EXHIBIT 10.1
VERILINK CORPORATION
2004 NEW HIRE STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
.
.
.
VERILINK CORPORATION
2004 NEW HIRE STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS................................................................. 1
1.1 DEFINITIONS................................................................ 1
SECTION 2 THE STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN.................................................... 3
2.1 PURPOSE OF THE PLAN........................................................ 3
2.2 STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.................................................. 3
2.3 ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN................................................. 4
2.4 ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITS..................................................... 4
SECTION 3 TERMS OF STOCK INCENTIVES................................................... 4
3.1 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ALL STOCK INCENTIVES............................... 4
3.2 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS............................................ 5
(a) Option Price............................................................. 5
(b) Option Term.............................................................. 5
(c) Payment.................................................................. 5
(d) Conditions to the Exercise of an Option.................................. 6
3.3 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.......................... 6
(a) Settlement............................................................... 6
(b) Conditions to Exercise................................................... 6
3.4 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK AWARDS....................................... 7
3.5 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS......................... 7
(a) Payment.................................................................. 7
(b) Conditions to Payment.................................................... 7
3.6 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARDS............................ 7
(a) Payment.................................................................. 7
(b) Conditions to Payment.................................................... 8
3.7 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PHANTOM SHARES..................................... 8
(a) Payment.................................................................. 8
(b) Conditions to Payment.................................................... 8
3.8 TREATMENT OF AWARDS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT......................... 8
SECTION 4 RESTRICTIONS ON STOCK....................................................... 8
4.1 ESCROW OF SHARES........................................................... 8
4.2 RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER................................................... 9
SECTION 5 GENERAL PROVISIONS.......................................................... 9
5.1 WITHHOLDING................................................................ 9
5.2 CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION; MERGER; LIQUIDATION............................. 10
5.3 CASH AWARDS................................................................ 11
5.4 RIGHT TO TERMINATE EMPLOYMENT.............................................. 11
5.5 NON-ALIENATION OF BENEFITS................................................. 11
5.6 RESTRICTIONS ON DELIVERY AND SALE OF SHARES; LEGENDS....................... 11
5.7 LISTING AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE............................................... 11
5.8 TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN...................................... 12
5.9 CHOICE OF LAW.............................................................. 12
5.10 EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN..................................................... 12
i
VERILINK CORPORATION
2004 NEW HIRE STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions. Whenever used herein, the masculine pronoun will be
deemed to include the feminine, and the singular to include the plural, unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise, and the following capitalized words and
phrases are used herein with the meaning thereafter ascribed:
(a) "Affiliate" means:
(1) an entity that directly or through one or more
intermediaries controls, is controlled by, or is under common
control with the Company, as determined by the Company, or
(2) any entity in which the Company has such a significant
interest that the Company determines it should be deemed an
"Affiliate", as determined in the sole discretion of the Company.
(b) "Board of Directors" means the board of directors of the
Company.
(c) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(d) "Committee" means the committee appointed by the Board of
Directors to administer the Plan.
(e) "Company" means Verilink Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
(f) "Disability" has the same meaning as provided in the long-term
disability plan or policy maintained or, if applicable, most recently
maintained, by the Company or, if applicable, any Affiliate of the Company
for the Participant. If no long-term disability plan or policy was ever
maintained on behalf of the Participant, Disability means that condition
described in Code Section 22(e)(3), as amended from time to time. In the
event of a dispute, the determination of Disability will be made by the
Committee and will be supported by advice of a physician competent in the
area to which such Disability relates.
(g) "Dividend Equivalent Rights" means certain rights to receive
cash payments as described in Section 3.5.
(h) "Eligible Employee" means (1) a newly hired employee not
previously an employee or director of the Company or an Affiliate; (2) an
employee that, following a bona fide period of non-employment, is to be
granted one or more Stock Incentives hereunder as an inducement material
to the individual's entering into employment with
the Company or an Affiliate; or (3) any other employee (as such term is
defined in General Instruction A. to Form S-8 under the Securities Act of
1933) or service provider to whom Stock Incentives can be granted without
shareholder approval under the rules of the principal trading market of
the Company's stock, provided that, under any of the above circumstances,
such grants are approved by the Committee.
