ELDERTRUST
1998 SHARE OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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SECTION 1. GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE PLAN; DEFINITIONS...........................1
SECTION 2. ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN; ADMINISTRATOR
AUTHORITY TO SELECT PARTICIPANTS AND DETERMINE AWARDS..............3
SECTION 3. SHARES ISSUABLE UNDER THE PLAN; RECAPITALIZATIONS;
MERGERS; SUBSTITUTE AWARDS.........................................4
SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY........................................................6
SECTION 5. SHARE OPTIONS......................................................6
SECTION 6. RESTRICTED SHARE AWARDS............................................9
SECTION 7. DEFERRED SHARE AWARDS..............................................11
SECTION 8. UNRESTRICTED SHARE AWARDS..........................................12
SECTION 9. PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARDS...........................................12
SECTION 10. DISTRIBUTION EQUIVALENT RIGHTS....................................13
SECTION 11. TAX WITHHOLDING...................................................13
SECTION 12. TRANSFER, LEAVE OF ABSENCE, ETC...................................14
SECTION 13. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION........................................14
SECTION 14. STATUS OF PLAN....................................................14
SECTION 15. CHANGE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS......................................15
SECTION 16. GENERAL PROVISIONS................................................15
SECTION 17. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN............................................16
SECTION 18. GOVERNING LAW.....................................................16
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ELDERTRUST
1998 SHARE OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN
SECTION 1. GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE PLAN; DEFINITIONS
The name of the plan is the ElderTrust 1998 Share Option and
Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). The purpose of the Plan is to encourage and
enable the officers, employees, Non-Employee Trustees and other key persons of
ElderTrust (the "Company"), and the employees and other key persons of
ElderTrust Operating Limited Partnership (the "Operating Partnership") and the
Company's other Subsidiaries, upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the
Company largely depends for the successful conduct of its business to acquire
a proprietary interest in the Company. It is anticipated that providing such
persons with a direct stake in the Company's welfare will assure a closer
identification of their interests with those of the Company, thereby
stimulating their efforts on the Company's behalf and strengthening their
desire to remain with the Company.
The following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
"Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time.
"Administrator" means either the Board or the Committee, to
the extent the Committee has been delegated authority pursuant to Section 2.
"Award" or "Awards," except where referring to a particular
category of grant under the Plan, shall include Incentive Share Options,
Non-Qualified Share Options, Restricted Share Awards, Deferred Share Awards,
Unrestricted Share Awards, Performance Share Awards and Distribution
Equivalent Rights.
"Board" means the Board of Trustees of the Company as
constituted from time to time.
"Change of Control" is defined in Section 15.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
from time to time, and any successor Code, and related rules, regulations and
interpretations.
"Committee" means the Committee of the Board referred to in
Section 2(b).
"Company" means ElderTrust, a Maryland real estate
investment trust, and any successor thereto.
"Deferred Share Award" means Awards granted pursuant to
Section 7.
"Distribution Equivalent Right" means Awards granted
pursuant to Section 10.
"Effective Date" means the date on which the Plan is
initially approved by Shareholders as set forth in Section 17.
"Fair Market Value" on any given date means the last
reported sale price at which Shares are traded on such date or, if no Shares
are traded on such date, the next preceding date on which Shares were traded,
as reflected on the principal stock exchange or, if applicable, any other
national stock exchange on which the Shares are traded or admitted to trading.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fair Market Value on the first day of the
Company's initial public offering of Shares shall be the initial public
offering price as set forth in the final prospectus for the Company's initial
public offering.
"Incentive Share Option" means any Share Option that
qualifies as and is designated in writing in the related Option agreement as
constituting an "incentive stock option" as defined in Section 422 of the
Code.
"Non-Employee Trustee" means a member of the Board who is
not also an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.
"Non-Qualified Share Option" means any Share Option that is
not an Incentive Share Option.
"Operating Partnership" means ElderTrust Operating Limited
Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership, and any successor thereto.
"Option" or "Share Option" means any option to purchase
Shares granted pursuant to Section 5.
"Performance Share Award" means Awards granted pursuant to
Section 9.
"Restricted Share Award" means Awards granted pursuant to
Section 6.
