UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A INFORMATION
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed
by
the Registrant x
Filed
by
a Party other than the Registrant o
Check
the
appropriate box:
o |
Preliminary
Proxy Statement |
o |
Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
|
x |
Definitive
Proxy Statement
|
o |
Definitive
Additional Materials
|
o |
Soliciting
Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12 |
AE
BIOFUELS, INC.
(Name
of
Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name
of
Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
o |
Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.)
|
1) Title
of
each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2) Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
3) Per
unit
price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange
Act
Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state
how it was determined):
4) Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5) Total
fee
paid:
o |
Fee
paid previously with preliminary
materials. |
o
Check
box
if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2)
and
identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify
the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule
and the date of its filing.
1) Amount
Previously Paid:
2) Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3) Filing
Party:
4) Date
Filed:
ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD ON MAY 8, 2008
April
14,
2008
Dear
Stockholder:
You
are
invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of AE Biofuels, Inc. (the
“Company,” “we” or “our”), which will be held at our corporate offices at 20400
Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 700, Cupertino, CA 95014, on Thursday, May 8, 2008,
at 10:00 a.m. (Pacific Standard Time).
We
discuss the matters to be acted upon at the meeting in more detail in the
attached Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement. There are three specific
items for which you are being asked to vote: (i) the election of a full slate
of
six (6) directors to the Board of Directors of the Corporation; (ii) the
ratification of the Company’s independent auditors for 2008 and (iii)
the approval and amendment of the Company’s 2007 Stock Plan. Your Board of
Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the six (6) individuals nominated,
“FOR” ratification of the independent auditors and “FOR” approval and amendment
of the Company’s 2007 Stock Plan. Included
with the Proxy Statement is a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. We encourage you to read the
Form 10-K. It includes our audited financial statements and information
about our operations, markets and products.
You
can
vote by signing and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage prepaid
envelope provided or via
facsimile. Returning the proxy card by mail or by facsimile will ensure your
representation at the meeting but does not deprive you of your right to attend
the meeting and to vote your shares in person. The Proxy Statement explains
more
about how to vote by proxy. Please read it carefully.
We
hope
that you can attend the Annual Meeting. You
will be required to present photo identification to gain admission to the Annual
Meeting. Whether
or not you plan to attend, you can be sure that your shares are represented
at
the meeting by promptly voting by one of the methods provided. Any stockholder
attending the Annual Meeting may vote in person, even if that stockholder has
returned a proxy. Your vote is important, whether you own a few shares or
many.
If
you
have questions concerning the Annual Meeting or your stock ownership, please
call our Corporate Secretary, William Maender, at (408) 213-0940. Thank you
for
your continued support of AE Biofuels, Inc.
Very
truly yours,
|
|
/s/
Eric A. McAfee
|
Eric
A. McAfee
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
This
document is dated April 8, 2008 and is being first mailed to stockholders of
AE
Biofuels, Inc. on or about April 8, 2008.
20400
Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 700, Cupertino, CA 95014
Tel.:
(408) 213-0940 Fax: Fax: (408) 252-8044
www.aebiofuels.com
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD ON MAY 8, 2008
April
14,
2008
To
the
Stockholders of
AE
BIOFUELS, INC.:
NOTICE
IS
HEREBY given that the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”)
of AE Biofuels, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at our corporate offices at
20400 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 700, Cupertino, CA 95014, on Thursday, May
8,
2008 at 10:00 a.m. (Pacific Standard Time) for the following
purposes:
|
1)
|
To
elect six (6) members of the Board of Directors to hold office until
the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2009, and until their successors
are
duly elected and qualified;
|
|
2)
|
To
ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as our independent auditors
the
fiscal year ending December 31,
2008;
|
|
3)
|
To
approve and amend the 2007 Stock Plan;
and
|
|
4)
|
To
transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
and
any adjournment or postponement
thereof.
|
More
information about these business items is described in the proxy statement
accompanying this notice. Any of the above matters may be considered at the
Annual Meeting at the date and time specified above or at an adjournment or
postponement of such meeting.
Your
vote
is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, it is
important that your shares be represented. Please vote as soon as possible.
BY
ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
|
|
/s/
William J. Maender
|
William
J. Maender
|
Corporate
Secretary
|
YOUR
VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
WHETHER
OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN
THE PROXY CARD AS INSTRUCTED.
20400
Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 700, Cupertino, CA 95014
Tel.:
(408) 213-0940 Fax: Fax: (408) 252-8044
www.aebiofuels.com
AE
BIOFUELS, INC.
PROXY
STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To
be
held May 8, 2008
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
|
Page
|
General
|
1
|
Questions
and Answers About the Proxy Materials and our Annual
Meeting
|
1
|
Board
of Directors Meetings and Committees
|
6
|
Security
Ownership by Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
|
10
|
Proposal
1: Election of Directors
|
12
|
Proposal
2: Ratification of Auditors
|
13
|
Proposal
3: Approval
and Amendment of the 2007
Stock Plan
|
15
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Equity
Compensation Plan Information
|
22
|
Executive
Officers
|
23
|
Executive
Compensation
|
24
|
Employment
Contracts And Termination Of Employment And Change-In-Control
Arrangements
|
25
|
Section
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
|
26
|
Certain
Relationships And Related Transactions
|
26
|
Audit
Committee Report
|
27
|
Other
Matters
|
28
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Householding
|
28
|
Appendix
A –
Audit
Committee Charter
|
A-1
|
Appendix
B –
Amended and Restated 2007 Stock Plan
|
B-1
|
AE
BIOFUELS, INC.
PROXY
STATEMENT FOR 2008 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
General
These
proxy materials are furnished to you for use at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of the Company (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on Thursday, May
8, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. (Pacific Standard Time), or at any postponement or
adjournment of the Annual Meeting, for the purposes set forth herein and in
the
foregoing Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Annual Meeting will
be
held at our principal executive offices located at 20400 Stevens Creek Blvd.,
Suite 700, Cupertino, CA 95014. Stockholders are invited to attend the Annual
Meeting and are asked to vote on the proposals described in this proxy
statement.
Copies
of
this Proxy Statement and of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 have been furnished to brokerage houses,
fiduciaries and custodians to forward to beneficial owners of common and Series
B Preferred stock of the Company held in their names. The Company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, is also available from the Company,
without charge, upon request made in writing to the Company’s Corporate
Secretary at 20400 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 700, Cupertino, CA 95014, or
by downloading it online at www.aebiofuels.com.
Your
attention is directed to the financial statements and Management’s Discussion
and Analysis in such Annual Report, which provide additional important
information concerning the Company. This Proxy Statement and the related Proxy
Forms are being first mailed to stockholders of AE Biofuels, Inc. on or about
April 14, 2008.
Pursuant
to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, On December 7, 2007, American
Ethanol, Inc. merged with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marwich II, Ltd., and
Marwich II, Ltd., issued to the former stockholders of American Ethanol
84,114,998 shares of its common stock in exchange for all of the outstanding
shares of American Ethanol common stock and 6,487,491 shares of its Series
B
Preferred Stock in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding shares of
American Ethanol Series B Preferred Stock (the “Reverse Merger”). As a result,
American Ethanol became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the former
stockholders of American Ethanol held approximately 99.5% of the oustanding
shares of the Company. On December 7, 2007, the Company amended its
Articles of Incorporation to change its name to AE Biofuels, Inc.
For
accounting purposes, the Reverse Merger was treated as a reverse acquisition
with American Ethanol as the acquirer and the Company as the acquired party.
As
a result, the business and financial information included in the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K is the business and financial information of AE
Biofuels, Inc. on a consolidated basis.
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROXY MATERIALS AND OUR ANNUAL
MEETING
Q:
|
What
is the purpose of the Annual Meeting? |
|
|
|
A:
|
To
vote on the following proposals: |
|
· |
To
elect six (6) members of the Board of Directors to hold office
until the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2009, and until their successors
are
duly elected and qualified; and
|
|
·
|
To
ratify the appointment of BDO
Seidman, LLP as our independent auditors, to audit the financial
statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the year ending
December 31, 2008;
|
|
·
|
To
approve and amend the 2007 Stock Plan; and
|
|
|
To
transact such other business that may properly come before the
Annual
Meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof.
|
|
|
|
Q:
|
What
are the Board of Directors’ recommendations?
|
|
|
A:
|
The
Board recommends a vote:
|
|
|
|
·
FOR
the election of the six (6) nominees as directors;
|
|
·
FOR
the ratification of the appointment of BDO
Seidman, LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2008;
|
|
·
FOR
the approval and amendment of the 2007
Stock Plan; and
|
|
· FOR
or AGAINST other matters that properly come before the Annual Meeting,
as
the proxy holders deem advisable.
|
|
|
Q:
|
Who
is entitled to vote at the meeting?
|
|
|
A:
|
Stockholders
Entitled to Vote. Stockholders who our records show owned
shares of AE Biofuels, Inc. as of the close of business on March
26, 2008
(the “Record Date”) may vote at the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, we
had a total of 84,785,920 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding,
which were held of record by 144 stockholders and 6,270,491 shares
of
Series B Preferred Stock issued and outstanding held of record
by 132
stockholders. The stock transfer books will not be closed between
the
Record Date and the date of the meeting. Each share of AE Biofuels,
Inc.
Common Stock and Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to one
vote.
|
|
Registered
Stockholders. If
your shares are registered directly in your name with AE Biofuels
transfer
agent, you are considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder
of record, and these proxy materials are being sent to you by AE
Biofuels,
Inc. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant
your voting
proxy directly to the individuals listed on the proxy card or to
vote in
person at the Annual Meeting.
|
|
Street
Name Stockholders. If
your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank
or other
nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held
in street
name. These proxy materials are being forwarded to you by your
broker or
nominee, who is considered, with respect to those shares, the record
holder. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your
broker
or nominee how to vote, and you are also invited to attend the
Annual
Meeting. However, since you are not the record holder, you may
not vote
these shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless you follow
your
broker’s procedures for obtaining a legal proxy. Your broker or nominee
has enclosed a voting instruction card for you to use.
|
|
|
Q:
|
Can
I attend the meeting in person?
|
|
|
A:
|
You
are invited to attend the Annual Meeting if you are a registered
stockholder or a street name stockholder as of March 26, 2008.
In
addition, you
will be required to present photo identification, such
as a driver’s license or passport,
to
gain admission to the Annual Meeting.
|
|
|
Q:
|
How
can I vote my shares?
|
|
|
A:
|
Registered
Stockholders: Registered
stockholders may vote in person at the Annual Meeting or by one
of the
following methods:
|
|
· By
Mail. Complete,
sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it in the prepaid
envelope provided;
|
|
· By
Fax.
Complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and fax to Corporate
Stock
Transfer at (303)
282-5800;
|
|
Please
note that voting facilities for registered stockholders will close
at
12:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, May 7,
2008.
|
|
Street
Name Stockholders:
If
your shares are held by a broker, bank or other nominee, you must
follow
the instructions on the form you receive from your broker, bank
or other
nominee in order for your shares to be voted. Please follow their
instructions carefully. Also, please note that if the holder of
record of
your shares is a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to
vote at the
Annual Meeting, you must request a legal proxy from the bank, broker
or
other nominee that holds your shares and present that proxy and
proof of
identification at the Annual Meeting to vote your
shares.
|
|
Based
on the instructions provided by the broker, bank or other holder
of record
of their shares, street name stockholders may generally vote by
one of the
following methods:
|
|
·
By
Mail.
You may vote by signing, dating and returning your voting instruction
card
in the enclosed pre-addressed envelope;
|
|
·
By
Methods Listed on Voting Instruction Card.
Please refer to your voting instruction card or other information
forwarded by your bank, broker or other holder of record to determine
whether you may vote by mail or fax, and follow the instructions
on the
voting instruction card or other information provided by the record
holder; or
|
|
·
In
Person with a Proxy from the Record Holder.
A
street name stockholder who wishes to vote at the Annual Meeting
will need
to obtain a legal proxy from his or her bank or brokerage firm.
Please
consult the voting instruction card sent to you by your bank or
broker to
determine how to obtain a legal proxy in order to vote in person
at the
Annual Meeting.
|
|
|
Q:
|
If
I sign a proxy, how will it be voted?
|
|
|
A:
|
When
proxies are properly dated, executed and returned, the shares represented
by such proxies will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance
with the
instructions of the stockholder. However, if no specific instructions
are
given, the shares will be voted in accordance with the above
recommendations of our Board of Directors. If any matters not described
in
the Proxy Statement are properly presented at the Annual Meeting,
the
proxy holders will use their own judgment to determine how to vote
your
shares. If the Annual Meeting is adjourned, the proxy holders can
vote
your shares on the new meeting date as well, unless you have revoked
your
proxy instructions, as described below under “Can I change my
vote?”
|
|
|
Q:
|
What
should I do if I get more than one proxy or voting instruction
card?
|
|
|
A:
|
Stockholders
may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple
copies of these proxy materials and multiple proxy cards or voting
instruction cards. For example, stockholders who hold shares in
more than
one brokerage account may receive a separate voting instruction
card for
each brokerage account in which shares are held. Stockholders of
record
whose shares are registered in more than one name will receive
more than
one proxy card. You should sign and return all proxies and voting
instruction cards you receive relating to our Annual Meeting to
ensure
that all of your shares are voted.
|
|
|
Q:
|
Can
I change my vote?
|
|
|
A:
|
You
may change your vote at any time prior to the vote at the Annual
Meeting.
To revoke your proxy instructions and change your vote if you are
a
stockholder of record, you must (i) attend the Annual Meeting and
vote your shares in person, (ii) advise William
Maender,
the Company’s Corporate Secretary, at our principal executive
office in writing before the proxy holders vote your shares, or
(iii) deliver later dated and signed proxy instructions before the
proxy holders vote your shares.
|
|
|
Q:
|
What
happens if I decide to attend the Annual Meeting but I have already
voted
or submitted a proxy covering my shares?
|
|
|
A:
|
You
may attend the meeting and vote in person even if you have already
voted
or submitted a proxy. Please be aware that attendance at the Annual
Meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy. If a bank, broker
or other
nominee holds your shares and you wish to attend the Annual Meeting
and
vote in person, you must obtain a “legal proxy” from the record holder of
the shares giving you the right to vote the shares.
|
|
|
Q:
|
How
are votes counted?
|
|
|
A:
|
The
Annual Meeting will be held if a majority of the outstanding shares
of
Common Stock entitled to vote is represented in person or by proxy
at the
meeting. If you have returned valid proxy instructions or attend
the
Annual Meeting in person, your Common Stock will be counted for
the
purpose of determining whether there is a quorum, even if you wish
to
abstain from voting on some or all matters at the
meeting.
|
|
Shares
that are voted “WITHHELD” or “ABSTAIN” are treated as being present for
purposes of determining the presence of a quorum and as entitled
to vote
on a particular subject matter at the Annual Meeting. If you hold
shares
of AE Biofuels, Inc. common stock in street name through a bank,
broker or
other nominee holder, the nominee holder may only vote your shares
in
accordance with your instructions. If you do not give specific
instructions to your nominee holder as to how you want your shares
voted,
your nominee will indicate that it does not have authority to vote
on the
proposal, which will result in what is called a “broker non-vote.” All
shares of AE Biofuels common stock represented at the Annual Meeting,
including broker non-votes and abstentions, will be counted for purposes
of determining the presence of a quorum. |
|
|
Q:
|
Who
will tabulate the votes?
|
|
|
A:
|
AE
Biofuels will designate Corporate Stock Transfer as the Inspector
of
Election who will tabulate the votes.
|
|
|
Q:
|
Who
is making this solicitation?
|
|
|
A:
|
This
proxy is being solicited on behalf of AE Biofuels’ Board of
Directors.
|
|
|
Q:
|
Who
pays for the proxy solicitation process?
|
|
|
A:
|
AE
Biofuels will pay the cost of preparing, assembling, printing,
mailing and
distributing these proxy materials and soliciting votes. We do
not plan to
retain a solicitor to assist with the solicitation. We may, on
request,
reimburse brokerage firms and other nominees for their expenses
in
forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners. In addition to
soliciting
proxies by mail, we expect that our directors, officers and employees
may
solicit proxies in person or by facsimile. None of these individuals
will
receive any additional or special compensation for doing this,
although we
will reimburse these individuals for their reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses.
|
|
|
Q:
|
May
I propose actions for consideration at next year’s annual meeting of
stockholders or nominate individuals to serve as
directors?
|
|
|
A:
|
You
may present proposals for action at a future meeting only if you
comply
with the requirements of the proxy rules established by the Securities
and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and our bylaws. In order for a stockholder
proposal to be included in our Proxy Statement and form of Proxy
relating
to the meeting for our 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under
rules set
forth in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Securities
Exchange Act”), the proposal must be received by us no later than
5:00
p.m. (Pacific Standard Time) not less than the 120th calendar day
prior to the first anniversary of the mailing of the notice for
the
preceding year’s annual meeting. Accordingly, stockholder proposals
intended to be presented in our proxy materials for the 2008 Annual
Meeting must be received by the Company's Corporate Secretary, on
or before December 19, 2008, and must satisfy the requirements of
the
proxy rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
|
Q:
|
How
do I obtain a separate set of proxy materials or request a single
set for
my household?
|
|
|
A:
|
If
you share an address with another stockholder and have the same last
name, you will receive only one set of proxy materials (including
our
Annual Report on Form 10-K and proxy statement). If you wish to
receive a
separate proxy statement at this time, please request the additional
copy
by contacting our transfer agent, Corporate Stock Transfer by telephone
at
(303) 282-4800, or by facsimile at (303)
282-5800.
You
may also request to receive a separate Annual Report and a separate
proxy
statement by contacting our Corporate Secretary at (408) 213-0940,
by
email at wmaender@aebiofuels.com, or by writing to: AE Biofuels,
Inc.,
20400 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 700, Cupertino, CA
95014.
|
|
|
Q:
|
What
if I have questions about lost stock certificates or need to change
my
mailing address?
|
|
|
A:
|
You
may contact our transfer agent, Corporate
Stock Transfer,
by telephone at
(303) 282-4800
or
by facsimile at (303)
282-5800,
if you have lost your stock certificate or need to change your
mailing
address.
|
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
The
Board of
Directors is presently composed of six (6) members: Eric A. McAfee, Surendra
Ajjarapu, Harold Sorgenti, Michael DeLong, Laird Cagan, and Michael Peterson.