(i) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time.
(j) "Fair Market Value" with regard to a date means:
(1) the price at which Stock shall have been sold on that date
or the last trading date prior to that date as reported by the
national securities exchange selected by the Committee on which the
shares of Stock are then actively traded or, if applicable, as
reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market;
(2) if such market information is not published on a regular
basis, the price of Stock in the over-the-counter market on that
date or the last business day prior to that date as reported by the
NASDAQ Stock Market or, if not so reported, by a generally accepted
reporting service; or
(3) if Stock is not publicly traded, as determined in good
faith by the Committee with due consideration being given to (i) the
most recent independent appraisal of the Company, if such appraisal
is not more than twelve months old and (ii) the valuation
methodology used in any such appraisal.
For purposes of Paragraphs (1), (2), or (3) above, the Committee may
use the closing price as of the applicable date, the average of the high
and low prices as of the applicable date or for a period certain ending on
such date, the price determined at the time the transaction is processed,
the tender offer price for shares of Stock, or any other method which the
Committee determines is reasonably indicative of the fair market value.
(k) "Option" means a stock option other than an incentive stock
option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(l) "Participant" means an Eligible Employee who receives a Stock
Incentive hereunder.
(m) "Performance Unit Award" refers to a performance unit award as
described in Section 3.6.
(n) "Phantom Shares" refers to the rights described in Section 3.7.
(o) "Plan" means the Verilink Corporation 2004 New Hire Stock
Incentive Plan.
2
(p) "Stock" means the Company's common stock, $.01 par value per
share.
(q) "Stock Appreciation Right" means a stock appreciation right
described in Section 3.3.
(r) "Stock Award" means a stock award described in Section 3.4.
(s) "Stock Incentive Agreement" means an agreement between the
Company and a Participant or other documentation evidencing an award of a
Stock Incentive.
(t) "Stock Incentive Program" means a written program established by
the Committee, pursuant to which Stock Incentives are awarded under the
Plan under uniform terms, conditions and restrictions set forth in such
written program.
(u) "Stock Incentives" means, collectively, Dividend Equivalent
Rights Options, Phantom Shares, Stock Appreciation Rights, Stock Awards
and Performance Unit Awards.
(v) "Termination of Employment" means the termination of the
employee-employer relationship between a Participant and the Company and
its Affiliates, regardless of whether severance or similar payments are
made to the Participant for any reason, including, but not by way of
limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, Disability or
retirement. The Committee will, in its absolute discretion, determine the
effect of all matters and questions relating to a Termination of
Employment, including, but not by way of limitation, the question of
whether a leave of absence constitutes a Termination of Employment.
SECTION 2 THE STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
2.1 Purpose of the Plan. The Plan is intended to provide a means of
recruiting individuals to provide services to the Company or an Affiliate as an
Eligible Employee.
2.2 Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to adjustment in accordance with
Section 5.2, five hundred thousand (500,000) shares of Stock (the "Maximum Plan
Shares") are hereby reserved exclusively for issuance upon exercise or payment
pursuant to Stock Incentives. The shares of Stock attributable to the nonvested,
unpaid, unexercised, unconverted or otherwise unsettled portion of any Stock
Incentive that is forfeited or cancelled or expires or terminates for any reason
without becoming vested, paid, exercised, converted or otherwise settled in full
will again be available for purposes of the Plan. The number of shares of Stock
available for purposes of the Plan shall be reduced only by the actual number of
shares of Stock issued in the settlement of each Stock Incentive, without regard
to the number of shares of Stock associated with any award for the purpose of
determining the extent of the Participant's rights in the Stock Incentive.
