Exhibit 10.2
WEST MARINE, INC.
OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
SECTION 1
ESTABLISHMENT, PURPOSE AND DURATION
1.1 Establishment of the Plan. West Marine, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), having previously established the "West Marine, Inc. 1993
Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan," and the "West Marine, Inc. Nonemployee Director
Stock Option Plan," hereby merges those plans effective as of March, 2002, and
further amends and restates the merged plan in its entirety (the "Plan"). Any
awards issued under any predecessor plan, together with the terms and conditions
of any award agreement previously issued to any participant under any such plan
shall continue in force and effect under the terms of this Plan. The Plan
permits the grant of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock
Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Performance Units, Performance Shares,
and Other Stock-Based Awards. The Plan is effective as of March, 2002, subject
to the approval by an affirmative vote, at the next meeting of the stockholders
of the Company, or any adjournment thereof, of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of the common stock of the Company, present in person or by
proxy and entitled to vote at such meeting.
1.2 Purpose of the Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to promote the success,
and to enhance the value of the Company by linking the personal interests of
Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants to those of Company
shareholders, and by providing such participants with an incentive for
outstanding performance. The Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to
the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of
Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants upon whose judgment, interest,
and special effort the successful conduct of its operation largely is dependent.
1.3 Duration of the Plan. The Plan shall commence on the date specified in
Section 1.1 and shall remain in effect, subject to the right of the Board of
Directors to terminate the Plan at any time pursuant to Section 14, until all
Shares subject to the Plan have been purchased or acquired pursuant to the
provisions of the Plan.
SECTION 2
DEFINITIONS
The following terms shall have the meanings set forth below, unless plainly
required by the context:
2.1 "Affiliated SAR" means a Stock Appreciation Right that is granted in
connection with a related Option, and which will be deemed to automatically be
exercised simultaneous with the exercise of the related Option.
2.2 "Award" means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of
Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights,
Restricted
Stock, Performance Units, Performance Shares or any Other Stock-Based Awards
that are valued in whole or in part be reference to, or otherwise based on or
related to, Shares.
2.3 "Award Agreement" means any written agreement, contract or other
instrument entered into by each Participant and the Company, setting forth the
terms and provisions applicable to Awards granted to Participants under this
Plan.
2.4 "Board" or "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the
Company.
2.5 "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time. Reference to a specific section of the Code shall include such section,
any valid final or temporary regulation promulgated thereunder, and any
comparable provision of any future legislation amending, supplementing or
superseding such section.
2.6 "Committee" means the committee, as specified in Section 3, appointed
by the Board to administer the Plan with respect to grants of Awards, or any
subcommittee thereof.
2.7 "Company" means West Marine, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any
successor thereto.
2.8 "Consultant" means any consultant, independent contractor or other
person who provides significant services to the Company or its Subsidiaries, but
who is not an employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
2.9 "Covered Employee" has the same meaning as set forth in Section 162(m)
of the Code, and successor provisions.
2.10 "Director" means any individual who is a member of the Board of
Directors of the Company.
2.11 "Disability" means a permanent and total disability within the meaning
of Code Section 22(e)(3).
2.12 "Employee" means any employee of the Company or of the Company's
Subsidiaries, whether such employee is so employed at the time the Plan is
adopted or becomes so employed subsequent to the adoption of the Plan.
2.13 "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time, or any successor act thereto. Reference to a specific section
or regulation of the Exchange Act shall include such section or regulation, any
valid regulation promulgated thereunder, and any comparable provision of any
future legislation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or
regulation.
2.14 "Fair Market Value" means the average of the highest and lowest quoted
selling prices for Shares on the relevant date as reflected by composite
transactions on the Nasdaq National Market System, or if there were no sales on
such date, the weighted average of the means between the highest and lowest
quoted selling prices on the nearest day before and the nearest day after the
relevant date, as determined by the Committee.
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2.15 "Freestanding SAR" means a Stock Appreciation Right that is granted
independently of any Options.
2.16 "Incentive Stock Option" or "ISO" means an option to purchase Shares,
which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and is intended to meet the
requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
2.17 "Insider" shall mean an individual who, on the relevant date, is a
Company director, Company officer (within the meaning of Rule 16a-1 promulgated
under the Exchange Act), or beneficial owner of 10% or more of the Shares.