Mr. McAfee serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors. The
Company has adopted the independence standards promulgated by the American
Stock
Exchange. Based on these standards, the Board has determined that each
of
the directors other than Messrs. McAfee, Ajjarapu and Cagan is an independent
director within the meaning set forth in the rules of the American Stock
Exchange, as currently in effect. There are no family relationships between
any
director and executive officer.
The
Board of
Directors of American Ethanol, Inc. held 8 meetings during fiscal year
2007, all of which were special meetings. No meetings were held by AE Biofuels,
Inc. until January 2008. Each director attended 100% of the aggregate number
of
meetings of our Board of Directors and the committees on which each director
served during fiscal year 2007 and was eligible to attend.
Information
About the Directors and Nominees
Set
forth
below is information regarding our directors and the nominees as of April 8,
2008:
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
|
Director
Since*
|
Eric
A. McAfee
|
|
45
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman
of
the Board
|
|
2006
|
Surendra
Ajjarapu
|
|
37
|
|
President
and Director
|
|
2007
|
Harold
Sorgenti
|
|
73
|
|
Director
|
|
2007
|
Michael
DeLong
|
|
63
|
|
Director
|
|
2007
|
Laird
Cagan
|
|
49
|
|
Director
|
|
2006
|
Michael
Peterson
|
|
46
|
|
Director
|
|
2006
|
*Date
the
board member was elected to the Board of American Ethanol, Inc.
Eric
A. McAfee
co-founded American Ethanol, Inc. in 2005 and has served as its Chairman of
the
Board since February 2006. Mr. McAfee was appointed American Ethanol's Chief
Executive Officer in February 2007. Mr. McAfee has been an entrepreneur,
merchant banker, venture capitalist and farmer/dairyman for over 20 years.
Since
1998, Mr. McAfee has been a principal of Berg McAfee Companies, an investment
company. Since 2000, Mr. McAfee has been a principal of Cagan McAfee Capital
Partners (“CMCP”) through which Mr. McAfee has founded or acquired ten energy
and technology companies. In 2003, Mr. McAfee co-founded Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
(Nasdaq PEIX), a West Coast ethanol producer and marketer. Mr. McAfee received
a B.S. in Management from Fresno State University in 1986. Mr. McAfee is a
graduate of the Harvard Business School Private Equity and Venture Capital
Program, and is a 1993 graduate of the Stanford Graduate School of Business
Executive Program.
Surendra
Ajjarapu
has been
with American Ethanol since December 2005, most recently as President and
chairman of our Subsidiary, International Biofuels, Inc. Mr. Ajjarapu is an
entrepreneur who has successfully started several companies in the U.S. and
India. In 1995, Mr. Ajjarapu formed an information technology consulting firm
in
the U.S. and grew the business to Europe and Asia. Mr. Ajjarapu has more than
11
years of executive management and board experience while operating successful
and profitable businesses in both U.S. and abroad. In 2005, Mr. Ajjarapu
co-founded Wahoo Ethanol and Sutton Ethanol in central Nebraska, where he was
active in site identification and capital raising. Mr. Ajjarapu was
President/Director for Sutton Ethanol and Director of Wahoo. Mr. Ajjarapu
currently sits on the board of Global Information Technology, Inc. Global
Information Technology, a private information technology consulting company,
filed for bankruptcy in September 2002 and emerged from bankruptcy in October
2003. Mr. Ajjarapu has previously held several other board memberships including
but not limited to Connor Information Technology Pvt. Ltd. LTD/INDIA and
Global Exim, Inc. Mr. Ajjarapu is a graduate of South Dakota State University,
Brookings, SD with a M.S. in Environmental Engineering. He also received an
M.B.A. in finance and international management from the University of South
Florida, Tampa, Florida in 2006 and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School
Private Equity and Venture Capital Program.
Harold
Sorgenti
was
appointed to the Board of Directors of American Ethanol in November 2007. Since
1998, Mr. Sorgenti has been the principal of Sorgenti Investment Partners,
a
company engaged in pursuing chemical investment opportunities. Sorgenti
Investment Partners acquired the French ethanol producer Societè d'Ethanol de
Synthëse (SODES) in partnership with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette in 1998.
Prior to forming Sorgenti Investment Partners, Mr. Sorgenti served a
distinguished career that included the presidency of ARCO Chemical Company,
including leadership of the 1987 initial public offering of the company. Mr.
Sorgenti is also the founder of Freedom Chemical Company. Mr. Sorgenti is a
former member of the board of directors of Provident Mutual Life Insurance
Co.
and Crown Cork & Seal. Mr. Sorgenti received his B.S. in Chemical
Engineering from City College of New York in 1956 and his M.S. from Ohio State
University in 1959. Mr. Sorgenti is the recipient of honorary degrees from
Villanova, St. Joseph's, Ohio State, and Drexel Universities.
Michael
DeLong
was
appointed to the Board of Directors of American Ethanol on October 1, 2007.
Lieutenant General DeLong is currently the President of Boeing Middle East
Ltd.
and VP International Business Development Middle East of the Boeing Company.
Prior to his position with the Boeing Company, LtGen DeLong USMC
(Ret) was a Senior Vice President of The Shaw Group Inc., a vertically
integrated provider of comprehensive technology, engineering, procurement,
construction, maintenance, pipe fabrication and consulting services to the
energy and chemicals industries and a leading provider of consulting,
engineering, construction, remediation and facilities management services to
the
environmental, infrastructure and homeland security markets. LtGen
DeLong was also the President of Shaw CentCom Services, LLC a joint venture
with The Shaw Group, Inc., an Executive Vice President of Shaw Environmental
& Infrastructure, Inc. and the Vice Chairman, of Shaw Arabia Limited
responsible for providing and directing the contracting staff for the Saudi
Environmental Agency and the clean up of the Saudi Coast and Terrestrial Areas.
Prior to joining The Shaw Group in 2003, LtGen DeLong completed a distinguished,
36-year military career, last serving as Deputy Commander, United States Central
Command (USCENTCOM) headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.
LtGen DeLong is a member of the Board of Directors of Sykes Enterprises,
Incorporated, a publicly traded company that is a global leader in providing
outsourced customer contact management solutions and services in the business
process outsourcing arena. LtGen DeLong earned a B.S. in Aeronautical
Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD in 1967; a M.S. in
Industrial Management from the Central Michigan University in 1975; and
a Ph.D. (Honorary), Strategic Intelligence from the Joint Military
Intelligence College in Anacostia, MD in 2002.
Laird
Cagan co-founded
American Ethanol in 2005 and has served as a member of its Board of Directors
since February 2006. Mr. Cagan is a co-founder and is a Managing Director,
of
Cagan McAfee Capital Partners, LLC, a merchant bank in Cupertino, California.
He
also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Evolution Petroleum,
Inc.
(AMEX: EPM) and as President of Cagan Capital, LLC, an investment firm he formed
in 1990. Mr. Cagan serves on the boards of Pacific Asia Petroleum, Inc. (PK:
PFAP), an oil and gas company, and TWL Corporation (PK: TWLO), a workplace
training company. From 1999 to 2001, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of BarterNet Corporation, a worldwide Internet B2B exchange. Mr. Cagan
has been involved over the past 20 years as a venture capitalist, investment
banker and principal in a wide variety of financings, mergers, acquisitions
and
investments of high growth companies in a wide variety of industries. At Goldman
Sachs and Drexel Burnham Lambert Mr. Cagan was involved in over $14 billion
worth of transactions. Mr. Cagan attended M.I.T. then received a B.S. and an
M.S. degree in Engineering and an M.B.A., from Stanford University. He is a
member of the Stanford University Athletic Board of Directors as well as
Chairman of the South Bay Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization. Mr.
Cagan is also a registered representative and Principal of Chadbourn Securities,
Inc., one of the Company’s placement agents.
Michael
Peterson
has
served as a member of American Ethanol's Board of Directors since February
2006.
Mr. Peterson has worked in the securities industry in various capacities for
approximately 19 years. From 1989 to 2000, he was employed by Goldman Sachs
& Co. including as a vice president with responsibility for a team of
professionals that advised and managed over $7 billion in assets for high net
worth individuals and institutions. Mr. Peterson joined Merrill Lynch in 2001
to
form and help launch its Private Investment Group and was with Merrill Lynch
until July 2004. From July 2004 until January 2005, Mr. Peterson was a
self-employed financial consultant. In January 2005, Mr. Peterson joined
American Institutional Partners, L.L.C. as a managing partner. On December
31,
2005, Mr. Peterson founded his own investment firm, Pascal Management LLC.
Mr.
Peterson received a B.S. in Computer Science and Statistics from Brigham Young
University in 1985 and an M.B.A. from the Marriott School of Management at
Brigham Young University in 1989.
Committees
of the Board of Directors
The
Board of
Directors has the following standing committees: Audit and Governance,
Compensation and Nominating. The Board of Directors has adopted a written
charter for each of these committees, copies of which can be found on our
website at www.aebiofuels.com in the Corporate Governance section of our
investor relations webpage. All members of the committees appointed by the
Board
of Directors are non-employee directors and are independent directors within
the
meaning set forth in the rules of the American Stock Exchange, as currently
in
effect.
The
following
chart details the current membership of each committee. As the committees were
constituted in 2008, no meetings of the committees were held in
2007.
Name
of Director
|
|
Audit
|
|
Governance,
Compensation and
Nominating
|
Michael
Peterson
|
|
C
|
|
M
|
Harold
Sorgenti
|
|
M
|
|
M
|
Michael
DeLong
|
|
M
|
|
C
|
M
= Member
|
|
|
|
|
C
= Chair
|
|
|
|
|
Audit
Committee.
On
February 21, 2008, the Board of Directors appointed an Audit Committee chaired
by Michael Peterson with Michael DeLong and Harold Sorgenti as committee
members. The Audit Committee adopted a charter which provides that the
Committee, (i) oversees our accounting, financial reporting and audit
processes; (ii) appoints, determines the compensation of, and oversees, the
independent auditors; (iii) pre-approves audit and non-audit services provided
by the independent auditors; (iv) reviews the results and scope of audit and
other services provided by the independent auditors; (v) reviews the accounting
principles and practices and procedures used in preparing our financial
statements; and (vi) reviews our internal controls, a copy of which is attached
as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.
The
Audit
Committee works closely with management and our independent auditors. The Audit
Committee also meets with our independent auditors without members of management
present, on a quarterly basis, following completion of our auditors’ quarterly
reviews and annual audit and prior to our earnings announcements, to review
the
results of their work. The Audit Committee also meets with our independent
auditors to approve the annual scope and fees for the audit services to be
performed.
Each
of the
Audit Committee members is an independent director within the meaning set forth
in the rules of the SEC, as currently in effect. In addition, the Board of
Directors has determined that Mr. Peterson is an “audit committee financial
expert” as defined by SEC rules.
The
Audit
Committee Report is included in this proxy statement on page 22. A copy of
the
Audit Committee’s written charter is attached as Appendix A to this proxy
statement and is also available on our website at www.aebiofuels.com in the
Investor Relations section.
Governance,
Compensation and Nominating Committee
On
February
21, 2008, the Board of Directors appointed a Governance, Compensation and
Nominating Committee chaired by Michael DeLong with Michael Peterson and Harold
Sorgenti as committee members. The Governance, Compensation and Nominating
Committee adopted a charter which provides that the Committee, (i) reviews
and approves corporate goals and objectives relevant to the CEO’s compensation,
evaluates the CEO’s performance relative to goals and objectives and sets the
CEO’s compensation annually; (ii) makes recommendations annually to the Board of
Directors with respect to non-CEO compensation; (iii) considers and periodically
reports on matters relating to the identification, selection and qualification
of the Board of Directors and candidates nominated to the Board of Directors
and
its committees; (iv) develops and recommends governance principles applicable
to
the Company; (v) oversees the evaluation of the Board of Directors and
management from a corporate governance perspective; and (vi) oversees, considers
and approves related party transactions.
Each
current
member of the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee is an
independent director within the meaning set forth in the rules of the American
Stock Exchange, as currently in effect.
As
the
Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee has only recently been
constituted, it is in the process of considering the specific process
for identifying and evaluating potential candidates, and the minimum
qualifications that must be met by a nominee. The Committee is authorized to
adopt its own rules of procedure and guidelines not inconsistent with its
charter, the Company’s Bylaws or the laws of the State of Nevada. In addition,
the Governance Compensation and Nominating Committee is considering whether
it will consider candidates recommended by stockholders. If such a policy is
adopted by the Committee, the policy and the procedures by which a stockholder
wishing to recommend a director candidate for consideration by the Committee
will be posted in the Investor Relations section of our website.
In
addition, the
Committee is in the process of considering the procedures to determine director
and executive officer compensation, including the scope of authority and the
extent to which it delegates its authority, the role of executive officers
in
determining or recommending executive and director compensation, and any role
of
compensation consultants in determining or recommending executive and director
compensation.
A
copy of the
Committee’s written charter is available on our website at www.aebiofuels.com in
the Investor Relations section of our website.
Code
of
Ethics.
A Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics is a written standard designed to deter
wrongdoing and to promote (a) honest and ethical conduct, (b) full, fair,
accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in regulatory filings and public
statements, (c) compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, (d)
the
prompt reporting violation of the code and (e) accountability for adherence
to
the Code. We are not currently subject to any law, rule or regulation requiring
that we adopt a Code of Ethics. However, we have adopted a code of ethics that
applies to our principal executive officer, chief financial officer, principal
accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions.
Such
code of ethics will be provided to any person without charge, upon request,
a
copy of such code of ethics by sending such request to us at our principal
office.
Legal
Proceeding
Mr.
McAfee is a
founding shareholder or principal investor in 11 publicly traded companies
and
approximately 20 private companies. Mr. McAfee served as the vice chairman
of
the Board of Directors of Verdisys, Inc., a publicly traded company, in 2003.
To
resolve potential litigation and to provide resolution of any issues, Mr.
McAfee
and the SEC entered into a settlement agreement under which Mr. McAfee neither
admitted nor denied causing any action by Verdisys, Inc. to fail to comply
with
Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 and agreed to a payment
of
$25,000.
Shareholder
Communications
The
Company's Board
of Director is considering the process by which security holders may communicate
with the Board of Directors. If such a policy is by the Board of Directors,
the
policy and procedure will be posted in the Investor Relations section of
our
website.
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During
fiscal
year 2007, no member of the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee
was an officer or employee of the Company. In addition, no member of the
Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee or executive officer of the
Company served as a member of the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee
of any entity that has an executive officer serving as a member of our Board
of
Directors or Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee.
Director
Compensation
The
following
table provides information regarding all compensation awarded to, earned by
or
paid to each person who served as a director of AE Biofuels, Inc. or its
subsidiary company, American Ethanol, Inc., for some portion or all of 2007.
Other than as set forth in the table and described more fully below, neither
AE
Biofuels, Inc. nor American Ethanol, Inc. paid any fees, made any equity or
non-equity awards, or paid any other compensation, to its non-employee
directors. All compensation paid to its employee directors is set forth in
the
tables summarizing executive officer compensation below.
Name
|
|
Fees
Earned
or
Paid
in Cash
($)*
|
|
Option
Awards(1)
($)
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
Laird
Cagan
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Michael
Peterson (2)
|
|
|
119,250
|
|
|
44,512
|
|
|
|
|
LtGen
Michael DeLong (3)
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harold
Sorgenti (4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Pro-rated
in 2007 based on date director was appointed to the Company’s Board of
Directors.
(1)
The
amounts in this column represent the amount recognized for financial statement
reporting purposes under Statement 123R. The assumptions made when calculating
the amounts in this table are found in Note 11 to AE Biofuels’ consolidated
financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
(2) On
November 26, 2007, the Company granted Mr. Peterson an option to purchase
100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per
share in consideration for his services on the Company’s Board of Directors. The
option vests quarterly over two years subject to Mr. Peterson’s continuing
service on the Company’s Board of Directors. All awards remained outstanding at
December 31, 2008.
(3)
LtGen
DeLong was appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors on October 1, 2007. In
consideration for his services on the Company’s Board of Directors, on October
1, 2007, the Company granted LtGen DeLong an option to purchase 40,000
shares of
the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. The option
vests quarterly over two years subject to LtGen DeLong’s continuing service on
the Company’s Board of Directors. On November 26, 2007, LtGen DeLong was awarded
an additional option to purchase 60,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at
an exercise price of $3.00 per share. The option vests quarterly over two
years
subject to LtGen DeLong’s continuing service on the Company’s Board of
Directors. All awards remained outstanding at December 31, 2008.
(4) Harold
Sorgenti was appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors on November 26, 2007.
In consideration for his services on the Company’s Board of Directors, on
November 26, 2007, the Company granted Mr. Sorgenti an option to purchase
100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per
share. The option vests quarterly over two years subject to Mr. Sorgenti’s
continuing service on the Company’s Board of Directors. All awards remained
outstanding at December 31, 2008.
In
2007,
the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a director compensation policy
pursuant to which each non-employee director other than Laird Cagan, will
be paid an annual cash retainer of $75,000 and will receive a cash payment
of
$250 per Board or committee meeting attended telephonically and a cash payment
of $500 per Board or committee meeting attended in person. In addition, each
non-employee director is initially granted an option exercisable for 100,000
shares of the Company’s common stock, which vests quarterly over two years
subject to continuing services to the Company.
In
addition, an annual cash retainer of $10,000 will be paid to the chairman of
the
Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee and an annual cash retainer
of
$20,000 will be paid to the chairman of the Audit Committee.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP BY CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following tables set forth information as of March 26, 2008, regarding the
beneficial ownership of our each class of our voting stock, (a) each
stockholder who is known by the Company to own beneficially in excess of 5%
of each class of our voting stock; (b) each director; (c) the
Company’s chief executive officer; and (d) the executive officers and directors
as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, all persons listed below have (i)
sole voting power and investment power with respect to their shares of stock,
except to the extent that authority is shared by spouses under applicable law,
and (ii) record and beneficial ownership with respect to their shares of stock.