3
2.3 Administration of the Plan. The Plan is administered by the Committee.
The Committee has full authority in its discretion to determine the employees of
the Company or its Affiliates to whom Stock Incentives will be granted and the
terms and provisions of Stock Incentives, subject to the Plan. Subject to the
provisions of the Plan, the Committee has full and conclusive authority to
interpret the Plan; to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations
relating to the Plan; to determine the terms and provisions of the respective
Stock Incentive Agreements; and to make all other determinations necessary or
advisable for the proper administration of the Plan. The Committee's
determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made by it
selectively among persons who receive, or are eligible to receive, awards under
the Plan (whether or not such persons are similarly situated). The Committee's
decisions are final and binding on all Participants. Each member of the
Committee shall serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors and the Board
of Directors may from time to time remove members from or add members to the
Committee. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by the Board of Directors.
2.4 Eligibility and Limits. Stock Incentives may be granted only to
Eligible Employees of the Company or an Affiliate.
SECTION 3 TERMS OF STOCK INCENTIVES
3.1 Terms and Conditions of All Stock Incentives.
(a) The number of shares of Stock as to which a Stock Incentive may
be granted will be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion,
subject to the provisions of Section 2.2 as to the total number of shares
available for grants under the Plan.
(b) Each Stock Incentive will either be evidenced by a Stock
Incentive Agreement in such form and containing such terms, conditions and
restrictions as the Committee may determine to be appropriate, including
without limitation, performance goals that must be achieved as a condition
to vesting or payment of the Stock Incentive, or be made subject to the
terms of a Stock Incentive Program, containing such terms, conditions and
restrictions as the Committee may determine to be appropriate, including
without limitation, performance goals that must be achieved as a condition
to vesting or payment of the Stock Incentive. Each Stock Incentive
Agreement or Stock Incentive Program is subject to the terms of the Plan
and any provisions contained in the Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock
Incentive Program that are inconsistent with the Plan are null and void.
(c) The date a Stock Incentive is granted will be the date on which
the Committee has approved the terms and conditions of the Stock Incentive
and has determined the recipient of the Stock Incentive and the number of
shares covered by the Stock Incentive, and has taken all such other
actions necessary to complete the grant of the Stock Incentive.
4
(d) Any Stock Incentive may be granted in connection with all or any
portion of a previously or contemporaneously granted Stock Incentive.
Exercise or vesting of a Stock Incentive granted in connection with
another Stock Incentive may result in a pro rata surrender or cancellation
of any related Stock Incentive, as specified in the applicable Stock
Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program.
(e) Stock Incentives are not transferable or assignable except by
will or by the laws of descent and distribution and are exercisable,
during the Participant's lifetime, only by the Participant; or in the
event of the Disability of the Participant, by the legal representative of
the Participant; or in the event of death of the Participant, by the legal
representative of the Participant's estate or if no legal representative
has been appointed, by the successor in interest determined under the
Participant's will; provided, however, that the Committee may waive any of
the provisions of this Section or provide otherwise as to any Stock
Incentives.
(f) To the extent required by applicable law, promptly following an
issuance of any Stock Incentive, the Company shall disclose in a press
release the material terms of the grant, including the recipient of the
grant and the number of shares of Stock involved.
3.2 Terms and Conditions of Options. Each Option granted under the Plan
must be evidenced by a Stock Incentive Agreement.
(a) Option Price. Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section
5.2 and the other provisions of this Section 3.2, the exercise price (the
"Exercise Price") per share of Stock purchasable under any Option must be
as set forth in the applicable Stock Incentive Agreement.
(b) Option Term. The term of any Option must be as specified in the
applicable Stock Incentive Agreement.
(c) Payment. Payment for all shares of Stock purchased pursuant to
exercise of an Option will be made in any form or manner authorized by the
Committee in the Stock Incentive Agreement or by amendment thereto,
including, but not limited to, cash or, if the Stock Incentive Agreement
provides:
(i) by delivery to the Company of a number of shares of Stock
which have been owned by the holder for at least six (6) months
prior to the date of exercise having an aggregate Fair Market Value
of not less than the product of the Exercise Price multiplied by the
number of shares the Participant intends to purchase upon exercise
of the Option on the date of delivery;
(ii) in a cashless exercise through a broker provided,
however, that any such cashless exercise is consistent with the
restrictions of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act (Section 402 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002); or
5
(iii) by having a number of shares of Stock withheld, the Fair
Market Value of which as of the date of exercise is sufficient to
satisfy the Exercise Price.