2.18 "Non-Employee Director" shall mean a Director who is an employee of
neither the Company nor any Subsidiary (within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b)
promulgated under the Exchange Act).
2.19 "Nonqualified Stock Option" or "NQSO" means an option to purchase
Shares which is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.
2.20 "Option" means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock
Option.
2.21 "Option Price" means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a
Participant pursuant to an Option, as determined by the Committee.
2.22 "Other Stock-Based Award" means a right, granted to a Participant
under Section 10, that relates to or is valued by reference to Shares.
2.23 "Participant" means an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant
who has an outstanding Award granted under the Plan.
2.24 "Performance Unit" means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to
Section 9.
2.25 "Performance Share" means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant
to Section 9.
2.26 "Period of Restriction" means the period during which the transfer of
Shares of Restricted Stock is limited in some way (based on the passage of time,
the achievement of performance goals, or upon the occurrence of other events as
determined by the Committee, in its discretion), and/or the Shares are subject
to a substantial risk of forfeiture, as provided in Section 8.
2.27 "Restricted Stock" means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to
Section 8.
2.28 "Shares" means the shares of common stock of the Company.
2.29 "Stock Appreciation Right" or "SAR" means an Award, granted alone or
in connection with a related Option, designated as a SAR, pursuant to the terms
of Section 7.
2.30 "Subsidiary" means any corporation in which the Company owns directly,
or indirectly through subsidiaries, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock, or any other entity (including,
but not limited to, partnerships and joint
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ventures) in which the Company owns at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined
equity thereof.
2.31 "Tandem SAR" means a Stock Appreciation Right that is granted in
connection with a related Option, the exercise of which shall require forfeiture
of the right to purchase a Share under the related Option (and when a Share is
purchased under the Option, a SAR shall similarly be cancelled).
SECTION 3
ADMINISTRATION
3.1 The Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The
Committee shall consist of not less than two (2) Directors. The members of the
Committee shall be appointed from time to time by, and shall serve at the
pleasure of, the Board of Directors. The Committee shall be comprised solely of
Directors who are Non-Employee Directors.
3.2 Authority of the Committee. The Committee shall have full power, except
as limited by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the
Company, and subject to the provisions herein, to determine the size and types
of Awards; to determine the terms and conditions of such Awards in a manner
consistent with the Plan; to determine the terms and conditions of each Award
Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant; to construe and
interpret the Plan and any Award Agreement or instrument entered into under the
Plan; to establish, amend, or waive rules and regulations for the Plan's
administration; and (subject to the provisions of Section 14 herein) to amend
the terms and conditions of any outstanding Award to the extent such terms and
conditions are within the discretion of the Committee as provided in the Plan.
Further, the Committee shall make all other determinations, which may be
necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. As permitted by law,
the Committee may delegate its powers; provided, however, that only the
Committee may administer the Plan with respect to Insiders, except that the
Committee may delegate its power to issue Options to Insiders so long as such
Options are not exercisable for at least six (6) months after the grant of the
Option Award.
3.3 Decisions Binding. All determinations and decisions made by the
Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan and all related orders or
resolutions of the Board shall be final, conclusive, and binding on all persons,
including the Company, its shareholders, Employees, Participants, and their
estates and beneficiaries, and shall be given the maximum deference permitted by
law.
3.4 Limitation of Liability. Each member of the Committee shall be entitled
to rely or act in good faith upon any report or other information furnished to
him or her by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Subsidiary,
the Company's independent certified public accountants, legal counsel or any
executive compensation consultant 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
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and protected by the Company, pursuant to Section 16 hereof, with respect to any
such action, determination, or interpretation.
SECTION 4
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
4.1 Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3, the
total number of Shares available for grant under the Plan, including shares
subject to Awards previously issued and outstanding under the Company's 1993
Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan and Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan, may
not exceed 6,450,000 (which includes 5,450,000 Shares previously reserved under
the predecessor plans). These 6,450,000 Shares may be either authorized but
unissued or reacquired Shares. The following rules will apply for purposes of
the determination of the number of Shares available for grant under the Plan:
(a) While an Award is outstanding, it shall be counted against the
authorized pool of Shares, regardless of its vested status.