The percentage of beneficial ownership of common stock is based upon 84,785,920
shares of common stock outstanding as of March 26, 2008. The
percentage of beneficial ownership of Series B preferred stock is based upon
6,270,491
shares
of Series B preferred stock outstanding as of March 26,
2008. Unless
otherwise identified, the address of the directors and officers of the Company
is 20400 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 700, Cupertino, CA 95014.
|
|
Common
Shares
|
|
Series
B Preferred
|
|
Name
and Address
|
|
Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
|
|
Percentage
of Class
|
|
Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
|
|
Percentage
of Class
|
|
Officers
and Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eric
A. McAfee
|
|
|
13,000,000
|
(1)
|
|
15.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Surendra
Ajjarapu
|
|
|
7,215,000
|
(2)
|
|
8.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Laird
Q. Cagan
|
|
|
14,683,721
|
(3)
|
|
17.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael
L. Peterson
|
|
|
1,225,000
|
(4)
|
|
1.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LtGen
Michael P. DeLong
|
|
|
25,000
|
(5)
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harold
Sorgenti
|
|
|
25,000
|
(6)
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andrew
Foster
|
|
|
365,000
|
(7)
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William
J. Maender
|
|
|
815,000
|
(8)
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All
officers and directors as a group (8) persons
|
|
|
37,353,721
|
|
|
43.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5%
Holders
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cagan
McAfee Capital Partners, LLC
10600
N. De Anza Boulevard, Suite 250
Cupertino,
CA 95014
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cagan
Capital, LLC
10600
N. De Anza Boulevard, Suite 250
Cupertino,
CA 95014
|
|
|
|
)
|
|
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Telecom
Investments Holding Limited
c/o
Mr. Sapan Shirmal
AVL
Ethanol Energy Inc.
263
McLaws Circles Suite 103
Williamsburg,
VA 23185
|
|
|
8,100,000
|
|
|
9.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liviakis
Financial Communications
655
Old Redwood Hwy. #395
Mill
Valley, CA 94941
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dalrymple
Global Resources Master Fund, L.P.
3300
Oak Lawn Ave., Suite 650
Dallas,
TX 75219
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
999,999 |
|
|
16.0
|
|
Cordillera
Fund LP
810
Preston Road, Suite 400 Dallas, TX
75225
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
583,334 |
|
|
9.3
|
|
Michael
C Brown Trust dated June 30, 2000
34
Meadowview Drive
Northfield,
IL 60093
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
533,333 |
|
|
8.5 |
|
*Less
than 1%
(1)
Includes
(i) 6,200,000 shares held by McAfee Capital, LLC, a fund owned by Mr. McAfee
and
his wife; (ii) 800,000 shares owned by P2 Capital, LLC, a fund owned by Mr.
McAfee’s wife and children, and (iii) 12,000,000 shares held by Cagan McAfee
Capital Partners, LLC, of which Mr. McAfee is a 50% owner. Mr. McAfee disclaims
beneficial ownership over 50% of the shares held by Cagan McAfee Capital
Partners, LLC except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(2)
Includes
315,000 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of
March
26, 2008.
(3)
Includes
(i) 6,907,000 shares held by Cagan Capital, LLC, a fund owned by Mr. Cagan;
(ii)
400,000 shares owned by KRC Trust and 400,000 shares owned by KQC Trust, trusts
for Mr. Cagan’s daughters for which Mr. Cagan is trustee; (iii) 12,000,000
shares held by Cagan McAfee Capital Partners, LLC, of which Mr. Cagan is a
50%
owner; and (iv) 976,721 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to outstanding
warrants. Mr. Cagan is a registered representative of Chadbourn Securities,
Inc.
and received 95% of the placement agent warrants received by Chadbourn
Securities, Inc. in connection with securities issued by AE Biofuels, Inc.
Mr.
Cagan disclaims beneficial ownership over 50% of the shares held by Cagan McAfee
Partners, LLC except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(4)
Address:
17 Canary Court, Danville, California 94526. Includes 1,000,000 shares of common
stock held by Pascal Investment Partners Equity Fund. Mr. Peterson holds 41%
of
Pascal Investment Partners Equity Fund and 100% of Pascal Management LLC, which
is its sole general partner, and therefore may be deemed to beneficially own
the
shares held by Pascal Investment Partners Equity Fund. Mr. Peterson disclaims
beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
Also includes 25,000 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within
60
days of March 26, 2008.
(5)
Includes
25,000 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of March
26, 2008.
(6)
Includes
25,000 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of
March
26, 2008.
(7)
Includes
165,000 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of March
26, 2008.
(8)
Includes
15,000 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of March
26, 2008. Mr.
Maender’s Restricted Purchase Agreement and provides for the sale to Mr. Maender
of 800,000 shares of American Ethanol common stock, at a nominal price per
share, with 200,000 shares immediately vesting and the remaining shares subject
to American Ethanol’s right of repurchase decreasing at the rate of 200,000
shares per year.
PROPOSAL
ONE
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
The
Board
of Directors currently consists of six (6) directors. At each annual meeting
of
stockholders, directors are elected annually and until their respective
successors are duly qualified and elected to succeed those directors whose
terms
expire on the annual meeting dates or such earlier date of resignation or
removal.
The
Board
of Directors has determined that all of its current directors, including all
directors standing for reelection, except Messrs. McAfee, Ajjarapu and Cagan,
are independent directors within the meaning set forth in the Rules of The
American Stock Exchange, as currently in effect.
The
Board
of Directors approved Eric A. McAfee, Surendra Ajjarapu, Harold Sorgenti,
Michael DeLong, Laird Cagan, and Michael Peterson as nominees for election
at
the Annual Meeting to the Board of Directors. If elected, Eric A. McAfee,
Surendra Ajjarapu, Harold Sorgenti, Michael DeLong, Laird Cagan, and Michael
Peterson will serve as directors until our annual meeting in 2008, and until
a
successor is qualified and elected or earlier resignation or removal. Each
of
the nominees is currently a director of the Company. Please see “Nominees for
Election” as Directors on page 5 of this Proxy Statement for information
concerning our incumbent directors standing for re-election.
Unless
otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them
FOR the nominees set forth above. If the nominees are unable or decline to
serve
as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted
for
another nominee designated by the Board of Directors. We are not aware of any
reason that a nominee would be unable or unwilling to serve as a director.
If
a
quorum is present, the nominees receiving the highest number of votes will
be
elected to the Board of Directors. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have
no
effect on the election of directors. Proxies may not be voted for a greater
number of persons than the number of nominees named.
THE
MEMBERS OF YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A
VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF THESE NOMINEES.
PROPOSAL
TWO:
RATIFICATION
OF AUDITORS
The
Audit
Committee has selected BDO Seidman, LLP, independent auditors, to audit the
financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the year ending
December 31, 2007 and recommends that stockholders vote for ratification of
such
appointment. Although action by stockholders is not required by law, the Company
has determined that it is desirable to request approval of this selection by
the
stockholders. Notwithstanding the selection, the Audit Committee, in its
discretion, may direct the appointment of new independent auditors at any time
during the year, if the Audit Committee feels that such a change would be in
the
best interest of the Company and its stockholders. In the event of a negative
vote on ratification, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection.
BDO
Seidman, LLP was first appointed in fiscal year 2006, and has audited our
financial statements for fiscal years 2006 and 2007. We expect that
representatives of BDO Seidman, LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting to
respond to appropriate questions and to make a statement if they so desire.
The
aggregate fees billed for services rendered by BDO Seidman, LLP during the
years
ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 are described below under the caption
“Principal Accountant Fees and Services.”
Principal
Accountant Fees and Services
Auditor
Fees and Services in Our 2007 and 2006 Fiscal Years
Our
registered independent public accounting firm is BDO Seidman, LLP. The fees
billed by BDO Seidman, LLP in 2007 and 2006 were as follows:
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Audit
Fees
|
|
$
|
275,500
|
|
$
|
100,000
|
|
Audit-Related
Fees
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total
Audit and Audit-Related Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
Tax
Fees
|
|
|
62,000
|
|
|
28,750
|
|
All
Other Fees
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
for independent public audit firms
|
|
$
|
337,500
|
|
$
|
128,750
|
|
Audit Fees
consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of
the
Company's consolidated annual financial statements, and review of the interim
consolidatd financial statements included in quarterly reports and services
that
are normally provided by BDO Seidman, LLP in connectin with statutory and
regulatory filings or engagements.
Audit-Related
Fees include the audits of employee benefit plans and accounting consultations
related to accounting, financial reporting or disclosure matters not classified
as "Audit Fees." Tax Fees include tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning
services. These services related to the preparation of various state and federal
tax returns and review of Section 409A compliance.
Audit
Committee's Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Consistent
with policies of the SEC regarding auditor independence and the Audit Committee
Charter, the Audit Committee has the responsibility for appointing, setting
compensation and overseeing the work of the registered independent public
accounting firm (the “Firm”). The Audit Committee's policy is to pre-approve all
audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the Firm. Pre-approval
is
detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is generally
subject to a specific budget. The Audit Committee may also pre-approve
particular services on a case-by-case basis. In assessing requests for services
by the Firm, the Audit Committee considers whether such services are consistent
with the Firm’s independence, whether the Firm is likely to provide the most
effective and efficient service based upon their familiarity with the Company,
and whether the service could enhance the Company's ability to manage or control
risk or improve audit quality.
The
Audit
Committee was constituted in 2008 and all of the audit-related, tax and other
services to be provided by BDO Seidman LLP in 2008 have been approved in advance
by the Audit Committee. For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the
entire Board performed the functions of an audit committee and the audit-related
services provided by BDO Seidman LLP in 2007 and 2006 were approved in advance
by the entire Board.
Vote
Required
If
a quorum
is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present and
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be required to ratify the selection
of BDO Seidman, LLP as our independent auditors. Abstentions will have the
effect of a vote “against” the ratification of BDO Seidman, LLP as our
independent auditors. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of
the
vote.
THE
BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS VOTING “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF BDO SEIDMAN, LLP
AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.
PROPOSAL
THREE:
APPROVAL
OF THE 2007 STOCK PLAN
The
Company’s stockholders are being asked to approve the AE Biofuels, Inc. 2007
Stock Plan, as amended and restated, (the “2007 Plan”), assumed by the Company
upon the consummation of the merger with American Ethanol in December 2007.
The 2007 Plan was initially adopted by American Ethanol’s Board of Directors in
July 2007 and amended and restated by our Board in April 2007, subject to
stockholder approval at the Annual Meeting. Stockholder approval of the 2007
Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the Company shares that
are
present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the proposal at the
meeting. Our named executive officers and directors have an interest in this
proposal by virtue of their being eligible to receive equity awards under
the
2007 Plan.
We
strongly believe that the approval of the 2007 Plan is essential to our
continued success. Our Board believes that equity awards motivate high levels
of
performance, align the interests of employees and stockholders by giving
employees the perspective of an owner with an equity stake in the Company,
and
provide an effective means of recognizing employee contributions to the success
of the Company. Our Board believes that equity awards are a competitive
necessity in the environment in which we operate, and are essential to
recruiting and retaining the highly qualified technical and other key personnel
who help the Company meet its goals, as well as rewarding and encouraging
current employees and service providers. The Committee believes that the
ability
to grant equity awards will be important to the future success of the
Company.
The
principal provisions of the 2007 Plan are summarized below. This summary
is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual 2007 Plan, a copy of
which
is attached as Appendix B to
this Proxy Statement.
Summary
of the 2007 Plan
Purpose.
The
purpose of the 2007 Plan is to promote the interests of the Company by
attracting and retaining the best available personnel for positions of
substantial responsibility, providing additional incentive to eligible persons
employed by or serving the Company or any subsidiary or parent, and to promote
the success of the Company’s business.
Administration
of the Plan.
The
2007 Plan may be administered by either the Board or, at the discretion of
the
Board, a committee of the Board (the “Administrator”). Subject to the provisions
of the 2007 Plan, the Administrator determines in its discretion the persons
to
whom and the times at which Awards are granted, the types and sizes of such
Awards, and all of their terms and conditions. All Awards must be evidenced
by a
written agreement between us and the participant. The Administrator may amend,
cancel or renew any Award, waive any restrictions or conditions applicable
to
any Award, and accelerate, continue, extend or defer the vesting of any Award.
The Administrator has the authority to construe and interpret the terms of
the
2007 Plan and Awards granted under it.
Types
of Awards.
The
Administrator may authorize the following types of awards under the 2007
Plan:
(1) incentive stock options, which are options intended to satisfy the
requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended; (2) nonstatutory stock options, or options that do not qualify as
incentive stock options; (3) stock appreciation rights; (4) restricted stock;
(5) restricted stock units; (6) performance shares; and (7) performance units
(individually, an “Award”).
Eligible
Participants.
All
employees, directors, consultants and advisors of the Company, its parent
and
any of its subsidiaries are eligible to receive Awards under the 2007 Plan.
Accordingly, each non-employee member of the Board, each executive officer
and
each employee has an interest in this proposal. While we may grant incentive
stock options only to employees, we may grant nonstatutory stock options,
stock
appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units,
performance shares and performance units to any eligible participant. As
of
March 26, 2008, approximately 12 employees (including employee directors
and executive officers) and three non-employee directors are eligible to
participate in the 2007 Plan.
Shares
Subject to the Plan. A total of 4,000,000 shares of our common
stock were initially authorized and reserved for issuance under the 2007
Plan.
The total number of shares of our common stock authorized and reserved for
issuance under the 2007 Plan will continue to increase on the first day of
our
fiscal year beginning with the 2009 fiscal year, in an amount equal to the
least
of (i) 1,000,000 shares, (ii) 1% of the number of shares on the last day of
the immediately preceding fiscal year that (A) are outstanding, and (B) are
issuable pursuant to outstanding Awards, or (iii) such number of shares
determined by our Board. As of March 26, 2008, 1,984,000 shares of our common
stock were subject to Awards currently outstanding under the 2007 Plan and
2,016,000 shares of our common stock remain available for issuance.
Appropriate
adjustments will be made in the number of authorized shares and in outstanding
Awards to prevent dilution or enlargement of participants’ rights in the event
of a dividend
or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, shares, other securities,
or
other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split,
reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination,
repurchase, or exchange of shares or other securities of the Company, or
other
change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting the shares
occurs.
Shares
subject to Awards which expire or are cancelled or forfeited will again become
available for issuance under the 2007 Plan. The shares available will not
be
reduced by Awards settled in cash or by shares withheld to satisfy tax
withholding obligations. Only the net number of shares issued upon the exercise
of stock appreciation rights or options exercised by tender of previously
owned
shares will be deducted from the shares available under the 2007 Plan.
Stock
Options.
The
Administrator may grant nonstatutory stock options, incentive stock options,
or
any combination of these. The Administrator will determine the number of
shares
of our common stock covered by each option. However, during any fiscal year
of
the Company, no participant may be granted options covering more than
1,000,000 shares,
except that a participant may be granted options covering an
additional 1,000,000 shares
during the fiscal year in which the participant first becomes an employee
of the
Company.
The
exercise price of any option may not be less than the fair market value of
our
common stock on the date of grant. Any incentive stock option granted to
a
person who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting
power of all classes of our stock or of any parent or subsidiary corporation
must have an exercise price equal to at least 110% of the fair market value
of a
share of our common stock on the date of grant and a term not exceeding five
years. All other options generally cannot have a term longer than ten years.
In
addition, the aggregate fair market value of the shares (determined on the
grant
date) covered by incentive stock options which first become exercisable by
any
participant during any calendar year may not exceed $100,000.
The
exercise price of options may be paid in cash or, with the consent of the
Administrator, by a full recourse promissory note, delivery of other shares
of
common stock (including shares acquired upon exercise of the related options),
or by cashless exercise, to the extent and subject to applicable regulations.
At
the time of exercise, a participant must pay any taxes that the Company is
required to withhold.
Options
vest and become exercisable at such times or upon such events and subject
to
such terms, conditions, performance criteria or restrictions as specified
by the
Administrator. Unless a longer period is provided by the Administrator, an
option generally will remain exercisable for a minimum of thirty days following
the participant’s termination of service, except that if service terminates as a
result of the participant’s death or disability, the option generally will
remain exercisable for a minimum of six months, but in any event not beyond
the
expiration of its term.
Stock
Appreciation Rights. A
stock appreciation right gives a participant the right to receive the
appreciation in the fair market value of our common stock between the date
of
grant of the Award and the date of its exercise. We may pay the appreciation
either in cash or in shares of our common stock. During
any fiscal year of the Company, no participant may be granted freestanding
stock
appreciation rights covering more than 1,000,000 shares,
except that a participant may be granted stock appreciation rights covering
an
additional 1,000,000 shares
during the fiscal year in which the participant first becomes an employee
of the
Company.
The
maximum term of any stock appreciation right granted under the 2007 Plan
is ten
years and the minimum exercise price is the fair market value of our common
stock on the date of grant.
Restricted
Stock Awards. Awards
of restricted stock are rights to acquire or purchase shares of our common
stock, which vest in accordance with the terms and conditions established
by the
Administrator in its sole discretion. During any fiscal year of the Company,
no
participant may be granted Awards of restricted stock covering more than
1,000,000 shares,
except that a participant may be granted Awards of restricted stock covering
an
additional 1,000,000 shares
during the fiscal year in which the participant first becomes an employee
of the
Company. The Administrator determines the terms and conditions of restricted
stock Awards, including the vesting conditions, which may be based on such
service or performance-based criteria as the Administrator specifies, and
the
shares acquired may not be transferred by the participant until vested. Unless
otherwise determined by the Administrator, a participant will forfeit any
unvested shares upon a date set forth in the Award agreement, which generally
will be voluntary or involuntary termination of service with us for any reason,
including death or disability. Participants holding restricted stock will
have
the right to vote the shares and to receive any dividends paid, except that
dividends or other distributions paid in shares will be subject to the same
restrictions as the original Award.
