuant to an Award in the nature of a purchase right
granted under this Section 6(h) shall be purchased for such consideration, paid
for at such times, by such methods, and in such forms, including, without
limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property, as the Committee shall
determine. Cash awards, as an element of or supplement to any other Award under
the Plan, shall also be authorized pursuant to this Section 6(h).
7. CERTAIN PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS.
(a) STAND-ALONE, ADDITIONAL, TANDEM, AND SUBSTITUTE AWARDS. Awards
granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted
either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution for, any
other Award granted under the Plan or any award granted under any other plan of
the Company, any subsidiary, or any business entity to be acquired by the
Company or a subsidiary, or any other right of a Participant to receive payment
from the Company or any subsidiary. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem
with other Awards or awards may be granted either as of the same time as or a
different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.
(b) TERM OF AWARDS. The term of each Award shall be for such period as
may be determined by the Committee; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no event shall
the term of any ISO or an SAR granted in tandem therewith exceed a period of ten
years from the date of its grant (or such shorter period as may be applicable
under Section 422 of the Code).
(c) FORM OF PAYMENT UNDER AWARDS. Subject to the terms of the Plan and
any applicable Award Agreement, payments to be made by the Company or a
subsidiary upon the grant or exercise of an Award may be made in such forms as
the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, other
Awards, or other property, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in
installments, or on a deferred basis. Such payments may include, without
limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable interest on
installment or deferred payments or the grant or crediting of Dividend
Equivalents in respect of installment or deferred payments denominated in Stock.
(d) RULE 16B-3 COMPLIANCE.
(i) SIX-MONTH HOLDING PERIOD. Unless a Participant could
otherwise exercise a derivative security or dispose of Stock delivered upon
exercise of a derivative security granted under the Plan without incurring
liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, (i) Stock delivered under the
Plan other than upon exercise or conversion of a derivative security granted
under the Plan shall be held for at least six months from the date of
acquisition, and (ii), with respect to a derivative security granted under the
Plan, at least six months shall elapse from the date of acquisition of the
derivative security to the date of disposition of the derivative security (other
than upon exercise or conversion) or its underlying equity security.
(ii) TRANSFERABILITY. Except as otherwise provided by the
Committee, Awards under the Plan are not transferable except as designated by
the Participant by will or by the laws of descent and distribution (or pursuant
to a Beneficiary designation).
(iii) REFORMATION TO COMPLY WITH EXCHANGE ACT RULES. It is the
intent of the Company that this Plan comply in all respects with applicable
provisions of Rule 16b-3 or Rule 16a-1(c)(3) under the Exchange Act in
connection with any grant of Awards to or other transaction by a Participant who
is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act (except for transactions exempted
under alternative Exchange Act Rules or acknowledged in writing to be non-exempt
by such Participant). Accordingly, if any provision of this Plan or any Award
Agreement relating to an Award does not comply with the requirements of Rule
16b-3 or Rule 16a-1(c)(3) as then applicable to any such transaction, such
provision will be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform
to the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 or Rule 16a-1(c)(3) so that such
Participant shall avoid liability under Section 16(b). In addition, other
provisions of the Plan notwithstanding, the exercise price of any Award carrying
a right to exercise granted to a Participant subject to Section 16 of the
Exchange Act shall be not less than 50% of the Fair Market Value of Stock as of
the date such Award is granted if such pricing limitation is required under Rule
16b-3 at the time of such grant.
(e) LOAN PROVISIONS. With the consent of the Committee, and subject at
all times to, and only to the extent, if any, and in accordance with, laws and
regulations and other binding obligations or provisions applicable to the
Company, the Company may make, guarantee, or arrange for a loan or loans to a
Participant with respect to the exercise of any Option or other payment in
connection with any Award, including the payment by a Participant of any or all
federal, state, or local income or other taxes due in connection with any Award.
Subject to such limitations, the Committee shall have full authority to decide
whether to make a loan or loans hereunder and to determine the amount, terms,
and provisions of any such loan or loans, including the interest rate to be
charged in respect of any such loan or loans, whether the loan or loans are to
be with or without recourse against the borrower, the terms on which the loan is
to be repaid and conditions, if any, under which the loan or loans may be
forgiven.
(f) PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS TO "COVERED EMPLOYEES". Other provisions
of the Plan notwithstanding, the provisions of this Section 7(f) shall apply to
any Award the exercisability or settlement of which is subject to the
achievement of performance conditions (other than an Option or SAR granted with
an exercise or base price at least equal to 100% of Fair Market Value of Stock
on the date of grant) if such Award is granted to a person who, at the time of
grant, is a "covered employee." The definition of "covered employee," and other
terms used in this Section 7(f), shall be interpreted in a manner consistent
with Section 162(m) of the Code and regulations thereunder (including Regulation
1.162-27). The performance objectives for an Award subject to this Section 7(f)
shall consist of one or more business criteria and a targeted level or levels of
performance with respect to such criteria, as specified by the Committee but
subject to this Section 7(f). Performance objectives shall be objective and
shall otherwise meet the requirements (including the shareholder approval
requirements) of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code and regulations thereunder
(including Regulation 1.162-27(e)(2)). The following business criteria shall be
used by the Committee in connection with a performance objective:
(1) Annual earnings before payment of taxes and interest;
(2) Annual earnings per share; and/or
(3) Annual return on common equity.
