-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, SFjWZ3Ycd0yCDdqh1u+Jc/hQNz/Ot1G16nkxzPewolSgIea6PZ7m62ji8vU9A0n+ WZA6A7h1fGjoIlo681UPiw== 0001193125-07-154315.txt : 20070713 0001193125-07-154315.hdr.sgml : 20070713 20070712200954 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-07-154315 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20070709 ITEM INFORMATION: Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20070713 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20070712 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: PLUG POWER INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001093691 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIAL APPARATUS [3620] IRS NUMBER: 223672377 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-27527 FILM NUMBER: 07977420 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 968 ALBANY-SHAKER ROAD CITY: LATHAM STATE: NY ZIP: 12110 BUSINESS PHONE: 5187827700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 968 ALBANY-SHAKER ROAD CITY: LATHAM STATE: NY ZIP: 12110 8-K 1 d8k.htm FORM 8-K Form 8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 8-K

 


CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 9, 2007

 


PLUG POWER INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 


 

Delaware   0-27527   22-3672377

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)  

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

968 Albany-Shaker Road, Latham, New York 12110

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(518) 782-7700

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 



Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Effective July 9, 2007, the Board of Directors of Plug Power Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Gerard A. Anderson as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Previously, Mr. Anderson, 50, was the Executive Treasurer and Director of Finance of Intermagnetics General Corporation, a leading independent developer, manufacturer and marketer of cutting edge technology to advance magnetic resonance imaging and patient care. In those positions, Mr. Anderson was responsible for the company’s finance, treasury and risk management and business valuations functions. From September 2001 through 2002, Mr. Anderson served as Chief Financial officer of J. Management Company, a venture capital company with six operating subsidiaries. In that position, Mr. Anderson was responsible for the company’s finance operations, controllership, merger and acquisition and treasury functions, and he was a member of the executive team responsible for setting then strategic direction of the company.

Mr. David Waldek, previously the Company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer, will remain with the Company as Vice President of Finance.

The Company has agreed to pay Mr. Anderson an annual base salary of $225,000 and award him an annual bonus of up to thirty percent (30%) of his annual base salary.

In connection with the hiring of Mr. Anderson, the Company will enter into two severance agreements with Mr. Anderson. The first severance agreement provides that, among other things, if the Company terminates his employment (a “Terminating Event”), he will be entitled to (1) receive a lump sum payment equal to the sum of (i) his annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the Terminating Event and (ii) his annual bonus for the fiscal year immediately prior to the Terminating Event, and (2) accelerate vesting in his options by twelve (12) months following the Terminating Event. This agreement terminates upon a change of control of the Company. The second severance agreement provides that, among other things, if a Terminating Event occurs within twelve (12) months after a change in control of the Company, Mr. Anderson will be entitled to (1) receive a lump sum payment equal to the sum of (i) his average annual base salary over the three fiscal years prior to the Terminating Event and (ii) his average annual bonus over the three fiscal years prior to the change in control, (2) accelerate vesting in his options for twelve (12) months following the Terminating Event, and (3) receive benefits, including health, dental and life insurance for twelve (12) months following the Terminating Event. The foregoing summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the copies of the Severance Agreements, which are attached as Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

In addition, in connection with the hiring of Mr. Anderson, the Company and Mr. Anderson entered into a Non-Qualified Stock Agreement (the “Stock Option Agreement”) under the Company’s 1999 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), pursuant to which the Company granted Mr. Anderson options to purchase 45,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.33 per share, equal to the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant. The Stock Option Agreement provides that the shares vest one-third (1/3) immediately and one-third (1/3) on each of July 9, 2008 and 2009, so long as Mr. Anderson’s employment with the Company is not terminated prior to such dates. The Stock Option Agreement is substantially in the form filed by the Company as Exhibit 10.15 to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on August 9, 2006.


Also in connection with the hiring of Mr. Anderson, the Company and Mr. Anderson entered into a Restricted Stock Agreement (the “Restricted Stock Agreement”) under the Plan, pursuant to which the Company granted to Mr. Anderson 20,000 restricted shares of common stock of the Company. The restrictions with respect to these shares will lapse with respect to one-third (1/3) of such shares on each of July 9, 2008, 2009 and 2010, so long as Mr. Anderson’s employment with the Company is not terminated prior to such dates. The Restricted Stock Agreement is substantially in the form filed by the Company as Exhibit 10.17 to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on August 9, 2006.