Restricted
Stock Units. Restricted
stock units granted under the 2007 Plan represent a right to receive shares
of
our common stock at a future date determined in accordance with the
participant’s Award agreement. No monetary payment is required for receipt of
restricted stock units or the shares issued in settlement of the Award, the
consideration for which is furnished in the form of the participant’s services
to us. The Administrator may set vesting criteria in its discretion, which
may
be based on either service or performance criteria. During any fiscal year
of
the Company, no participant may be granted Awards of restricted stock units
covering more than 1,000,000
shares,
except that a participant may be granted Awards of restricted stock covering
an
additional 1,000,000
shares
during the fiscal year in which the participant first becomes an employee
of the
Company.
Performance
Shares and Performance Units. The
Administrator may grant performance shares and performance units under the
2007
Plan, which are Awards that will result in a payment to a participant only
if
specified performance goals are achieved during a specified performance period.
Awards of performance shares are denominated in shares of our common stock,
while Awards of performance units are denominated in dollars. For each full
fiscal year of the Company contained in the performance period for an Award
of
performance shares, no participant may be granted more than 1,000,000
performance shares, except that a participant may be granted an
additional 1,000,000 shares during the fiscal year in which the participant
first becomes an employee of the Company. For each full fiscal year of the
Company contained in the performance period for an Award of performance units,
no participant may be granted more than $10,000,000 performance units, except
that a participant may be granted an additional $10,000,000 of performance
units
during the fiscal year in which the participant first becomes an employee
of the
Company. To the extent earned, Awards of performance shares and units may
be
settled in cash, shares of our common stock, or any combination thereof.
Payments will be made as soon as practicable after the expiration of the
performance period. On a date set forth in the Award agreement, all unearned
or
unvested performance shares or units will be forfeited and available for
grant
under the 2007 Plan.
Code
Section 162(m).
Pursuant to Code Section 162(m), the Company generally may not deduct for
federal income tax purposes compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer
and
certain of our highest paid executive officers to the extent that any of
these
persons receive more than $1 million in compensation in any single year.
However, if the compensation qualifies as “performance-based” for Code
Section 162(m) purposes, the Company may deduct for federal income tax
purposes the compensation paid even if such compensation exceeds $1 million
in a single year. Awards granted under the 2007 Plan may be designed to qualify
as “performance-based” compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of
the Code.
The
Administrator will establish the performance goals applicable to each Award
intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section
162(m), which may include the following: (i) annual revenue, (ii) cash
collections, (iii) earnings per Share, (iv) net income, (v) new orders, (vi)
operating cash flow, (vii) operating income, (viii) pro forma net income,
(ix) product shipments, (x) profit after taxes, (xi) profit before taxes,
(xii) return on assets, (xiii) return on equity, (xiv) return on
sales, (xv) revenue, (xvi) total shareholder return, (xvii)
capital market activity, and (xviii) debt to equity ratio. Any
performance goals may be used to measure the performance of the Company as
a
whole or a business unit of the Company and may be measured relative to a
peer
group or index. The performance goals may differ from participant to participant
and from Award to Award. Prior to the determination date, the Administrator
will
determine whether any significant elements will be included in or excluded
from
the calculation of any performance goal with respect to any
participant.
Change
in Control. In
the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or
a
change in control, each outstanding Award will be assumed or an equivalent
Award
substituted by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of the
successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation in a merger
or change in control refuses to assume or substitute for the Award, then
the
participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise all of his
or her
outstanding options and stock appreciation rights, including shares as to
which
such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions
on
restricted stock will lapse, and, with respect to restricted stock units,
performance shares and performance units, all performance goals or other
vesting
criteria will be deemed achieved at target levels and all other terms and
conditions met. In addition, if an option or stock appreciation right is
not
assumed or substituted for in the event of a change in control, the
Administrator will notify the participant in writing or electronically that
the
option or stock appreciation right will be fully vested and exercisable for
fifteen days, and the option or stock appreciation right will terminate upon
the
expiration of such period.
Transferability.
Unless
determined otherwise by the Administrator, Awards granted under the 2007
Plan
may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed
of in
any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and
may
be exercised during the lifetime of the participant, only by the participant.
If
the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award may only be
transferred (i) by will, (ii) by the laws of descent and distribution, (iii)
to
a revocable trust, or (iii) as permitted by Rule 701 of the Securities Act
of
1933, as amended.
Amendments
to the Plan.
The
Board may amend, alter, suspend or discontinue the Plan at any time. However,
amendment, suspension or termination of the 2007 Plan may not adversely affect
any outstanding Award without the consent of the participant, unless such
amendment, suspension or termination is necessary to comply with applicable
law.
Termination
of the Plan.
The
Plan shall terminate upon the earlier of (1) the expiration of the ten year
period measured from the date the Plan is adopted by the Board or (2)
termination by the Board. All Awards outstanding at the time of the termination
of the Plan shall continue in effect in accordance with the provisions of
the
documents evidencing those Awards.
New
Plan Benefits
All
awards to directors, executive officers, employees and consultants are made
at
the discretion of the Stock Plan Administrator. Therefore, the benefits and
amounts that will be received or allocated under the 2007 Plan as amended
and
extended are not determinable at this time. The following table is for
illustrative purposes only and sets forth (a) the
aggregate number of shares subject to options granted under the 2007 Plan
during
the 2007 fiscal year, (b) the average per share exercise price of such
options, (c) the aggregate number of shares issued pursuant to awards of
restricted
stock granted under the 2007 Plan during the 2007 fiscal year, and (d) the
dollar value of such shares based on $9.50 per share,
the
fair market value on March 26, 2008.
Name
and Principal Position
|
|
Number
of Options Granted
|
|
Average
Per Share Exercise Price of Options
|
|
Number
of Shares of Restricted Stock Granted
|
|
Dollar
Value of Restricted Stock Grants
|
|
Eric
A. McAfee
Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Timothy
Morris
Former
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Surendra
Ajjarapu
President
|
|
|
390,000
|
|
|
3.00
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
William
J. Maender
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
|
90,000
|
|
|
3.00
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Andrew
Foster
Executive
Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
|
|
|
390,000
|
|
|
3.00
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Executive
Officer Group
|
|
|
870,000
|
|
|
3.00
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Non-Employee
Director Group
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
3.00
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Non-Executive
Officer Employee Group
|
|
|
197,000
|
|
|
3.00
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Certain
U.S. Federal Tax Consequences
The
following is a brief summary of the principal federal income tax consequences
of
awards under the 2007 Plan to U.S. taxpayers and the Company based on applicable
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations now in
effect.
The
following discussion assumes that the fair market value of our common stock
on
the date of exercise is greater than the per share exercise price.
Nonstatutory
Stock Options.
No
taxable income is reportable when a nonstatutory stock option with an exercise
price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date
of
grant is granted to a participant. Upon exercise, the participant will recognize
ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value
(on
the exercise date) of the shares purchased over the exercise price of the
option. Any taxable income recognized in connection with an option exercise
by
an employee of the Company is subject to tax withholding by the Company.
Any
additional gain or loss recognized upon any later disposition of the shares
would be capital gain or loss.
Incentive
Stock Options.
No
taxable income is reportable when an incentive stock option is granted or
exercised (except for purposes of the alternative minimum tax, in which case
taxation is the same as for nonstatutory stock options). If the participant
exercises the option and then later sells or otherwise disposes of the shares
more than two years after the grant date and more than one year after the
exercise date, the difference between the sale price and the exercise price
will
be taxed as capital gain or loss. If the participant exercises the option
and
then later sells or otherwise disposes of the shares before the end of the
two-
or one-year holding periods described above, he or she generally will have
ordinary income at the time of the sale equal to the fair market value of
the
shares on the exercise date (or the sale price, if less) minus the exercise
price of the option.
Stock
Appreciation Rights.
No
taxable income is reportable when a stock appreciation right with an exercise
price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date
of
grant is granted to a participant. Upon exercise, the participant will recognize
ordinary income in an amount equal to the amount of cash received and the
fair
market value of any shares received. Any additional gain or loss recognized
upon
any later disposition of the shares would be capital gain or loss.
Restricted
Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares and Performance
Units. A
participant generally will not have taxable income at the time an Award of
restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, or performance
units are granted. Instead, he or she will recognize ordinary income in the
first taxable year in which his or her interest in the shares underlying
the
Award becomes either (i) freely transferable, or (ii) no longer subject to
a
substantial risk of forfeiture. However, the recipient of an Award of restricted
stock may elect to recognize income at the time he or she receives the Award
in
an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares underlying the Award
(less any cash paid for the shares on the date the Award is granted).
Tax
Effect for the Company.
The
Company generally will be entitled to a tax deduction in connection with
an
Award under the 2007 Plan in an amount equal to the ordinary income realized
by
a participant and at the time the participant recognizes such income (for
example, the exercise of a nonstatutory stock option). Special rules limit
the
deductibility of compensation paid to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and
to certain of its most highly compensated executive officers. Under Section
162(m), the annual compensation paid to any of these specified executives
will
be deductible only to the extent that it does not exceed $1,000,000. However,
the Company can preserve the deductibility of certain compensation in excess
of
$1,000,000 if the conditions of Section 162(m) are met. These conditions
include
stockholder approval of the 2007 Plan, setting limits on the number of Awards
that any individual may receive and for Awards other than certain stock options,
establishing performance criteria that must be met before the Award actually
will vest or be paid. The 2007 Plan has been designed to permit the
Administrator to grant Awards that qualify as performance-based for purposes
of
satisfying the conditions of Section 162(m), thereby permitting the Company
to
continue to receive a federal income tax deduction in connection with such
Awards.
Section
409A.
Section
409A of the Code imposes certain requirements for non-qualified deferred
compensation arrangements with respect to an individual’s deferral and
distribution elections and permissible distribution events. Awards granted
under
the 2007 Plan with a deferral feature will be subject to the requirements
of
Section 409A. If an Award is subject to and fails to satisfy the requirements
of
Section 409A, the recipient of that Award may recognize ordinary income on
the
amounts deferred under the Award, to the extent vested, which may be prior to
when the compensation is actually or constructively received. Also, if an
Award
that is subject to Section 409A fails to comply with Section 409A’s provisions,
Section 409A imposes an additional 20% federal income tax on compensation
recognized as ordinary income, as well as interest on such deferred
compensation. In addition, certain states (such as California) have laws
similar
to Section 409A and as a result, failure to comply with such similar laws
may
result in additional state income, penalty and interest charges.
THE
FOREGOING IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF THE EFFECT OF UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME
TAXATION UPON PARTICIPANTS AND THE COMPANY WITH RESPECT TO THE GRANT AND
EXERCISE OF AWARDS UNDER THE 2007 PLAN. IT DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE COMPLETE,
AND
DOES NOT DISCUSS THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF A PARTICIPANT’S DEATH OR THE PROVISIONS
OF THE INCOME TAX LAWS OF ANY MUNICIPALITY, STATE OR FOREIGN COUNTRY IN WHICH
THE PARTICIPANT MAY RESIDE.
EQUITY
COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
The
following table provides information as of March 26, 2008 with respect to
the shares of AE Biofuels, Inc. common stock that may be issued under existing
equity compensation plans. The category “Equity compensation plans approved by
security holders” in the table below consists solely of the Stock Plan. The
category “Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders” in the
table below consists of options granted to employees prior to the adoption
of
the Stock Plan.
Plan
Category
|
|
Number
of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options,
warrants
and rights
(a)
|
|
Weighted
Average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and
rights
(b)
|
|
Number
of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity
compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column
(a))
(c)
|
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
2,224,000
|
|
|
2.84
|
|
|
2,016,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
2,224,000
|
|
|
2.84
|
|
|
2,016,000
|
|
THE
BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS
VOTING
“FOR” THE ADOPTION OF THE
2007
STOCK PLAN
EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
Set
forth
below is information regarding our executive officers as of April 8,
2008.
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
Eric
A. McAfee
|
|
45
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
Surendra
Ajjarapu
|
|
37
|
|
President
|
William
J. Maender
|
|
61
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer and Secretary
|
Andrew
Foster
|
|
42
|
|
Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer
|
Eric
A. McAfee
co-founded American Ethanol, Inc. in 2005 and has served as its Chairman
of the
Board since February 2006. Mr. McAfee was appointed American Ethanol's Chief
Executive Officer in February 2007. Mr. McAfee has been an entrepreneur,
merchant banker, venture capitalist and farmer/dairyman for over 20 years.
Since
1998, Mr. McAfee has been a principal of Berg McAfee Companies, an investment
company. Since 2000, Mr. McAfee has been a principal of Cagan McAfee Capital
Partners (“CMCP”) through which Mr. McAfee has founded or acquired ten energy
and technology companies. In 2003, Mr. McAfee co-founded Pacific Ethanol,
Inc.
(Nasdaq PEIX), a West Coast ethanol producer and marketer. Mr. McAfee received
a B.S. in Management from Fresno State University in 1986. Mr. McAfee is a
graduate of the Harvard Business School Private Equity and Venture Capital
Program, and is a 1993 graduate of the Stanford Graduate School of Business
Executive Program.
Surendra
Ajjarapu
has been
with American Ethanol since December 2005, most recently as President and
chairman of our Subsidiary, International Biofuels, Inc. Mr. Ajjarapu is
an
entrepreneur who has successfully started several companies in the U.S. and
India. In 1995, Mr. Ajjarapu formed an information technology consulting
firm in
the U.S. and grew the business to Europe and Asia. Mr. Ajjarapu has more
than 11
years of executive management and board experience while operating successful
and profitable businesses in both U.S. and abroad. In 2005, Mr. Ajjarapu
co-founded Wahoo Ethanol and Sutton Ethanol in central Nebraska, where he
was
active in site identification and capital raising. Mr. Ajjarapu was
President/Director for Sutton Ethanol and Director of Wahoo. Mr. Ajjarapu
currently sits on the board of Global Information Technology, Inc. Global
Information Technology, a private information technology consulting company,
filed for bankruptcy in September 2002 and emerged from bankruptcy in October
2003. Mr. Ajjarapu has previously held several other board memberships including
but not limited to Connor Information Technology Pvt. Ltd. LTD/INDIA and
Global Exim, Inc. Mr. Ajjarapu is a graduate of South Dakota State University,
Brookings, SD with a M.S. in Environmental Engineering. He also received an
M.B.A. in finance and international management from the University of South
Florida, Tampa, Florida in 2006 and is a graduate of the Harvard Business
School
Private Equity and Venture Capital Program.
William
J. Maender
joined
American Ethanol as its Chief Financial Officer in January 2006. Prior to
joining American Ethanol from 2002 through 2005 Mr. Maender was Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer of Applied Tech Products, a privately held contract
manufacturer of injection molded plastic and rubber products. Previously he
held
the position of Vice President and CFO of Lombard Technologies, Inc. a privately
held contract metal finishing company, from 2000 to 2002. From 1983 to 1999
Mr.
Maender was Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
of
LaBarge, Inc., a public company and contract manufacturer of electronic devices.
Mr. Maender holds a B.S. in Accounting from Quincy University and an M.B.A.
in
Finance from Southern Illinois University.
Andrew
Foster
joined
American Ethanol in March 2006 and was appointed Executive Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer in October 2006. Prior to joining the Company, Mr.
Foster served as Vice President of Corporate Marketing for Marimba, Inc. an
enterprise software company, which was acquired by BMC Software in July 2004.
From July 2004, until April 2005, Mr. Foster served as Vice President of
Corporate Marketing for the Marimba product line at BMC. In April 2005, Mr.
Foster was appointed Director of Worldwide Public Relations for BMC and served
in that capacity until December 2005. From May 2000 until March 2003, Mr. Foster
served as Director of Corporate Marketing for eSilicon Corporation, a fabless
semiconductor company. Mr. Foster also served as Associate Director of Political
Affairs at the White House from 1989 to 1992, and Deputy Chief of Staff to
Illinois Governor Jim Edgar from 1995 to 1998. Mr. Foster holds a B.A. in
Political Science from Marquette University in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin.
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
The
following
table sets forth information concerning all cash and non-cash compensation
awarded to, earned by or paid to (i) all individuals serving as the Company’s
principal executive officer or acting in a similar capacity during the last
completed fiscal year, regardless of compensation level, and (ii) the Company’s
other two most highly compensated executive officers serving at the end of
the
last completed fiscal year.
Summary
Compensation Table
Name
and Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
($)
|
|
Bonus
($)
|
|
Option
Awards(1) ($)
|
|
Total
Compensation
($)
|
|
Eric
McAfee, Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
120,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
120,000
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Timothy
Morris, Chief Executive Officer(2)(3)
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
41,023
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
41,023
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
191,667
|
|
|
125,000
|
(3) |
|
|
|
|
316,667
|
|
Surendra
Ajjarapu, President
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
190,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
515,678
|
|
|
705,678
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
172,500
|
|
|
80,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
252,500
|
|
William
J. Maender, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary(3)
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
180,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,393
|
|
|
181,393
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
172,500
|
|
|
100,000
|
(3)
|
|
-
|
|
|
272,500
|
|
Andrew
Foster, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
180,000
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
320,989
|
|
|
550,989
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
(1)
These
amounts reflect the value determined by the Company for accounting purposes
for
these awards and do not reflect whether the recipient has actually realized
a
financial benefit from the awards (such as by exercising stock options).
This
column represents the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting
purposes for fiscal year 2007 for stock option awards granted to each of
the
named executive officers in fiscal year 2007 as well as prior fiscal years,
in
accordance with FAS 123R. Pursuant to SEC rules, the amounts shown exclude
the
impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions.
No
stock option awards were forfeited by any of the named executive officers
in
fiscal year 2007. For additional information, see Note 11 of our financial
statements in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, as filed
with
the SEC. For information on the valuation assumptions for grants made prior
to
fiscal year 2007, see the notes in our financial statements in the Form 10-K
for
the respective year.