(b) The grant of an Option or Restricted Stock shall reduce the
Shares available for grant under the Plan by the number of Shares
subject to such Award.
(c) The grant of a Tandem SAR shall reduce the number of Shares
available for grant by the number of Shares subject to the
related Option (i.e., there is no double counting of Options and
their related Tandem SARs); provided, however, that, upon the
exercise of such Tandem SAR, the authorized Share pool shall be
credited with the appropriate number of Shares representing the
number of shares reserved for such Tandem SAR less the number of
Shares actually delivered upon exercise thereof or the number of
Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the cash payment made
upon such exercise.
(d) The grant of an Affiliated SAR shall reduce the number of Shares
available for grant by the number of Shares subject to the SAR,
in addition to the number of Shares subject to the related
Option; provided, however, that, upon the exercise of such
Affiliated SAR, the authorized Share pool shall be credited with
the appropriate number of Shares representing the number of
shares reserved for such Affiliated SAR less the number of Shares
actually delivered upon exercise thereof or the number of Shares
having a Fair Market Value equal to the cash payment made upon
such exercise.
(e) The grant of a Freestanding SAR shall reduce the number of Shares
available for grant by the number of Freestanding SARs granted;
provided, however, that, upon the exercise of such Freestanding
SAR, the authorized Share pool shall be credited with the
appropriate number of Shares representing the number of Shares
reserved for such Freestanding SAR less the number of Shares
actually delivered upon exercise thereof or
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the number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the cash
payment made upon such exercise.
(f) The Committee shall in each cash determine the appropriate number
of Shares to deduct from the authorized pool in connection with
the grant of Performance Units and/or Performance Shares.
(g) To the extent that an Award is settled in cash rather than in
Shares, the authorized Share pool shall be credited with the
appropriate number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to
the cash settlement of the Award.
4.2 Lapsed Awards. If any Award granted under this Plan is cancelled,
terminates, expires, or lapses for any reason (with the exception of the
termination of a Tandem SAR upon exercise of the related Option, or the
termination of a related Option upon exercise of the corresponding Tandem SAR),
any Shares subject to such Award again shall be available for the grant of an
Award under the Plan. However, in the event that prior to the Award's
cancellation, termination, expiration, or lapse, the holder of the Award at any
time received one or more "benefits of ownership" pursuant to such Award (as
defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to any rule or
interpretation promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act), the Shares
subject to such Award shall not be made available for regrant under the Plan.
4.3 Adjustments in Authorized Shares. In the event of any merger,
reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, separation, liquidation, stock
dividend, split-up, Share combination, or other change in the corporate
structure of the Company affecting the Shares such that an adjustment is
determined to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the
rights of Participants under the Plan, such adjustment shall be made in the
number and/or class of Shares which may be delivered under the Plan, and in the
number and/or class of and/or price of Shares subject to outstanding Awards
granted under the Plan, as may be determined to be appropriate and equitable by
the Committee, in its sole discretion, and provided that the number of Shares
subject to any Award shall always be a whole number.
SECTION 5
ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
5.1 Eligibility. Persons eligible to participate in this Plan include all
Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, as determined by the Committee. Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, Randolph K. Repass shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan.
5.2 Actual Participation. Subject to the provisions of the Plan (including,
but not limited to, Sections 6.10 and 10.3 relating to nondiscretionary awards
to Non-Employee Directors), the Committee in its sole discretion, shall select
from all eligible Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants, those to
whom Awards shall be granted, and the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall
determine the nature and amount of each Award.
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SECTION 6
STOCK OPTIONS
6.1 Grant of Options. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan,
Options may be granted to Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants at
any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. The
Committee shall have discretion in determining the number of Shares subject to
Options granted to each Participant. The Committee may grant ISOs, NQSOs, or a
combination thereof.