"Shares" means the common shares of beneficial interest, par
value $.01 per share, of the Company, subject to adjustments pursuant to
Section 3.
"Subsidiary" means any corporation or other entity (other
than the Company) in any unbroken chain of corporations or other entities
beginning with the Company if each of the corporations or entities (other than
the last corporation or entity in the unbroken chain) owns Shares or other
interests possessing 50 percent or more of the economic interest or the total
combined voting power of all classes of Shares or other interests in one of
the other corporations or entities in the chain.
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"Unrestricted Share Award" means any Award granted pursuant
to Section 8.
SECTION 2. ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN; ADMINISTRATOR AUTHORITY TO SELECT
PARTICIPANTS AND DETERMINE AWARDS
(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Board, which shall
have the full power and authority to take all actions and to make all
determinations required or provided for under the Plan or any Award granted or
agreement entered into hereunder and all such other actions and determinations
not inconsistent with the specific terms and provisions of the Plan deemed by
the Board to be necessary or appropriate to the administration of the Plan or
any Award granted or agreement entered into hereunder.
(b) The Board from time to time may appoint a Committee
consisting of two or more members of the Board who, in the sole discretion of
the Board, may be the same trustees who serve on the Compensation Committee,
or may appoint the Compensation Committee to serve as the Committee. The
Board, in its sole discretion, may provide that the role of the Committee
shall be limited to making recommendations to the Board concerning any
determinations to be made and actions to be taken by the Board pursuant to or
with respect to the Plan, or the Board may delegate to the Committee such
powers and authorities related to the administration of the Plan, as set forth
in Section 2(a) above, as the Board shall determine, consistent with the
By-Laws of the Company and applicable law. In the event that the Plan or any
Award granted or agreement entered into hereunder provides for any action to
be taken by or determination to be made by the Board, such action may be taken
by or such determination may be made by the Committee if the power and
authority to do so has been delegated to the Committee by the Board as
provided for in this Section 2.
(c) Powers of Administrator. The Administrator shall have
the power and authority to grant Awards consistent with the terms of the Plan,
including the power and authority:
(i) to select the individuals to whom Awards may
from time to time be granted;
(ii) to determine the time or times of grant, and
the extent, if any, of Incentive Share Options,
Non-Qualified Share Options, Restricted Share Awards,
Deferred Share Awards, Unrestricted Share Awards,
Performance Share Awards and Distribution Equivalent Rights,
or any combination of the foregoing, granted to any one or
more participants;
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(iii) to determine the number of Shares to be
covered by any Award;
(iv) to determine and modify from time to time the
terms and conditions, including restrictions, not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award, which
terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and
participants, and to approve the form of written instruments
evidencing the Awards;
(v) to accelerate at any time the exercisability
or vesting of all or any portion of any Award;
(vi) subject to the provisions of Section 5(a)(ii),
to extend at any time the post-termination period in which
Share Options may be exercised;
(vii) to determine at any time whether, to what
extent, and under what circumstances Shares and other
amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred
either automatically or at the election of the participant
and whether and to what extent the Company shall pay or
credit amounts constituting deemed interest (at rates
determined by the Administrator) or distributions or deemed
distributions on such deferrals; and
(viii) at any time to adopt, alter and repeal such
rules, guidelines and practices for administration of the
Plan and for its own acts and proceedings as it shall deem
advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan
and any Award (including related written instruments); to
make all determinations it deems advisable for the
administration of the Plan; to decide all disputes arising
in connection with the Plan; and to otherwise supervise the
administration of the Plan.
All decisions and interpretations of the Administrator shall
be made in the Administrator's sole and absolute discretion and shall be final
and binding on all persons, including the Company and Plan participants.
