EX-10.1 5 d446074dex101.htm EX-10.1 EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

COLONY NORTHSTAR CREDIT REAL ESTATE, INC.

2018 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

                 Page  

1.

   PURPOSE      1  

2.

   DEFINITIONS      1  

3.

   ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN      9  
   3.1.      Committee      9  
        3.1.1.   Powers and Authorities      9  
        3.1.2.   Composition of Committee      9  
        3.1.3.   Other Committees      10  
        3.1.4.   Designated Officer      10  
   3.2.      Board      10  
   3.3.      Terms of Awards      10  
   3.4.      Forfeiture; Recoupment      11  
   3.5.      No Repricing      12  
   3.6.      Deferral Arrangement      12  
   3.7.      No Liability      13  
   3.8.      Stock Issuance/Book-Entry      13  

4.

   STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN      13  
   4.1.      Number of Shares of Stock Available for Awards      13  
   4.2.      Adjustments in Authorized Shares of Stock      13  
   4.3.      Share Usage      13  

5.

   EFFECTIVE DATE, DURATION, AND AMENDMENTS      14  
   5.1.      Effective Date      14  
   5.2.      Term      14  
   5.3.      Amendment and Termination of the Plan      14  

6.

   AWARD ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITATIONS      15  
   6.1.      Service Providers and Other Persons      15  
   6.2.      Limitation on Shares of Stock Subject to Awards and Cash Awards      15  
   6.3.      Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem, and Substitute Awards      15  

7.

   AWARD AGREEMENT      16  

8.

   TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS      16  
   8.1.      Option Price      16  
   8.2.      Vesting      16  
   8.3.      Term      17  
   8.4.      Termination of Service      17  
   8.5.      Limitations on Exercise of Option      17  
   8.6.      Method of Exercise      17  
   8.7.      Rights of Holders of Options      17  
   8.8.      Delivery of Stock Certificates      18  
   8.9.      Transferability of Options      18  
   8.10.      Family Transfers      18  
   8.11.      Limitations on Incentive Stock Options      18  
   8.12.      Notice of Disqualifying Disposition      19  

 

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9.

   TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS      19  
   9.1.      Right to Payment and Grant Price      19  
   9.2.      Other Terms      19  
   9.3.      Term      19  
   9.4.      Rights of Holders of SARs      20  
   9.5.      Transferability of SARs      20  
   9.6.      Family Transfers      20  

10.

   TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK AND STOCK UNITS      20  
   10.1.      Grant of Restricted Stock or Stock Units      20  
   10.2.      Restrictions      21  
   10.3.      Registration; Restricted Stock Certificates      21  
   10.4.      Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock      22  
   10.5.      Rights of Holders of Stock Units      22  
        10.5.1.  Voting and Dividend Rights      22  
        10.5.2.  Creditor’s Rights      22  
   10.6.      Termination of Service      23  
   10.7.      Purchase of Restricted Stock and Shares of Stock Subject to Stock Units      23  
   10.8.      Delivery of Shares of Stock      23  

11.

   TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS AND OTHER EQUITY-BASED AWARDS      23  
   11.1.      Unrestricted Stock Awards      23  
   11.2.      Other Equity-Based Awards      24  

12.

   FORM OF PAYMENT FOR OPTIONS, RESTRICTED STOCK AND STOCK UNITS      24  
   12.1.      General Rule      24  
   12.2.      Surrender of Shares of Stock      24  
   12.3.      Cashless Exercise      24  
   12.4.      Other Forms of Payment      25  

13.

   TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS      25  
   13.1.      Dividend Equivalent Rights      25  
   13.2.      Termination of Service      25  

14.

   TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERFORMANCE AWARDS AND ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AWARDS      26  
   14.1.      Grant of Performance Awards and Annual Incentive Awards      26  
   14.2.      Value of Performance Awards and Annual Incentive Awards      26  
   14.3.      Earning of Performance Awards and Annual Incentive Awards      26  

 

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   14.4.      Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Awards and Annual Incentive Awards      26  
   14.5.      Performance Conditions      26  
   14.6.      Evaluation of Performance      27  

15.

   TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF LONG TERM INCENTIVE UNITS      27  
   15.1.      LTIP Units      27  
   15.2.      Vesting      27  

16.

   PARACHUTE LIMITATIONS      28  

17.

   REQUIREMENTS OF LAW      28  
   17.1.      General      28  
   17.2.      Rule 16b-3      29  

18.

   EFFECT OF CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION      29  
   18.1.      Changes in Stock      29  
   18.2.      Reorganization in Which the Company Is the Surviving Entity Which Does not Constitute a Change in Control      30  
   18.3.      Change in Control in which Awards are not Assumed      31  
   18.4.      Change in Control in which Awards are Assumed      32  
   18.5.      Performance Awards      32  
   18.6.      Adjustments      33  
   18.7.      No Limitations on Company      33  

19.

   GENERAL PROVISIONS      33  
   19.1.      Disclaimer of Rights      33  
   19.2.      Nonexclusivity of the Plan      33  
   19.3.      Withholding Taxes      34  
   19.4.      Captions      34  
   19.5.      Other Provisions      35  
   19.6.      Number and Gender      35  
   19.7.      Severability      35  
   19.8.      Governing Law      35  
   19.9.      Code Section 409A      35  

 

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COLONY NORTHSTAR CREDIT REAL ESTATE, INC.

2018 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), sets forth herein the terms of its 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), as follows:

 

1. PURPOSE

This Plan is intended to (a) provide incentive to eligible persons to stimulate their efforts towards the success of the Company and to operate and manage its business in a manner that will provide for the long term growth and profitability of the Company; and (b) provide a means of obtaining, rewarding, and retaining key personnel of the Company, the Manager, and their Affiliates. To this end, the Plan provides for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, unrestricted stock, stock units, dividend equivalent rights, long-term incentive units, and cash bonus awards. Any of these awards may, but need not, be made as performance incentives to reward attainment of annual or long-term performance goals in accordance with the terms hereof. Stock options granted under the Plan may be non-qualified stock options or incentive stock options, as provided herein.

 

2. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of interpreting the Plan and related documents (including Award Agreements), the following definitions shall apply:

2.1    “Affiliate” means, with respect to the Company or the Manager, respectively, any company or other trade or business that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Company or the Manager within the meaning of Rule 405 of Regulation C under the Securities Act, including, without limitation, any Subsidiary. For purposes of granting Options or SARs, an entity may not be considered an Affiliate of the Company or the Manager, respectively, unless the Company or the Manager holds a “controlling interest” in such entity, where the term “controlling interest” has the same meaning as provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(i), provided that the language “at least 50 percent” is used instead of “at least 80 percent,” and provided further that where granting of Options or SARs is based upon a legitimate business criteria, the language “at least 20 percent” is used instead of “at least 80 percent” each place it appears in Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(i).

2.2    “Annual Incentive Award” means an Award, denominated in cash, made subject to attainment of performance goals (as described in Section 14) over a Performance Period of up to one year (the Company’s fiscal year, unless otherwise specified by the Committee).

2.3    “Applicable Entity” means the Company, its Affiliates, or the Manager and its Affiliates.

2.4    “Applicable Laws” means the legal requirements relating to the Plan and the Awards under (a) applicable provisions of the corporate, securities, tax, and other laws, rules, regulations, and government orders of any jurisdiction applicable to Awards granted to residents therein and (b) the rules of any Stock Exchange on which the Stock is listed.

 

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2.5    “Award” means a grant under the Plan of an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Unrestricted Stock, Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Right, Performance Award, Annual Incentive Award, LTIP Unit, or Other Equity-Based Award under the Plan.

2.6    “Award Agreement” means the agreement between the Company and a Grantee that evidences and sets forth the terms and conditions of an Award.

2.7    “Award Stock shall have the meaning set forth in Section 18.3.

2.8    “Benefit Arrangement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.

2.9    “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.10    “Cause” means, with respect to any Grantee, as determined by the Committee and unless otherwise provided in an applicable agreement between such Grantee and the Applicable Entity, (a) repeated violations by such Grantee of such Grantee’s obligations to the Applicable Entity (other than as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness) which are demonstrably willful and deliberate on such Grantee’s part, which are committed in bad faith or without reasonable belief that such violations are in the best interests of the Applicable Entity, and which are not remedied within a reasonable period of time after such Grantee’s receipt of written notice from the Company specifying such violations; (b) the conviction of such Grantee of a felony involving an act of dishonesty intended to result in substantial personal enrichment of such Grantee at the expense of the Applicable Entity; or (c) prior to a Change in Control, such other events as shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Committee whether an event constituting Cause shall have occurred shall be final, binding, and conclusive.

2.11    “Change in Control” means:

(1)    The acquisition by any individual, entity, or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than fifty percent (50%) of either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Stock”) or (ii) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”), each as determined on a Fully Diluted Basis; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (1), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition by the Company; (ii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation or trust controlled by the Company; and (iii) any acquisition by any entity pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subsection (3) of this Section 2.11; or

(2)    Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as

 

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though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or

(3)    Consummation of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business Combination”), in each case unless, following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of, respectively, the then outstanding common shares and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation that as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be; (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation or trust resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation or trust resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the then outstanding shares of the corporation or trust resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation or trust except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation or trust resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or

(4)    Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company and consummation of such transaction.

2.12    “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor thereto. References in the Plan to any Code Section shall be deemed to include, as applicable, Treasury Regulations promulgated under such Code Section.

2.13    “Committee” means a committee of, and designated from time to time by resolution of, the Board, which shall be constituted as provided in Sections 3.1.2 and 3.1.3 (or, if no Committee has been so designated, the Board).

2.14    “Company” means Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc., a Maryland corporation, or its successor(s).

2.15    “Designated Officer means the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or other Company officer designated who is a member of the Board by the Committee to make certain Awards under the Plan.

 

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2.16    “Determination Date” means the Grant Date or such other date as of which the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock is required to be established for purposes of the Plan.