Finally, in connection with the hiring of Mr. Anderson, the Company entered into an indemnification agreement with Mr. Anderson. The indemnification agreement requires, among other matters, that the Company indemnify Mr. Anderson to the fullest extent permitted by law and advance to Mr. Anderson all related expenses, subject to reimbursement if it is subsequently determined that indemnification is not permitted. Under this agreement, the Company must also indemnify and advance all expenses incurred by Mr. Anderson in seeking to enforce his rights under the indemnification agreement and may cover Mr. Anderson under directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. Although the form of indemnification agreement offers substantially the same scope of coverage afforded by law, it provides additional assurance to Mr. Anderson that indemnification will be available because, as a contract, it cannot be modified unilaterally in the future by the Company’s Board of Directors or its stockholders to eliminate the rights it provides. The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the copy of the Indemnification Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Title

99.1   Severance Agreement, dated as of July 9, 2007, by and between Gerard A. Anderson and Plug Power Inc.
99.2   Executive Severance Agreement, dated as of July 9, 2007, by and between Gerard A. Anderson and Plug Power Inc.
99.3   Indemnification Agreement, dated as of June 4, 2007, by and between Gerard A. Anderson and Plug Power Inc.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  PLUG POWER INC.
Date: July 12, 2007   By:  

/s/ Roger B. Saillant

    Roger B. Saillant
    Chief Executive Officer
EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm SEVERANCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN GERARD A. ANDERSON AND PLUG POWER INC. Severance Agreement between Gerard A. Anderson and Plug Power Inc.

Exhibit 99.1

SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT made as of July 12, 2007 by and between Plug Power Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Latham, New York (the “Company”), and Gerald A. Anderson (the “Executive”).

WHEREAS, as an inducement to the Executive to accept employment as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, the Company has agreed to provide the Executive with certain severance benefits on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

1. Terminating Event. A “Terminating Event” shall mean a termination by the Company of the employment of the Executive with the Company for any reason other than (i) a willful act of dishonesty by the Executive with respect to any matter involving the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate, or (ii) conviction of the Executive of a crime involving moral turpitude, or (iii) the gross or willful failure by the Executive to substantially perform the Executive’s duties with the Company, which failure is not cured within thirty (30) days after a written demand for substantial performance is received by the Executive from the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive’s duties, or (iv) the failure by the Executive to perform his full-time duties with the Company by reason of his death or Disability. For purposes of clauses (i) and (iii) of this Section 1(a), no act, or failure to act, on the Executive’s part shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive without reasonable belief that the Executive’s act, or failure to act, was in the best interests of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness which has caused the Executive to be absent from the full-time performance of his duties with the Company for a period of six (6) consecutive months if the Company shall have given the Executive a Notice of Termination and, within thirty (30) days after such Notice of Termination is given, the Executive shall not have returned to the full-time performance of his duties.

2. Severance Payment. In the event that a Terminating Event occurs during the term of this Agreement, then

(a) the Company shall pay to the Executive an amount equal to the sum of (A) 1.0 times the Executive’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the Terminating Event, plus (B) 1.0 times the Executive’s annual bonus for the fiscal year immediately prior to the Terminating Event, payable in one lump-sum payment no later than five (5) days following the Date of Termination; and

(b) all unvested equity awards (including options to acquire the Company’s common stock and restricted stock awards for shares of the Company’s common stock) held by the Executive shall accelerate vesting by one year; and


(c) the Company shall pay to the Executive all reasonable legal and arbitration fees and expenses incurred by the Executive in obtaining or enforcing any right or benefit provided by this Agreement, except in cases involving frivolous or bad faith litigation.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at the time of the Executive’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) with the Company the Executive is a “specified employee” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code), then the Company will defer the payment of any amounts due hereunder (without any reduction in such amounts ultimately paid or provided to the Executive) to the extent they constitute “deferred compensation” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) until the date that is six months following the Executive’s “separation from service.”

3. Term. This Agreement shall take effect on the date first set forth above and shall terminate upon the earlier of (a) the termination by the Company of the employment of the Executive because of (i) a willful act of dishonesty by the Executive with respect to any matter involving the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate, or (ii) conviction of the Executive of a crime involving moral turpitude, or (iii) the gross or willful failure by the Executive to substantially perform the Executive’s duties with the Company, which failure is not cured within thirty (30) days after a written demand for substantial performance is received by the Executive from the Board which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive’s duties, or (iv) the failure by the Executive to perform his full-time duties with the Company by reason of his death or Disability, or (b) immediately prior to a Change in Control (as defined in the Executive Severance Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and between the Company and the Executive (the “Executive Severance Agreement”)).

4. Withholding. All payments made by the Company under this Agreement shall be net of any tax or other amounts required to be withheld by the Company under applicable law.

5. Notice and Date of Termination; Disputes; Etc.

(a) Notice of Termination. During the term of this Agreement, any purported termination of the Executive’s employment (other than by reason of death) shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination from one party hereto to the other party hereto in accordance with this Section 5. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and the Date of Termination. Further, a Notice of Termination pursuant to one or more of clauses (i) through (iii) of Section 1(a) hereof is required to include a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board (after reasonable notice to the Executive and an opportunity for the Executive, accompanied by the Executive’s counsel, to be heard before the Board) finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the termination met the criteria set forth in one or more of clauses (i) through (iii) of Section 1(a) hereof.


(b) Date of Termination. “Date of Termination”, with respect to any purported termination of the Executive’s employment during the term of this Agreement, shall mean (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for Disability, thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is given (provided that the Executive shall not have returned to the full-time performance of the Executive’s duties during such 30-day period) and (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the event that the Executive gives a Notice of Termination to the Company, the Company may unilaterally accelerate the Date of Termination and such acceleration shall not result in a Terminating Event for purposes of this Agreement.