(2)
Mr.
Morris resigned effective February 28, 2007.
(3)
The
executive officer was paid a signing bonus of $50,000.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The
following
table sets forth information with respect to the value of all vested and
unvested awards held by the Company’s named executive officers at December
31, 2007.
|
|
Option
Awards
|
|
Stock
Awards
|
|
Name |
|
No.
of Securities underlying unexercised options (#)
exercisable
|
|
No.
of securities underlying unexercised options (#)
unexercisable
|
|
Equity
incentive plan awards: # of securities underlying unexercised unearned
options (#)
|
|
Option
exercise price ($)
|
|
Option
expiration date
|
|
Number
of shares or units of stock that have not vested
(#)
|
|
Market
value of shares or units of stock that have not vested ($)(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Surendra
Ajjarapu |
|
|
300,000 |
(2)
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
3.00 |
|
|
7/16/17
|
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
15,000 |
(3)
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
- |
|
|
3.00 |
|
|
11/26/12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andy
Foster |
|
|
150,000 |
(4)
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
- |
|
|
3.00 |
|
|
7/16/17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000 |
(5)
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
- |
|
|
3.00 |
|
|
11/26/12
|
|
|
100,000 |
(6)
|
$ |
1,250,000 |
|
(1)
The
market value of the unvested shares was determined by multiplying the closing
market price of AE Biofuel’s stock at December 31, 2007, the end of its last
completed fiscal year ($12.50), by the number of shares of stock.
(2) On
July
17, 2007, the Company granted Mr. Ajjarapu an option to purchase 300,000
shares
of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. All of
the shares subject to the option were exercisable on the date of
grant.
(3) On
November 26, 2007, the Company granted Mr. Ajjarapu an option to purchase
90,000
shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share.
One-twelfth (1/12) of the shares subject to the option vest every three months
from the date of grant.
(4) On
July
17, 2007, the Company granted Mr. Foster an option to purchase 300,000 shares
of
the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. Fifty
percent (50%) of the shares subject to the option were exercisable on the
date
of grant and twenty-five percent (25%) of the shares subject to the option
vest
on the anniversary of the date of grant.
(5) On
November 26, 2007, the Company granted Mr. Foster an option to purchase 90,000
shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share.
One-twelfth (1/12) of the shares subject to the option vest every three months
from the date of grant.
(6)
On January 12, 2006, Mr. Foster entered into a
Restricted Purchase Agreement with the Company pursuant to which the Company
sold to Mr. Foster 200,000 shares of the Company's common stock, at a
nominal price per share, with 50,000 shares immediately vested and the remaining
shares vesting at the rate of 50,000 shares per year.
EMPLOYMENT
CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
ARRANGEMENTS
We
are party
to the following agreements with our named executive officers.
Eric
McAfee
On
January
29, 2006, we entered into an Executive Chairman Agreement, pursuant to
which we
pay Mr. McAfee $10,000 per month and reimburse Mr. McAfee for business-related
expenses incurred with respect to the Company. This agreement is for a
term of
three years expiring January 29, 2009, however, either party may terminate
the
agreement at any time upon written notice to the other party; provided,
however,
that if we terminate the agreement we agree to pay Mr. McAfee an amount
equal to
the amount Mr. McAfee would have earned had he continued to be paid for
an
additional 6 months after termination. In addition, we agreed to indemnify
Mr.
McAfee for any damages arising out of Mr. McAfee’s services under this
agreement.
Surendra
Ajjarapu
On
January
12, 2006, we entered into an Employment Agreement with Surendra Ajjarapu, which
Employment Agreement was amended on July 17, 2007, pursuant to which the Company
engaged Mr. Ajjarapu as its President. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement,
Mr.
Ajjarapu receives an annual salary of $200,000, a discretionary bonus of up
to
$80,000 per year, and a severance package consisting of six months of base
salary and continuing benefits. Mr. Ajjarapu also entered into a Restricted
Purchase Agreement with the Company pursuant to which the Company sold to Mr.
Ajjarapu 6,800,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a nominal price. In
addition, on July 17, 2007, Mr. Ajjarapu was granted an option for 300,000
shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share.
The option was fully vested on the date of grant. On November 26, 2007, Mr.
Ajjarapu was granted an option for 90,000 shares of the Company’s common stock
at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. One-twelfth (1/12th)
of the
shares subject to the option vest every three months from the date of
grant.
William
J. Maendar
On
January 12, 2006, we entered into a three year
Executive Employment Contract with William J. Maender to serve as American
Ethanol's Chief Financial Officer. Under Mr. Maender's employment contract,
Mr.
Maender receives an annual salary of $180,000 and a discretionary annual bonus
of up to $50,000. Mr. Maender also entered into a Restricted Purchase Agreement
with the Company pursuant to which the Company sold to Mr. Maender 800,000
shares of American Ethanol's common stock, at a nominal price per share, with
200,000 shares immediately vested and the remaining shares subject to the
Company's right of repurchase decreasing at the rate of 200,000 shares per
year.
On November 26, 2007, Mr. Maender was granted an option for 90,000 shares of
the
Company's common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. One-twelfth
(1/12th) of the shares subject to the option vest every three months
from the date of grant.
If,
prior to a Change in Control (as defined in the
agreement), Mr. Maender is terminated other than for Cause or as a result of
his
death or total disability or is Constructively Terminated (as defined in the
agreement), then provided he signs a release of claims, Mr. Maender is entitled
to severance benefits of (i) cash payments equal to his monthly base salary
for
a period of six months, (ii) company-paid health, dental, and vision insurance
coverage for him and his dependents until the earlier of six (6) months or
until
such time as Mr. Maender is covered under another employer's group policy for
such benefits; and (iii) full vesting acceleration for all of his unvested
restricted stock. If, following a Change of Control, Mr. Maender is terminated
other than for Cause or as a result of his death or total disability or is
Constructively Terminated, then provided he signs a release of claims, all
of
his then unvested restricted stock shall be immediately vested.
In
May 2007,
the Company entered into a three year Executive Employment Contract with Mr.
Foster to serve as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer. Under Mr. Foster’s employment contract, Mr. Foster receives an annual
salary of $180,000 and a discretionary annual bonus of up to $50,000. On July
17, 2007, Mr. Foster was granted an option for 300,000 shares of the Company’s
common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. Fifty percent (50%) of
the
shares subject to the option vested on the date of grant and the 25% of the
shares subject to the option vest on each anniversary of the date of grant.
On
November 26, 2007, Mr. Foster was granted an option for 90,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. One-twelfth
(1/12th)
of the
shares subject to the option vest every three months from the date of
grant.
If,
prior
to a Change in Control (as defined in the agreement), Mr. Foster is terminated
other than for Cause or as a result of his death or total disability or is
Constructively Terminated (as defined in the agreement), then provided he
signs
a release of claims, Mr. Foster is entitled to severance benefits of (i)
cash
payments equal to his monthly base salary for a period of six months, and
(ii)
company-paid health, dental, and vision insurance coverage for him and his
dependents until the earlier of six (6) months or until such time as Mr.
Foster
is covered under another employer’s group policy for such benefits. If,
following a Change of Control, Mr. Foster is terminated other than for Cause
or
as a result of his death or total disability or is Constructively Terminated,
then provided he signs a release of claims, in addition to the severance
benefits provided above, all of his then unvested restricted stock or stock
options shall be immediately vested.
SECTION
16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our executive
officers and directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered
class
of our equity securities to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission
initial statements of beneficial ownership, reports of changes in ownership
and
annual reports concerning their ownership of our common stock and other equity
securities, on Forms 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Executive officers, directors
and
greater than 10% shareholders are required by the Securities and Exchange
Commission regulations to furnish our Company with copies of all Section
16(a)
reports they file. We believe that, during fiscal 2007, our directors, executive
officers and 10% stockholders complied with all Section 16(a) filing
requirements. In making this statement, we have relied upon examination of
the
copies of Forms 3, 4 and 5, and amendments thereto, provided to AE Biofuels,
Inc. and the written representations of its directors and executive officers.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED
TRANSACTIONS
|
Except
for the compensation agreements and other arrangements that are described
under
“Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control
Arrangements”, and except as set forth below, there was not during fiscal year
2007 nor is there currently proposed, any transaction or series of similar
transactions to which AE Biofuels was or is to be a party in which the amount
involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any director, executive officer, five
percent stockholder or any member of the immediate family of any of the
foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
The
Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee is responsible for reviewing
and approving in advance any proposed related person transactions. The
Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee is also responsible for
reviewing the Company’s policies with respect to related person transactions and
overseeing compliance with such policies. Those transactions described below
entered into prior to the appointment of the Governance, Compensation and
Nominating Committee were approved by the entire Board of Directors.
Eric
A.
McAfee, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Company,
and the Company are parties to an Executive Chairman Agreement, pursuant
to
which we pay Mr. McAfee $10,000 per month and reimburse Mr. McAfee for
business-related expenses incurred with respect to the Company. This agreement
is for a term of three years expiring January 29, 2009, however, either party
may terminate the agreement at any time upon written notice to the other
party;
provided, however, that if we terminate the agreement we agree to pay Mr.
McAfee
an amount equal to the amount Mr. McAfee would have earned had he continued
to
be paid for an additional 6 months after termination. In addition, we agreed
to
indemnify Mr. McAfee for any damages arising out of Mr. McAfee’s services under
this agreement. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, we paid Mr.
McAfee
$120,000 under this agreement.
Eric
A.
McAfee and Laid Cagan are the Managing Directors of Cagan McAfee Capital
Partners (“CMCP”). Mr. Cagan is also a registered representative of Chadbourn
Securities, Inc., which acted as placement agent in connection with the Series
A
Preferred and Series B Preferred offerings of American Ethanol, Inc. We paid
Chadbourn Securities Inc. a total of $1,701,092 and issued Warrants exercisable
for 800,000 shares of Common Stock and 386,875 shares of Series B Preferred
Stock in connection with our Series A and Series B Preferred Stock offerings.
On
January 30, 2006, we entered into an Advisory Services Agreement with CMCP
pursuant to which CMCP provides the Company with certain administrative
financial modeling, merger and acquisition, executive travel coordination
and
board of directors support services. We pay CMCP an advisory fee equal to
$7,500
per payroll period plus CMCP’s actual and reasonable expenses for travel,
printing, legal or other services. The term of the agreement is three years.
For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, we paid CMCP $360,584 under this
agreement.
We
entered
into a consulting agreement with Liviakis Financial Communications, LLC to
provide investor relations services to us in consideration for the issuance
of
4.4 million shares of our common stock plus reimbursement of
expenses.
We
have
entered into an agreement with CM Consulting, LLC, pursuant to which we prepaid
$360,000 to CM Consulting, representing a prepayment for 20 hours per month
of
expense reimbursement at the rate of $750 per hour for the use of CM
Consulting’s $3.2 million 2005 Pilatus PC-12 plane. The market rate for the
charter of a 2005 Pilatus PC-12 is approximately $1,200 per hour, with two
hour
daily minimums, pilot salary, overnight charges and other costs and restrictions
that are not included in the CM Consulting agreement. McAfee Capital, LLC,
which
is owned by Eric McAfee and his wife, is a 50% owner of CM Consulting, LLC.
This
agreement expired February 2008.
On
November
16, 2006, we entered into a short-term loan agreement with Laird Cagan, a member
of its Board of Directors, pursuant to which we borrowed $1.25 million at 10%
interest per annum for a period of six months or until funds raised through
a
private placement were sufficient to pay the loan amount. As of December
31, 2007 all amounts have been paid in full.
Between
February 8, 2008 and March 27, 2008, we borrowed $1.7
million from Laird Cagan, a member of our Board of Directors. The
loan bears interest at a 10% interest per annum due and payable on December
31, 2008 to finance our demonstration plant in Butte, Montana. The Governance,
Compensation and Nominating Committee approved this credit
facility.
AUDIT
COMMITTEE REPORT
The
following
is the report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. The Audit
Committee has reviewed and discussed our audited financial statements for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 with our management. In addition, the Audit
Committee has discussed with BDO Seidman LLP, our independent auditors, the
matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No.
61, as amended (Communications with Audit Committee). The Audit
Committee also has received the written disclosures and the letter from BDO
Seidman LLP as required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1
(Independence Discussions with Audit Committees) and the Audit Committee has
discussed the independence of BDO Seidman LLP with that firm.
Based
on
the Audit Committee’s review of the matters noted above and its discussions with
our independent auditors and our management, the Audit Committee recommended
to
the Board of Directors that the financial statements be included in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
Respectfully
submitted by:
Michael
Peterson (Chair)
Michael
DeLong
Harold
Sorgenti
OTHER
MATTERS
Management
does not know of any matter to be brought before the Meeting, other than the
matters described in the Notice of Annual Meeting accompanying this Proxy
Statement. The persons named in the form of proxy solicited by the Board will
vote all proxies which have been properly executed, and if any matters not
set
forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting are properly brought before the meeting,
such persons will vote thereon in accordance with their best judgment.
HOUSEHOLDING
We
have
adopted a procedure approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission called
“householding.” Under this procedure, a householding notice will be sent to
stockholders who have the same address and last name and they will receive
only
one copy of our annual report and proxy statement unless one or more of these
stockholders notifies us that they wish to continue receiving individual copies.
This procedure reduces our printing costs and postage fees. Each stockholder
who
participates in householding will continue to receive a separate proxy
card.
If
any
stockholders in your household wish to receive a separate annual report and
a
separate proxy statement, they may call our Corporate Secretary, William
Maender, at (408) 213-0940 or write to AE Biofuels, Inc. at 20400 Stevens Creek
Blvd., Suite 700, Cupertino, CA 95014. They may also send an email to our
Corporate Secretary at wmaender@aebiofuels.com. Other stockholders who have
multiple accounts in their names or who share an address with other stockholders
can authorize us to discontinue mailings of multiple annual reports and proxy
statements by calling or writing to Investor Relations.
BY
ORDER
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
William
Maender
Corporate
Secretary
AE
Biofuels, Inc.
April
14,
2008
AE
BIOFUELS, INC.
Annual
Meeting of Stockholders
Thursday
, May 8, 2008
10:00
a.m., Pacific Standard Time
20400
Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 700
Cupertino,
CA 95014
______________________________________________________
This
Proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors
for use
at the Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
The
shares of common and Series B Preferred stock you hold in your account
as of record on March 26, 2008, will be voted as you specify on the reverse
side.
If
no
choice is specified, the Proxy will be voted “FOR” items 1, 2 and
3.
By
signing the Proxy, you revoke all prior Proxies and appoint Eric
A.
McAfee, Surendra Ajjarapu, Harold Sorgenti, Michael DeLong, Laird Cagan, and
Michael Peterson,
and
each of them, with full power of substitution, to vote your shares on the
matters shown on the reverse side and any other matters which may come before
the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
SEE
REVERSE SIDE FOR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
There
are two ways to vote your Proxy.
VOTE
BY
FAX
|
·
|
Complete,
sign and date the enclosed proxy card and fax front and back to Corporate
Stock Transfer at (303)
282-5800;
|
VOTE
BY
MAIL
|
·
|
Mark,
sign and date your Proxy Card and return it in the postage-paid envelope
provided or return it to AE Biofuels, Inc., c/o Corporate Stock Transfer
3200 Cherry Creek Dr. South, Suite 430, Denver, CO
80209.
|
PLEASE
DETACH PROXY CARD HERE
(Mark
only one box below)
|
01Eric
A. McAfee
|
__
FOR the nominees (except as marked below)
|
|
02
Surendra
Ajjarapu
|
|
|
03
Harold
Sorgenti
|
__
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for the
|
|
04
Michael
DeLong
|
Nominees
|
|
05
Laird
Cagan
|
|
|
06
Michael
Peterson
|
|
(Instruction:
To withhold authority to vote
for
any individual nominee, print the
name(s)
or number(s) of the nominee(s) on
the
line provided to the right. If
this Proxy
is
executed in such a manner as not to
withhold
authority to vote for the
election
of any nominee, this Proxy shall
be
deemed to grant such authority.)
|
|
|
|
2.
|
Ratification
of BDO Seidman, LLP, independent auditors.
|
__
FOR
__
AGAINST
__
ABSTAIN
3.
|
To
approve the 2007 Stock Plan.
|
__
FOR
__
AGAINST
__
ABSTAIN
4.
|
Upon
such other matters as may come before said meeting or any adjournments
thereof, in the discretion of the Proxy
holders.
|
|
This
Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner
directed
by
the undersigned stockholder(s). If
no direction is
made, this Proxy
will
be voted “FOR” each proposal.
|
|
|
|
|
Date: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signature
|
|
|
|
|
Signature
|
|
Please
sign exactly as name(s) appear on this Proxy. Joint owners should
each
sign personally. Corporation Proxies should be signed by authorized
officer.
When signing as executors, administrators, trustees, etc., give full
title.
|
Address
Change? Mark box and indicate changes above. ___
APPENDIX
A
AUDIT
COMMITTEE CHARTER
As
of
February 21, 2008
COMMITTEE
MEMBERSHIP:
The
Audit
Committee of AE Biofuels, Inc. (the "Company") shall be comprised of at
least
three directors, each
of
whom the Company’s Board (the "Board") has determined has no material
relationship with the Company and each of whom is otherwise
"independent" under Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934. The Board shall also determine that each member is "financially
literate," and that one member
of
the Audit Committee has "accounting or related financial management expertise,"
as such qualifications are
interpreted by the Board in its business judgment, and whether any member
of the
Audit Committee is
an
"audit committee financial expert," as defined by the rules of Securities
and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC").
If
the Board has determined that a member of the Audit Committee is an audit
committee financial expert, it
may
presume that such member has accounting or related financial management
expertise.
No
director may serve as a member of the Audit Committee if such director
serves on
the audit committees of more than
two
other public companies unless the Board determines that such simultaneous
service would not impair
the ability of such director to effectively serve on the Audit Committee,
and
discloses this determination in the
Company’s annual proxy statement.
Members
shall be appointed by the Board and shall serve at the pleasure of the
Board and
for such term or terms as the
Board
may determine.