In its discretion, the Committee also may authorize (at the time an Option
is granted or thereafter) Company financing to assist the Participant as
to payment of the Exercise Price on such terms as may be offered by the
Committee in its discretion. Payment must be made at the time that the
Option or any part thereof is exercised, and no shares may be issued or
delivered upon exercise of an Option until full payment has been made by
the Participant. The holder of an Option, as such, has none of the rights
of a stockholder.
(d) Conditions to the Exercise of an Option. Each Option granted
under the Plan is exercisable by the Participant or any other designated
person, at such time or times, or upon the occurrence of such event or
events, and in such amounts, as the Committee specifies in the Stock
Incentive Agreement; provided, however, that subsequent to the grant of an
Option, the Committee, at any time before complete termination of such
Option, may accelerate the time or times at which such Option may be
exercised in whole or in part, including, without limitation, upon a
change in control as defined in the Stock Incentive Agreement and may
permit the Participant or any other designated person to exercise the
Option, or any portion thereof, for all or part of the remaining Option
term, notwithstanding any provision of the Stock Incentive Agreement to
the contrary.
3.3 Terms and Conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights. Each Stock
Appreciation Right granted under the Plan must be evidenced by a Stock Incentive
Agreement. A Stock Appreciation Right entitles the Participant to receive the
excess of (1) the Fair Market Value of a specified or determinable number of
shares of the Stock at the time of payment or exercise over (2) a specified or
determinable price which, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right granted in
connection with an Option, may not be less than the Exercise Price for that
number of shares subject to that Option. A Stock Appreciation Right granted in
connection with a Stock Incentive may only be exercised to the extent that the
related Stock Incentive has not been exercised, paid or otherwise settled.
(a) Settlement. Upon settlement of a Stock Appreciation Right, the
Company must pay to the Participant the appreciation in cash or shares of
Stock (valued at the aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of payment or
exercise) as provided in the Stock Incentive Agreement or, in the absence
of such provision, as the Committee may determine.
(b) Conditions to Exercise. Each Stock Appreciation Right granted
under the Plan is exercisable or payable at such time or times, or upon
the occurrence of such event or events, and in such amounts, as the
Committee specifies in the Stock Incentive Agreement; provided, however,
that subsequent to the grant of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Committee,
at any time before complete termination of such Stock Appreciation Right,
may accelerate the time or times at which such Stock Appreciation Right
may be exercised or paid in whole or in part.
6
3.4 Terms and Conditions of Stock Awards. The number of shares of Stock
subject to a Stock Award and restrictions or conditions on such shares, if any,
will be as the Committee determines, and the certificate for such shares will
bear evidence of any restrictions or conditions. Subsequent to the date of the
grant of the Stock Award, the Committee has the power to permit, in its
discretion, an acceleration of the expiration of an applicable restriction
period with respect to any part or all of the shares awarded to a Participant.
The Committee may require a cash payment from the Participant in an amount no
greater than the aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock awarded
determined at the date of grant in exchange for the grant of a Stock Award or
may grant a Stock Award without the requirement of a cash payment.
3.5 Terms and Conditions of Dividend Equivalent Rights. A Dividend
Equivalent Right entitles the Participant to receive payments from the Company
in an amount determined by reference to any cash dividends paid on a specified
number of shares of Stock to Company stockholders of record during the period
such rights are effective. The Committee may impose such restrictions and
conditions on any Dividend Equivalent Right as the Committee in its discretion
shall determine, including the date any such right shall terminate and may
reserve the right to terminate, amend or suspend any such right at any time.
(a) Payment. Payment in respect of a Dividend Equivalent Right may
be made by the Company in cash or shares of Stock (valued at Fair Market
Value as of the date payment is owed) as provided in the Stock Incentive
Agreement or Stock Incentive Program, or, in the absence of such
provision, as the Committee may determine.