(c) No Mitigation. The Company agrees that, if the Executive’s employment by the Company is terminated during the term of this Agreement, the Executive is not required to seek other employment or to attempt in any way to reduce any amounts payable to the Executive by the Company pursuant to Sections 2(a) and (b) hereof. Further, the amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement shall not be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as the result of employment by another employer, by retirement benefits, by offset against any amount claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company or otherwise.

(d) Settlement and Arbitration of Disputes. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach thereof shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in accordance with the laws of the state of New York by three arbitrators, one of whom shall be appointed by the Company, one by the Executive and the third by the first two arbitrators. If the first two arbitrators cannot agree on the appointment of a third arbitrator, then the third arbitrator shall be appointed by the American Arbitration Association in the City of Albany. Such arbitration shall be conducted in the City of Albany in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association for commercial arbitrations, except with respect to the selection of arbitrators which shall be as provided in this Section 5(d). Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

6. Successor to Executive. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. In the event of the Executive’s death after a Terminating Event but prior to the completion by the Company of all payments due him under Section 2(a) and (b) of this Agreement, the Company shall continue such payments to the Executive’s beneficiary designated in writing to the Company prior to his death (or to his estate, if the Executive fails to make such designation).

7. Enforceability. If any portion or provision of this Agreement shall to any extent be declared illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such portion or provision in circumstances other than those as to which it is so declared illegal or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each portion and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.


8. Waiver. No waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by the waiving party. The failure of any party to require the performance of any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the waiver by any party of any breach of this Agreement, shall not prevent any subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach.

9. Notices. Any notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and delivered in person or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Executive at the last address the Executive has filed in writing with the Company, or to the Company at its main office, attention of the Board of Directors.

10. Effect on Other Plans. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to limit the rights of the Executive under the Company’s benefit plans, programs or policies except (a) as otherwise provided herein, (b) that the Executive shall have no rights to any severance benefits under any severance pay plan and (c) the Executive shall not be entitled to severance under this Agreement in connection with a specific termination of employment if Executive is receiving severance under the Executive Severance Agreement in respect of such termination.

11. No Offset. The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without limitation, any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the Company or any of its affiliates may have against the Executive or others whether by reason of the Executive’s breach of this Agreement, subsequent employment of the Executive, or otherwise.

12. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes in all respects all prior agreements between the parties concerning such subject matter.

13. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument signed by the Executive and by a duly authorized representative of the Company.

14. Governing Law. This is a New York contract and shall be construed under and be governed in all respects by the laws of the state of New York.

15. Confidential Information. The Executive shall never use, publish or disclose in a manner adverse to the Company’s interests, any proprietary or confidential information relating to (a) the business, operations or properties of the Company or any subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company, or (b) any materials, processes, business practices, technology, know-how, research, programs, customer lists, customer requirements or other information used in the manufacture, sale or marketing of any of the respective products or services of the Company or any subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company; provided, however, that no breach or alleged breach of this Section 15 shall entitle the Company to fail to comply fully and in a timely manner with any other


provision hereof. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the Company from seeking money damages, or equitable relief by injunction or otherwise without the necessity of proving actual damage to the Company, for any breach by the Executive hereunder.

[Remainder of page left blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as a sealed instrument by the Company by its duly authorized officer, and by the Executive, as of the date first above written.

 

PLUG POWER INC.
By:  

 

  Roger B. Saillant
  Chief Executive Officer

 

Gerald A. Anderson
EX-99.2 3 dex992.htm EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN GERARD A. ANDERSON AND PLUG POWER INC. Executive Severance Agreement between Gerard A. Anderson and Plug Power Inc.

Exhibit 99.2

EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT made as of this 9th day of July, 2007 by and between Plug Power Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Latham, New York (the “Company”), and Gerald A. Anderson (the “Executive”).

1. Purpose. The Company considers it essential to the best interests of its stockholders to promote and preserve the continuous employment of key management personnel. The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) recognizes, however, that, as is the case with many publicly held corporations, the possibility of a Change in Control (as defined in Section 2 hereof) exists and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and questions which it may raise among management, may result in the departure or distraction of management personnel to the detriment of the Company and its stockholders. Therefore, the Board has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of members of the Company’s management, including the Executive, to their assigned duties without distraction in the face of potentially disturbing circumstances arising from the possibility of a Change in Control. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as creating an express or implied contract of employment and, except as otherwise agreed in writing between the Executive and the Company, the Executive shall not have any right to be retained in the employ of the Company.