SECTION 3. SHARES ISSUABLE UNDER THE PLAN; RECAPITALIZATIONS;
MERGERS; SUBSTITUTE AWARDS
(a) Shares Issuable. The maximum number of Shares reserved
and available for issuance under the Plan shall be such aggregate number of
Shares as does not exceed the sum of (i) 779,340 Shares; plus (ii) as of
January 1, 1999, 9.9 percent of any net increase since the Company's initial
public offering in the total number of Shares actually outstanding (assuming
all units of partnership interests in the Operating Partnership that are
subject to redemption rights are converted into Shares); plus (iii) as of each
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January 1 thereafter, 9.9 percent of any net increase since the preceding
January 1 in the total number of Shares actually outstanding (assuming all
units of partnership interests in the Operating Partnership that are subject
to redemption rights are converted into Shares). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the maximum number of Shares for which Incentive Share Options may
be granted under the Plan shall not exceed 779,340 Shares, reduced by the
aggregate number of Shares subject to outstanding Awards granted under the
Plan. For purposes of this limitation, if any portion of an Award is
forfeited, canceled, reacquired by the Company, satisfied without the issuance
of Shares or otherwise terminated, the Shares underlying such portion of the
Award shall be added back to the Shares available for issuance under the Plan.
Subject to such overall limitation, Shares may be issued up to such maximum
number pursuant to any type or types of Award; provided, however, that on and
after the date the Company is first subject to the provisions of Section
162(m) of the Code with respect to grants made or compensation earned under
the Plan, Shares Options with respect to no more than 500,000 Shares may be
granted to any one individual participant during any one calendar year period.
The Shares available for issuance under the Plan may be authorized but
unissued Shares or Shares reacquired by the Company.
(b) Recapitalizations. If, through, or as a result of any
merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, share dividend,
share split, reverse share split or other similar transaction, the outstanding
Shares are increased or decreased or are exchanged for a different number or
kind of shares or other securities of the Company, or additional shares or new
or different shares or other securities of the Company or other non-cash
assets are distributed with respect to such Shares or other securities, the
Administrator may make an appropriate or proportionate adjustment in (i) the
maximum number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, (ii) the number
of Share Options that can be granted to any one individual participant, (iii)
the number and kind of shares or other securities subject to any then
outstanding Awards under the Plan, (iv) the maximum number of Shares for which
Incentive Share Options may be granted under the Plan, and (v) the price for
each share subject to any then outstanding Share Options under the Plan,
without changing the aggregate exercise price (i.e., the exercise price
multiplied by the number of Share Options) as to which such Share Options
remain exercisable. The adjustment by the Administrator shall be final,
binding and conclusive. No fractional Shares shall be issued under the Plan
resulting from any such adjustment, but the Administrator in its discretion
may make a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares.
(c) Mergers. In contemplation of and subject to the
consummation of a consolidation or merger or sale of all or substantially all
of the assets of the Company in which outstanding Shares are exchanged for
securities, cash or other property of an unrelated corporation or business
entity or in the event of a liquidation of the Company (in each case, a
"Transaction"), the Board, or the board of directors of any entity assuming
the obligations of the Company, may, in its discretion, take any one or more
of the following actions, as to outstanding Awards: (i) provide that such
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Awards shall be assumed or equivalent awards shall be substituted, by the
acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), and/or (ii)
upon written notice to the participants, provide that all Awards will
terminate immediately prior to the consummation of the Transaction. In the
event that, pursuant to clause (ii) above, Awards will terminate immediately
prior to the consummation of the Transaction, all vested Awards, other than
Share Options, shall be fully settled in cash or in kind at such appropriate
consideration as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion after
taking into account the consideration payable per Share pursuant to the
business combination (the "Merger Price") and all Share Options shall be fully
settled, in cash or in kind, in an amount equal to the difference between (A)
the Merger Price times the number of Shares subject to such outstanding Share
Options (to the extent then exercisable at prices not in excess of the Merger
Price) and (B) the aggregate exercise price of all such outstanding Share
Options; provided, however, that each participant shall be permitted, within a
specified period determined by the Administrator prior to the consummation of
the Transaction, to exercise all outstanding Share Options, including those
that are not then exercisable, subject to the consummation of the Transaction.
(d) Substitute Awards. The Administrator may grant Awards
under the Plan in substitution for Shares and Share based awards held by
employees of another corporation who become employees of the Company or a
Subsidiary as the result of a merger or consolidation of the employing
corporation with the Company or a Subsidiary or the acquisition by the Company
or a Subsidiary of property or Shares of the employing corporation. The
Administrator may direct that the substitute awards be granted on such terms
and conditions as the Administrator considers appropriate in the
circumstances.
SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY
Participants in the Plan will be such full or part-time
officers and other employees, Non-Employee Trustees and key persons of the
Company, the Operating Partnership and the Company's other Subsidiaries who
are responsible for or contribute to the management, growth or profitability
of the Company, the Operating Partnership and the Company's other Subsidiaries
as are selected from time to time by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
SECTION 5. SHARE OPTIONS
Any Share Option granted under the Plan shall be in such
form as the Administrator may from time to time approve.
Share Options granted under the Plan may be either Incentive
Share Options or Non-Qualified Share Options. Incentive Share Options may be
granted only to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary that is a
"subsidiary corporation" within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code. To
the extent that any Option does not qualify as an Incentive Share Option, it
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shall be deemed a Non-Qualified Share Option.
No Incentive Share Option shall be granted under the Plan
after January 26, 2008.
(a) Share Options Granted to Employees and Key Persons and
Non-Employee Trustees. The Administrator in its discretion may grant Share
Options to eligible employees and key persons of the Company or any Subsidiary
and to Non-Employee Trustees. Share Options granted pursuant to this Section
5(a) shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain
such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the
Plan, as the Administrator shall deem desirable. If the Administrator so
determines, Share Options may be granted in lieu of cash compensation at the
participant's election, subject to such terms and conditions as the
Administrator may establish, as well as in addition to other compensation.
(i) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share
for the Shares covered by a Share Option granted pursuant to
this Section 5(a) shall be determined by the Administrator
at the time of grant but shall not be less than 100 percent
of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant in the case of
Incentive Share Options, or par value in the case of
Non-Qualified Share Options. If an employee owns or is
deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section
424(d) of the Code) more than 10 percent of the combined
voting power of all classes of Shares of the Company or any
parent or subsidiary corporation and an Incentive Share
Option is granted to such employee, the exercise price of
such Incentive Share Option shall be not less than 110
percent of the Fair Market Value on the grant date.
(ii) Option Term. The term of each Share Option
shall be fixed by the Administrator, but no Incentive Share
Option shall be exercisable more than ten years after the
date the Share Option is granted. If an employee owns or is
deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section
424(d) of the Code) more than 10 percent of the combined
voting power of all classes of Shares of the Company or any
parent or subsidiary corporation and an Incentive Share
Option is granted to such employee, the term of such Share
Option shall be no more than five years from the date of
grant.
(iii) Exercisability; Rights of a Shareholder.
Share Options shall become exercisable at such time or
times, whether or not in installments, as shall be
determined by the Administrator at or after the grant date;
provided, however, that Share Options granted in lieu of
compensation shall be exercisable in full as of the grant
date unless the Administrator otherwise provides in the
Option Award agreement. The Administrator may at any time
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accelerate the exercisability of all or any portion of any
Share Option. A participant shall have the rights of a
Shareholder only as to Shares acquired upon the exercise of
a Share Option and not as to unexercised Share Options.
(iv) Method of Exercise. Share Options may be
exercised in whole or in part, by giving written notice of
exercise to the Company, specifying the number of shares to
be purchased. Payment of the purchase price may be made by
one or more of the following methods to the extent provided
in the Option Award agreement:
(A) In cash, by certified or bank check
or other instrument acceptable to the Administrator;
(B) In the form of Shares that are not
then subject to restrictions under any Company plan
and that have been beneficially owned by the
participant for at least six months, if permitted
by the Administrator in its discretion. Such
surrendered Shares shall be valued at Fair Market
Value on the exercise date;
(C) By the participant delivering to the
Company a properly executed exercise notice
together with irrevocable instructions to a broker
to promptly deliver to the Company cash or a check
payable and acceptable to the Company to pay the
purchase price; provided that in the event the
participant chooses to pay the purchase price as so
provided, the participant and the broker shall
comply with such procedures and enter into such
agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the
Administrator shall prescribe as a condition of
such payment procedure; or
(D) By the participant delivering to the
Company a promissory note if the Administrator has
expressly authorized the loan of funds to the
participant for the purpose of enabling or
assisting the participant to effect the exercise of
his Share Option; provided that at least so much of
the exercise price as represents the par value of
the Shares shall be paid other than with a
promissory note.
Payment instruments will be received subject to collection.