(b) Conditions to Payment. Each Dividend Equivalent Right granted
under the Plan is payable at such time or times, or upon the occurrence of
such event or events, and in such amounts, as the Committee specifies in
the applicable Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program;
provided, however, that subsequent to the grant of a Dividend Equivalent
Right, the Committee, at any time before complete termination of such
Dividend Equivalent Right, may accelerate the time or times at which such
Dividend Equivalent Right may be paid in whole or in part.
3.6 Terms and Conditions of Performance Unit Awards. A Performance Unit
Award shall entitle the Participant to receive, at a specified future date,
payment of an amount equal to all or a portion of the value of a specified or
determinable number of units (stated in terms of a designated or determinable
dollar amount per unit) granted by the Committee. At the time of the grant, the
Committee must determine the base value of each unit, the number of units
subject to a Performance Unit Award, and the Performance goals applicable to the
determination of the ultimate payment value of the Performance Unit Award. The
Committee may provide for an alternate base value for each unit under certain
specified conditions.
(a) Payment. Payment in respect of Performance Unit Awards may be
made by the Company in cash or shares of Stock (valued at Fair Market
Value as of the date payment is owed) as provided in the applicable Stock
Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program or, in the absence of such
provision, as the Committee may determine.
7
(b) Conditions to Payment. Each Performance Unit Award granted under
the Plan shall be payable at such time or times, or upon the occurrence of
such event or events, and in such amounts, as the Committee shall specify
in the applicable Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program;
provided, however, that subsequent to the grant of a Performance Unit
Award, the Committee, at any time before complete termination of such
Performance Unit Award, may accelerate the time or times at which such
Performance Unit Award may be paid in whole or in part.
3.7 Terms and Conditions of Phantom Shares. Phantom Shares shall entitle
the Participant to receive, at a specified future date, payment of an amount
equal to all or a portion of the Fair Market Value of a specified number of
shares of Stock at the end of a specified period. At the time of the grant, the
Committee will determine the factors which will govern the portion of the
phantom shares so payable, including, at the discretion of the Committee, any
performance criteria that must be satisfied as a condition to payment. Phantom
Share awards containing performance criteria may be designated as performance
share awards.
(a) Payment. Payment in respect of Phantom Shares may be made by the
Company in cash or shares of Stock (valued at Fair Market Value as of the
date payment is owed) as provided in the applicable Stock Incentive
Agreement or Stock Incentive Program, or, in the absence of such
provision, as the Committee may determine.
(b) Conditions to Payment. Each Phantom Share granted under the Plan
is payable at such time or times, or upon the occurrence of such event or
events, and in such amounts, as the Committee specify in the applicable
Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program; provided, however,
that subsequent to the grant of a Phantom Share, the Committee, at any
time before complete termination of such Phantom Share, may accelerate the
time or times at which such Phantom Share may be paid in whole or in part.
3.8 Treatment of Awards Upon Termination of Employment. Any award under
this Plan to a Participant who has experienced a Termination of Employment may
be cancelled, accelerated, paid or continued, as provided in the applicable
Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program, or, in the absence of such
provision, as the Committee may determine. The portion of any award exercisable
in the event of continuation or the amount of any payment due under a continued
award may be adjusted by the Committee to reflect the Participant's period of
service from the date of grant through the date of the Participant's Termination
of Employment or such other factors as the Committee determines are relevant to
its decision to continue the award.
SECTION 4 RESTRICTIONS ON STOCK
4.1 Escrow of Shares. Any certificates representing the shares of Stock
issued under the Plan will be issued in the Participant's name, but, if the
applicable Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program so provides, the
shares of Stock will be held by a custodian designated by the Committee (the
"Custodian"). Each applicable Stock Incentive
8
Agreement or Stock Incentive Program providing for transfer of shares of Stock
to the Custodian must appoint the Custodian as the attorney-in-fact for the
Participant for the term specified in the applicable Stock Incentive Agreement
or Stock Incentive Program, with full power and authority in the Participant's
name, place and stead to transfer, assign and convey to the Company any shares
of Stock held by the Custodian for such Participant, if the Participant forfeits
the shares under the terms of the applicable Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock
Incentive Program. During the period that the Custodian holds the shares subject
to this Section, the Participant is entitled to all rights, except as provided
in the applicable Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program,
applicable to shares of Stock not so held. Any dividends declared on shares of
Stock held by the Custodian shall, as the Committee may provide in the
applicable Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program, be paid
directly to the Participant or, in the alternative, be retained by the Custodian
or by the Company until the expiration of the term specified in the applicable
Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program and shall then be
delivered, together with any proceeds, with the shares of Stock to the
Participant or to the Company, as applicable.