2. Change in Control. A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred in any one of the following events:

(a) any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, any trustee, fiduciary or other person or entity holding securities under any employee benefit plan or trust of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or, subject to the consummation of the transactions described in that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 10, 2006, by and between the Company and Smart Hydrogen Inc., a BVI Business Company (“Smart Hydrogen”), as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”), Smart Hydrogen and any Permitted Transferee (as defined in the Certificate of Designations of Class B Capital Stock attached as Exhibit A to the Stock Purchase Agreement, as the same is filed with the Delaware Secretary of State and may be amended from time to time (the “Class B Certificate of Designations”)), together with all Affiliates and Associates (as such terms are hereinafter defined) of such person, shall become the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 25% or more of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Stock”) (other than as a result of an acquisition of securities directly from the Company); or

(b) persons who, as of the effective date of this Agreement (the “Effective Date”), constitute the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason, including, without limitation, as a result of a tender


offer, proxy contest, merger or similar transaction, to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any person becoming a director of the Company subsequent to the Effective Date shall be considered an Incumbent Director if such person’s election was approved by or such person was nominated for election by either (i) a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors or (ii) a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors who are members of a nominating committee comprised, in the majority, of Incumbent Directors; but provided further, that any such person whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of members of the Board of Directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board, including by reason of agreement intended to avoid or settle any such actual or threatened contest or solicitation, shall not be considered an Incumbent Director; or

(c) Upon (A) the consummation of any consolidation or merger of the Company where the shareholders of the Company, immediately prior to the consolidation or merger, did not, immediately after the consolidation or merger, beneficially own (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, shares representing in the aggregate more than 50% of the voting shares of the corporation issuing cash or securities in the consolidation or merger (or of its ultimate parent corporation, if any), (B) the consummation of any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of transactions contemplated or arranged by any party as a single plan) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or (C) the completion of a liquidation or dissolution that has been approved by the stockholders of the Company; or

(d) Smart Hydrogen or any Permitted Transferee (as defined in the Class B Certificate of Designations), together with all Affiliates and Associates (as such terms are hereinafter defined) of such person, shall become the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the then outstanding Stock (other than as a result of an acquisition of securities directly from the Company).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the foregoing clauses (a) or (d) solely as the result of an acquisition of securities by the Company which, by reducing the number of shares of Stock outstanding, increases the proportionate number of shares of Stock beneficially owned by any person to 25% or more (or 50% or more in the case of clause (d)) of the shares of Stock then outstanding; provided, however, that if any such person shall at any time following such acquisition of securities by the Company become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of Stock (other than pursuant to a stock split, stock dividend, or similar transaction) and such person immediately thereafter is the beneficial owner of 25% or more (or 50% or more in the case of clause (d)) of the shares of Stock then outstanding, then a “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the foregoing clause (a) or (d), as applicable.

(e) For purposes of this Agreement, “Affiliate” and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act,


as in effect on the date of this Agreement; provided, however, that no person who is a director or officer of the Company shall be deemed an Affiliate or an Associate of any other director or officer of the Company solely as a result of his position as director or officer of the Company.

3. Terminating Event. A “Terminating Event” shall mean any of the events provided in this Section 3 occurring subsequent to a Change in Control as defined in Section 2:

(a) termination by the Company of the employment of the Executive with the Company for any reason other than (A) a willful act of dishonesty by the Executive with respect to any matter involving the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate, or (B) conviction of the Executive of a crime involving moral turpitude, or (C) the gross or willful failure by the Executive to substantially perform the Executive’s duties with the Company (other than any such failure after the Executive gives notice of termination for “Good Reason”), which failure is not cured within 30 days after a written demand for substantial performance is received by the Executive from the Board of Directors of the Company which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board of Directors believes the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive’s duties, or (D) the failure by the Executive to perform his full-time duties with the Company by reason of his death or disability; provided, however, that a Terminating Event shall not be deemed to have occurred pursuant to this Section 3(a) solely as a result of the Executive being an employee of any direct or indirect successor to the business or assets of the Company, rather than continuing as an employee of the Company following a Change in Control. For purposes of clauses (A) and (C) of this Section 3(a), no act, or failure to act, on the Executive’s part shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive without reasonable belief that the Executive’s act, or failure to act, was in the best interests of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates. For purposes of clause (D) of this Section 3(a), Section 6 and Section 8(b) hereof, “disability” shall mean the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness which has caused the Executive to be absent from the full-time performance of his duties with the Company for a period of six (6) consecutive months if the Company shall have given the Executive a Notice of Termination and, within thirty (30) days after such Notice of Termination is given, the Executive shall not have returned to the full-time performance of his duties.

(b) termination by the Executive of the Executive’s employment with the Company for “Good Reason.” “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:

(i) a material adverse change, not consented to by the Executive, in the nature or scope of the Executive’s responsibilities, authorities, powers, functions or duties from the responsibilities, authorities, powers, functions or duties exercised by the Executive immediately prior to the Change in Control; or

(ii) a reduction in the Executive’s annual base salary as in effect on the date hereof or as the same may be increased from time to time hereafter; or

(iii) unless otherwise consented to by the Executive, the relocation of the Company’s offices at which the Executive is principally employed


immediately prior to the date of a Change in Control (the “Current Offices”) to any other location more than fifty (50) miles from the Current Offices, or the requirement by the Company for the Executive to be based anywhere other than the Current Offices, except for required travel on the Company’s business to an extent substantially consistent with the Executive’s business travel obligations immediately prior to the Change in Control; or

(iv) the failure by the Company to pay to the Executive any portion of his compensation or to pay to the Executive any portion of an installment of deferred compensation under any deferred compensation program of the Company within fifteen (15) days of the date such compensation is due without prior written consent of the Executive; or

(v) the failure by the Company to obtain an effective agreement from any successor to assume and agree to perform this Agreement, as required by Section 18.