2.17    “Disability” means the Grantee is unable to perform each of the essential duties of such Grantee’s position by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which is potentially permanent in character or which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months; provided, however, that, with respect to rules regarding expiration of an Incentive Stock Option following termination of the Grantee’s Service, Disability shall mean the Grantee is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months.

2.18    “Dividend Equivalent Right” means a right, granted to a Grantee pursuant to Section 13, to receive cash, Stock, other Awards, other property equal in value to dividends, or other periodic payments paid or made with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock.

2.19    “Effective Date shall mean the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, subject to approval of the Plan by the Company’s sole stockholder.

2.20    “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as now in effect or as hereafter amended.

2.21    “Fair Market Value” means the fair market value of a share of Stock for purposes of the Plan, which shall be determined as of any Determination Date as follows:

(a)    If on such Determination Date the shares of Stock are listed on a Stock Exchange, or are publicly traded on another established securities market (a “Securities Market”), the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of the Stock as reported on such Stock Exchange or such Securities Market (provided that, if there is more than one such Stock Exchange or Securities Market, the Committee shall designate the appropriate Stock Exchange or Securities Market for purposes of the Fair Market Value determination). If there is no such reported closing price on such Determination Date, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of the Stock on the next preceding trading day on which any sale of Stock shall have been reported on such Stock Exchange or such Securities Market.

(b)    If on such Determination Date the shares of Stock are not listed on a Stock Exchange or publicly traded on a Securities Market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the value of the Stock as determined by the Committee by the reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method, in a manner consistent with Code Section 409A.

Notwithstanding this Section 2.21 or Section 19.3, for purposes of determining taxable income and the amount of the related tax withholding obligation pursuant to Section 19.3, the Fair Market Value will be determined by the Company using any reasonable method; provided, further that for any shares of Stock subject to an Award that are sold by or on behalf of a Grantee on the same date on which such shares of Stock may first be sold pursuant to the terms of the

 

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related Award Agreement, the Fair Market Value of such shares of Stock shall be the sale price of such shares of Stock on such date (or if sales of such shares of Stock are effectuated at more than one sale price, the weighted average sale price of such shares of Stock on such date).

2.22    “Family Member” means, with respect to any Grantee as of any date of determination, (a) a person who is a spouse, former spouse, child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother, sister, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, of the Grantee; (b) any person sharing the Grantee’s household (other than a tenant or employee); (c) a trust in which any one or more of the persons specified in clauses (a) and (b) above (and such Grantee) own more than fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial interest; (d) a foundation in which any one or more of the persons specified in clauses (a) and (b) above (and such Grantee) control the management of assets; and (e) any other entity in which one or more of the persons specified in clauses (a) and (b) above (and such Grantee) own more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests.

2.23    “Fully Diluted Basis means as of any date of determination, the sum of (a) the number of shares of voting Stock outstanding as of such date of determination plus (b) the number of shares of voting Stock issuable upon the exercise, conversion, or exchange of all then-outstanding warrants, options, convertible Stock or indebtedness, exchangeable Stock or indebtedness, or other rights exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into, directly or indirectly, shares of voting Stock, whether at the time of issue or upon the passage of time or upon the occurrence of some future event, and whether or not in the money as of such date of determination.

2.24    “Grant Date” means, as determined by the Committee, the latest to occur of (i) the date as of which the Committee approves the Award, (ii) the date on which the recipient of an Award first becomes eligible to receive an Award under Section 6, or (iii) such subsequent date specified by the Committee in the corporate action approving the Award.

2.25    “Grantee” means a person who receives or holds an Award under the Plan.

2.26    “Incentive Stock Option” means an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Code Section 422, or the corresponding provision of any subsequently enacted tax statute, as amended from time to time.

2.27    “Long-Term Incentive Unit” or “LTIP Unit” means an Award under Section 15 of an interest in the Operating Partnership, if any.

2.28    “Manager” means CLNC Manager, LLC, or any successor or replacement entity, if any, providing management services to the Company.

2.29    “Manager Grantee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.

2.30    “Non-Employee Director” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

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2.31    “Non-qualified Stock Option” means an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

2.32    “Operating Partnership shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15.

2.33    “Operating Partnership Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15.

2.34    “Option” means an option to purchase one or more shares of Stock pursuant to the Plan.

2.35    “Option Price” means the exercise price for each share of Stock subject to an Option.

2.36    “Other Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.

2.37    “Other Equity-Based Award” means an Award representing a right or other interest that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Stock, other than an Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Unrestricted Stock, a Stock Unit, a Dividend Equivalent Right, a LTIP Unit, a Performance Award, or an Annual Incentive Award.

2.38    “Parachute Payment shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.

2.39    “Performance Award” means an Award made subject to the achievement of performance goals (as provided in Section 14) over a Performance Period specified by the Committee.

2.40    “Performance Measures” means objective performance criteria on which performance goals under Performance Awards are based such as:

(a) net earnings or net income;

(b) operating earnings or Core Earnings (as defined in the management agreement between the Company and the Manager, as amended from time to time);

(c) pretax earnings;

(d) earnings per share of Stock;

(e) share price, including growth measures and total stockholder return;

(f) earnings before interest and taxes;

(g) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and/or amortization;

(h) return measures, including return on assets, capital, investment, equity, sales, or revenue;

 

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(i) cash flow, including operating cash flow, free cash flow, cash flow return on equity, and cash flow return on investment;

(j) expense targets;

(k) market share;

(l) financial ratios as provided in credit agreements of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(m) working capital targets;

(n) completion of acquisitions of assets;

(o) completion of asset sales;

(p) revenues under management;

(q) funds from operations;

(r) distributions to stockholders; and

(s) any combination of any of the foregoing business criteria.

2.41    “Performance Period means the period of time during which the performance goals under Performance Awards must be met in order to determine the degree of payout and/or vesting with respect to any such Performance Award.

2.42    “Plan” means this Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

2.43    “Purchase Price” means the purchase price for each share of Stock pursuant to a grant of Restricted Stock, Stock Units, or Unrestricted Stock.

2.44    “Reporting Person” means a person who is required to file reports under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision.

2.45    “Restricted Period shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.

2.46    “Restricted Stock” means shares of Stock awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Section 10.

2.47    “SAR Exercise Price” means the per share exercise price of a SAR granted to a Grantee pursuant to Section 9.

2.48    “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as now in effect or as hereafter amended.

 

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2.49    “Service” means service as a Service Provider to any Applicable Entity. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, a Grantee’s change in position or duties shall not result in interrupted or terminated Service, so long as such Grantee continues to be a Service Provider to any Applicable Entity. Subject to the preceding sentence, whether a termination of Service shall have occurred for purposes of the Plan shall be determined by the Committee, which determination shall be final, binding, and conclusive. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, for any individual providing services solely as a director, only service to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries constitutes Service. If the Service Provider’s employment or other service relationship is with an Affiliate of the Company or the Manager and that entity ceases to be an Affiliate of the Company or the Manager, a termination of Service shall be deemed to have occurred when the entity ceases to be an Affiliate of the Company or the Manager unless the Service Provider transfers his or her employment or other service relationship to the Company or the Manager or their remaining Affiliates. Notwithstanding the forgoing, the applicable Award Agreement may provide for a more expansive or more limited definition of “Service” for purposes of vesting or exercisability.

2.50    “Service Provider” means the Manager or an employee, officer, director, or a consultant or adviser (who is a natural person) providing services to an Applicable Entity.

2.51    “Stock” means the class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, or any security which shares of Stock may be changed into or for which shares of Stock may be exchanged as provided in Section 18.

2.52    “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right granted to a Grantee pursuant to Section 9.

2.53    “Stock Exchange” means the New York Stock Exchange or another established national or regional stock exchange.

2.54    “Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent of one (1) share of Stock awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Section 10. A Stock Unit may also be referred to as a restricted stock unit.

2.55    “Subsidiary” means any “subsidiary corporation” of the Company or Manager within the meaning of Code Section 424(f).

2.56    “Substitute Award means an Award granted upon assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted under a compensatory plan by a business entity acquired or to be acquired by the Company or an Affiliate or with which the Company or an Affiliate has combined or will combine.

2.57    “Ten Percent Stockholder” means an individual who owns more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding voting securities of the Company, its parent, or any of its Subsidiaries. In determining stock ownership, the attribution rules of Code Section 424(d) shall be applied.

2.58    “Unrestricted Stock shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in the Plan to “including” shall mean “including without limitation.”

 

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3. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

 

  3.1. Committee.

 

  3.1.1. Powers and Authorities.

The Committee shall administer the Plan and shall have such powers and authorities related to the administration of the Plan as are consistent with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Applicable Laws. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall have full power and authority to take all actions and to make all determinations required or provided for under the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement and shall have full power and authority to take all such other actions and make all such other determinations not inconsistent with the specific terms and provisions of the Plan which the Committee deems to be necessary or appropriate to the administration of the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement. All such actions and determinations shall be made by (a) the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present, or (b) the unanimous consent of the members of the Committee executed in writing in accordance with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Applicable Laws. Unless otherwise expressly determined by the Board, the Committee shall have the authority to interpret and construe all provisions of the Plan, any Award, and any Award Agreement, and any such interpretation or construction, and any other determination contemplated to be made under the Plan or any Award Agreement, by the Committee shall be final, binding, and conclusive whether or not expressly provided for in any provision of the Plan, such Award, or such Award Agreement.

In the event that the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement provides for any action to be taken by the Board or any determination to be made by the Board, such action may be taken or such determination may be made by the Committee constituted in accordance with this Section 3.1 if the Board has delegated the power and authority to do so to such Committee.