The delivery of certificates representing the Shares to be
purchased pursuant to the exercise of a Share Option will be
contingent upon receipt from the participant (or a purchaser
acting in his stead in accordance with the provisions of the
Share Option) by the Company of the full purchase price for
such shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements
contained in the Share Option or applicable provisions of
laws.
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(v) Annual Limit on Incentive Share Options. To the
extent required for "incentive stock option" treatment under
Section 422 of the Code, the aggregate Fair Market Value
(determined as of the time of grant) of the Shares with
respect to which Incentive Share Options granted under this
Plan and any other plan of the Company or its parent and
subsidiary corporations become exercisable for the first
time by a participant during any calendar year shall not
exceed $100,000. To the extent that any Share Option exceeds
this limit, it shall constitute a Non-Qualified Share
Option.
(b) Reload Options. At the discretion of the Administrator
and subject to such restrictions, terms and conditions as the Administrator
may establish, Options granted under the Plan may include a "reload" feature
pursuant to which a participant exercising a Share Option by the delivery of a
number of Shares in accordance with Section 5(a)(iv)(B) hereof would
automatically be granted an additional Share Option (with an exercise price
equal to the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date the additional Share
Option is granted and with such other terms as the Administrator may provide)
to purchase that number of Shares equal to the number delivered to exercise
the original Share Option with an Option term equal to the remainder of the
original Option term unless the Administrator otherwise determines in the
Option Award agreement for the original grant.
(c) Non-transferability of Share Options. No Share Option
shall be transferable by the participant otherwise than by will or by the laws
of descent and distribution and all Share Options shall be exercisable, during
the participant's lifetime, only by the participant. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide in the Award
agreement regarding a given Share Option that the participant may transfer,
without consideration for the transfer, his Non-Qualified Share Options to
members of his family, to trusts for the benefit of such family members, or to
partnerships in which such family members are the only partners, provided that
the transferee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the
terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable Option Award agreement.
(d) Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the
Administrator either in the Award agreement, or, subject to Section 13 below,
in writing after the Award agreement is issued, a participant's rights in all
Share Options shall automatically terminate upon the participant's termination
of employment (or cessation of business relationship) with the Company and its
Subsidiaries for any reason.
SECTION 6. RESTRICTED SHARE AWARDS
(a) Nature of Restricted Share Awards. A Restricted Share
Award is an Award entitling the recipient to acquire, at par value or such
other higher purchase price determined by the Administrator, Shares subject to
such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the
time of grant ("Restricted Shares"). Conditions may be based on continuing
employment (or other business relationship) and/or achievement of
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pre-established performance goals and objectives. Such performance goals and
objectives shall be established in writing by the Administrator prior to the
ninetieth day of the year in which the grant is made and while the outcome is
substantially uncertain. Performance goals and objectives shall be based on
Share price, market share, sales, earnings per Share, return on equity, costs,
or any combination of these factors. Performance goals and objectives may
include positive results, maintaining the status quo or limiting economic
losses. The grant of a Restricted Share Award is contingent on the participant
executing the Restricted Share Award agreement. The terms and conditions of
each such agreement shall be determined by the Administrator, and such terms
and conditions may differ among individual Awards and participants.
(b) Rights as a Shareholder. Upon execution of the
Restricted Share Award agreement and paying any applicable purchase price, a
participant shall have the rights of a Shareholder with respect to the voting
of the Restricted Share, subject to such terms and conditions as may be
contained in the Restricted Share Award agreement. Unless the Administrator
shall otherwise determine, certificates evidencing the Restricted Shares shall
remain in the possession of the Company until such Restricted Shares are
vested as provided in Section 6(d) below, and the participant shall be
required, as a condition of the grant, to deliver to the Company a Share power
endorsed in blank.
(c) Restrictions. Restricted Shares may not be sold,
assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except
as specifically provided herein or in the Restricted Share Award agreement. If
a participant's employment (or other business relationship) with the Company
and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason, the Company shall have the
right to repurchase Restricted Shares that have not vested at the time of
termination at their original purchase price, from the participant or the
participant's legal representative.