4. Severance Payment. In the event a Terminating Event occurs within twelve (12) months after a Change in Control,

(a) the Company shall pay to the Executive an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Executive’s average annual base salary over the three (3) fiscal years immediately prior to the Terminating Event (or the Executive’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, if higher) and (ii) the Executive’s average annual bonus over the three (3) fiscal years immediately prior to the Change in Control (or the Executive’s annual bonus for the last fiscal year immediately prior to the Change in Control, if higher), payable in one lump-sum payment no later than five (5) days following the Date of Termination; and

(b) the Executive shall continue to vest in Executive’s options, in accordance with the governing stock options and all of the terms of those plans shall continue to be in effect, as though Executive had remained an active employee, for twelve (12) months; and

(c) the Company shall, regardless of whether the Company is unable to utilize Company-related benefit plans, continue to provide to the Executive certain benefits, including, without limitation, health, dental and life insurance on the same terms and conditions as though the Executive had remained an active employee, for twelve (12) months; and

(d) the Company shall provide COBRA benefits to the Executive following the end of the period referred to in Section 4(b) above, such benefits to be determined as though the Executive’s employment had terminated at the end of such period; and

(e) the Company shall pay to the Executive all reasonable legal and arbitration fees and expenses incurred by the Executive in obtaining or enforcing any right or benefit provided by this Agreement, except in cases involving frivolous or bad faith litigation.


5. Additional Limitation.

(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that any compensation, payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (the “Severance Payments”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the following provisions shall apply:

(i) If the Severance Payments, reduced by the sum of (A) the Excise Tax and (B) the total of the Federal, state, and local income and employment taxes payable by the Executive on the amount of the Severance Payments which are in excess of the Threshold Amount (as defined below), are greater than or equal to the Threshold Amount, the Executive shall be entitled to the full benefits payable under this Agreement.

(ii) If the Threshold Amount is less than (A) the Severance Payments, but greater than (B) the Severance Payments reduced by the sum of (1) the Excise Tax and (2) the total of the Federal, state, and local income and employment taxes on the amount of the Severance Payments which are in excess of the Threshold Amount, then the benefits payable under this Agreement shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the extent necessary so that the maximum Severance Payments shall not exceed the Threshold Amount. To the extent that there is more than one method of reducing the payments to bring them within the Threshold Amount, the Executive shall determine which method shall be followed; provided that if the Executive fails to make such determination within 45 days after the Company has sent the Executive written notice of the need for such reduction, the Company may determine the amount of such reduction in its sole discretion.

For the purposes of this Section 5, “Threshold Amount” shall mean three (3) times the Executive’s “base amount” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder less one dollar ($1.00); and “Excise Tax” shall mean the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, and any interest or penalties incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax.

(b) The determination as to which of the alternative provisions of Section 5(a) shall apply to the Executive shall be made by a nationally recognized accounting firm selected by the Executive (the “Accounting Firm”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within fifteen (15) business days of the Date of Termination, if applicable, or at such earlier time as is reasonably requested by the Company or the Executive. For purposes of determining which of the alternative provisions of Section 5(a) shall apply, the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income taxation applicable to individuals for the calendar year in which the determination is to be made, and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rates of individual taxation in the state and locality of the Executive’s residence on the Date of Termination, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. The Company shall bear the costs of the Accounting Firm in connection with such firm’s services provided hereunder.


6. Term. This Agreement shall take effect on the date first set forth above and shall terminate upon the earlier of (a) the termination by the Company of the employment of the Executive because of (A) a willful act of dishonesty by the Executive with respect to any matter involving the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate, or (B) conviction of the Executive of a crime involving moral turpitude, or (C) the gross or willful failure by the Executive to substantially perform the Executive’s duties with the Company, or (D) the failure by the Executive to perform his full-time duties with the Company by reason of his death or disability (as defined in Section 3(a)), (b) the resignation or termination of the Executive for any reason prior to a Change in Control, (c) the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company after a Change in Control for any reason other than the occurrence of any of the events enumerated in Section 3(b)(i)-(v) of this Agreement, or (d) the date which is twelve (12) months after a Change in Control if the Executive is still employed by the Company.

7. Withholding. All payments made by the Company under this Agreement shall be net of any tax or other amounts required to be withheld by the Company under applicable law.