 

  3.1.2. Composition of Committee.

The Committee shall be a committee composed of not fewer than two (2) directors of the Company designated by the Board to administer the Plan. Each member of the Committee shall be a Non-Employee Director and for so long as the Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, an “independent director” within the meaning of Section 303A of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual; provided, that any action taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective whether or not members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership set forth in this Section 3.1.2 or otherwise provided in any charter of the Committee. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may be the Compensation Committee of the Board or a subcommittee thereof if the Compensation Committee of the Board or such subcommittee satisfies the foregoing requirements. Notwithstanding the forgoing, the Committee may be composed of a single director of the Company prior to the time the Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

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  3.1.3. Other Committees.

The Board also may appoint one or more committees of the Board, each composed of one or more directors of the Company who need not be Non-Employee Directors, which may administer the Plan with respect to Grantees who are not “officers” as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act or directors of the Company, may grant Awards under the Plan to such Grantees, and may determine all terms of such Awards, subject to the requirements of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and for so long as the Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the rules of such Stock Exchange.

 

  3.1.4. Designated Officer.

The Committee may delegate to the Designated Officer the power and authority to grant Awards under the Plan to persons who are otherwise eligible for Awards under Section 6.1; provided, that the Designated Officer shall not grant Awards covering shares of Stock in excess of the aggregate maximum number of shares of Stock specified by the Committee for such purpose at the time of delegation to the Designated Officer (or in excess of the number of shares of Stock remaining available for issuance under the Plan).

In the event that the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement provides for any action to be taken by the Committee or any determination to be made by the Committee, such action may be taken or such determination may be made by the Designated Officer in connection with Awards made pursuant to this Section 3.1.4 if the Committee has delegated the power and authority to do so to such Designated Officer. Unless otherwise expressly determined by the Committee, the Designated Officer shall have the authority to interpret and construe all provisions of the Plan, any Award, and any Award Agreement made pursuant to this Section 3.1.4, and any such interpretation or construction, and any other determination contemplated to be made under the Plan or any Award Agreement, by the Designated Officer shall be final, binding, and conclusive whether or not expressly provided for in any provision of the Plan, such Award, or such Award Agreement.

 

  3.2. Board.

The Board from time to time may exercise any or all of the powers and authorities related to the administration and implementation of the Plan, as set forth in Section 3.1 and other applicable provisions of the Plan, as the Board shall determine, consistent with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Applicable Laws.

 

  3.3. Terms of Awards.

Subject to the other terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee shall have full and final authority to:

(i)    designate Grantees;

 

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(ii)    determine the type or types of Awards to be made to a Grantee;

(iii)    determine the number of shares of Stock to be subject to an Award;

(iv)    establish the terms and conditions of each Award (including, but not limited to, the Option Price of any Option; the Purchase Price of any Restricted Stock, Stock Units, or Unrestricted Stock; the nature and duration of any restriction or condition (or provision for lapse thereof) relating to the vesting, exercise, transfer, or forfeiture of an Award or the shares of Stock subject thereto; the treatment of an Award in the event of a Change in Control (subject to applicable agreements); and any terms or conditions that may be necessary to qualify Options as Incentive Stock Options);

(v)    prescribe the form of each Award Agreement evidencing an Award; and

(vi)    subject to the restrictions of Section 3.5, amend, modify, or supplement the terms of any outstanding Award. Such authority specifically includes the authority, in order to effectuate the purposes of the Plan but without amending the Plan, to make or modify Awards to eligible individuals who are foreign nationals or are individuals who are employed outside the United States to reflect differences in local law, tax policy, or custom. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, modification, or supplement of any Award shall, without the consent of the Grantee, impair the Grantee’s rights under such Award.

The Committee shall have the right, in its discretion, to make Awards in substitution or exchange for any award granted under another compensatory plan of the Company, an Affiliate, or any business entity acquired or to be acquired by the Company or an Affiliate or with which the Company or an Affiliate has combined or will combine.

 

  3.4. Forfeiture; Recoupment.

The Committee may reserve the right in an Award Agreement to cause a forfeiture of the gain realized by a Grantee with respect to an Award thereunder on account of actions taken by, or failed to be taken by, such Grantee in violation or breach of or in conflict with any (a) employment agreement, (b) non-competition agreement, (c) agreement prohibiting solicitation of employees or clients of the Company or any Affiliate, (d) confidentiality obligation with respect to the Company or any Affiliate, (e) secondment agreement, (f) Company policy or procedure, (g) other agreement, or (h) any other obligation of such Grantee to the Company or any Affiliate, as and to the extent specified in such Award Agreement. The Committee may annul an outstanding Award if the Grantee thereof is an employee and is terminated for Cause as defined in the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement or for “cause” as defined in any other agreement between the Applicable Entity and such Grantee, as applicable.

Any Award granted pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to mandatory repayment by the Grantee to the Company to the extent the Grantee is or in the future becomes subject to any Company “clawback” or recoupment policy that requires the repayment by the Grantee to the Company of compensation paid by the Company to the Grantee in the event that the Grantee fails to comply with, or violates, the terms or requirements of such policy. Such policy may authorize the Company to recover from a Grantee incentive-based compensation (including

 

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Options awarded as compensation) awarded to or received by such Grantee during a period of up to three (3) years, as determined by the Committee, preceding the date on which the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance by the Company, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the federal securities laws.

Furthermore, if the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the federal securities laws, and any Award Agreement so provides, any Grantee of an Award under such Award Agreement who knowingly engaged in such misconduct, was grossly negligent in engaging in such misconduct, knowingly failed to prevent such misconduct, or was grossly negligent in failing to prevent such misconduct, shall reimburse the Company the amount of any payment in settlement of an Award earned or accrued during the twelve (12)-month period following the first public issuance or filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (whichever first occurred) of the financial document that contained information affected by such material noncompliance.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any provision of any Award Agreement, if the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement, then Grantees shall forfeit any cash or Stock received in connection with an Award (or an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of such Stock on the date of delivery if the Grantee no longer holds the shares of Stock) if pursuant to the terms of the Award Agreement for such Award, the amount of the Award earned or the vesting in the Award was explicitly based on the achievement of pre-established performance goals set forth in the Award Agreement (including earnings, gains, or other performance goals) that are later determined, as a result of the accounting restatement, not to have been achieved.

 

  3.5. No Repricing.

Except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, distribution (whether in the form of cash, shares of Stock, other securities, or other property), stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, change in control, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of shares of Stock or other securities or similar transaction), the Company may not, without obtaining stockholder approval: (a) amend the terms of outstanding Options or SARs to reduce the Option Price or SAR Exercise Price of such outstanding Options or SARs, respectively; (b) cancel outstanding Options or SARs in exchange for or substitution of Options or SARs with an Option Price or SAR Exercise Price, as applicable, that is less than the Option Price or SAR Exercise Price, as applicable, of the original Options or SARs; or (c) cancel outstanding Options or SARs with an Option Price or SAR Exercise Price, as applicable, above the current stock price in exchange for cash or other securities.

 

  3.6. Deferral Arrangement.

The Committee may permit or require the deferral of any payment pursuant to any Award into a deferred compensation arrangement, subject to such rules and procedures as it may establish, which may include provisions for the payment or crediting of interest or Dividend

 

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Equivalent Rights and, in connection therewith, provisions for converting such credits into Stock Units and for restricting deferrals to comply with hardship distribution rules affecting tax-qualified retirement plans subject to Code Section 401(k)(2)(B)(IV); provided that no Dividend Equivalent Rights may be granted in connection with, or related to, an Award of Options or SARs. Any such deferrals shall be made in a manner that complies with Code Section 409A.

 

  3.7. No Liability.

No member of the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award or Award Agreement.

 

  3.8. Stock Issuance/Book-Entry.

Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the ownership of the shares of Stock issued under the Plan may be evidenced in such a manner as the Committee, in its discretion, deems appropriate, including, without limitation, book-entry or direct registration or the issuance of one or more share certificates.

 

4. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

 

  4.1. Number of Shares of Stock Available for Awards.

Subject to such additional shares of Stock as will be available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 4.2, and subject to adjustment as provided in Section 18, the maximum number of shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall be equal to 4,000,000 shares of Stock. Shares of Stock issued or to be issued under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares of Stock or treasury shares of Stock or any combination of the foregoing, as may be determined from time to time by the Board or by the Committee. Any of the shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan may be used for any type of Award under the Plan, and any or all of the shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall be available for issuance pursuant to Incentive Stock Options.

 

  4.2. Adjustments in Authorized Shares of Stock.

The Committee shall have the right to substitute or assume Awards in connection with mergers, reorganizations, separations, or other transactions to which Code Section 424(a) applies. The number of shares of Stock available for issuance pursuant to Section 4.1 shall be increased by the corresponding number of shares of Stock subject to any awards assumed, and in the case of a substitution, by the net increase in the number of shares of Stock subject to awards before and after substitution. Available shares under a shareholder approved plan of an acquired company (as appropriately adjusted to reflect the transaction) may be used for Awards under the Plan and do not reduce the number of shares of Stock available under the Plan, subject to applicable rules of any Stock Exchange on which the Stock is listed.

 

  4.3. Share Usage.

Shares of Stock covered by an Award shall be counted as used as of the Grant Date. Any shares of Stock that are subject to Awards, including shares of Stock acquired through dividend

 

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reinvestment, shall be counted against the limit set forth in Section 4.1 as one (1) share of Stock for every one (1) share of Stock subject to an Award. With respect to SARs, the number of shares of Stock subject to an award of SARs will be counted against the aggregate number of shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan regardless of the number of shares of Stock actually issued to settle the SAR upon exercise. The target number of shares of Stock issuable under a Performance Award shall be counted against the aggregate number of shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan as of the Grant Date, but such number shall be adjusted to equal the actual number of shares of Stock issued upon settlement of the Performance Award to the extent different from such target number of shares of Stock. If any shares of Stock covered by an Award granted under the Plan are not purchased or are forfeited or expire, or if an Award otherwise terminates without delivery of any shares of Stock subject thereto, then the number of shares of Stock counted against the aggregate number of shares of Stock available under the Plan with respect to such Award shall, to the extent of any such forfeiture, termination, or expiration, again be available for making Awards under the Plan in the same amount as such shares of Stock were counted against the limit set forth in Section 4.1. The number of shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall not be increased by (i) any shares of Stock tendered or withheld or Award surrendered in connection with the purchase of shares of Stock upon exercise of an Option as described in Section 12.2, (ii) any shares of Stock deducted or delivered from an Award payment in connection with the Company’s tax withholding obligations as described in Section 19.3, or (iii) any shares of Stock purchased by the Company with proceeds from Option exercises.