6.2 Award Agreement. Each Option grant shall be evidenced by an Award
Agreement that shall specify the Option Price, the duration of the Option, the
number of Shares to which the Option pertains, the conditions of exercise of the
Options, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine. The Award
Agreement also shall specify whether the Option is intended to be an ISO or a
NQSO, provided that if the Award Agreement does not so specify, the Option shall
be a NQSO.
6.3 Option Price. The Option Price for each grant of an Option shall be
determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
6.3.1 Nonqualified Stock Options. In the case of a Nonqualified Stock
Option, the Option Price shall be not less than fifty percent (50%) of the Fair
Market Value of a Share on the date that the Option is granted.
6.3.2 Incentive Stock Options. In the case of an Incentive Stock
Option, the Option Price shall be not less than one-hundred percent (100%) of
the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date that the Option is granted;
provided, however, that if at the time the Option is granted, the Employee
(together with persons whose stock ownership is attributed to the Employee
pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) owns stock possessing more than 10% of
the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries, the Option Price shall be not less than one-hundred and ten
percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date that the Option
is granted.
6.4 Duration of Options. Each Option shall expire at such time as the
Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine; provided, however, that no
Incentive Stock Option may be exercised after the expiration of 10 years from
the date the Option was granted; provided, further, no Incentive Stock Option
granted to an Employee who, together with persons whose stock ownership is
attributed to the Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code, owns stock
possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of
the stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, may be exercised after the
expiration of 5 years from the date the Option was granted. After the Option is
granted, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may extend the maximum term of
such Option.
6.5 Exercise of Options. Options granted under the Plan shall be
exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions and conditions as
the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. After an Option is
granted, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may accelerate the
exercisability of the Option. However, in no event may any Option granted to an
Insider be exercisable until six (6) months following the date of its grant,
unless the Option was awarded by a committee comprised solely of two or more
Non-Employee Directors.
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6.6 Payment. Options shall be exercised by the Participant's delivery of a
written notice of exercise to the Secretary of the Company, setting forth the
number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised,
accompanied by full payment for the Shares. The Option Price upon exercise of
any Option shall be payable to the Company in full in cash or its equivalent.
The Committee, in its sole discretion, also may permit exercise (a) by tendering
previously acquired Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of
exercise equal to the total Option Price (provided that the Shares which are
tendered must have been held by the Participant for at least six (6) months
prior to their tender to satisfy the Option Price), or (b) by any other means
which the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines to provide legal
consideration for the Shares, and to be consistent with the Plan's purpose and
applicable law. As soon as practicable after receipt of a written notification
of exercise and full payment, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, in
the Participant's name, Share certificates in an appropriate amount based upon
the number of Shares purchased under the Option(s).
6.7 Restrictions on Share Transferability. The Committee may impose
restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option under
the Plan, as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, restrictions
under applicable Federal securities laws, under the requirements of any national
securities exchange or system upon which such Shares are then listed and/or
traded, and under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such
Shares.
6.8 Certain Additional Provisions for Incentive Stock Options.
6.8.1 Exercisability. The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at
the time the Option is granted) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive
Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Employee during any
calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Subsidiaries) shall not
exceed $100,000, or such other limitation required under Section 422(d) of the
Code.
6.8.2 Termination of Employment. No Incentive Stock Option may be
exercised more than three months after the effective date of the Participant's
termination of employment for any reason other than Disability or death, unless
(a) the Participant dies during such three-month period, and/or (b) the Award
Agreement permits later exercise. No Incentive Stock Option may be exercised
more than one year after the Participant's termination of employment on account
of death or Disability, unless (a) the Participant dies during such one-year
period, and (b) the Award Agreement permits later exercise.
6.8.3 Employees Only. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to
persons who are Employees at the time of grant. Non-Employee Directors and
Consultants shall not be eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options.
6.9 Nontransferability of Options. No Option granted under the Plan may be
sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated,
other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or as allowed under
Section 11. All Options granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be
exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant.