8. Notice and Date of Termination; Disputes; Etc.

(a) Notice of Termination. After a Change in Control and during the term of this Agreement, any purported termination of the Executive’s employment (other than by reason of death) shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination from one party hereto to the other party hereto in accordance with this Section 8. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and the Date of Termination. Further, a Notice of Termination pursuant to one or more of clauses (A) through (C) of Section 3(a) hereof is required to include a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board (after reasonable notice to the Executive and an opportunity for the Executive, accompanied by the Executive’s counsel, to be heard before the Board) finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the termination met the criteria set forth in one or more of clauses (A) through (C) of Section 3(a) hereof.

(b) Date of Termination. “Date of Termination”, with respect to any purported termination of the Executive’s employment after a Change in Control and during the term of this Agreement, shall mean (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for disability, thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is given (provided that the Executive shall not have returned to the full-time performance of the Executive’s duties during such 30-day period) and (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination. In the case of a termination by the Company other than a termination pursuant to one or more of clauses (A) through (C) of Section 3(a) (which may be effective immediately), the Date of Termination shall not be less than 30 days after the Notice of Termination is given. In the case of a termination by the Executive, the Date of Termination shall not be less than fifteen (15) days from the date such Notice of Termination is given. Notwithstanding Section 3(a) of this Agreement, in the event that the Executive gives a Notice of


Termination to the Company, the Company may unilaterally accelerate the Date of Termination and such acceleration shall not result in a Terminating Event for purposes of Section 3(a) of this Agreement.

(c) No Mitigation. The Company agrees that, if the Executive’s employment by the Company is terminated during the term of this Agreement, the Executive is not required to seek other employment or to attempt in any way to reduce any amounts payable to the Executive by the Company pursuant to Sections 4(a) and (b) hereof. Further, the amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement shall not be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as the result of employment by another employer, by retirement benefits, by offset against any amount claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company or otherwise.

(d) Settlement and Arbitration of Disputes. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach thereof shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in accordance with the laws of the state of New York by three arbitrators, one of whom shall be appointed by the Company, one by the Executive and the third by the first two arbitrators. If the first two arbitrators cannot agree on the appointment of a third arbitrator, then the third arbitrator shall be appointed by the American Arbitration Association in the City of Albany. Such arbitration shall be conducted in the City of Boston in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association for commercial arbitrations, except with respect to the selection of arbitrators which shall be as provided in this Section 8(d). Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

9. Successor to Executive. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. In the event of the Executive’s death after a Terminating Event but prior to the completion by the Company of all payments due him under Section 4(a) and (b) of this Agreement, the Company shall continue such payments to the Executive’s beneficiary designated in writing to the Company prior to his death (or to his estate, if the Executive fails to make such designation).

10. Enforceability. If any portion or provision of this Agreement shall to any extent be declared illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such portion or provision in circumstances other than those as to which it is so declared illegal or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each portion and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

11. Waiver. No waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by the waiving party. The failure of any party to require the performance of any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the waiver by any party of any breach of this Agreement, shall not prevent any subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach.


12. Notices. Any notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and delivered in person or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Executive at the last address the Executive has filed in writing with the Company, or to the Company at its main office, attention of the Board of Directors.

13. Effect on Other Plans. An election by the Executive to resign after a Change in Control under the provisions of this Agreement shall not be deemed a voluntary termination of employment by the Executive for the purpose of interpreting the provisions of any of the Company’s benefit plans, programs or policies. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to limit the rights of the Executive under the Company’s benefit plans, programs or policies except as otherwise provided in Section 5 hereof, and except that the Executive shall have no rights to any severance benefits under any severance pay plan.

14. No Offset. The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without limitation, any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the Company or any of its Affiliates may have against the Executive or others whether by reason of the Executive’s breach of this Agreement, subsequent employment of the Executive, or otherwise.

15. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes in all respects all prior agreements between the parties concerning such subject matter.

16. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument signed by the Executive and by a duly authorized representative of the Company.

17. Governing Law. This is a New York contract and shall be construed under and be governed in all respects by the laws of the state of New York.

18. Obligations of Successors. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

19. Confidential Information. The Executive shall never use, publish or disclose in a manner adverse to the Company’s interests, any proprietary or confidential information relating to (a) the business, operations or properties of the Company or any subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company, or (b) any materials, processes, business practices, technology, know-how, research, programs, customer lists, customer requirements or other information used in the manufacture, sale or marketing of any of the respective products or services of the Company or any subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company; provided, however, that no breach or alleged breach of this Section 19


shall entitle the Company to fail to comply fully and in a timely manner with any other provision hereof. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the Company from seeking money damages, or equitable relief by injunction or otherwise without the necessity of proving actual damage to the Company, for any breach by the Executive hereunder.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as a sealed instrument by the Company by its duly authorized officer, and by the Executive, as of the date first above written.

 

PLUG POWER INC.
By:  

 

Name:   Roger B. Saillant
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
EXECUTIVE
By:  

 

Name:   Gerald A. Anderson
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
EX-99.3 4 dex993.htm INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT BETWEEND GERARD A. ANDERSON AND PLUG POWER INC. Indemnification Agreement betweend Gerard A. Anderson and Plug Power Inc.