4.2 Restrictions on Transfer. The Participant does not have the right to
make or permit to exist any disposition of the shares of Stock issued pursuant
to the Plan except as provided in the Plan or the applicable Stock Incentive
Agreement or Stock Incentive Program. Any disposition of the shares of Stock
issued under the Plan by the Participant not made in accordance with the Plan or
the applicable Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program will be
void. The Company will not recognize, or have the duty to recognize, any
disposition not made in accordance with the Plan and the applicable Stock
Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program, and the shares so transferred
will continue to be bound by the Plan and the applicable Stock Incentive
Agreement or Stock Incentive Program.
SECTION 5 GENERAL PROVISIONS
5.1 Withholding. The Company must deduct from all cash distributions under
the Plan any taxes required to be withheld by federal, state, or local
government. Whenever the Company proposes or is required to issue or transfer
shares of Stock under the Plan or upon the vesting of any Stock Award, the
Company has the right to require the recipient to remit to the Company an amount
sufficient to satisfy any federal, state, and local tax withholding requirements
prior to the delivery of any certificate or certificates for such shares or the
vesting of such Stock Award. A Participant may pay the withholding obligation in
cash, or, if the applicable Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program
provides, a Participant may elect to have the number of shares of Stock he is to
receive reduced by, or with respect to a Stock Award, tender back to the
Company, the smallest number of whole shares of Stock which, when multiplied by
the Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock determined as of the Tax Date
(defined below), is sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local, if any,
withholding obligation arising from exercise or payment of a Stock Incentive (a
"Withholding Election"). A Participant may make a Withholding Election only if
both of the following conditions are met:
(a) The Withholding Election must be made on or prior to the date on
which the amount of tax required to be withheld is determined (the "Tax
Date") by executing
9
and delivering to the Company a properly completed notice of Withholding
Election as prescribed by the Committee; and
(b) Any Withholding Election made will be irrevocable except on six
months advance written notice delivered to the Company; however, the
Committee may in its sole discretion disapprove and give no effect to the
Withholding Election.
5.2 Changes in Capitalization; Merger; Liquidation.
(a) The number of shares of Stock reserved for the grant of Options,
Dividend Equivalent Rights, Performance Unit Awards, Phantom Shares, Stock
Appreciation Rights and Stock Awards; the number of shares of Stock
reserved for issuance upon the exercise or payment, as applicable, of each
outstanding Option, Dividend Equivalent Right, Phantom Share and Stock
Appreciation Right and upon vesting or grant, as applicable, of each Stock
Award; the Exercise Price of each outstanding Option and the specified
number of shares of Stock to which each outstanding Dividend Equivalent
Right, Phantom Share and Stock Appreciation Right pertains must be
proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of
issued shares of Stock resulting from a subdivision or combination of
shares or the payment of a stock dividend in shares of Stock to holders of
outstanding shares of Stock or any other increase or decrease in the
number of shares of Stock outstanding effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company.
(b) In the event of a merger, consolidation, reorganization,
extraordinary dividend, spin-off, sale of substantially all of the
Company's assets, other change in capital structure of the Company, tender
offer for shares of Stock, or a change in control of the Company (as
defined by the Committee in the applicable Stock Incentive Agreement) the
Committee may make such adjustments with respect to awards and take such
other action as it deems necessary or appropriate, including, without
limitation, the assumption of other awards, the substitution of new
awards, the adjustment of outstanding awards, the acceleration of awards,
the removal of restrictions on outstanding awards, or the termination of
outstanding awards in exchange for the cash value determined in good faith
by the Committee of the vested and/or unvested portion of the award, all
as may be provided in the applicable Stock Incentive Agreement or, if not
expressly addressed therein, as the Committee subsequently may determine
in its sole discretion. Any adjustment pursuant to this Section 5.2 may
provide, in the Committee's discretion, for the elimination without
payment therefor of any fractional shares that might otherwise become
subject to any Stock Incentive, but except as set forth in this Section
may not otherwise diminish the then value of the Stock Incentive.