(d) Vesting of Restricted Shares. The Administrator at the
time of grant shall specify the date or dates and/or the attainment of
pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions on which
the non-transferability of the Restricted Shares and the Company's right of
repurchase or forfeiture shall lapse. Subsequent to such date or dates and/or
the attainment of such pre-established performance goals, objectives and other
conditions, the shares on which all restrictions have lapsed shall no longer
be Restricted Shares and shall be deemed "vested." Except as may otherwise be
provided by the Administrator either in the Award agreement or, subject to
Section 13 below, in writing after the Award agreement is issued, a
participant's rights in any shares of Restricted Shares that have not vested
shall automatically terminate upon the participant's termination of employment
(or other business relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries and
such shares shall be subject to the Company's right of repurchase as provided
in Section 6(c) above.
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(e) Waiver, Deferral and Reinvestment of Distributions. The
Restricted Share Award agreement may require or permit the immediate payment,
waiver, deferral or reinvestment (in the form of additional Restricted Shares)
of distributions paid on the Restricted Shares.
SECTION 7. DEFERRED SHARE AWARDS
(a) Nature of Deferred Share Awards. A Deferred Share Award
is an Award of phantom Share units to a participant, subject to restrictions
and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant.
Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other business
relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and
objectives. The grant of a Deferred Share Award is contingent on the
participant executing the Deferred Share Award agreement. The terms and
conditions of each such agreement shall be determined by the Administrator,
and such terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and
participants. At the end of the deferral period, the Deferred Share Award, to
the extent vested, shall be paid to the participant in the form of Shares.
(b) Election to Receive Deferred Share Awards in Lieu of
Compensation. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, permit a
participant to elect to receive a portion of the cash compensation or
Restricted Share Award otherwise due to such participant in the form of a
Deferred Share Award. Any such election shall be made in writing and shall be
delivered to the Company no later than the date specified by the Administrator
and in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Administrator.
The Administrator shall have the sole right to determine whether and under
what circumstances to permit such elections and to impose such limitations and
other terms and conditions thereon as the Administrator deems appropriate.
(c) Rights as a Shareholder. During the deferral period, a
participant shall have no rights as a Shareholder; provided, however, that the
participant may be credited with Distribution Equivalent Rights with respect
to the phantom Share units underlying his Deferred Share Award, subject to
such terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine.
(d) Restrictions. A Deferred Share Award may not be sold,
assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of during
the deferral period.
(e) Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the
Administrator either in the Award agreement or, subject to Section 13 below,
in writing after the Award agreement is issued, a participant's right in all
Deferred Share Awards that have not vested shall automatically terminate upon
the participant's termination of employment (or cessation of business
relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason.
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SECTION 8. UNRESTRICTED SHARE AWARDS
Grant or Sale of Unrestricted Shares. The Administrator may,
in its sole discretion, grant (or sell at par value or such other higher
purchase price determined by the Administrator) an Unrestricted Share Award to
any participant pursuant to which such participant may receive Shares free of
any restrictions ("Unrestricted Shares") under the Plan. Unrestricted Share
Awards may be granted or sold as described in the preceding sentence in
respect of past services or other valid consideration, or in lieu of any cash
compensation due to such participant.
SECTION 9. PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARDS
(a) Nature of Performance Share Awards. A Performance Share
Award is an Award entitling the recipient to acquire Shares upon the
attainment of specified performance goals. The Administrator may make
Performance Share Awards independent of or in connection with the granting of
any other Award under the Plan. The Administrator in its sole discretion shall
determine whether and to whom Performance Share Awards shall be made, the
performance goals applicable under each such Award, the periods during which
performance is to be measured, and all other limitations and conditions
applicable to the awarded Performance Shares; provided, however, that the
Administrator may rely on the performance goals and other standards applicable
to other performance unit plans of the Company in setting the standards for
Performance Share Awards under the Plan.
(b) Rights as a Shareholder. A participant receiving a
Performance Share Award shall have the rights of a Shareholder only as to
shares actually received by the participant under the Plan and not with
respect to shares subject to the Award but not actually received by the
participant. A participant shall be entitled to receive a Share certificate
evidencing the acquisition of Shares under a Performance Share Award only upon
satisfaction of all conditions specified in the written instrument evidencing
the Performance Share Award (or in a performance plan adopted by the
Administrator).