Exhibit 99.3

FORM OF

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

This Agreement made and entered into this 9th day of July, 2007 (the “Agreement”), by and between Plug Power Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” which term shall include, where appropriate, any Entity (as hereinafter defined) controlled directly or indirectly by the Company) and Gerald A. Anderson (the “Indemnitee”):

WHEREAS, it is essential to the Company that it be able to retain and attract as a Chief Financial Officer the most capable persons available;

WHEREAS, increased corporate litigation has subjected Chief Financial Officers to litigation risks and expenses, and the limitations on the availability of directors and officers liability insurance have made it increasingly difficult for the Company to attract and retain such persons;

WHEREAS, the Company’s By-laws (the “By-laws”) require it to indemnify its chief Financial Officers to the fullest extent permitted by law and permit it to make other indemnification arrangements and agreements;

WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide Indemnitee with specific contractual assurance of Indemnitee’s rights to full indemnification against litigation risks and expenses (regardless, among other things, of any amendment to or revocation of the By-laws or any change in the ownership of the Company or the composition of its Board of Directors);

WHEREAS, the Company intends that this Agreement provide Indemnitee with greater protection than that which is provided by the By-laws; and

WHEREAS, Indemnitee is relying upon the rights afforded under this Agreement in becoming the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

1. Definitions.

(a) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is serving or has served (i) as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, (ii) in any capacity with respect to any employee benefit plan of the Company, or (iii) as a director, partner, trustee, officer, employee, or agent of any other Entity at the request of the Company. For purposes of subsection (iii) of this Section 1(a), if Indemnitee is serving or has served as a director, partner, trustee, officer, employee or agent of a Subsidiary, Indemnitee shall be deemed to be serving at the request of the Company.


(b) “Entity” shall mean any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, foundation, association, organization or other legal entity.

(c) “Expenses” shall mean all fees, costs and expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding (as defined below), including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, disbursements and retainers (including, without limitation, any such fees, disbursements and retainers incurred by Indemnitee pursuant to Sections 10 and 11(c) of this Agreement), fees and disbursements of expert witnesses, private investigators and professional advisors (including, without limitation, accountants and investment bankers), court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, travel expenses, duplicating, printing and binding costs, telephone and fax transmission charges, postage, delivery services, secretarial services, and other disbursements and expenses.

(d) “Indemnifiable Expenses,” “Indemnifiable Liabilities” and “Indemnifiable Amounts” shall have the meanings ascribed to those terms in Section 3(a) below.

(e) “Liabilities” shall mean judgments, damages, liabilities, losses, penalties, excise taxes, fines and amounts paid in settlement.

(f) “Proceeding” shall mean any threatened, pending or completed claim, action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution process, investigation, administrative hearing, appeal, or any other proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative, whether formal or informal, including a proceeding initiated by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement to enforce Indemnitee’s rights hereunder.

(g) “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other Entity of which the Company owns (either directly or through or together with another Subsidiary of the Company) either (i) a general partner, managing member or other similar interest or (ii) (A) 50% or more of the voting power of the voting capital equity interests of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other Entity, or (B) 50% or more of the outstanding voting capital stock or other voting equity interests of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other Entity.

2. Services of Indemnitee. In consideration of the Company’s covenants and commitments hereunder, Indemnitee agrees to serve or continue to serve as Chief Financial Officer of the Company. However, this Agreement shall not impose any obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company beyond any period otherwise required by law or by other agreements or commitments of the parties, if any.

3. Agreement to Indemnify. The Company agrees to indemnify Indemnitee as follows:

(a) Proceedings Other Than By or In the Right of the Company. Subject to the exceptions contained in Section 4(a) below, if Indemnitee was or is a party or


is threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee shall be indemnified by the Company against all Expenses and Liabilities incurred or paid by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding (referred to herein as “Indemnifiable Expenses” and “Indemnifiable Liabilities,” respectively, and collectively as “Indemnifiable Amounts”).

(b) Proceedings By or In the Right of the Company. Subject to the exceptions contained in Section 4(b) below, if Indemnitee was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee shall be indemnified by the Company against all Indemnifiable Expenses.

(c) Expenses as a Witness. To the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party and is not threatened to be made a party, Indemnitee shall be indemnified by the Company against all Expenses incurred or paid by Indemnitee in connection therewith, which Expenses shall be considered Indemnifiable Expenses for purposes of this Agreement.

(d) Conclusive Presumption Regarding Standard of Care. In making any determination required to be made under Delaware law with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee submitted a request therefor in accordance with Section 5 of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption.

4. Exceptions to Indemnification. Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification under Sections 3(a) and 3(b) above in all circumstances other than with respect to any specific claim, issue or matter involved in the Proceeding out of which Indemnitee’s claim for indemnification has arisen, as follows:

(a) Proceedings Other Than By or In the Right of the Company. If indemnification is requested under Section 3(a) and it has been finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction that, in connection with such specific claim, issue or matter, Indemnitee failed to act (i) in good faith and (ii) in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to payment of Indemnifiable Amounts hereunder.