 

5. EFFECTIVE DATE, DURATION, AND AMENDMENTS

 

  5.1. Effective Date.

The Plan shall become effective as of the Effective Date.

 

  5.2. Term.

The Plan shall terminate automatically ten (10) years after the Effective Date and may be terminated on any earlier date as provided in Section 5.3.

 

  5.3. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

The Board may, at any time and from time to time, amend, suspend, or terminate the Plan; provided, that with respect to Awards theretofore granted under the Plan, no amendment, suspension, or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Grantee, impair the rights or obligations under any such Award. The effectiveness of any amendment to the Plan shall be contingent on approval of such amendment by the Company’s stockholders to the extent provided by the Board, required by Applicable Laws, or required by the rules of any Stock Exchange on which the Stock is then listed. No amendment will be made to the no-repricing provisions of Section 3.5 or the Option pricing provisions of Section 8.1 without the approval of the Company’s stockholders.

 

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6. AWARD ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITATIONS

 

  6.1. Service Providers and Other Persons.

Subject to this Section 6, Awards may be made under the Plan to: (i) any Service Provider, as the Committee shall determine and designate from time to time and (ii) any other individual whose participation in the Plan is determined to be in the best interests of the Company by the Committee.

 

  6.2. Limitation on Shares of Stock Subject to Awards and Cash Awards

During any time when the Company has a class of equity security registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act:

(i)    the maximum number of shares of Stock subject to Options or SARs that may be granted under the Plan to any person eligible for an Award under Section 6.1 (other than a Non-Employee Director) is one million (1,000,000) in a calendar year;

(ii)    the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be granted under the Plan pursuant to Awards, other than pursuant to an Option or SAR, that are Stock-denominated and are either Stock- or cash-settled to any person eligible for an Award under Section 6.1 (other than a Non-Employee Director) is one million (1,000,000) in a calendar year

(iii)    the maximum amount that may be paid as a cash-denominated Performance Award (whether or not cash-settled) for a Performance Period of twelve (12) months or less to any person eligible for an Award under Section 6.1 (other than a Non-Employee Director) shall be four million dollars ($4,000,000), and the maximum amount that may be paid as a cash-denominated Performance Award (whether or not cash-settled) for a Performance Period of greater than twelve (12) months to any person eligible for an Award under Section 6.1 (other than a Non-Employee Director) shall be seven million five hundred thousand dollars ($7,500,000);

(iv)    the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be granted under the Plan pursuant to Awards that are Stock-denominated and are either Stock- or cash-settled to any Non-Employee Director is one hundred thousand (100,000) in a calendar year; and

(v)    the maximum amount that may be paid as a cash-denominated Award (whether or not cash-settled) to any Non-Employee Director is one million dollars ($1,000,000) in a calendar year.

The preceding limitations in this Section 6.2 are subject to adjustment as provided in Section 18.

 

  6.3. Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem, and Substitute Awards.

Subject to Section 3.5, Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution or exchange for, (a) any other Award, (b) any award granted under another plan of the Company,

 

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any Affiliate, or any business entity that has been a party to a transaction with the Company or an Affiliate, or (c) any other right of a Grantee to receive payment from the Company or any Affiliate. Such additional, tandem, and substitute or exchange Awards may be granted at any time. Subject to Section 3.5, if an Award is granted in substitution or exchange for another Award or for an award granted under another plan of the Company, an Affiliate, or any business entity that has been a party to a transaction with the Company or an Affiliate, the Committee shall require the surrender of such other Award or award under such other plan in consideration for the grant of such substitute or exchange Award. In addition, Awards may be granted in lieu of cash compensation, including in lieu of cash payments under other plans of the Company or any Affiliate. Notwithstanding Section 8.1 and Section 9.1 but subject to Section 3.5, the Option Price of an Option or the SAR Exercise Price of a SAR that is a Substitute Award may be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the original Grant Date; provided, that, the Option Price or SAR Exercise Price is determined in accordance with the principles of Code Section 424 and the regulations thereunder for any Incentive Stock Option and consistent with Code Section 409A for any other Option or SAR.

 

7. AWARD AGREEMENT

Each Award granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, in such form or forms as the Committee shall from time to time determine. Award Agreements utilized under the Plan from time to time or at the same time need not contain similar provisions but shall be consistent with the terms of the Plan. Each Award Agreement evidencing an Award of Options shall specify whether such Options are intended to be Non-qualified Stock Options or Incentive Stock Options, and in the absence of such specification such Options shall be deemed to be Non-qualified Stock Options.

 

8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS

 

  8.1. Option Price.

The Option Price of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option. Except in the case of Substitute Awards, the Option Price of each Option shall be at least the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date; provided, however, that in the event that a Grantee is a Ten Percent Stockholder, the Option Price of an Option granted to such Grantee that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date. In no case shall the Option Price of any Option be less than the par value of a share of Stock.

 

  8.2. Vesting.

Subject to Sections 8.3 and 18.3, each Option granted under the Plan shall become exercisable at such times and under such conditions as shall be determined by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement; provided, that no Option shall be granted to persons who are entitled to overtime under applicable state or federal laws, that will vest or be exercisable within a six (6)-month period starting on the Grant Date. For purposes of this Section 8.2, fractional numbers of shares of Stock subject to an Option shall be rounded down to the next nearest whole number.

 

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  8.3. Term.

Each Option granted under the Plan shall terminate, and all rights to purchase shares of Stock thereunder shall cease, upon the expiration of ten (10) years from the Grant Date of such Option, or under such circumstances and on such date prior thereto as is set forth in the Plan or as may be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement relating to such Option; provided, that in the event that the Grantee is a Ten Percent Stockholder, an Option granted to such Grantee that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from its Grant Date; provided, further, that, to the extent deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee to reflect differences in local law, tax policy, or custom with respect to any Option granted to a Grantee who is a foreign national or is a natural person who is employed outside the United States, such Option may terminate, and all rights to purchase shares of Stock thereunder may cease, upon the expiration of such period longer than ten (10) years from the Grant Date of such Option as the Committee shall determine.

 

  8.4. Termination of Service.

Each Award Agreement with respect to the grant of an Option shall set forth the extent to which the Grantee, if at all, shall have the right to exercise such Option following termination of such Grantee’s Service. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Options issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of Service.

 

  8.5. Limitations on Exercise of Option.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in no event may any Option be exercised, in whole or in part, after the occurrence of an event referred to in Section 18 which results in termination of the Option.

 

  8.6. Method of Exercise.

Subject to the terms of Section 12 and Section 19.3, an Option that is exercisable may be exercised by the Grantee’s delivery to the Company or its designee or agent of notice of exercise on any business day, at the Company’s principal office or the office of such designee or agent, on the form specified by the Company and in accordance with any additional procedures specified by the Committee. Such notice shall specify the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the Option is being exercised and shall be accompanied by payment in full of the Option Price of the shares of Stock for which such Option is being exercised plus the amount (if any) of federal and/or other taxes which the Company may, in its judgment, be required to withhold with respect to the exercise of such Option.

 

  8.7. Rights of Holders of Options.

Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, a Grantee or other person holding or exercising an Option shall have none of the rights of a stockholder of the Company (for

 

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example, the right to receive cash or dividend payments or distributions attributable to the shares of Stock subject to such Option, to direct the voting of the shares of Stock subject to such Option, or to receive notice of any meeting of the Company’s stockholders) until the shares of Stock subject thereto are fully paid and issued to such Grantee or other person. Except as provided in Section 18, no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions, or other rights with respect to any shares of Stock subject to an Option for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance of such shares of Stock.

 

  8.8. Delivery of Stock Certificates.

Promptly after the exercise of an Option by a Grantee and the payment in full of the Option Price with respect thereto, such Grantee shall be entitled to receive such evidence of such Grantee’s ownership of the shares of Stock subject to such Option as shall be consistent with Section 3.8.

 

  8.9. Transferability of Options.

Except as provided in Section 8.10, during the lifetime of a Grantee, only the Grantee (or, in the event of legal incapacity or incompetency, the Grantee’s guardian or legal representative) may exercise an Option. Except as provided in Section 8.10, no Option shall be assignable or transferable by the Grantee to whom it is granted, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

  8.10. Family Transfers.

If authorized in the applicable Award Agreement or by the Committee, in its sole discretion, a Grantee may transfer, not for value, all or part of an Option which is not an Incentive Stock Option to any Family Member. For the purpose of this Section 8.10, a “not for value” transfer is a transfer which is (i) a gift; (ii) a transfer under a domestic relations order in settlement of marital property rights; or (iii) unless Applicable Laws do not permit such transfer, a transfer to an entity in which more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests are owned by Family Members (and/or the Grantee) in exchange for an interest in such entity. Following a transfer under this Section 8.10, any such Option shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to such transfer, and shares of Stock acquired pursuant to the Option shall be subject to the same restrictions with respect to transfer of such shares of Stock as would have applied to the Grantee thereof. Subsequent transfers of transferred Options shall be prohibited except to Family Members of the original Grantee in accordance with this Section 8.10 or by will or the laws of descent and distribution. The provisions of Section 8.4 relating to termination of Service shall continue to be applied with respect to the original Grantee, following which such Option shall be exercisable by the transferee only to the extent, and for the periods specified, in Section 8.4.