(c) Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the
Administrator either in the Award agreement or, subject to Section 13 below,
in writing after the Award agreement is issued, a participant's rights in all
Performance Share Awards shall automatically terminate upon the participant's
termination of employment (or cessation of business relationship) with the
Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason.
(d) Acceleration, Waiver, Etc. At any time prior to the
participant's termination of employment (or other business relationship) by
the Company and its Subsidiaries, the Administrator may in its sole discretion
accelerate, waive or, subject to Section 13, amend any or all of the goals,
restrictions or conditions imposed under any Performance Share Award.
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SECTION 10. DISTRIBUTION EQUIVALENT RIGHTS
(a) Distribution Equivalent Rights. A Distribution
Equivalent Right is an Award entitling the recipient to receive credits based
on cash distributions that would have been paid on the Shares specified in the
Distribution Equivalent Right (or other award to which it relates) if such
shares had been issued to and held by the recipient. A Distribution Equivalent
Right may be granted hereunder to any participant as a component of another
Award or as a freestanding award. The terms and conditions of Distribution
Equivalent Rights shall be specified in the grant. Distribution equivalents
credited to the holder of a Distribution Equivalent Right may be paid
currently or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional Shares, which may
thereafter accrue additional equivalents. Any such reinvestment shall be at
Fair Market Value on the date of reinvestment. Distribution Equivalent Rights
may be settled in cash or Shares or a combination thereof, in a single
installment or installments, all determined in the sole discretion of the
Administrator. A Distribution Equivalent Right granted as a component of
another Award may provide that such Distribution Equivalent Right shall be
settled upon exercise, settlement, or payment of, or lapse of restrictions on,
such other award, and that such Distribution Equivalent Right shall expire or
be forfeited or annulled under the same conditions as such other award. A
Distribution Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award may also
contain terms and conditions different from such other award.
(b) Interest Equivalents. Any Award under this Plan that is
settled in whole or in part in cash on a deferred basis may provide in the
grant for interest equivalents to be credited with respect to such cash
payment. Interest equivalents may be compounded and shall be paid upon such
terms and conditions as may be specified by the grant.
(c) Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the
Administrator either in the Award agreement or, subject to Section 13 below,
in writing after the Award agreement is issued, a participant's rights in all
Distribution Equivalent Rights or interest equivalents shall automatically
terminate upon the participant's termination of employment (or cessation of
business relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason.
SECTION 11. TAX WITHHOLDING
(a) Payment by Participant. Each participant shall, no later
than the date as of which the value of an Award or of any Shares or other
amounts received thereunder first becomes includable in the gross income of
the participant for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make
arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator regarding payment of, any
Federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with
respect to such income. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall, to the extent
permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of
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any kind otherwise due to the participant. The Company's obligation to deliver
Share certificates to any participant is subject to and conditioned on tax
obligations being satisfied by the participant.
(b) Payment in Shares. Subject to approval by the
Administrator, a participant may elect to have such tax withholding obligation
satisfied, in whole or in part, by (i) authorizing the Company to withhold
from Shares to be issued pursuant to any Award a number of shares with an
aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date the withholding is effected) that
would satisfy the withholding amount due, or (ii) transferring to the Company
Shares owned by the participant with an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the
date the withholding is effected) that would satisfy the withholding amount
due.
SECTION 12. TRANSFER, LEAVE OF ABSENCE, ETC.
For purposes of the Plan, the following events shall not be
deemed a termination of employment:
(a) a transfer to the employment of the Company from a
Subsidiary or from the Company to a Subsidiary, or from one Subsidiary to
another; or
(b) an approved leave of absence for military service or
sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Company, if the employee's
right to reemployment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or
under the written policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or
if the Administrator otherwise so provides in writing.
SECTION 13. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION
The Board may, at any time, amend or discontinue the Plan
and the Administrator may, at any time, amend or cancel any outstanding Award
for the purpose of satisfying changes in law or for any other lawful purpose,
but no such action shall adversely affect rights under any outstanding Award
without the holder's written consent. The Administrator may provide substitute
Awards at the same or reduced exercise or purchase price or with no exercise
or purchase price in a manner not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, but
such price, if any, must satisfy the requirements which would apply to the
substitute or amended Award if it were then initially granted under this Plan,
but no such action shall adversely affect rights under any outstanding Award
without the holder's written consent. Nothing in this Section 13 shall limit
the Board's authority to take any action permitted pursuant to Section 3(c).