6.10 Non-Employee Directors. Non-Employee Directors shall receive automatic
grants of Nonqualified Stock Options as of the close of each annual meeting of
the Company's
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stockholders. The number of Shares subject to each such grant shall be the
lesser of (i) 2,000 Shares or (ii) such number determined by dividing $100,000
by the Fair Market Value of the Shares as of the date of the Award. The Option
Price shall be the Fair Market Value of the Shares as of the date of the Award,
and the Option shall become exercisable six months following the date of the
Award. The Option shall be exercisable for a period of ten years from the date
of the Award, provided that if the Non-Employee Director ceases to be a Director
prior to the time the Option becomes exercisable, then the Option will terminate
and be forfeited on the date the Non-Employee Director ceases to be a Director.
SECTION 7
APPRECIATION RIGHTS
7.1 Grant of SARs. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, a SAR
may be granted to an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant at any time
and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole
discretion. The Committee may grant Affiliated SARs, Freestanding SARs, Tandem
SARs, or any combination thereof. The Committee shall have complete discretion
to determine the number of SARs granted to any Participant, and consistent with
the provisions of the Plan, the terms and conditions pertaining to such SARs.
However, the grant price of a Freestanding SAR shall be at least equal to the
Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of the SAR. The grant price of
Tandem or Affiliated SARs shall equal the Option Price of the related Option. In
no event shall any SAR granted to an Insider become exercisable within the first
six (6) months after the date it was granted, unless the SAR was awarded by a
committee comprised solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors.
7.2 Exercise of Tandem SARs. Tandem SARs may be exercised for all or part
of the Shares subject to the related Option upon the surrender of the right to
exercise the equivalent portion of the related Option. A Tandem SAR may be
exercised only with respect to the Shares for which its related Option is then
exercisable. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary,
with respect to a Tandem SAR granted in connection with an ISO: (i) the Tandem
SAR will expire no later than the expiration of the underlying ISO; (ii) the
value of the payout with respect to the Tandem SAR may be for no more than one
hundred percent (100%) of the difference between the Option Price of the
underlying ISO and the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the underlying
ISO at the time the Tandem SAR is exercised; and (iii) the Tandem SAR may be
exercised only when the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the ISO
exceeds the Option Price of the ISO.
7.3 Exercise of Affiliated SARs. Affiliated SARs shall be deemed to be
exercised upon the exercise of the related Options. The deemed exercise of
Affiliated SARs shall not necessitate a reduction in the number of related
Options.
7.4 Exercise of Freestanding SARs. Freestanding SARs shall be exercisable
on such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee, in its
sole discretion.
7.5 Term of SARs. The term of a SAR granted under the Plan shall be
determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.
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7.6 SAR Agreement. Each SAR grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement
that shall specify the grant price, the term of the SAR, the conditions of
exercise and such other provisions as the Committee, in its sole discretion,
shall determine. After a SAR is granted, the Committee, in its sole discretion,
may accelerate the exercisability of the Option or extend the term of the SAR.
7.7 Payment of SAR Amount. Upon exercise of a SAR, a Participant shall be
entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by
multiplying: (a) the difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the
date of exercise over the grant price; times (b) the number of Shares with
respect to which the SAR is exercised. At the discretion of the Committee, the
payment upon SAR exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in
some combination thereof.
7.8 Restrictions on Share Transferability. The Committee may impose such
restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a SAR under the
Plan, as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, restrictions
under applicable Federal securities laws, under the requirements of any national
securities exchange or system upon which such Shares are then listed and/or
traded, and under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such
Shares.
7.9 Nontransferability of SARs. No SAR granted under the Plan may be sold,
transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other
than by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or as permitted under
Section 11. Further, all SARs granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be
exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant.
SECTION 8
RESTRICTED STOCK
8.1 Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the
Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of
Restricted Stock to Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants in such
amounts as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.
8.2 Restricted Stock Agreement. Each Restricted Stock grant shall be
evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Period (or Periods) of
Restriction, the number of Restricted Stock Shares granted, and such other terms
and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.
However, in no event may any Restricted Stock granted to an Insider become
vested in a Participant prior to six (6) months following the date of its grant,
unless the Restricted Stock was awarded by a committee comprised solely of two
or more Non-Employee Directors.