COMMITTEE
PURPOSES:
The
purposes of the Audit Committee are to:
|
1. |
Assist
Board oversight of (i) the integrity of the Company’s financial
statements, (ii) the Company’s
compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the
independent
auditors’ qualifications and independence, and (iv) the performance of
the
independent auditors and the Company’s internal audit function; and
|
|
2.
|
Prepare
the report required to be prepared by the Audit Committee pursuant
to the
rules of the SEC for inclusion in the Company’s annual proxy
statement.
|
|
3.
|
Review
and approve merger and acquisition transactions and investment
transactions proposed by the Company's management. The Audit
Committee is
authorized to approve merger and acquisition transactions and
investment
transactions by the Company valued in an amount not to exceed,
for any
particular acquisition or investment, $150 million in cash, stock
or a
combination thereof.
|
AE
Biofuels, Inc.
Audit
Committee Charter
Page
2
of
7
The
function of the Audit Committee is oversight. The management of the Company
is
responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Company’s
financial statements. Management is responsible for maintaining appropriate
accounting and financial reporting policies and internal controls and procedures
that provide for compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws
and
regulations. The independent auditors are responsible for planning and
carrying
out a proper audit of the Company’s consolidated annual financial statements,
reviews of the Company’s consolidated quarterly financial statements prior to
the filing of each quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and other procedures.
In
fulfilling their responsibilities hereunder, it is recognized that members
of
the Audit Committee are not full-time employees of the Company and are
not, and
do not represent themselves to be, performing the functions of auditors
or
management. As such, it is not the duty or responsibility of the Audit
Committee
or its members to conduct “field work” or other types of auditing or accounting
reviews or procedures or to set auditor independence standards.
The
independent auditors shall submit to the Audit Committee annually a formal
written statement (the “Auditors’ Statement”) describing: the auditors’ internal
quality-control procedures; any material issues raised by the most recent
internal quality-control review or peer review of the auditors, or by any
inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within
the
preceding five years, respecting one or more independent audits carried
out by
the auditors, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues; and, to
assess
the auditors’ independence, all relationships between the independent auditors
and the Company, including the matters set forth in Independence Standards
Board
Standard No. 1.
COMMITTEE
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
To
carry
out its purposes, the Audit Committee shall have the following duties and
responsibilities:
1. |
With
respect to the independent auditors,
|
i. |
to
be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention
and
oversight of the work of the independent auditors (including the
resolution of disagreements between management and the independent
auditors regarding financial reporting), who shall report directly
to the
Audit Committee;
|
ii. |
to
pre-approve, or to adopt appropriate procedures to pre-approve,
all audit
and non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors;
|
iii. |
to
ensure that the independent auditors prepare and deliver annually
an
Auditors’ Statement (it being understood that the independent auditors are
responsible for the accuracy and completeness of this Statement),
and to
discuss with the independent auditors any relationships or services
disclosed in this Statement that may impact the quality of audit
services
or the objectivity and independence of the Company’s independent auditors;
|
AE
Biofuels, Inc.
Audit
Committee Charter
Page
3 of
7
iv. |
to
obtain from the independent auditors a timely report relating to
the
Company’s annual audited and unaudited quarterly financial statements
describing all critical accounting policies and practices used,
all
alternative treatments of financial information within generally
accepted
accounting principles that have been discussed with management,
ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments,
and the treatment preferred by the independent auditors, and any
material
written communications between the independent auditors and management,
such as any “management” letter or schedule of unadjusted differences;
and
|
v. |
to
take into account the opinions of management and the Company’s director of
internal audit in assessing the independent auditors’ qualifications,
performance and independence.
|
2. |
With
respect to financial reporting principles and policies and internal
controls and procedures:
|
i. |
to
advise management, the director of internal audit and the independent
auditors that
|
|
|
they
are expected to provide to the Audit Committee a timely analysis
of
significant financial reporting issues and practices;
|
ii. |
to
consider any reports or communications (and management’s and/or internal
audit’s responses thereto) submitted to the Audit Committee by the
independent auditors required by or referred to in SAS 61 (as codified
by
AU Section 380), as it may be modified or supplemented, including
reports
and communications related to:
|
· |
deficiencies
noted in the audit in the design or operation of internal
controls;
|
· |
consideration
of fraud in a financial statement audit; detection of illegal
acts;
|
· |
the
independent auditors’ responsibility under generally accepted auditing
standards;
|
· |
any
restriction on audit scope;
|
· |
significant
accounting policies;
|
· |
significant
issues discussed with the national office respecting auditing or
accounting issues presented by the engagement;
|
· |
management
judgments and accounting estimates;
|
· |
any
accounting adjustments arising from the audit that were noted or
proposed
|
AE
Biofuels, Inc.
Audit
Committee Charter
Page
4
of
7
· |
by
the auditors but were passed (as immaterial or otherwise);
|
· |
disagreements
with management;
|
· |
consultation
by management with other accountants;
|
· |
difficulties
encountered with management in performing the audit;
|
· |
the
independent auditors’ judgments about the quality of the entity’s
accounting principles; and
|
· |
reviews
of interim financial information conducted by the independent auditors;
and
|
iii. |
to
meet with the management, and the independent auditors:
|
· |
to
discuss the annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial
statements, including the Company’s disclosures under “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”;
|
· |
to
discuss the scope of the annual audit;
|
· |
to
discuss any significant matters arising from any audit, including
any
audit problems or difficulties, whether raised by management or
the
independent auditors, relating to the Company’s financial statements;
|
· |
to
discuss any difficulties the independent auditors encountered in
the
course of the audit, including any restrictions on their activities
or
access to requested information and any significant disagreements
with
management;
|
· |
to
discuss any “management” or “internal control” letter issued, or proposed
to be issued, by the independent auditors to the Company; to review
the
form of opinion the independent auditors propose to render to the
Board
and shareholders; and
|
· |
to
discuss, as appropriate: (a) any major issues regarding accounting
principles and financial statement presentations, including any
significant changes in the Company’s selection or application of
accounting principles, and major issues as to the adequacy of the
Company’s internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light
of material control deficiencies; (b) analyses prepared by management
and/or the independent auditors setting forth significant financial
reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation
of
the financial statements, including analyses of the effects of
alternative
GAAP methods on the financial statements; and (c) the effect of
regulatory
and accounting initiatives, as well as off- balance sheet structures,
on
the financial statements of the Company;
|
AE
Biofuels, Inc.
Audit
Committee Charter
Page
5
of
7
iv. |
to
inquire of the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial
officer as to the existence of any significant deficiencies and
material
weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over
financial
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s
ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information
and
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
other
employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting;
|
v. |
to
discuss guidelines and policies governing the process by which
senior
management of the Company and its subsidiaries assess and manage
the
Company’s exposure to risk, and to discuss the Company’s major financial
risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and
control
such exposures;
|
vi. |
to
discuss with senior management of the Company any significant legal,
compliance or regulatory matters that may have a material effect
on the
financial statements or the Company’s business, financial statements or
compliance policies, including material notices to or inquiries
received
from governmental agencies;
|
vii. |
to
discuss the type and presentation of information to be included
in
earnings press releases:
|
viii. |
to
establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of
complaint
received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting
controls
or auditing matters, and for the confidential, anonymous submission
by
Company employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting
or
auditing matters;
|
ix. |
to
review and discuss any reports concerning material violations submitted
to
it by Company attorneys or outside counsel pursuant to the SEC
attorney
professional responsibility rules (17 C.F.R. Part 205), or otherwise;
and
|
x. |
to
establish hiring policies for employees or former employees of
the
independent auditors;
|
3. |
With
respect to Merger and Acquisition
activities,
|
i. |
to
review acquisition strategies with the Company's management and
investigate acquisition candidates on behalf of the
Company.
|
ii. |
to
recommend acquisition strategies and candidates to the Company's
Board, as
appropriate.
|
iii. |
to
authorize and approve acquisitions and investments by the Company
valued
in an amount not to exceed, for any particular acquisition or investment,
$150 million in cash, stock or a combination
thereof.
|
AE
Biofuels, Inc.
Audit
Committee Charter
Page
6 of
7
iv. |
to
have full access to the Company's management and other Company
executives
as necessary to carry out its
responsibilities.
|
v. |
to
have all such other rights and powers as may be lawfully delegated
to it
by the Board, not in conflict with specific powers conferred by
the Board
upon any other committee appointed by it.
|
vi. |
to
review this Committee Charter from time to time for adequacy and
recommend
any changes to the Board.
|
vii. |
to
perform any other activities consistent with this Charter, the
Company's
Bylaws and governing law as the Committee or the Board deems necessary
or
appropriate.
|
viii. |
to
report all of its actions to the Board and keep the Board apprised
of its
proposed investments
|
4. |
With
respect to reporting and recommendations,
|
i. |
to
prepare any report or other disclosures, including any recommendation
of
the Audit Committee, required by the rules of the SEC to be included
in
the Company’s annual proxy statement;
|
ii. |
to
prepare and issue the evaluation required under “Performance Evaluation”
below; and
|
iii. |
to
report its activities to the full Board on a regular basis and
to make
such recommendations with respect to the above and other matters
as the
Audit Committee may deem necessary or
appropriate.
|
COMMITTEE
STRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS:
The
Audit
Committee shall designate one member of the Committee as its chairperson.
The
Audit Committee shall meet once every quarter, or more frequently if
circumstances dictate, to discuss with management the annual audited financial
statements and quarterly financial statements, as applicable. The Audit
Committee should meet separately periodically with management and the
independent auditors to discuss any matters that the Audit Committee or
any of
these persons or firms believe should be discussed privately. The Audit
Committee may request any officer or employee of the Company or the Company’s
outside counsel or independent auditors to attend a meeting of the Audit
Committee or to meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Audit
Committee. Members of the Audit Committee may participate in a meeting
of the
Audit Committee by means of conference call or similar communications equipment
by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each
other.
AE
Biofuels, Inc.
Audit
Committee Charter
Page
7
of
7
PERFORMANCE
EVALUATION:
The
Audit
Committee shall prepare and review with the Board an annual performance
evaluation of the Audit Committee, which evaluation shall compare the
performance of the Audit Committee with the requirements of this charter.
The
performance evaluation shall also recommend to the Board any improvements
to the
Audit Committee’s charter deemed necessary or desirable by the Audit Committee.
The performance evaluation by the Audit Committee shall be conducted in
such
manner as the Audit Committee deems appropriate. The report to the Board
may
take the form of an oral report by the chairperson of the Audit Committee
or any
other member of the Audit Committee designated by the Audit Committee to
make
this report.
RESOURCES
AND AUTHORITY OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE:
The
Audit
Committee shall have the resources and authority appropriate to discharge
its
duties and responsibilities, including the authority to select, retain,
terminate, and approve the fees and other retention terms of special or
independent counsel, accountants or other experts and advisors, as it deems
necessary or appropriate, without seeking approval of the Board or management.
The
Company shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Audit
Committee, in its capacity as a committee of the Board, for payment of:
1. |
Compensation
to the independent auditors and any other public accounting firm
engaged
for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing
other audit, review or attest services for the Company;
|
2. |
Compensation
of any advisers employed by the Audit Committee; and
|
3. |
Ordinary
administrative expenses of the Audit Committee necessary or appropriate
in
carrying out its duties.
|
***
APPENDIX
B
AMENDED
AND RESTATED 2007 STOCK PLAN
AE
BIOFUELS, INC.
2007
STOCK PLAN
(As
Amended and Restated April 8, 2008)
1. Purposes
of the Plan.
The
purposes of this Plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel
for
positions of substantial responsibility, to provide additional incentive
to
Employees, Directors and Consultants and to promote the success of the Company’s
business.
The
Plan
permits the grant of Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options,
Stock
Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance
Units, Performance Shares and other stock or cash awards as the Administrator
may determine.
2. Definitions.
As used
herein, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “Administrator”
means
the Board or any of its Committees as shall be administering the Plan in
accordance with Section 4 hereof.
(b) “Applicable
Laws”
means
the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards under
U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code,
any
stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or
quoted
and the applicable laws of any other country or jurisdiction where Awards
are,
or will be, granted under the Plan.
(c) “Award”
means,
individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Stock
Appreciation Rights, Restricted
Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares and
other
stock or cash awards as the Administrator may determine.
(d) “Award
Agreement”
means
the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and provisions
applicable to each Award granted under the Plan. The Award Agreement is subject
to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(e) “Board”
means
the Board of Directors of the Company.
(f) “Change
in Control”
means
the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) A
change
in the ownership of the Company which
occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as
a
group, (“Person”)
acquires ownership of the stock of the Company that, together with the stock
held by such Person, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total
voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes
of this subsection (i), the acquisition of additional stock by any one Person,
who is considered to own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting
power
of the stock of the Company will not be considered a Change in Control; or
(ii) A
change
in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets which occurs
on the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12)
month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person
or
persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value
equal
to or more than fifty percent (50%) of the total gross fair market value
of all
of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or
acquisitions; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (iii),
the
following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial
portion
of the Company’s assets: (A) a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the
Company’s stockholders immediately after the transfer, or (B) a transfer of
assets by the Company to: (1) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before
the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (2)
an entity, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power
of
which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (3) a Person, that
owns,
directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or
voting
power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or (4) an entity, at least
fifty percent (50%) of the total value or voting power of which is owned,
directly or indirectly, by a Person described in this subsection (iii)(B)(3).
For purposes of this subsection (iii), gross fair market value means the
value
of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of,
determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such
assets.
For
purposes of this Section 2(f), persons will be considered to be acting as
a
group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger,
consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction
with the Company.
(g) “Code”
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(h) “Committee”
means
a
committee of Directors or of other individuals satisfying Applicable Laws
appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 hereof.
(i) “Common
Stock”
means
the Common Stock of the Company.
(j) “Company”
means AE Biofuels, Inc., a Nevada corporation, or any successor
thereto.
(k) “Consultant”
means
any person who is engaged by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary to render
consulting or advisory services to such entity.
(l) “Determination
Date”
means
the latest possible date that will not jeopardize the qualification of an
Award
granted under the Plan as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m)
of the Code.
(m) “Director”
means
a
member of the Board.
(n) “Disability”
means
total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code,
,
provided that in the case of Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, the
Administrator in its discretion may determine whether a permanent and total
disability exists in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards
adopted by the Administrator from time to time.
(o) “Employee”
means
any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or
any
Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. Neither service as a Director nor payment
of a director’s fee by the Company shall be sufficient to constitute
“employment” by the Company.
(p) “Exchange
Act”
means
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(q) “Exchange
Program”
means
a
program under which (i) outstanding Awards are surrendered or cancelled in
exchange for Awards of the same type (which may have lower exercise prices
and
different terms), Awards of a different type, and/or cash, (ii) Participants
would have the opportunity to transfer any outstanding Awards to a financial
institution or other person or entity selected by the Administrator, and/or
(iii) the exercise price of an outstanding Award is reduced. The Administrator
will determine the terms and conditions of any Exchange Program in its sole
discretion.
(r) “Fair
Market Value”
means,
as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:
(i) If
the
Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market
system, including without limitation the Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq
SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value shall be
the
closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were
reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination,
as
reported in The
Wall Street Journal
or such
other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(ii) If
the
Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling
prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean between
the
high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the day of determination;
or
(iii) In
the
absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value
thereof shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator.
(s) “Fiscal
Year”
means
the fiscal year of the Company.
(t) “Incentive
Stock Option”
means
an Option that by its terms qualifies and is otherwise intended to qualify
as an
incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and
the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(u) “Nonstatutory
Stock Option”
means
an Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(v) “Officer”
means
a
person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of
the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
(w) “Option”
means
a
stock option granted pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan.
(x) “Parent”
means
a
“parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in
Section 424(e) of the Code.
(y) “Participant”
means
the holder of an outstanding Award.
(z) “Performance
Goals”
will
have the meaning set forth in Section 13 of the Plan.
(aa) “Performance
Period”
means
any Fiscal Year of the Company or such other period as determined by the
Administrator in its sole discretion.
(bb) “Performance
Share”
means
an Award denominated in Shares which may be earned in whole or in part upon
attainment of Performance Goals or other vesting criteria as the Administrator
may determine pursuant to Section 12.
(cc) “Performance
Unit”
means
an Award which may be earned in whole or in part upon attainment of Performance
Goals or other vesting criteria as the Administrator may determine and which
may
be settled for cash, Shares or other securities or a combination of the
foregoing pursuant to Section 12.
(dd) “Period
of Restriction”
means
the period during which the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock are subject
to restrictions and therefore, the Shares are subject to a substantial risk
of
forfeiture. Such restrictions may be based on the passage of time, the
achievement of target levels of performance, or the occurrence of other events
as determined by the Administrator.
(ee) “Plan”
means
this 2007 Stock Plan.
(ff) “Restricted
Stock”
means
Shares issued pursuant to an Award of Restricted Stock under Section 10 of
the
Plan, or issued pursuant to an early exercise of an Option.
(gg) “Restricted
Stock Unit”
means
a
bookkeeping entry representing an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of
one
Share, granted pursuant to Section 11. Each Restricted Stock Unit
represents an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company.
(hh) “Rule
16b-3”
means
Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect
when
discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan.
(ii) “Section 16(b)”
means
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.
(jj) “Service
Provider”
means
an Employee, Director or Consultant.
(kk) “Share”
means
a
share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 16
below.
(ll) “Stock
Appreciation Right”
means
an Award, granted alone or in connection with an Option, that pursuant to
Section 9 is designated as a Stock Appreciation Right.
(mm) “Subsidiary”
means
a
“subsidiary corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in
Section 424(f) of the Code.
3. Stock
Subject to the Plan.
(a) Subject
to the provisions of Section 16 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number
of Shares that may be awarded and sold under the Plan is 4,000,000 Shares.
The
Shares may be authorized but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.