 

  8.11. Limitations on Incentive Stock Options.

An Option shall constitute an Incentive Stock Option only (i) if the Grantee of such Option is an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; (ii) to the extent specifically provided in the related Award Agreement; and (iii) to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time the Option is granted) of the shares of Stock with respect to which

 

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all Incentive Stock Options held by such Grantee become exercisable for the first time during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other plans of the Grantee’s employer and its Affiliates) does not exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). Except to the extent provided in the regulations under Code Section 422, this limitation shall be applied by taking Options into account in the order in which they were granted.

 

  8.12. Notice of Disqualifying Disposition.

If any Grantee shall make any disposition of shares of Stock issued pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option under the circumstances provided in Code Section 421(b) (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), such Grantee shall notify the Company of such disposition within ten (10) days thereof.

 

9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

  9.1. Right to Payment and Grant Price.

A SAR shall confer on the Grantee to whom it is granted a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the date of exercise over (B) the SAR Exercise Price as determined by the Committee. The Award Agreement for a SAR shall specify the SAR Exercise Price, which shall be at least the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date. SARs may be granted in tandem with all or part of an Option granted under the Plan or at any subsequent time during the term of such Option, in combination with all or part of any other Award, or without regard to any Option or other Award; provided that a SAR that is granted subsequent to the Grant Date of a related Option must have a SAR Exercise Price that is no less than the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the Grant Date of such SAR; provided, further, that a Grantee may only exercise either the SAR or the Option with which it is granted in tandem and not both.

 

  9.2. Other Terms.

The Committee shall determine on the Grant Date or thereafter, the time or times at which and the circumstances under which a SAR may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future Service requirements), the time or times at which SARs shall cease to be or become exercisable following termination of Service or upon other conditions, the method of exercise, method of settlement, form of consideration payable in settlement, method by or forms in which shares of Stock will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Grantees, whether or not a SAR shall be granted in tandem or in combination with any other Award, and any and all other terms and conditions of any SAR.

 

  9.3. Term.

Each SAR granted under the Plan shall terminate, and all rights thereunder shall cease, upon the expiration of ten (10) years from the date such SAR is granted, or under such circumstances and on such date prior thereto as is set forth in the Plan or as may be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement relating to such SAR.

 

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  9.4. Rights of Holders of SARs.

Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, a Grantee or other person holding or exercising a SAR shall have none of the rights of a stockholder of the Company (for example, the right to receive cash or dividend payments or distributions attributable to the shares of Stock underlying such SAR, to direct the voting of the shares of Stock underlying such SAR, or to receive notice of any meeting of the Company’s stockholders) until the shares of Stock underlying such SAR, if any, are issued to such Grantee or other person. Except as provided in Section 18, no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions, or other rights with respect to any shares of Stock underlying a SAR for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance of such shares of Stock, if any.

 

  9.5. Transferability of SARs.

Except as provided in Section 9.6, during the lifetime of a Grantee of a SAR, only the Grantee (or, in the event of such Grantee’s legal incapacity or incompetency, such Grantee’s guardian or legal representative) may exercise such SAR. Except as provided in Section 9.6, no SAR shall be assignable or transferable by the Grantee to whom it is granted, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

  9.6. Family Transfers.

If authorized in the applicable Award Agreement or by the Committee, in its sole discretion, a Grantee may transfer, not for value, all or part of a SAR to any Family Member. For the purpose of this Section 9.6, a “not for value” transfer is a transfer which is (i) a gift; (ii) a transfer under a domestic relations order in settlement of marital property rights; or (iii) unless Applicable Laws do not permit such transfer, a transfer to an entity in which more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests are owned by Family Members (and/or the Grantee) in exchange for an interest in such entity. Following a transfer under this Section 9.6, any such SAR shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to such transfer, and shares of Stock acquired pursuant to a SAR shall be subject to the same restrictions on transfers of such shares of Stock as would have applied to the Grantee of such SAR. Subsequent transfers of transferred SARs shall be prohibited except to Family Members of the original Grantee in accordance with this Section 9.6 or by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

10. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK AND STOCK UNITS

 

  10.1. Grant of Restricted Stock or Stock Units.

Awards of Restricted Stock and Stock Units may be made for consideration or for no consideration (other than the par value of the shares of Stock which shall be deemed paid by past Service or, if so provided in the related Award Agreement or a separate agreement, the promise by the Grantee to perform future Service to an Applicable Entity).

 

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  10.2. Restrictions.

At the time a grant of Restricted Stock or Stock Units is made, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, establish a period of time (a “Restricted Period”) applicable to such Restricted Stock or Stock Units. Each Award of Restricted Stock or Stock Units may be subject to a different Restricted Period. The Committee may in its sole discretion, at the time a grant of Restricted Stock or Stock Units is made, prescribe restrictions in addition to or other than the expiration of the Restricted Period, including the satisfaction of corporate or individual performance objectives, which may be applicable to all or any portion of the Restricted Stock or Stock Units as provided in Section 14. Neither Restricted Stock nor Stock Units may be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or otherwise encumbered or disposed of during the Restricted Period or prior to the satisfaction of any other restrictions prescribed by the Committee with respect to such Restricted Stock or Stock Units; provided, with respect to Awards of Restricted Stock or Stock Units to the Manager, the Manager may, in its sole discretion, sell, transfer, or assign unvested Restricted Stock and Stock Units to officers, employees, or other service providers of the Manager or its Affiliates who would otherwise be eligible to receive grants directly from the Company pursuant to the Plan (a “Manager Grantee”); provided, further, that each Manager Grantee enters into a written award agreement (on a form acceptable to the Committee) with the Manager and agrees to be subject to (i) all restrictions applicable to the Manager under the Plan and any such corresponding Award Agreement and (ii) any additional and more restrictive conditions as determined by the Manager and as set forth in the written award agreement between the Manager and the Manager Grantee. Any Manager Grantee receiving unvested Restricted Stock or Stock Units from the Manager shall thereafter not be permitted to sell, transfer, or assign such unvested Restricted Stock or Stock Units. If any Manager Grantee attempts to sell, assign, or transfer any unvested Restricted Stock or Stock Units, such shares of Restricted Stock or Stock Units will immediately be forfeited by the Manager Grantee to the Manager.

 

  10.3. Registration; Restricted Stock Certificates.

Pursuant to Section 3.8, to the extent that ownership of Restricted Stock is evidenced by a book-entry registration or direct registration, such registration shall be notated to evidence the restrictions imposed on such Award of Restricted Stock under the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement. Subject to Section 3.8 and the immediately following sentence, the Company may issue, in the name of each Grantee to whom Restricted Stock has been granted, share certificates representing the total number of shares of Restricted Stock granted to the Grantee, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Grant Date of such Restricted Stock. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement with respect to an Award of Restricted Stock that either (i) the Secretary of the Company shall hold such share certificates for the Grantee’s benefit until such time as the shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited to the Company or the restrictions applicable thereto lapse and such Grantee shall deliver a stock power to the Company with respect to each share certificate, or (ii) such share certificates shall be delivered to the Grantee; provided, however, that such share certificates shall bear a legend or legends that comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and make appropriate reference to the restrictions imposed on such shares of Restricted Stock under the Plan and the Award Agreement.

 

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  10.4. Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock.

Unless the Committee otherwise provides in an Award Agreement, holders of Restricted Stock shall have the right to vote such shares of Restricted Stock and the right to receive any dividends declared or paid with respect to such shares of Restricted Stock. The Committee may provide that any dividends paid on Restricted Stock must be reinvested in shares of Stock, which may or may not be subject to the same vesting conditions and restrictions as the vesting conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock. Dividends paid on Restricted Stock which vests or is earned based upon the achievement of performance goals shall not vest unless such performance goals for such Restricted Stock are achieved, and if such performance goals are not achieved, the Grantee of such Restricted Stock shall promptly forfeit and repay to the Company such dividend payments. All stock distributions, if any, received by a Grantee with respect to Restricted Stock as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, combination of stock, or other similar transaction shall be subject to the vesting conditions and restrictions applicable to the Restricted Stock.

 

  10.5. Rights of Holders of Stock Units.

 

  10.5.1. Voting and Dividend Rights.

Holders of Stock Units shall have no rights as stockholders of the Company (for example, the right to receive cash, dividend payments, or distributions attributable to the shares of Stock subject to such Stock Units, to direct the voting of the shares of Stock subject to such Stock Units, or to receive notice of any meeting of the Company’s stockholders). The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement evidencing a grant of Stock Units that the Grantee thereof shall be entitled to receive, upon the Company’s payment of a cash dividend on its outstanding shares of Stock, a cash payment for each such Stock Unit held in an amount equal to the per-share dividend paid on such shares of Stock. Dividends paid on Stock Units which vest or are earned based upon the achievement of performance goals shall not vest unless such performance goals for such Stock Units are achieved, and if such performance goals are not achieved, the Grantee of such Stock Units shall promptly forfeit and repay to the Company such dividend payments. Such Award Agreement also may provide that such cash payment shall be deemed reinvested in additional Stock Units at a price per unit equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date on which such cash dividend is paid. Such cash payments paid in connection with Stock Units which vest or are earned based upon the achievement of performance goals shall not vest unless such performance goals for such Stock Units are achieved, and if such performance goals are not achieved, the Grantee of such Stock Units shall promptly forfeit and repay to the Company such cash payments.

 

  10.5.2. Creditor’s Rights.

A holder of Stock Units shall have no rights other than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company. Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement.

 

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  10.6. Termination of Service.

Unless the Committee otherwise provides in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing after the Award Agreement is issued, but prior to termination of the Grantee’s Service, upon the termination of such Grantee’s Service, any Restricted Stock or Stock Units held by such Grantee that have not vested, or with respect to which all applicable restrictions and conditions have not lapsed, shall immediately be deemed forfeited. Upon forfeiture of Restricted Stock or Stock Units, the Grantee thereof shall have no further rights with respect thereto, including, but not limited to, any right to vote such Restricted Stock or any right to receive dividends or other distributions with respect to such Restricted Stock or Stock Units.