8.3 Transferability. Except as provided in this Section 8, Shares of
Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise
alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction
established by the Committee and specified in the Award Agreement, or upon
earlier satisfaction of any other conditions, as specified by the Committee in
its sole discretion and set forth in the Award Agreement. All rights with
respect to the Restricted Stock granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be
available during his or her lifetime only to such Participant.
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8.4 Other Restrictions. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may impose
such other restrictions on any Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem
advisable including, without limitation, restrictions based upon the achievement
of specific performance goals (Company-wide, divisional, and/or individual),
stop-transfer order, and/or such other restrictions under applicable Federal or
state securities laws, rules and regulations thereunder or rules of the national
securities exchange or system on which the Shares are listed.
8.5 Certificate Legend. The Committee may cause a legend or legends to be
placed on any such Restricted Stock certificates to make appropriate reference
to any restrictions that may be applicable to Shares. In addition, during any
Period of Restriction, or during any period during which delivery or receipt of
an Award or Shares has been deferred by the Committee or a Participant, the
Committee may require the Participant to enter into an agreement providing that
certificates representing Shares issuable or issued pursuant to an Award shall
remain in the physical custody of the Company or such other person as the
Committee may designate.
8.6 Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this Section
8, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under
the Plan shall become freely transferable by the Participant after the last day
of the Period of Restriction. The Committee, in its discretion, may accelerate
the time at which any restrictions shall lapse, and/or remove any restrictions.
After the Shares are released from restrictions, the Participant shall be
entitled to have the applicable legend or legends required by Section 8.5
removed from his or her Share certificate.
8.7 Voting Rights. During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding
Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights
with respect to those Shares unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement.
8.8 Dividends and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction,
Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder shall be
entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to
those Shares while they are so held, unless otherwise provided in the Award
Agreement. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares
shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability
as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.
8.9 Return of Restricted Stock to Company. Subject to the applicable Award
Agreement and Section 8.6, upon the earlier of (a) the Participant's termination
of employment, or (b) the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted
Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed shall revert to the Company and,
subject to Section 4.2, again shall become available for grant under the Plan.
SECTION 9
PERFORMANCE UNITS AND PERFORMANCE SHARES
9.1 Grant of Performance Units/Shares. Subject to the terms of the Plan,
Performance Units and Performance Shares may be granted to Employees,
Non-Employee Directors and Consultants at any time and from time to time, as
shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. The Committee
shall have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units
and Performance Shares granted to each Participant. With respect to Covered
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Employees, Performance Units and Performance Shares are intended to be
"qualified performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m)
of the Code and shall be paid solely on account of the attainment of one or more
preestablished, objective performance goals within the meaning of Section 162(m)
and the regulations thereunder. The payout of any such Award to a Covered
Employee may be reduced, but not increased, based on the degree of attainment of
other performance criteria or otherwise at the direction of the Committee.
9.2 Maximum Individual Awards. No individual may be granted more than
750,000 Shares subject to any combination of Performance Units/Shares,
Restricted Stock, Options, SARs, or Other Stock-Based Awards subject to
performance criteria in any given calendar year. The maximum payout for any
Covered Employee for a performance-based Award paid in cash is 300 percent of
such Covered Employee's January 1 base salary for the calendar year of the
performance-based Award payment. The Share amounts in this Section 9.2 are
subject to the adjustment provisions under Section 4.3. As determined by the
Committee, the performance goal shall be the attainment of one or more of the
pre-established amounts of revenue, profit, net income, cash flow, income before
depreciation and amortization, earnings per share, return on capital or total
shareholder return of the Company.
9.3 Value of Performance Units/Shares. Each Performance Unit shall have an
initial value that is established by the Committee at the time of grant. Each
Performance Share shall have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of
a Share on the date of grant. The Committee shall set performance goals in its
discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine
the number and/or value of Performance Units/Shares that will be paid out to the
Participants. The time period during which the performance goals must be met
shall be called a "Performance Period." Performance Periods of Awards granted to
Insiders shall, in all cases, exceed six (6) months in length, unless the
performance-based Awards were granted by a committee comprised solely of two or
more Non-Employee Directors.