(b)
Automatic Share Reserve Increase. The number of Shares available for
issuance under the Plan will be increased on the first day of each Fiscal
Year
beginning with the 2009 Fiscal Year, in an amount equal to the least of
(i) 1,000,000 Shares, (ii) one percent (1%)
of the number of Shares on the last day of the immediately preceding Fiscal
Year
that (A) are outstanding, and (B) are issuable pursuant to outstanding Awards,
or (iii) such number of Shares determined by the Board.
(c) Lapsed
Awards.
If an
Award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full,
or, with respect to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance
Shares
or Performance Units, is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company, the
unpurchased Shares (or for Awards other than Options and Stock Appreciation
Rights, the forfeited or repurchased Shares) which were subject thereto will
become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan
has
terminated). Upon
exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right settled in Shares, the gross number
of
Shares covered by the portion of the Award so exercised will cease to be
available under the Plan.
Shares
that have actually been issued under the Plan under any Award will not be
returned to the Plan and will not become available for future distribution
under
the Plan; provided, however, that if unvested Shares of Restricted Stock,
Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units are repurchased
by the Company or are forfeited to the Company, such Shares will become
available for future grant under the Plan. Shares used to pay the tax and/or
exercise price of an Award will become available for future grant or sale
under
the Plan. To the extent an Award under the Plan is paid out in cash rather
than
Shares, such cash payment will not result in reducing the number of Shares
available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this Section 3(c), subject to adjustment provided
in
Section 16, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued upon the
exercise of Incentive Stock Options will equal the aggregate Share number
stated
in Section 3(a), plus, to the extent allowable under Section 422 of
the Code, any Shares that become available for issuance under the Plan under
this Section 3(c).
4. Administration
of the Plan.
(a) Administrator.
The
Plan shall be administered by the Board or a Committee appointed by the Board,
which Committee shall be constituted to comply with Applicable Laws. Different
Committees with respect to different groups of Service Providers may administer
the Plan
(i) Section 162(m).
To the
extent that the Administrator determines it to be desirable to qualify Awards
granted hereunder as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of
Section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan will be administered by a Committee of
two (2) or more “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of
the Code.
(ii) Rule
16b-3.
To the
extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3,
the transactions contemplated hereunder will be structured to satisfy the
requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.
(b) Powers
of the Administrator.
Subject
to the provisions of the Plan and, in the case of a Committee, the specific
duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, and subject to the approval
of
any relevant authorities, the Administrator shall have the authority in its
discretion:
(i) to
determine the Fair Market Value;
(ii) to
select
the Service Providers to whom Awards may from time to time be granted
hereunder;
(iii) to
determine the number of Shares to be covered by each such Award granted
hereunder;
(iv) to
determine the terms and conditions of any, and to institute an Exchange
Program;
(v) to
approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;
(vi) to
determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the
Plan,
of any Award granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are
not
limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Awards may be exercised
(which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or
waiver
of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any
Award or the Common Stock relating thereto, based in each case on such factors
as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine;
(vii) to
prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan,
including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the
purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws;
(viii) to
construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted pursuant
to the
Plan;
(ix) to
modify
or amend each Award (subject to Section 18(c) of the Plan);
and
(x) to
make
all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering
the
Plan.
(c) Effect
of Administrator’s Decision.
All
decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Administrator shall
be
final and binding on all Participants.
5. Eligibility.
Nonstatutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock
Appreciation Rights, Performance Units, Performance Shares, and such other
cash
or stock awards as the Administrator determines may be granted to Service
Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to
Employees.
6. At-Will
Employment.
Neither
the Plan nor any Award shall confer upon any Participant any right with respect
to continuing the Participant’s relationship as a Service Provider with the
Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with his or her right or the
Company’s right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without
cause, and with or without notice.
7. Term
of Plan.
Subject
to stockholder approval in accordance with Section 24, the Plan shall
become effective upon its adoption by the Board. Unless sooner terminated
under
Section 19, it shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10)
years.
8. Stock
Options.
(a) Limitations.
(i) Incentive
Stock Option Limit.
Each
Option shall be designated in the Award Agreement as either an Incentive
Stock
Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However, notwithstanding such
designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares
with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first
time
by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company
and
any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated
as
Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 8(a), Incentive
Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were
granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the
time
the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.
(ii) Number
of Shares.
The
Administrator will have complete discretion to determine the number of Shares
subject to an Option granted to any Participant, provided that during any
Fiscal
Year, no Participant will be granted an Option covering more than 1,000,000
Shares.
Notwithstanding the limitation in the previous sentence, in connection with
his
or her initial service as an Employee, an Employee may be granted Options
covering up to an additional 1,000,000 Shares.
(b) Term
of Option.
The
term of each Option shall be stated in the Award Agreement; provided, however,
that the term shall be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant
thereof. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant
who,
at the time the Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten
percent
(10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent
or Subsidiary, the term of the Option shall be five (5) years from the date
of
grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award
Agreement.
(c) Option
Exercise Price and Consideration.
(i) Exercise
Price.
The per
share exercise price for the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Option
shall be such price as is determined by the Administrator, but shall be subject
to the following:
(A) In
the
case of an Incentive Stock Option
a) granted
to an Employee who, at the time of grant of such Option, owns stock representing
more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of
the
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the exercise price shall be no less
than
110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
b) granted
to any other Employee, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than
100%
of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(B) In
the
case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, the per Share exercise price shall be
no
less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of
grant.
(ii) Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(c), Options may be granted with
a per
Share exercise price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share
on the
date of grant pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent
with, Section 424(a) of the Code.
(iii) Forms
of Consideration.
The
consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an
Option,
including the method of payment, shall be determined by the Administrator
(and,
in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, shall be determined at the time
of
grant). Such consideration may consist of, without limitation, (i) cash,
(ii) check, (iii) promissory note, (iv) surrender
of other Shares which (x)
shall
be valued at its Fair Market Value on the date of exercise, and (y) must
be
owned free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests,
if accepting
such Shares, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, shall not result
in
any adverse accounting consequences to the Company, (v) consideration
received by the Company under a cashless exercise program implemented by
the
Company in connection with the Plan, or (vi) any combination of the
foregoing methods of payment. In making its determination as to the type
of
consideration to accept, the Administrator shall consider if acceptance of
such
consideration may be reasonably expected to benefit the Company.
(d) Exercise
of Option.
(i) Procedure
for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder.
Any
Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms hereof
at
such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and
set
forth in the Award Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction
of a
Share.
An
Option
shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) written or
electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Award Agreement) from
the
person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the
Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with any
applicable withholding taxes). Full payment may consist of any consideration
and
method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Award
Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be
issued
in the name of the Participant or, if requested by the Participant, in the
name
of the Participant and his or her spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as
evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly
authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends
or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the Shares,
notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause
to
be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment
will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior
to
the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 16 of the
Plan.
Exercise
of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in the number of Shares
thereafter available for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as
to
which the Option is exercised.
(ii) Termination
of Relationship as a Service Provider.
If a
Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Participant’s
termination as the result of the Participant’s death or Disability, the
Participant may exercise his or her Option within thirty (30) days of
termination, or such longer period of time as is specified in the Award
Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination
(but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as
set
forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the
Award
Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for three (3) months following
the Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator,
if, on the date of termination, the Participant is not vested as to his or
her
entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall
revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Participant does not exercise
his
or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option
shall
terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the
Plan.
(iii) Disability
of Participant.
If a
Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participant’s
Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within six (6)
months
of termination, or such longer period of time as is specified in the Award
Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but
in
no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth
in
the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement,
the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the
Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if,
on the date of termination, the Participant is not vested as to his or her
entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall
revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Participant does not exercise
his
or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate,
and
the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.
(iv) Death
of Participant.
If a
Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised within
six (6) months following the Participant’s death, or within such longer period
of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option
is
vested on the date of death (but in no event may the Option be exercised
later
than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award
Agreement), by the Participant’s designated beneficiary, provided such
beneficiary has been designated prior to Participant’s death in a form
acceptable to the Administrator. If no such beneficiary has been designated
by
the Participant, then such Option may be exercised by the personal
representative of the Participant’s estate or by the person(s) to whom the
Option is transferred pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with
the laws of descent and distribution. In the absence of a specified time
in the
Award Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months
following the Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the
Administrator, if, at the time of death, the Participant is not vested as
to his
or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option
shall immediately revert to the Plan. If the Option is not so exercised within
the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered
by
such Option shall revert to the Plan.
9. Stock
Appreciation Rights.
(a) Grant
of Stock Appreciation Rights.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of the Plan, a Stock Appreciation Right may be
granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time as will be
determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.
(b) Number
of Shares.
The
Administrator will have complete discretion to determine the number of Stock
Appreciation Rights granted to any Participant, provided that during any
Fiscal
Year, no Participant will be granted Stock Appreciation Rights covering more
than 1,000,000 Shares.
Notwithstanding the limitation in the previous sentence, in connection with
his
or her initial service as an Employee, an Employee may be granted Stock
Appreciation Rights covering up to an additional 1,000,000 Shares.
(c) Exercise
Price and Other Terms.
The
Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, will have complete
discretion to determine the terms and conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights
granted under the Plan, provided, however, that the
exercise price will be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share
on
the date of grant.
(d) Stock
Appreciation Right Agreement.
Each
Stock Appreciation Right grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that
will
specify the exercise price, the term of the Stock Appreciation Right, the
conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the
Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.
(e) Expiration
of Stock Appreciation Rights.
A Stock
Appreciation Right granted under the Plan will expire upon the date determined
by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award
Agreement;
provided, however, that the term will be no more than ten (10) years from
the
date of grant thereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Section 8(d) also will apply to
Stock Appreciation Rights.
(f) Payment
of Stock Appreciation Right Amount.
Upon
exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant will be entitled to
receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by
multiplying:
(i) The
difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise
over
the exercise price; times
(ii) The
number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is
exercised.
At
the
discretion of the Administrator, the payment upon Stock Appreciation Right
exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination
thereof.
10. Restricted
Stock.
(a) Grant
of Restricted Stock.
Subject
to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and
from
time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Service Providers in
such
amounts as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will
determine.
(b) Restricted
Stock Agreement.
Each
Award of Restricted Stock will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will
specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such
other
terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will
determine. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, for restricted stock intended
to qualify as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section
162(m) of the Code, during
any Fiscal Year no Participant will receive more than an aggregate
of 1,000,000 Shares
of
Restricted Stock. Notwithstanding
the foregoing limitation, in connection with his or her initial service as
an
Employee, for restricted stock intended to qualify as “performance-based
compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, an Employee
may
be
granted an aggregate of up to an additional 1,000,000 Shares
of
Restricted Stock. Unless
the Administrator determines otherwise, Shares of Restricted Stock will be
held
by the Company as escrow agent until the restrictions on such Shares have
lapsed.
(c) Transferability.
Except
as provided in this Section 10, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold,
transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until
the
end of the applicable Period of Restriction.
(d) Other
Restrictions.
The
Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions
on
Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate.
(e) Removal
of Restrictions.
Except
as otherwise provided in this Section 10, Shares of Restricted Stock covered
by
each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan will be released from escrow
as
soon as practicable after the last day of the Period of Restriction.
The
Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any
restrictions will lapse or be removed.
(f) Voting
Rights.
During
the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted
Stock
granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares,
unless the Administrator determines otherwise.
(g) Dividends
and Other Distributions.
During
the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted
Stock
will be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with
respect to such Shares unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement.
If any
such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares will be subject
to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares
of
Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.
(h) Return
of Restricted Stock to Company.
On the
date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which
restrictions have not lapsed will revert to the Company and again will become
available for grant under the Plan.
(i) Section
162(m) Performance Restrictions.
For
purposes of qualifying grants of Restricted Stock as “performance-based
compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator, in its
discretion, may set restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance
Goals. The Performance Goals will be set by the Administrator on or before
the
Determination Date. In granting Restricted Stock which is intended to qualify
under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator will follow any
procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate
to
ensure qualification of the Award under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g.,
in determining the Performance Goals).
11. Restricted
Stock Units.
(a) Grant.
Restricted Stock Units may be granted at any time and from time to time as
determined by the Administrator. Each Restricted Stock Unit grant will be
evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify such other terms and
conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine,
including all terms, conditions, and restrictions related to the grant, the
number of Restricted Stock Units and the form of payout, which, subject to
Section 11(d), may be left to the discretion of the Administrator.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this subsection (a), for
Restricted Stock Units intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation”
within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, during any Fiscal Year
of the
Company, no Participant will receive more than an aggregate of 1,000,000
Restricted
Stock Units. Notwithstanding
the limitation in the previous sentence, for Restricted Stock Units intended
to
qualify as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m)
of the Code, in connection with his or her initial service as an Employee,
an
Employee may
be
granted an aggregate of up to an additional 1,000,000 Restricted
Stock Units.
(b) Vesting
Criteria and Other Terms.
The
Administrator will set vesting criteria in its discretion, which, depending
on
the extent to which the criteria are met, will determine the number of
Restricted Stock Units that will be paid out to the Participant. After
the
grant of Restricted Stock Units, the Administrator, in its sole discretion,
may
reduce or waive any restrictions for such Restricted Stock Units. Each
Award of Restricted Stock Units will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that
will specify the vesting criteria, and such other terms and conditions as
the
Administrator, in its sole discretion will determine. The Administrator,
in its
discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse
or be
removed.
(c) Earning
Restricted Stock Units.
Upon
meeting the applicable vesting criteria, the Participant will be entitled
to
receive a payout as specified in the Award Agreement.
(d) Form
and Timing of Payment.
Payment
of earned Restricted Stock Units will be made as soon as practicable after
the
date(s) set forth in the Award Agreement. The Administrator, in its sole
discretion, may pay earned Restricted Stock Units in cash, Shares, or a
combination thereof. Shares represented by Restricted Stock Units that are
fully
paid in cash again will be available for grant under the Plan.
(e) Cancellation.
On the
date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned Restricted Stock Units
will
be forfeited to the Company.
(f) Section
162(m) Performance Restrictions.
For
purposes of qualifying grants of Restricted Stock Units as “performance-based
compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator, in its
discretion, may set restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance
Goals. The Performance Goals will be set by the Administrator on or before
the
Determination Date. In granting Restricted Stock Units which are intended
to
qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator will follow any
procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate
to
ensure qualification of the Award under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g.,
in determining the Performance Goals).
12. Performance
Units and Performance Shares.
(a) Grant
of Performance Units/Shares.
Performance Units and Performance Shares may be granted to Service Providers
at
any time and from time to time, as will be determined by the Administrator,
in
its sole discretion. The Administrator will have complete discretion in
determining the number of Performance Units/Shares granted to each Participant
provided that during any Fiscal Year, for Performance Units or Performance
Shares intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” within the
meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, (i) no Participant will receive
Performance Units having an initial value greater than $10,000,000,
and
(ii) no Participant will receive more than 1,000,000 Performance
Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, for Performance Shares
intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of
Section 162(m) of the Code, in connection with his or her initial service,
a
Service Provider may be granted up to an additional 1,000,000 Performance
Shares.
(b) Value
of Performance Units/Shares.
Each
Performance Unit will have an initial value that is established by the
Administrator on or before the date of grant. Each Performance Share will
have
an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of
grant.
(c) Performance
Objectives and Other Terms.
The
Administrator will set performance objectives or other vesting provisions.
The
Administrator may set vesting criteria based upon the achievement of
Company-wide, business unit, or individual goals (including, but not limited
to,
continued employment), or any other basis determined by the Administrator
in its
discretion. Each Award of Performance Units/Shares will be evidenced by an
Award
Agreement that will specify the Performance Period, and such other terms
and
conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will
determine.
The
Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide at the time of or following
the date of grant for accelerated vesting for an Award of Performance
Units/Shares.
(d) Earning
of Performance Units/Shares.
After
the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance
Units/Shares will be entitled to receive a payout of the number of Performance
Units/Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be
determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance
objectives or other vesting provisions have been achieved. After
the
grant of a Performance Unit/Share, the Administrator, in its sole discretion,
may reduce or waive any performance objectives or other vesting provisions
for
such Performance Unit/Share.
(e) Form
and Timing of Payment of Performance Units/Shares.
Payment
of earned Performance Units/Shares will be made as soon as practicable after
the
expiration of the applicable Performance Period. The Administrator, in its
sole
discretion, may pay earned Performance Units/Shares in the form of cash,
in
Shares (which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the
earned Performance Units/Shares at the close of the applicable Performance
Period) or in a combination thereof.
(f) Cancellation
of Performance Units/Shares.
On the
date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned or unvested Performance
Units/Shares will be forfeited to the Company, and again will be available
for
grant under the Plan.
(g) Section
162(m) Performance Restrictions.
For
purposes of qualifying grants of Performance Units/Shares as “performance-based
compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator, in its
discretion, may set restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance
Goals. The Performance Goals will be set by the Administrator on or before
the
Determination Date. In granting Performance Units/Shares which are intended
to
qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator will follow any
procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate
to
ensure qualification of the Award under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g.,
in determining the Performance Goals).
13. Performance-Based
Compensation Under Code Section 162(m).
(a) General.
If the
Administrator, in its discretion, decides to grant an Award intended to qualify
as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m), the provisions of
this Section 13 will control over any contrary provision in the Plan; provided,
however, that the Administrator may in its discretion grant Awards that are
not
intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of
the Code to such Participants that are based on Performance Goals or other
specific criteria or goals but that do not satisfy the requirements of this
Section 13.
(b) Performance
Goals. The granting and/or vesting of Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted
Stock Units, Performance Shares and Performance Units and other incentives
under
the Plan may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals relating
to
one or more business criteria within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and
may
provide for a targeted level or levels of achievement (“Performance
Goals”) including (i) annual revenue, (ii) cash collections, (iii)
earnings per Share, (iv) net income, (v) new orders, (vi) operating cash
flow,
(vii) operating income, (viii) pro forma net income, (ix) product
shipments, (x) profit after taxes, (xi) profit before taxes,
(xii) return on assets, (xiii) return on equity, (xiv) return on
sales, (xv) revenue, (xvi) total shareholder return, (xvii)
capital market activity, and (xviii) debt to equity ratio. Any Performance
Goals
may be used to measure the performance of the Company as a whole or a business
unit of the Company and may be measured relative to a peer group or index.