 

  10.7. Purchase of Restricted Stock and Shares of Stock Subject to Stock Units.

The Grantee of an Award of Restricted Stock or Stock Units shall be required, to the extent required by Applicable Laws, to purchase the Restricted Stock or shares of Stock subject to vested Stock Units from the Company at a Purchase Price equal to the greater of (i) the aggregate par value of the shares of Stock represented by such Restricted Stock or vested Stock Units or (ii) the Purchase Price, if any, specified in the Award Agreement relating to such Restricted Stock or vested Stock Units. The Purchase Price shall be payable in a form provided in Section 12 or, in the discretion of the Committee, in consideration for past or future Services rendered to an Applicable Entity.

 

  10.8. Delivery of Shares of Stock.

Upon the expiration or termination of any Restricted Period and the satisfaction of any other conditions prescribed by the Committee, the restrictions applicable to Restricted Stock or Stock Units settled in shares of Stock shall lapse, and, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a book-entry or direct registration or a share certificate evidencing ownership of such shares of Stock shall, consistent with Section 3.8, be issued, free of all such restrictions, to the Grantee thereof or the Grantee’s beneficiary or estate, as the case may be. Neither the Grantee, nor the Grantee’s beneficiary or estate, shall have any further rights with regard to a Stock Unit once the shares of Stock represented by the Stock Unit have been delivered in accordance with this Section 10.8.

 

11. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS AND OTHER EQUITY-BASED AWARDS

 

  11.1. Unrestricted Stock Awards.

The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant (or sell at the par value of a share of Stock or such other higher Purchase Price determined by the Committee) an Award to any Grantee pursuant to which such Grantee may receive shares of Stock free of any restrictions (“Unrestricted Stock”) under the Plan; provided, that no more than ten percent (10%) of the shares of Stock available for issuance pursuant to Section 4.1 may be granted in the form of Unrestricted Stock Awards. Unrestricted Stock Awards may be granted or sold to any Grantee as provided in the immediately preceding sentence in respect of past Service or, if so provided in the related Award Agreement or a separate agreement, the promise by the Grantee to perform future Service to an Applicable Entity or other valid consideration, or in lieu of, or in addition to, any cash compensation due to such Grantee.

 

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  11.2. Other Equity-Based Awards.

The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant Awards to any person eligible for an Award under Section 6.1 in the form of Other Equity-Based Awards, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. Awards granted pursuant to this Section 11.2 may be granted with vesting, value, and/or payment contingent upon the achievement of one or more performance goals. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Other Equity-Based Awards at the Grant Date or thereafter. Unless the Committee otherwise provides in an Award Agreement, in another agreement, or otherwise in writing after the Award Agreement is issued, upon the termination of a Grantee’s Service, any Other Equity-Based Awards held by such Grantee that have not vested, or with respect to which all applicable restrictions and conditions have not lapsed, shall immediately be deemed forfeited. Upon forfeiture of any Other Equity-Based Awards, the Grantee thereof shall have no further rights with respect to such Other Equity-Based Award.

 

12. FORM OF PAYMENT FOR OPTIONS, RESTRICTED STOCK AND STOCK UNITS

 

  12.1. General Rule.

Payment of (i) the Option Price for the shares of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option or (ii) the Purchase Price, if any, for Restricted Stock or Stock Units, in either case, shall be made in cash or in cash equivalents acceptable to the Company.

 

  12.2. Surrender of Shares of Stock.

To the extent the applicable Award Agreement so provides, payment of (i) the Option Price for shares of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option or (ii) the Purchase Price, if any, for Restricted Stock or Stock Units, in either case, may be made all or in part through the tender or attestation to the Company of shares of Stock, which shall be valued, for purposes of determining the extent to which the Option Price or Purchase Price, if any, has been paid thereby, at their Fair Market Value on the date of tender or attestation, as applicable.

 

  12.3. Cashless Exercise.

To the extent permitted by Applicable Law and to the extent the applicable Award Agreement so provides, payment of the Option Price for shares of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option may be made all or in part (i) by delivery (on a form acceptable to the Committee) by the Grantee of an irrevocable direction to a licensed securities broker acceptable to the Company to sell shares of Stock and to deliver all or part of the sales proceeds to the Company in payment of such Option Price and any withholding taxes described in Section 19.3, or (ii) with the consent of the Company, by the Grantee electing to have the Company issue to the Grantee only that number of shares of Stock equal in value to the difference between such Option Price and the Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock subject to the portion of the Option being exercised.

 

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  12.4. Other Forms of Payment.

To the extent the applicable Award Agreement so provides and/or unless otherwise specified in an Award Agreement, payment of the Option Price for shares of Stock purchased pursuant to exercise of an Option or the Purchase Price, if any, for Restricted Stock or Stock Units, in either case, may be made in any other form that is consistent with Applicable Laws, including, without limitation, (a) Service by the Grantee thereof to an Applicable Entity and (b) by withholding shares of Stock that would otherwise vest or be issuable in an amount equal to the Option Price or Purchase Price, if any, and the required tax withholding amount.

 

13. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS

 

  13.1. Dividend Equivalent Rights.

A Dividend Equivalent Right is an Award entitling the recipient thereof to receive credits based on cash distributions that would have been paid on the shares of Stock specified in the Dividend Equivalent Right (or other Award to which such Dividend Equivalent Right relates) if such shares of Stock had been issued to and held by the recipient of such Dividend Equivalent Right as of the record date. A Dividend Equivalent Right may be granted hereunder to any Grantee, provided that no Dividend Equivalent Rights may be granted in connection with, or related to, an Award of Options or SARs. The terms and conditions of Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be specified in the Award Agreement therefor. Dividend equivalents credited to the holder of a Dividend Equivalent Right may be paid currently (with or without being subject to forfeiture or a repayment obligation) or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional shares of Stock, which may thereafter accrue additional Dividend Equivalent Rights (with or without being subject to forfeiture or a repayment obligation). Any such reinvestment shall be at the Fair Market Value thereof on the date of reinvestment. Dividend Equivalent Rights may be settled in cash or shares of Stock or a combination thereof, in a single installment or in multiple installments, all as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award may provide that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall be settled upon exercise, settlement, or payment of, or lapse of restrictions on, such other Award and that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall expire or be forfeited or annulled under the same conditions as such other Award. A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award also may contain terms and conditions which are different from the terms and conditions of such other Award; provided, that Dividend Equivalent Rights credited pursuant to a Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award which vests or is earned based upon the achievement of performance goals shall not vest unless such performance goals for such underlying Award are achieved, and if such performance goals are not achieved, the Grantee of such Dividend Equivalent Rights shall promptly forfeit and repay to the Company payments made in connection with such Dividend Equivalent Rights.

 

  13.2. Termination of Service.

Unless the Committee provides otherwise in the applicable Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing after the Award Agreement is issued, a Grantee’s rights in all Dividend Equivalent Rights shall automatically terminate upon such Grantee’s termination of Service for any reason.

 

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14. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERFORMANCE AWARDS AND ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AWARDS

 

  14.1. Grant of Performance Awards and Annual Incentive Awards.

Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Performance Awards and/or Annual Incentive Awards to any person eligible for an Award under Section 6.1 in such amounts and upon such terms as the Committee shall determine.

 

  14.2. Value of Performance Awards and Annual Incentive Awards.

Each grant of a Performance Award and Annual Incentive Award shall have an actual or target number of shares of Stock or an initial value that is established by the Committee at the time of grant. The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are achieved, will determine the value and/or number of shares of Stock subject to a Performance Award that will be paid out to the Grantee thereof.

 

  14.3. Earning of Performance Awards and Annual Incentive Awards.

Subject to the terms of the Plan, after the applicable Performance Period has ended, the Grantee of Performance Awards or Annual Incentive Awards shall be entitled to receive a payout on the value and/or number of the Performance Awards or Annual Incentive Awards earned by the Grantee over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance goals have been achieved.

 

  14.4. Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Awards and Annual Incentive Awards.

Payment of earned Performance Awards and Annual Incentive Awards shall be made in a manner as determined by the Committee and as evidenced in the Award Agreement. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Awards in the form of cash or shares of Stock (or a combination thereof) equal to the value of such earned Performance Awards and shall pay the Awards that have been earned at the close of the applicable Performance Period, or as soon as reasonably practicable after the Committee has determined that the performance goal or goals relating thereto have been achieved; provided, that unless specifically provided in the Award Agreement for such Awards, such payment shall occur no later than the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month following the end of the calendar year in which the Performance Period ends. Any shares of Stock paid out under such Awards may be granted subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee. The determination of the Committee with respect to the form of payout of such Performance Awards and Annual Incentive Awards shall be set forth in the Award Agreement therefor.

 

  14.5. Performance Conditions.

The right of a Grantee to exercise or receive a grant or settlement of any Performance Award or Annual Incentive Award, and the timing thereof, may be subject to the achievement of such Performance Measures as may be specified by the Committee. The Committee may use

 

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such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance conditions. Business criteria may be (but are not required to be) measured on a basis consistent with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Any Performance Measure(s) may be used to measure the performance of the Company, its Subsidiaries, and/or its Affiliates as a whole or any business unit of the Company, its Subsidiaries, and/or its Affiliates or any combination thereof, as the Committee may deem appropriate, or any of the above Performance Measures as compared to the performance of a group of comparable companies, or published or special index that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, or the Company may select the Performance Measure specified in Section 2.40(e) as compared to various stock market indices. The Committee also has the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of any Performance Award or Annual Incentive Award based on the achievement of the Performance Measures to which the Award has been made subject. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein is intended to prevent the Committee from granting Awards subject to subjective performance conditions (including individual performance conditions); provided, that such Awards shall not be considered Performance Awards under the Plan.

 

  14.6. Evaluation of Performance.

The Committee may provide in any such Performance Award or Annual Incentive Award that any evaluation of performance may include or exclude any of the following events that occur during a Performance Period: (a) asset write-downs; (b) litigation or claims, judgments, or settlements; (c) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or provisions affecting reported results; (d) any reorganization or restructuring events or programs; (e) extraordinary, non-core, non-operating, or nonrecurring items; (f) acquisitions or divestitures; (g) foreign exchange gains and losses; (h) tax valuation allowance reversals; (i) impairment expense; and (j) environmental expense.