Achievement of performance objectives shall be measured over a period of one,
two, three, or four years, as specified by the Committee. No business criteria
other than those named above may be used in establishing the performance
objective for an Award to a covered employee. For each such Award relating to a
covered employee, the Committee shall establish the targeted level or levels of
performance for each business criteria. Performance objectives may differ for
Awards under this Section 7(f) to different covered employees. The Committee may
determine that an Award under this Section 7(f) shall be payable upon
achievement of any one of the performance objectives or may require that two or
more of the performance objectives must be achieved in order for an Award to be
payable. The Committee may, in its discretion, reduce the amount of a payout
otherwise to be made in connection with an Award under this Section 7(f), but
may not exercise discretion to increase such amount, and the Committee may
consider other performance criteria in exercising such discretion. All
determinations by the Committee as to the achievement of performance objectives
shall be made in writing. The Committee may not delegate any responsibility
under this Section 7(f).
(g) ACCELERATION UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL. Notwithstanding anything
contained herein to the contrary, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in
an Award Agreement, all conditions and/or restrictions relating to the continued
performance of services and/or the achievement of performance objectives with
respect to the exercisability or full enjoyment of an Award shall immediately
lapse upon a Change in Control.
8. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) COMPLIANCE WITH LEGAL AND EXCHANGE REQUIREMENTS. The Company shall
not be obligated to deliver Stock upon the exercise or settlement of any Award
or take other actions under the Plan until the Company shall have determined
that applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations have been
complied with and such approvals of any regulatory or governmental agency have
been obtained and contractual obligations to which the Award may be subject have
been satisfied. The Company, in its discretion, may postpone the issuance or
delivery of Stock under any Award until completion of such stock exchange
listing or registration or qualification of such Stock or other required action
under any federal or state law, rule, or regulation as the Company may consider
appropriate, and may require any Participant to make such representations and
furnish such information as it may consider appropriate in connection with the
issuance or delivery of Stock under the Plan.
(b) TRANSFERABILITY. Except as otherwise set forth in Section 7(d)(ii),
Awards and other rights of Participants under the Plan may not be transferred to
third parties, pledged, mortgaged, hypothecated, or otherwise encumbered, and
shall not be subject to claims of creditors.
(c) NO RIGHT TO CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE. Neither the Plan nor
any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any employee or person
providing consulting or other services the right to be retained in the employ or
service of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, nor shall it interfere in any
way with the right of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to terminate any
employee's employment or terminate any contract with a person providing
consulting or other services at any time.
(d) TAXES. The Company or any subsidiary is authorized to withhold from
any Award granted or to be settled, any payment relating to an Award under the
Plan, including from a distribution of Stock, or any payroll or other payment to
a Participant, amounts of withholding and other taxes due or potentially payable
in connection with any transaction involving an Award, and to take such other
action as the Committee may deem advisable to enable the Company and
Participants to satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and
other tax obligations relating to any Award. This authority shall include
authority to withhold or receive Stock or other property and to make cash
payments in respect thereof in satisfaction of a Participant's tax obligations.
(e) CHANGES TO THE PLAN AND AWARDS. The Board may amend, alter,
suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan or the Committee's authority to
grant Awards under the Plan without the consent of stockholders or Participants,
except that any such action shall be subject to the approval of the Company's
stockholders at or before the next annual meeting of stockholders for which the
record date is after such Board action if such stockholder approval is required
by any federal or state law or regulation or the rules of any stock exchange or
automated quotation system on which the Stock may then be listed or quoted, and
the Board may otherwise, in its discretion, determine to submit other such
changes to the Plan to stockholders for approval; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that,
without the consent of an affected Participant, no such action may materially
impair the rights of such Participant under any Award theretofore granted to
him. The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, or amend, alter,
suspend, discontinue, or terminate, any Award theretofore granted and any Award
Agreement relating thereto; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, without the consent of an
affected Participant, no such action may materially impair the rights of such
Participant under such Award.
(f) NO RIGHTS TO AWARDS; NO STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS. No Participant,
employee, or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the
Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants,
employees, and other persons. No Award shall confer on any Participant any of
the rights of a stockholder of the Company unless and until Stock is duly issued
or transferred and delivered to the Participant in accordance with the terms of
the Award.
(g) UNFUNDED STATUS OF AWARDS; CREATION OF TRUSTS. The Plan is intended
to constitute an "unfunded" plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With
respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award,
nothing contained in the Plan or any Award shall give any such Participant any
rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts or
make other arrangements to meet the Company's obligations under the Plan to
deliver cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property pursuant to any Award,
which trusts or other arrangements shall be consistent with the "unfunded"
status of the Plan unless the Committee otherwise determines with the consent of
each affected Participant.
(h) NONEXCLUSIVITY OF THE PLAN. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the
Board nor its submission to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall
be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such
other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without
limitation, the granting of stock options otherwise than under the Plan, and
such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in specific cases.
(i) NO FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued
or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award. The Committee shall determine
whether cash, other Awards, or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of
such fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto
shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.
(j) COMPLIANCE WITH CODE SECTION 162(M). It is the intent of the
Company that Options and other Awards subject to the performance objectives
specified under Section 7(f) granted under the Plan to persons who are "covered
employees" within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder
(including Regulation 1.162-27(c)(2)) shall constitute "qualified
performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and
regulations thereunder (including Regulation 1.162-27(e), and subject to the
transition rules under Regulation 1.162-27(h)(2)) thereunder. Accordingly, if
any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement relating to such an Award
granted to a "covered employee" does not comply or is inconsistent with the
requirements of Code Section 162(m) or regulations thereunder, such provision
shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such
requirements, and no provision shall be deemed to confer upon the Committee or
any other person discretion to increase the amount of compensation otherwise
payable to a "covered employee" in connection with any such Award upon
attainment of the performance objectives.
(k) GOVERNING LAW. The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan,
any rules and regulations relating to the Plan, and any Award Agreement shall be
determined in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, without
giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws, and applicable federal law.
(l) EFFECTIVE DATE; PLAN TERMINATION. The Plan shall become effective
as of the date of its adoption by the Board and shall continue in effect until
terminated by the Board.