The
Performance Goals may differ from Participant to Participant and from Award
to
Award. Prior to the Determination Date, the Administrator will determine
whether
any significant element(s) will be included in or excluded from the calculation
of any Performance Goal with respect to any Participant.
(c) Procedures.
To the
extent necessary to comply with the performance-based compensation provisions
of
Code Section 162(m), with respect to any Award granted subject to Performance
Goals, within the first twenty-five percent (25%) of the Performance Period,
but
in no event more than ninety (90) days following the commencement of any
Performance Period (or such other time as may be required or permitted by
Code
Section 162(m)), the Administrator will, in writing, (i) designate one or
more
Participants to whom an Award will be made, (ii) select the Performance Goals
applicable to the Performance Period, (iii) establish the Performance Goals,
and
amounts of such Awards, as applicable, which may be earned for such Performance
Period, and (iv) specify the relationship between Performance Goals and the
amounts of such Awards, as applicable, to be earned by each Participant for
such
Performance Period. Following the completion of each Performance Period,
the
Administrator will certify in writing whether the applicable Performance
Goals
have been achieved for such Performance Period. In determining the amounts
earned by a Participant, the Administrator will have the right to reduce
or
eliminate (but not to increase) the amount payable at a given level of
performance to take into account additional factors that the Administrator
may
deem relevant to the assessment of individual or corporate performance for
the
Performance Period. A Participant will be eligible to receive payment pursuant
to an Award for a Performance Period only if the Performance Goals for such
period are achieved.
(d) Additional
Limitations.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, any Award which is granted
to a
Participant and is intended to constitute qualified performance based
compensation under Code Section 162(m) will be subject to any additional
limitations set forth in the Code (including any amendment to Section 162(m))
or
any regulations and ruling issued thereunder that are requirements for
qualification as qualified performance-based compensation as described in
Section 162(m) of the Code, and the Plan will be deemed amended to the extent
necessary to conform to such requirements.
14. Leaves
of Absence.
Unless
the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Awards granted hereunder
will
be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence. A Service Provider will
not
cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by
the Company, or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between
the Company, its Parent, or any Subsidiary. For purposes of Incentive Stock
Options, no such leave may exceed three (3) months, unless reemployment upon
expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment
upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so
guaranteed, then six (6) months and one (1) day following the commencement
of
such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant will cease
to be
treated as an Incentive Stock Option and will be treated for tax purposes
as a
Nonstatutory Stock Option.
15. Transferability
of Awards.
Unless
determined otherwise by the Administrator, Awards may not be sold, pledged,
assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than
by
will or the laws of descent and distribution, and may be exercised during
the
lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant. If the Administrator
makes
an Award transferable, such Award may only be transferred (i) by will, (ii)
by
the laws of descent and distribution, (iii) to a revocable trust, or (iii)
as
permitted by Rule 701 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
16. Adjustments;
Dissolution or Liquidation; Merger or Change in Control.
(a) Adjustments.
In the
event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash,
Shares, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split,
reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off,
combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the
Company, or other change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting
the
Shares occurs, the Administrator, in order to prevent diminution or enlargement
of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under
the
Plan, shall adjust the number and class of Shares that may be delivered under
the Plan and/or the number, class, price of Shares covered by each outstanding
Award, and
the
numerical Share limits set forth in Sections 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, and
12.
(b) Dissolution
or Liquidation.
In the
event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the
Administrator shall notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior
to the
effective date of such proposed transaction. To the extent it has not been
previously exercised, an Option or Stock Purchase Right will terminate
immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.
(c) Merger
or Change in Control.
In the
event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or a Change
in Control, each outstanding Award shall be assumed or an equivalent option
substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the
successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation in a merger
or Change in Control refuses to assume or substitute for the Award, then
the
Participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise all of his
or her
outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, including Shares as to
which
such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions
on
Restricted Stock will lapse, and, with respect to Restricted Stock Units,
Performance Shares and Performance Units, all Performance Goals or other
vesting
criteria will be deemed achieved at target levels and all other terms and
conditions met. In addition, if an Option or Stock Appreciation Right is
not
assumed or substituted for in the event of a Change in Control, the
Administrator will notify the Participant in writing or electronically that
the
Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be fully vested and exercisable for
fifteen (15) days, and the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will terminate
upon the expiration of such period.
For
the
purposes of this Section 16(c), an Award will be considered assumed if,
following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to purchase
or
receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change
in
Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or
property) or, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right upon the exercise
of
which the Administrator determines to pay cash or a Performance Share or
Performance Unit which the Administrator can determine to pay in cash, the
fair
market value of the consideration received in the merger or Change in Control
by
holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the
transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type
of
consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares);
provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Change in Control
is not solely common stock of the Successor Corporation, the Administrator
may,
with the consent of the Successor Corporation, provide for the consideration
to
be received upon the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or
upon
the payout of a Performance Share or Performance Unit, for each Share subject
to
such Award (or in the case of Performance Units, the number of implied shares
determined by dividing the value of the Performance Units by the per share
consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control),
to
be solely common stock of the Successor Corporation equal in fair market
value
to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the
Change
in Control.
Notwithstanding
anything in this Section 16(c) to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned
or paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more Performance Goals will not
be
considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of such
Performance Goals without the Participant’s consent; provided, however, a
modification to such Performance Goals only to reflect the Successor
Corporation’s post-Change in Control corporate structure will not be deemed to
invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption.
17. Time
of Granting Awards.
The
date of grant of an Award shall, for all purposes, be the date on which the
Administrator makes the determination granting such Award, or such later
date as
is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination shall be
given
to each Service Provider to whom an Award is so granted within a reasonable
time
after the date of such grant.
18. Amendment
and Termination of the Plan.
(a) Amendment
and Termination.
The
Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.
(b) Stockholder
Approval.
The
Board shall obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent
necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws.
(c) Effect
of Amendment or Termination.
No
amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair
the
rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the
Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and
signed
by the Participant and the Company. Termination of the Plan shall not affect
the
Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with
respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such
termination.
19. Tax
Withholding
(a) Withholding
Requirements.
Prior
to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise
thereof), the Company will have the power and the right to deduct or withhold,
or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to
satisfy federal, state, local, foreign or other taxes (including the
Participant’s FICA obligation) required to be withheld with respect to such
Award (or exercise thereof).
(b) Withholding
Arrangements.
The
Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as
it may
specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such tax
withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (without limitation) (i) paying
cash, (ii) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable cash
or Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required
to be
withheld, (iii) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair
Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld, or (iv) selling a
sufficient number of Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant through
such means as the Administrator may determine in its sole discretion (whether
through a broker or otherwise) equal to the amount required to be withheld.
The
amount of the withholding requirement will be deemed to include any amount
which
the Administrator agrees may be withheld at the time the election is made,
not
to exceed the amount determined by using the maximum federal, state or local
marginal income tax rates applicable to the Participant with respect to the
Award on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined.
The
Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered will be determined
as of the date that the taxes are required to be withheld.
20. Conditions
Upon Issuance of Shares.
(a) Legal
Compliance.
Shares
shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise
of
such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with
Applicable Laws and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for
the
Company with respect to such compliance.
(b) Investment
Representations.
As a
condition to the exercise of an Award, the Administrator may require the
person
exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise
that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present
intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel
for
the Company, such a representation is required.
21. No
Effect on Employment or Service.
Neither
the Plan nor any Award will confer upon a Participant any right with respect
to
continuing the Participant’s relationship as a Service Provider with the
Company, nor will they interfere in any way with the Participant’s right or the
Company’s right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without
cause, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.
22. Inability
to Obtain Authority.
The
inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having
jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary
to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the
Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such
Shares
as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
23. Reservation
of Shares.
The
Company, during the term of this Plan, shall at all times reserve and keep
available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the
requirements of the Plan.
24. Stockholder
Approval.
The
Plan shall be subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company within
twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted. Such stockholder approval
shall be obtained in the degree and manner required under Applicable
Laws.
AE
BIOFUELS, INC.
2007
STOCK PLAN
STOCK
OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT
Unless
otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the 2007 Stock Plan (the “Plan”)
shall have the same defined meanings in this Stock Option Award Agreement
(the
“Award Agreement”).
I. NOTICE
OF STOCK OPTION GRANT
Name:
Address:
The
undersigned Participant has been granted an Option to purchase Common Stock
of
the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award
Agreement, as follows:
Date
of
Grant
_____________________________________________________
Vesting
Commencement
Date
_____________________________________________________
Exercise
Price per
Share
$_____________________________________________________
Total
Number of Shares
Granted
_____________________________________________________
Total
Exercise
Price
$_____________________________________________________
Type
of
Option:
___
Incentive
Stock Option
___
Nonstatutory
Stock Option
Term/Expiration
Date: _____________________________________________________
Vesting
Schedule:
Subject
to any acceleration provisions contained in the Plan or set forth below,
this
Option shall be exercisable, in whole or in part, according to the following
vesting schedule:
[25%
of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest on the one (1) year anniversary
of the Vesting Commencement Date, and 1/48 of the Option shall vest each
month
thereafter, subject to Participant continuing to be a Service Provider through
such dates.]
Termination
Period:
This
Option shall be exercisable for [three
(3) months]
after
Participant ceases to be a Service Provider. Upon Participant’s death or
Disability, this Option may be exercised for [one
(1) year] after
Participant ceases to be a Service Provider. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in no event may this Option be exercised after the
Term/Expiration Date as provided above and may be subject to earlier termination
as provided in Section 16(c) of the Plan.
II. AGREEMENT
1. Grant
of Option.
The
Plan Administrator of the Company hereby grants to the Participant named
in the
Notice of Grant (the “Participant”), an option (the “Option”) to purchase the
number of Shares set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price
per
Share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the “Exercise Price”), and subject to
the terms and conditions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Subject to Section 18(c) of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between
the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award Agreement, the terms
and
conditions of the Plan shall prevail.
If
designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option (“ISO”), this
Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as defined in
Section 422 of the Code. Nevertheless, to the extent that it exceeds the
$100,000 rule of Code Section 422(d), this Option shall be treated as a
Nonstatutory Stock Option (“NSO”).
2. Exercise
of Option.
(a) Right
to Exercise.
This
Option shall be exercisable during its term in accordance with the Vesting
Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and with the applicable provisions
of
the Plan and this Award Agreement.
(b) Method
of Exercise.
This
Option shall be exercisable by delivery of an exercise notice in the form
attached as Exhibit A
(the
“Exercise Notice”) which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the
number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised, and
such
other representations and agreements as may be required by the Company. The
Exercise Notice shall be accompanied by payment of the aggregate Exercise
Price
as to all Exercised Shares. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon
receipt by the Company of such fully executed Exercise Notice accompanied
by the
aggregate Exercise Price.
No
Shares
shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless such issuance
and
such exercise complies with Applicable Laws. Assuming such compliance, for
income tax purposes the Shares shall be considered transferred to the
Participant on the date on which the Option is exercised with respect to
such
Shares.
3. Method
of Payment.
Payment
of the aggregate Exercise Price shall be by any of the following, or a
combination thereof, at the election of the Participant:
(a) cash
or
check;
(b) consideration
received by the Company under a formal cashless exercise program adopted
by the
Company in connection with the Plan; or
(c) surrender
of other Shares which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal
to
the aggregate Exercise Price of the Exercised Shares, provided that accepting
such Shares, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, will not result
in any
adverse accounting consequences to the Company.
4. Restrictions
on Exercise.
This
Option may not be exercised until such time as the Plan has been approved
by the
stockholders of the Company, or if the issuance of such Shares upon such
exercise or the method of payment of consideration for such shares would
constitute a violation of any Applicable Law.
5. Non-Transferability
of Option.
This
Option may not be transferred in any manner otherwise than by will or by
the
laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime
of
Participant only by Participant. The terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement
shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and
assigns of the Participant.
6. Term
of Option.
This
Option may be exercised only within the term set out in the Notice of Grant,
and
may be exercised during such term only in accordance with the Plan and the
terms
of this Option.
7. Tax
Obligations.
(a) Withholding
Taxes.
Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Award Agreement, no certificate
representing the Shares will be issued to Participant, unless and until
satisfactory arrangements (as determined by the Administrator) will have
been
made by Participant with respect to the payment of income, employment and
other
taxes which the Company determines must be withheld with respect to such
Shares.
To the extent determined appropriate by the Company in its discretion, it
will
have the right (but not the obligation) to satisfy any tax withholding
obligations by reducing the number of Shares otherwise deliverable to
Participant. If Participant fails to make satisfactory arrangements for the
payment of any required tax withholding obligations hereunder at the time
of the
Option exercise, Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company may
refuse
to honor the exercise and refuse to deliver Shares if such withholding amounts
are not delivered at the time of exercise.
(b) Notice
of Disqualifying Disposition of ISO Shares.
If the
Option granted to Participant herein is an ISO, and if Participant sells
or
otherwise disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to the ISO on or
before the later of (1) the date two years after the Date of Grant, or
(2) the date one year after the date of exercise, the Participant shall
immediately notify the Company in writing of such disposition. Participant
agrees that Participant may be subject to income tax withholding by the Company
on the compensation income recognized by the Participant.
(c) Code
Section 409A.
Under
Code Section 409A, an option that vests after December 31, 2004 that was
granted
with a per Share exercise price that is determined by the Internal Revenue
Service (the “IRS”) to be less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date
of grant (a “Discount Option”) may be considered “deferred compensation.” A
Discount Option may result in (i) income recognition by Participant prior
to the
exercise of the Discount Option, (ii) an additional twenty percent (20%)
federal
income tax, and (iii) potential penalty and interest charges. The Discount
Option may also result in additional state income, penalty and interest charges
to the Participant. Participant acknowledges that the Company cannot and
has not
guaranteed that the IRS will agree that the per Share exercise price of this
Option equals or exceeds the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Date of
Grant
in a later examination. Participant agrees that if the IRS determines that
the
Option was granted with a per Share exercise price that was less than the
Fair
Market Value of a Share on the date of grant, Participant will be solely
responsible for Participant’s costs related to such a
determination.
8. Entire
Agreement; Governing Law.
The
Plan is incorporated herein by reference. The Plan and this Award Agreement
constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and
agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter
hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Participant’s interest except
by means of a writing signed by the Company and Participant. This agreement
is
governed by the internal substantive laws but not the choice of law rules
of
[STATE].
9. No
Guarantee of Continued Service.
PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO
THE
VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A SERVICE PROVIDER
AT
THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (OR THE PARENT OR SUBSIDIARY EMPLOYING OR RETAINING
PARTICIPANT) AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THE OPTION
OR
ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER. PARTICIPANT FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT
THIS AWARD AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING
SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE
OF
CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY
PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND WILL NOT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH PARTICIPANT’S RIGHT OR
THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY (OR THE PARENT OR SUBSIDIARY EMPLOYING OR RETAINING
PARTICIPANT) TO TERMINATE PARTICIPANT’S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT
ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.
Participant
acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he or she
is
familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Option
subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Participant has reviewed
the
Plan and this Option in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain
the
advice of counsel prior to executing this Option and fully understands all
provisions of the Option. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding,
conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator
upon
any questions arising under the Plan or this Option. Participant further
agrees
to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated
below.
PARTICIPANT |
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EXHIBIT
A
2007
STOCK PLAN
EXERCISE
NOTICE
AE
BIOFUELS, INC.
Address:______________
Attention:
_____________
1. Exercise
of Option.
Effective as of today, _____________, _____, the undersigned (“Participant”)
hereby elects to exercise Participant’s option to purchase _________ shares of
the Common Stock (the “Shares”) of AE Biofuels, Inc. (the
“Company”) under and pursuant to the 2007 Stock Plan (the “Plan”) and the
Stock Option Award Agreement dated ____________, ____ (the “Award
Agreement”).
2. Delivery
of Payment.
Participant herewith delivers to the Company the full purchase price of the
Shares, as set forth in the Award Agreement, and any and all withholding
taxes
due in connection with the exercise of the Option.
3. Representations
of Participant.
Participant acknowledges that Participant has received, read and understood
the
Plan and the Award Agreement and agrees to abide by and be bound by their
terms
and conditions.
4. Rights
as Stockholder.
Until
the issuance of the Shares (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the
books
of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no
right
to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist
with respect to the Shares subject to the Option, notwithstanding the exercise
of the Option. The Shares shall be issued to the Participant as soon as
practicable after the Option is exercised in accordance with the Award
Agreement. No adjustment shall be made for a dividend or other right for
which
the record date is prior to the date of issuance except as provided in
Section 16 of the Plan.
5. Tax
Consultation.
Participant understands that Participant may suffer adverse tax consequences
as
a result of Participant’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Participant
represents that Participant has consulted with any tax consultants Participant
deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares
and
that Participant is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.
6. Successors
and Assigns.
The
Company may assign any of its rights under this Exercise Notice to single
or
multiple assignees, and this Exercise Notice shall inure to the benefit of
the
successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer
herein set forth, this Exercise Notice shall be binding upon Participant
and his
or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
7. Interpretation.
Any
dispute regarding the interpretation of this Exercise Notice shall be submitted
by Participant or by the Company forthwith to the Administrator which shall
review such dispute at its next regular meeting. The resolution of such a
dispute by the Administrator shall be final and binding on all
parties.
8. Governing
Law; Severability.
This
Exercise Notice is governed by the internal substantive laws but not the
choice
of law rules, of [STATE].
In the
event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Award Agreement will
continue in full force and effect.
9. Entire
Agreement.
The
Plan and Award Agreement are incorporated herein by reference. This Exercise
Notice, the Plan, and the Award Agreement constitute the entire agreement
of the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their
entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant
with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely
to
the Participant’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company
and Participant.
Submitted by:
PARTICIPANT
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