 

15. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF LONG TERM INCENTIVE UNITS

 

  15.1. LTIP Units.

LTIP Units are intended to be profits interests in the operating partnership affiliated with the Company, if any (such operating partnership, if any, the “Operating Partnership”), the rights and features of which, if applicable, will be set forth in the agreement of limited partnership for the Operating Partnership (the “Operating Partnership Agreement”). Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan and the Operating Partnership Agreement, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant LTIP Units to any person eligible for an Award under Section 6.1 in such amounts and upon such terms as the Committee shall determine. LTIP Units must be granted for Service to the Operating Partnership.

 

  15.2. Vesting.

Subject to Section 18, each LTIP Unit granted under the Plan shall vest at such times and under such conditions as shall be determined by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement.

 

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16. PARACHUTE LIMITATIONS

If any Grantee is a “disqualified individual,” as defined in Code Section 280G(c), then, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or of any other agreement, contract, or understanding heretofore or hereafter entered into by such Grantee with an Applicable Entity, except an agreement, contract, or understanding that expressly addresses Code Section 280G or Code Section 4999 (an “Other Agreement”), and notwithstanding any formal or informal plan or other arrangement for the direct or indirect provision of compensation to the Grantee (including groups or classes of Grantees or beneficiaries of which the Grantee is a member), whether or not such compensation is deferred, is in cash, or is in the form of a benefit to or for the Grantee (a “Benefit Arrangement”), any right of the Grantee to any exercise, vesting, payment, or benefit under the Plan shall be reduced or eliminated:

(i)    to the extent that such right to exercise, vesting, payment, or benefit, taking into account all other rights, payments, or benefits to or for the Grantee under the Plan, all Other Agreements, and all Benefit Arrangements, would cause any exercise, vesting, payment, or benefit to the Grantee under the Plan to be considered a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(2) as then in effect (a “Parachute Payment”); and

(ii)    if, as a result of receiving such Parachute Payment, the aggregate after-tax amounts received by the Grantee from the Company under the Plan, all Other Agreements, and all Benefit Arrangements would be less than the maximum after-tax amount that could be received by the Grantee without causing any such payment or benefit to be considered a Parachute Payment.

The Company shall accomplish such reduction by first reducing or eliminating any cash payments (with the payments to be made furthest in the future being reduced first), then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of Performance Awards, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of Options or SARs, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of Restricted Stock or Stock Units, then by reducing or eliminating any other remaining Parachute Payments.

 

17. REQUIREMENTS OF LAW

 

  17.1. General.

No person eligible for an Award under the Plan will be permitted to acquire, or will have any right to acquire, shares of Stock thereunder if such acquisition would be prohibited by any share ownership limits contained in charter or bylaws or would impair the Company’s status as a REIT. The Company shall not be required to offer, sell, or issue any shares of Stock under any Award, whether pursuant to the exercise of an Option or SAR or otherwise, if the offer, sale, or issuance of such shares of Stock would constitute a violation by the Grantee, any other individual or entity exercising an Option or SAR, or any Applicable Entity of any provision of Applicable Laws, including without limitation any federal or state securities laws or regulations. If at any time the Company shall determine, in its discretion, that the offering, listing, registration, or qualification of any shares of Stock subject to an Award upon any securities exchange or under any

 

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governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the offering, issuance, sale, or purchase of shares of Stock in connection with any Award, no shares of Stock may be offered, issued, or sold to the Grantee or any other individual or entity exercising an Option or SAR pursuant to such Award unless such offering, listing, registration, qualification, consent, or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company, and any delay caused thereby shall in no way affect the date of termination of such Award. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in connection with the Securities Act, upon the exercise of any Option or any SAR that may be settled in shares of Stock or the delivery of any shares of Stock underlying an Award, unless a registration statement under the Securities Act is in effect with respect to the shares of Stock covered by such Award, the Company shall not be required to offer, sell, or issue such shares of Stock unless the Committee shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that the Grantee or any other individual or entity exercising such Option or SAR or accepting delivery of such shares may acquire such shares of Stock pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Any determination in this connection by the Committee shall be final, binding, and conclusive. The Company may, but shall in no event be obligated to, register any share of Stock or other securities issuable pursuant to the Plan pursuant to the Securities Act. The Company shall not be obligated to take any affirmative action in order to cause the exercise of an Option or a SAR or the issuance of shares of Stock or other securities issuable pursuant to the Plan to comply with any Applicable Laws. As to any jurisdiction that expressly imposes the requirement that an Option (or SAR that may be settled in shares of Stock) shall not be exercisable until the shares of Stock subject to such Option or SAR are registered under the securities laws thereof or are exempt from such registration, the exercise of such Option or SAR under circumstances in which the laws of such jurisdiction apply shall be deemed conditioned upon the effectiveness of such registration or the availability of such an exemption.

 

  17.2. Rule 16b-3.

During any time when the Company has a class of equity security registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, it is the intent of the Company that Awards pursuant to the Plan and the exercise of Options and SARs granted hereunder that would otherwise be subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act will qualify for the exemption provided by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. To the extent that any provision of the Plan or action by the Committee does not comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3, such provision or action shall be deemed inoperative with respect to such Awards to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws and deemed advisable by the Committee, and shall not affect the validity of the Plan. In the event that Rule 16b-3 is revised or replaced, the Board may exercise its discretion to modify the Plan in any respect necessary or advisable in its judgment to satisfy the requirements of, or to permit the Company to avail itself of the benefits of, the revised exemption or its replacement.

 

18. EFFECT OF CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION

 

  18.1. Changes in Stock.

If the number of outstanding shares of Stock is increased or decreased or the shares of Stock are changed into or exchanged for a different number of shares or kind of capital stock or other securities of the Company on account of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off, combination of stock, exchange of stock, stock dividend, or other

 

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distribution payable in capital stock, or other increase or decrease in shares of Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company occurring after the Effective Date, the number and kinds of shares of stock for which grants of Options and other Awards may be made under the Plan, including, without limitation, the limits set forth in Section 6.2, shall be adjusted proportionately and accordingly by the Committee. In addition, the number and kind of shares of Stock for which Awards are outstanding shall be adjusted proportionately and accordingly by the Committee so that the proportionate interest of the Grantee immediately following such event shall, to the extent practicable, be the same as immediately before such event. Any such adjustment in outstanding Options or SARs shall not change the aggregate Option Price or SAR Exercise Price payable with respect to shares that are subject to the unexercised portion of such outstanding Options or SARs, as applicable, but shall include a corresponding proportionate adjustment in the per share Option Price or SAR Exercise Price, as applicable. The conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as an increase in shares effected without receipt of consideration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any distribution to the Company’s stockholders of securities of any other entity or other assets (including an extraordinary dividend but excluding a non-extraordinary dividend declared and paid by the Company) without receipt of consideration by the Company, the Committee shall, in such manner as the Committee deems appropriate, adjust (i) the number and kind of shares of Stock subject to outstanding Awards and/or (ii) the aggregate and per share Option Price of outstanding Options and the aggregate and per share SAR Exercise Price of outstanding SARs as required to reflect such distribution.

 

  18.2. Reorganization in Which the Company Is the Surviving Entity Which Does not Constitute a Change in Control.

Subject to Section 18.3, if the Company shall be the surviving entity in any reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company with one or more other entities which does not constitute a Change in Control, any Option or SAR theretofore granted pursuant to the Plan shall pertain to and apply to the securities to which a holder of the number of shares of Stock subject to such Option or SAR would have been entitled immediately following such reorganization, merger, or consolidation, with a corresponding proportionate adjustment of the per share Option Price or SAR Exercise Price so that the aggregate Option Price or SAR Exercise Price thereafter shall be the same as the aggregate Option Price or SAR Exercise Price of the shares of Stock remaining subject to the Option or SAR as in effect immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, or consolidation. Subject to any contrary language in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or as otherwise set forth in writing, any restrictions applicable to such Award shall apply as well to any replacement shares received by the Grantee as a result of such reorganization, merger, or consolidation. In the event of any reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company referred to in this Section 18.2, Performance Awards shall be adjusted (including any adjustment to the Performance Measures applicable to such Awards deemed appropriate by the Committee) so as to apply to the securities that a holder of the number of shares of Stock subject to the Performance Awards would have been entitled to receive immediately following such reorganization, merger, or consolidation.

 

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  18.3. Change in Control in which Awards are not Assumed.

Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control in which all or a portion of outstanding Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Rights, LTIP Units, or Other Equity-Based Awards are not being assumed or continued, in each case, with the exception of any Performance Award:

(i) with respect to such Awards, all outstanding Restricted Stock, Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Rights, LTIP Units, and Other Equity-Based Awards shall be deemed to have fully vested effective as of immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control; and

(ii) the Committee shall take the following action with respect to such Awards:

(A) except as provided in paragraph (B), the Committee shall cancel any outstanding Awards of Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Rights, LTIP Units (but only to the extent booked up) and/or Other Equity-Based Awards and pay or deliver, or cause to be paid or delivered, to the holder thereof an amount in cash or securities having a value (as determined by the Committee acting in good faith), in the case of Restricted Stock, Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Rights, LTIP Units (but only to the extent booked up) and Other Equity-Based Awards (for shares of Stock subject thereto), equal to the formula or fixed price per share paid to holders of shares of Stock pursuant to such Change in Control and, in the case of Options or SARs, equal to the product of the number of shares of Stock subject to such Options or SARs (the “Award Stock”) multiplied by the amount, if any, by which (I) the formula or fixed price per share paid to holders of shares of Stock pursuant to such transaction exceeds (II) the Option Price or SAR Exercise Price applicable to such Award Stock; provided, that, in the case of any Option or SAR with an Option Price or SAR Exercise Price that equals or exceeds the price paid for a share of Stock in connection with the Change in Control, the Committee may cancel the Option or SAR without the payment of consideration therefor; and

(B) with respect to all or a portion of the Options and SARs to which this Section 18.3 applies, in lieu of the action described in paragraph (A) or as a precursor to such action, the Committee may provide that all such Options and SARs outstanding shall become immediately exercisable at least fifteen (15) days prior to the scheduled consummation of a Change in Control and shall remain exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days, which exercise shall be effective upon such consummation. With respect to the Company’s establishment of an exercise window and the Options and SARs to which such exercise window applies, (i) any exercise of an Option or SAR during such fifteen (15)-day period shall be conditioned upon the consummation of the applicable Change in Control and shall be effective only immediately before the consummation thereof, and (ii) upon consummation of any Change in Control, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, cancel all such outstanding but unexercised Options and SARs without the payment of consideration therefor. The Committee shall send notice of an event that will result in such a termination to all individuals and entities who hold Options and SARs not later than the time at which the Company gives notice thereof to its stockholders.