SECTION 14. STATUS OF PLAN
Unless the Administrator shall otherwise expressly determine
in writing, with respect to the portion of any Award which has not been
exercised and any payments in cash, Shares or other consideration not received
by a participant, a participant shall have no rights greater than those of a
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general creditor of the Company. In its sole discretion, the Administrator may
authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the Company's
obligations to deliver Shares or make payments with respect to Awards
hereunder, provided that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is
consistent with the foregoing sentence.
SECTION 15. CHANGE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control as defined in
this Section 15 or as otherwise defined in the Award agreement, each Award
shall be subject to such terms, if any, with respect to a Change of Control as
have been provided by the Administrator either in the Award agreement or,
subject to Section 13 above, in writing after the Award agreement is issued.
(b) "Change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of any one
of the following events:
(i) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d) of the Act), becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3
under the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company
representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the
Company's then outstanding securities; (ii) during any two (2) year period,
individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of
Trustees, including for this purpose any new trustee whose election resulted
from a vacancy on the Board of Trustees caused by the mandatory retirement,
death, or disability of a trustee and was approved by a vote of at least
two-thirds (2/3rds) of the trustees then still in office who were trustees at
the beginning of the period, cease for any reason to constitute a majority
thereof; (iii) notwithstanding clauses (i) or (v) of this Section 15(b), the
Company consummates a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into
another corporation or trust, the result of which is that the shareholders of
the Company at the time of the execution of the agreement to merge or
consolidate own less than eighty percent (80%) of the total equity of the
entity surviving or resulting from the merger or consolidation or of a entity
owning, directly or indirectly, one hundred percent (100%) of the total equity
of such surviving or resulting entity; (iv) the sale in one or a series of
transactions of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; (v) any
person, has commenced a tender or exchange offer, or entered into an agreement
or received an option to acquire beneficial ownership of fifty percent (50%)
or more of the total number of voting shares of the Company unless the Board
of Trustees has made a determination that such action does not constitute and
will not constitute a change in the persons in control of the Company; or (vi)
there is a change of control in the Company of a nature that would be required
to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A
promulgated under the Act other than in circumstances specifically covered by
clauses (i) - (v) above.
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SECTION 16. GENERAL PROVISIONS
(a) No Distribution; Compliance with Legal Requirements. The
Administrator may require each person acquiring Shares pursuant to an Award to
represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is
acquiring the shares without a view to distribution thereof.
No Shares shall be issued pursuant to an Award until all
applicable securities law and other legal and stock exchange or similar
requirements have been satisfied. The Administrator may require the placing of
such stop-orders and restrictive legends on certificates for Shares and Awards
as it deems appropriate.
(b) Delivery of Share Certificates. Share certificates to be
delivered to participants under this Plan shall be deemed delivered for all
purposes when the Company or a Share transfer agent of the Company shall have
mailed such certificates in the United States mail, addressed to the
participant, at the participant's last known address on file with the Company.
(c) Other Compensation Arrangements; No Employment Rights.
Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or
additional compensation arrangements, including trusts, and such arrangements
may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases. The
adoption of this Plan and the grant of Awards shall not confer upon any
employee any right to continued employment with the Company or any Subsidiary
and shall not interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any
Subsidiary to terminate the employment of any of its employees at any time.
(d) Trading Policy Restrictions. Option exercises and other
Awards under the Plan shall be subject to such Company
insider-trading-policy-related restrictions, terms and conditions as may be
established by the Administrator, or in accordance with policies set by the
Administrator, from time to time.
SECTION 17. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN
This Plan shall become effective upon approval by the
holders of a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of Shareholders at which
a quorum is present or by a unanimous written consent of Shareholders. Subject
to such approval by the Shareholders and to the requirement that no Share may
be issued hereunder prior to such approval, Share Options and other Awards may
be granted hereunder on and after adoption of this Plan by the Board.
SECTION 18. GOVERNING LAW
This Plan and all Awards and actions taken thereunder shall
be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of
Maryland, applied without regard to conflict of law principles.
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