(c) The existence of the Plan and the Stock Incentives granted
pursuant to the Plan must not affect in any way the right or power of the
Company to make or authorize any adjustment, reclassification,
reorganization or other change in its capital or business structure, any
merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of debt or equity
securities having preferences or priorities as to the Stock or the rights
thereof, the
10
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, any sale or transfer of all or
any part of its business or assets, or any other corporate act or
proceeding.
5.3 Cash Awards. The Committee may, at any time and in its discretion,
grant to any holder of a Stock Incentive the right to receive, at such times and
in such amounts as determined by the Committee in its discretion, a cash amount
which is intended to reimburse such person for all or a portion of the federal,
state, and local income taxes imposed upon such person as a consequence of the
receipt of the Stock Incentive or the exercise of rights thereunder.
5.4 Right to Terminate Employment. Nothing in the Plan or in any Stock
Incentive confers upon any Participant the right to continue as an employee of
the Company or any of its Affiliates or affect the right of the Company or any
of its Affiliates to terminate the Participant's employment at any time.
5.5 Non-Alienation of Benefits. Other than as provided herein, no benefit
under the Plan may be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale,
transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge; and any attempt to do so
shall be void. No such benefit may, prior to receipt by the Participant, be in
any manner liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities,
engagements, or torts of the Participant.
5.6 Restrictions on Delivery and Sale of Shares; Legends. Each Stock
Incentive is subject to the condition that if at any time the Committee, in its
discretion, shall determine that the listing, registration or qualification of
the shares covered by such Stock Incentive upon any securities exchange or under
any state or federal law is necessary or desirable as a condition of or in
connection with the granting of such Stock Incentive or the purchase or delivery
of shares thereunder, the delivery of any or all shares pursuant to such Stock
Incentive may be withheld unless and until such listing, registration or
qualification shall have been effected. If a registration statement is not in
effect under the Securities Act of 1933 or any applicable state securities laws
with respect to the shares of Stock purchasable or otherwise deliverable under
Stock Incentives then outstanding, the Committee may require, as a condition of
exercise of any Option or as a condition to any other delivery of Stock pursuant
to a Stock Incentive, that the Participant or other recipient of a Stock
Incentive represent, in writing, that the shares received pursuant to the Stock
Incentive are being acquired for investment and not with a view to distribution
and agree that the shares will not be disposed of except pursuant to an
effective registration statement, unless the Company shall have received an
opinion of counsel that such disposition is exempt from such requirement under
the Securities Act of 1933 and any applicable state securities laws. The Company
may include on certificates representing shares delivered pursuant to a Stock
Incentive such legends referring to the foregoing representations or
restrictions or any other applicable restrictions on resale as the Company, in
its discretion, shall deem appropriate.
5.7 Listing and Legal Compliance. The Committee may suspend the exercise
or payment of any Stock Incentive so long as it determines that securities
exchange listing or registration or qualification under any securities laws is
required in connection therewith and has not been completed on terms acceptable
to the Committee.
11
5.8 Termination and Amendment of the Plan. The Board of Directors at any
time may amend or terminate the Plan without stockholder approval. No such
termination or amendment without the consent of the holder of a Stock Incentive
may adversely affect the rights of the Participant under such Stock Incentive.
5.9 Choice of Law. The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern the
Plan, to the extent not preempted by federal law, without reference to the
principles of conflict of laws.
5.10 Effective Date of Plan. This Plan was approved by the Board of
Directors on December 6, 2004.
VERILINK CORPORATION
By:_______________________________________
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
12