9.4 Earning of Performance Units/Shares. After the applicable Performance
Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units/Shares shall be entitled to
receive a payout of the number of Performance Units/Shares earned by the
Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the
extent to which the corresponding performance goals have been achieved.
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, after the grant of a Performance
Unit/Share, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may waive the achievement of
any performance goals for such Performance Unit/Share.
9.5 Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units/Shares. The settlement
of any earned Performance Units/Shares shall be made in a single lump sum,
within forty-five (45) calendar days following the close of the applicable
Performance Period. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned
Performance Units/Shares in the form of cash, in Shares (which have an aggregate
Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Units/Shares at
the close of the applicable Performance Period) or in a combination thereof.
Prior to the beginning of each Performance Period, Participants may, in the
discretion of the Committee, elect to defer the receipt of any Performance
Unit/Share payout upon such terms as the Committee shall determine.
9.6 Cancellation of Performance Units/Shares. Subject to the applicable
Award Agreement, upon the earlier of (a) the Participant's termination of
employment, or (b) the date set
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forth in the Award Agreement, all remaining Performance Units/Shares shall be
forfeited by the Participant to the Company, and subject to Section 4.2, the
Shares subject thereto shall again be available for grant under the Plan.
9.7 Nontransferability. Performance Units/Shares may not be sold,
transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other
than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Further, a
Participant's rights under the Plan shall be exercisable during the
Participant's lifetime only by the Participant or the Participant's legal
representative.
9.8 Restrictions on Share Transferability. The Committee may impose
restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to any performance-based Award
granted under this Section 9 as it may deem advisable, including, without
limitation, restrictions under applicable Federal securities laws, under the
requirements of any national securities exchange or system upon which such
Shares are then listed and/or traded, and under any blue sky or state securities
laws applicable to such Shares.
SECTION 10
OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS
10.1 Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee is authorized to grant to
Participants such other Awards that are denominated or payable in, valued in
whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Shares,
as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan,
including without limitation, Shares awarded purely as a "bonus" and not subject
to any restrictions or conditions, other rights convertible or exchangeable into
Shares, purchase rights and Awards valued by reference to book value of Shares
or the performance of specified Subsidiaries.
10.2 Terms and Conditions. The Committee shall determine the terms and
conditions of such Awards, which may include performance criteria. Shares
delivered pursuant to an Award in the nature of a purchase right granted under
this Section 10 shall be purchased for such consideration, paid for at such
times, by such methods, and in such forms, including, without limitation, cash,
Shares, other Awards, or other property, as the Committee shall determine.
10.3 Non-Employee Directors. As of each annual meeting of the Company's
stockholders, each Non-Employee Director in office at the conclusion of such
meeting shall be awarded Shares valued at $8,000 based upon the Fair Market
Value of the Shares on the date of the annual meeting. The Non-Employee
Director's rights in the Shares shall be immediately vested, and the
Non-Employee Director shall be treated as the Owner of such shares as of the
date of grant.
10.4 Restrictions on Share Transferability. The Committee may impose
restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to any Award granted under this
Section 10 as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, restrictions
under applicable Federal securities laws, under the requirements of any national
securities exchange or system upon which such Shares are then listed and/or
traded, and under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such
Shares.
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SECTION 11
BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION
As provided in this Section 11, each Participant under the Plan may name a
beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be named contingently or successively) to
whom any benefit under the Plan is to be paid in case of the Participant's death
before he or she receives any or all of such benefit and/or who may exercise any
vested Award under the Plan following the Participant's death. Each such
designation shall revoke all prior designations by the same Participant and must
be in a form and manner acceptable to the Committee. In the absence of any such
designation, benefits remaining unpaid at the Participant's death shall be paid
to the Participant's estate and, subject to the terms of the Plan, any
unexercised vested Award may be exercised by the administrator or executor of
the Participant's estate.
SECTION 12
DEFERRALS
The Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit a Participant to defer
such Participant's receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that
would otherwise be due to such Participant by virtue of the exercise of an
Option or SAR, the lapse or waiver of restrictions with respect to Restricted
Stock, or the satisfaction of any requirements or goals with respect to
Performance Units/Shares. Any such deferral elections shall be subject to such
rules and procedures as shall be determined by the Committee from time to time.