 

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  18.4. Change in Control in which Awards are Assumed.

Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control in which certain outstanding Awards are being assumed or continued, the following provisions shall apply to such Award, to the extent assumed or continued:

The Plan and the Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Rights, LTIP Units and Other Equity-Based Awards theretofore granted under the Plan shall continue in the manner and under the same terms and conditions so provided under the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement in the event of any Change in Control to the extent that provision is made in writing in connection with such Change in Control for the assumption or continuation of such Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Rights, LTIP Units, and Other Equity-Based Awards, or for the substitution for such Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Rights, LTIP Units, and Other Equity-Based Awards for new cash-denominated Awards of equivalent economic value or common stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock units, dividend equivalent rights, profits interests, and other equity-based awards relating to the stock or other equity interest of a successor entity, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number of shares or units and option and stock appreciation rights exercise prices.

 

  18.5. Performance Awards.

In the case of Performance Awards denominated in Stock, Stock Units, or LTIP Units, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides for assumption or continuation in a manner similar to Section 18.4, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control:

(i) with respect to the performance conditions of such Awards, (A) if equal to or less than half of the Performance Period has lapsed, the unearned portion of any such Awards will be deemed to have vested as to the number of shares of Stock, Stock Units, or LTIP Units equal to a pro-rata portion of the target number of shares of Stock, Stock Units, or LTIP Units (calculated based on the period elapsed from the Grant Date through the date of the Change in Control) or (B) if more than half the Performance Period has lapsed, the unearned portion of any such Awards will vest based on actual achievement of the applicable performance conditions through the date of the Change in Control (as determined by the Committee in good faith); and

(ii) either or both of the following two (2) actions shall be taken:

(A) the Committee may elect, in its sole discretion, to cancel such Awards and pay or deliver, or cause to be paid or delivered, to the holder thereof an amount in cash or securities having a value (as determined by the Committee acting in good faith) equal to the formula or fixed price per share paid to holders of shares of Stock pursuant to such Change in Control; and/or

(B) the Committee may elect, in its sole discretion, to convert such Awards into cash- or Stock-denominated Awards subject to service-based vesting for the uncompleted portion of the applicable Performance Period.

 

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  18.6. Adjustments.

Adjustments under this Section 18 related to shares of Stock or other securities of the Company shall be made by the Committee, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding, and conclusive. No fractional shares or other securities shall be issued pursuant to any such adjustment, and any fractions resulting from any such adjustment shall be eliminated in each case by rounding downward to the nearest whole share. The Committee shall determine the effect of a Change in Control upon Awards, other than Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Rights, LTIP Units, Other Equity-Based Awards and Performance Award (to the extent such Performance Awards are denominated in Stock, Stock Units, or LTIP Units), and such effect shall be set forth in the appropriate Award Agreement. This Section 18 shall not limit the Committee’s ability to provide for alternative treatment of Awards outstanding under the Plan in the event of change in control events involving the Company that do not constitute a Change in Control.

 

  18.7. No Limitations on Company.

The making of Awards pursuant to the Plan shall not affect or limit in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations, or changes of its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, or liquidate, or to sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets (including all or any part of the business or assets of any Subsidiary or other Affiliate) or engage in any other transaction or activity.

 

19. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

  19.1. Disclaimer of Rights.

No provision in the Plan or in any Award or Award Agreement shall be construed to confer upon any individual or entity the right to remain in the employ or Service of any Applicable Entity, or to interfere in any way with any contractual or other right or authority of the Applicable Entity either to increase or decrease the compensation or other payments to any individual or entity at any time, or to terminate any employment or other relationship between any individual or entity and the Applicable Entity. In addition, notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan to the contrary, unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing, no Award granted under the Plan shall be affected by any change of duties or position of the Grantee thereof, so long as such Grantee continues to provide Service. The obligation of the Company to pay any benefits pursuant to the Plan shall be interpreted as a contractual obligation to pay only those amounts provided herein, in the manner and under the conditions prescribed herein. The Plan and Awards shall in no way be interpreted to require the Company to transfer any amounts to a third party trustee or otherwise hold any amounts in trust or escrow for payment to any Grantee or beneficiary under the terms of the Plan.

 

  19.2. Nonexclusivity of the Plan.

Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the submission of the Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations upon the right and authority of the Board or the Committee to adopt such other incentive compensation arrangements (which arrangements may be applicable either generally to a class or classes of individuals or specifically to a particular individual or particular individuals) as the Board or the Committee in their discretion determine desirable.

 

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  19.3. Withholding Taxes.

Any Applicable Entity, as the case may be, shall have the right to deduct from payments of any kind otherwise due to a Grantee any federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to the vesting of or other lapse of restrictions applicable to an Award or upon the issuance of any shares of Stock upon the exercise of an Option or pursuant to any other Award. At the time of such vesting, lapse, or exercise, the Grantee shall pay in cash to the Applicable Entity, as the case may be, any amount that the Applicable Entity may reasonably determine to be necessary to satisfy such withholding obligation; provided that if there is a same-day sale of shares of Stock subject to an Award, the Grantee shall pay such withholding obligation on the day on which such same-day sale is completed. Subject to the prior approval of the Applicable Entity, which may be withheld by the Applicable Entity, as the case may be, in its sole discretion, the Grantee may elect to satisfy such withholding obligations, in whole or in part, (i) by causing the Applicable Entity to withhold shares of Stock otherwise issuable to the Grantee or (ii) by delivering to the Applicable Entity shares of Stock already owned by the Grantee. The shares of Stock so delivered or withheld shall have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to such withholding obligations. The Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock used to satisfy such withholding obligations shall be determined by the Applicable Entity as of the date on which the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. A Grantee who has made an election pursuant to this Section 19.3 may satisfy such Grantee’s withholding obligations only with shares of Stock that are not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting, or other similar requirements. The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be withheld from any Award to satisfy any federal, state, or local tax withholding requirements upon the exercise, vesting, or lapse of restrictions applicable to such Award or payment of shares of Stock pursuant to such Award, as applicable, may not exceed such number of shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the maximum statutory amount required by the Applicable Entity to be withheld and paid to any such federal, state, or local taxing authority with respect to such exercise, vesting, lapse of restrictions or payment of shares of Stock. Notwithstanding Section 2.21 or this Section 19.3, for purposes of determining taxable income and the amount of the related tax withholding obligation pursuant to this Section 19.3, for any shares of Stock subject to an Award that are sold by or on behalf of a Grantee on the same date on which such shares may first be sold pursuant to the terms of the related Award Agreement, the Fair Market Value of such shares shall be the sale price of such shares on such date (or if sales of such shares are effectuated at more than one sale price, the weighted average sale price of such shares on such date), so long as such Grantee has provided the Applicable Entity, or its designee or agent, with advance written notice of such sale. In such case, the percentage of shares of Stock withheld shall equal the applicable maximum withholding rate.

 

  19.4. Captions.

The use of captions in the Plan or any Award Agreement is for the convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning of any provision of the Plan or such Award Agreement.

 

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  19.5. Other Provisions.

Each Award granted under the Plan may contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

 

  19.6. Number and Gender.

With respect to words used in the Plan, the singular form shall include the plural form, and the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender, etc., as the context requires.

 

  19.7. Severability.

If any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be determined to be illegal or unenforceable by any court of law in any jurisdiction, the remaining provisions hereof and thereof shall be severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and all provisions shall remain enforceable in any other jurisdiction.

 

  19.8. Governing Law.

The validity and construction of the Plan and the instruments evidencing the Awards hereunder shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland, other than any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of the Plan and the instruments evidencing the Awards granted hereunder to the substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

  19.9. Code Section 409A.

It is intended that any Award under the Plan shall either be exempt from Code Section 409A or, to the extent subject thereto, shall by interpreted and administered to be in compliance therewith. Any Awards that are subject to Code Section 409A shall be interpreted in a manner that complies with Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, if a Grantee is a “specified employee” as defined under Code Section 409A and the Grantee’s Award is to be settled on account of the Grantee’s “separation from service” as defined under Code Section 409A (for reasons other than death) and such Award constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” as defined under Code Section 409A, then, to the extent required to avoid accelerated taxation and tax penalties under Code Section 409A, any portion of the Grantee’s Award that would otherwise be settled during the six (6)-month period commencing on the Grantee’s separation from service shall be settled as soon as practicable following the conclusion of the six (6)-month period (or following the Grantee’s death, if earlier). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board shall have no obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any excise tax or penalty on any Grantee under Code Section 409A, and none of the Board, the Committee or the Company will have any liability to any Grantee for such tax or penalty.

 

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To record the adoption of the Plan by the Board as of January 29, 2018, effective upon and subject to approval of the Plan by the Company’s sole stockholder on January 29, 2018, the Company has caused its authorized officer to execute the Plan.

 

COLONY NORTHSTAR CREDIT REAL ESTATE, INC.
By:  

/s/ David A. Palamé

Name:   David A. Palamé
Title:   General Counsel and Secretary

 

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