SECTION 13
RIGHTS OF PARTICIPANTS
13.1 No Effect on Employment or Service. Nothing in the Plan shall
interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company to terminate any
Participant's employment or any Non-Employee Director's or Consultant's service
with the Company, or any Subsidiary thereof, at any time, with or without cause.
For purposes of the Plan, transfer of employment of a Participant between the
Company and any one of its Subsidiaries (or between Subsidiaries) shall not be
deemed a termination of employment.
13.2 Participation. No Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant shall
have the right to be selected to receive an Award under this Plan, or, having
been so selected, to be selected to receive a future Award, provided that a
Non-Employee Director shall be entitled to the Awards under Sections 6.10 and
10.3.
SECTION 14
AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION, OR TERMINATION
The Board, in its sole discretion, may alter, amend or terminate the Plan,
or any part thereof, at any time and for any reason; provided, however, that
without further stockholder approval, no such alteration or amendment shall (a)
materially increase the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, (b)
materially increase the number of securities which may be issued under the Plan,
or (c) materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for participation in
the Plan; provided, further, that stockholder approval is not required if such
approval is not required in order to assure the Plan's continued qualification
under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the
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1934 Act. Neither the amendment, suspension, nor termination of the Plan shall,
without the consent of the Participant, alter or impair any rights or
obligations under any Award theretofore granted. No Award may be granted during
any period of suspension, or after termination, of the Plan.
SECTION 15
WITHHOLDING
15.1 Tax Withholding. Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant
to the Plan, the Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or
withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient
to satisfy Federal, state, and local taxes (including the Participant's FICA
obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to any Awards.
15.2 Shares Withholding. The Committee may, in its absolute discretion,
permit a Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in
part, by electing to have the Company withhold Shares having a value equal to
the amount required to be withheld or by delivering to the Company already-owned
shares to satisfy the withholding requirement. The amount of the withholding
requirement shall be deemed to include any amount which the Committee agrees may
be withheld at the time the election is made, not to exceed the amount
determined by using the maximum Federal, state or local marginal income tax
rates applicable to the Participant with respect to the Award on the date that
the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined (the "Tax Date"). The value
of the Shares to be withheld or delivered will be based on their Fair Market
Value on the Tax Date. Such elections will be subject to the following
restrictions: (1) the election must be made on or before the Tax Date; (2) the
election will be irrevocable; and (3) the election will be subject to the
disapproval of the Committee.
SECTION 16
INDEMNIFICATION
Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee, or of the
Board, or who had been delegated a duty by them under the Plan, shall be
indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost,
liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or
her in connection with or resulting from any claim, notion, suit, or proceeding
to which he or she may be a party, or in which he or she may be involved by
reason of any action taken or failure to act, which such person took or failed
to take, in good faith, in carrying out his or her duties under the Plan or any
Award Agreement, and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in
settlement thereof, with the Company's approval, or paid by him or her in
satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against him
or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own
expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and
defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall
not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons
may be entitled under the Company's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a
matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify
them or hold them harmless.
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SECTION 17
SUCCESSORS
All obligations of the Company under the Plan, with respect to Awards
granted hereunder, shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the
existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase,
merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business
and/or assets of the Company.
SECTION 18
LEGAL CONSTRUCTION
18.1 Gender and Number. Except where otherwise indicated by the context,
any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall
include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.
18.2 Severability. In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held
illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect
the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as
if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
18.3 Requirements of Law. The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares
under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations,
and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities
exchanges or systems as may be required.
18.4 Securities Law Compliance. With respect to Insiders, transactions
under this Plan are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule
16b-3 or its successors under the Exchange Act. To the extent any provision of
the Plan, Award Agreement or action by the Committee fails to so comply, it
shall be deemed null and void, to the extent permitted by law and deemed
advisable by the Committee.
18.5 Governing Law. The Plan and all Award Agreements hereunder, shall be
construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of California
(without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws thereof) and
applicable Federal law.
18.6 Captions. Captions are provided herein for convenience only, and are
not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of the Plan.
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