(b) Proceedings By or In the Right of the Company. If indemnification is requested under Section 3(b) and

(i) it has been finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction that, in connection with such specific claim, issue or matter, Indemnitee failed to act (A) in good faith and (B) in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to payment of Indemnifiable Expenses hereunder; or


(ii) it has been finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction that Indemnitee is liable to the Company with respect to such specific claim, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to payment of Indemnifiable Expenses hereunder with respect to such claim, issue or matter unless the Court of Chancery or another court in which such Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such Indemnifiable Expenses which such court shall deem proper; or

(iii) it has been finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction that Indemnitee is liable to the Company for an accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale by the Indemnitee of securities of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and amendments thereto or similar provisions of any federal, state or local statutory law, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to payment of Indemnifiable Expenses hereunder.

(c) Insurance Proceeds. To the extent payment is actually made to the Indemnitee under a valid and collectible insurance policy in respect of Indemnifiable Amounts in connection with such specific claim, issue or matter, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to payment of Indemnifiable Amounts hereunder except in respect of any excess beyond the amount of payment under such insurance.

5. Procedure for Payment of Indemnifiable Amounts. Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request specifying the Indemnifiable Amounts for which Indemnitee seeks payment under Section 3 of this Agreement and the basis for the claim. The Company shall pay such Indemnifiable Amounts to Indemnitee promptly upon receipt of its request. At the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall furnish such documentation and information as are reasonably available to Indemnitee and necessary to establish that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder.

6. Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, and without limiting any such provision, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a party to and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses reasonably incurred


by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by withdrawal or dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

7. Effect of Certain Resolutions. Neither the settlement or termination of any Proceeding nor the failure of the Company to award indemnification or to determine that indemnification is payable shall create a presumption that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification hereunder. In addition, the termination of any proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s action was unlawful.

8. Agreement to Advance Expenses; Undertaking. The Company shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding, including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company, in which Indemnitee is involved by reason of such Indemnitee’s Corporate Status within ten (10) calendar days after the receipt by the Company of a written statement from Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding, unless it has been finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that Indemnitee is not entitled under this Agreement to indemnification with respect to such Expenses. To the extent required by Delaware law, Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay any and all of the amount of Indemnifiable Expenses paid to Indemnitee if it is finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that Indemnitee is not entitled under this Agreement to indemnification with respect to such Expenses. This undertaking is an unlimited general obligation of Indemnitee.

9. Procedure for Advance Payment of Expenses. Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request specifying the Indemnifiable Expenses for which Indemnitee seeks an advancement under Section 8 of this Agreement, together with documentation evidencing that Indemnitee has incurred such Indemnifiable Expenses. Payment of Indemnifiable Expenses under Section 8 shall be made no later than ten (10) calendar days after the Company’s receipt of such request.

10. Remedies of Indemnitee.

(a) Right to Petition Court. In the event that Indemnitee makes a request for payment of Indemnifiable Amounts under Sections 3 and 5 above or a request for an advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses under Sections 8 and 9 above and the Company fails to make such payment or advancement in a timely manner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery to enforce the Company’s obligations under this Agreement.

(b) Burden of Proof. In any judicial proceeding brought under Section 10(a) above, the Company shall have the burden of proving that Indemnitee is not entitled to payment of Indemnifiable Amounts hereunder.

(c) Expenses. The Company agrees to reimburse Indemnitee in full for any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with investigating, preparing for,


litigating, defending or settling any action brought by Indemnitee under Section 10(a) above, or in connection with any claim or counterclaim brought by the Company in connection therewith, whether or not Indemnitee is successful in whole or in part in connection with any such action.

(d) Failure to Act Not a Defense. The failure of the Company (including its Board of Directors or any committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or stockholders) to make a determination concerning the permissibility of the payment of Indemnifiable Amounts or the advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses under this Agreement shall not be a defense in any action brought under Section 10(a) above, and shall not create a presumption that such payment or advancement is not permissible.

11. Defense of the Underlying Proceeding.

(a) Notice by Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees to notify the Company promptly upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information, or other document relating to any Proceeding which may result in the payment of Indemnifiable Amounts or the advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses hereunder; provided, however, that the failure to give any such notice shall not disqualify Indemnitee from the right, or otherwise affect in any manner any right of Indemnitee, to receive payments of Indemnifiable Amounts or advancements of Indemnifiable Expenses unless the Company’s ability to defend in such Proceeding is materially and adversely prejudiced thereby.

(b) Defense by Company. Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of this Section 11(b) and of Section 11(c) below, the Company shall have the right to defend Indemnitee in any Proceeding which may give rise to the payment of Indemnifiable Amounts hereunder; provided, however that the Company shall notify Indemnitee of any such decision to defend within ten (10) calendar days of receipt of notice of any such Proceeding under Section 11(a) above. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise which (i) includes an admission of fault of Indemnitee or (ii) does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Proceeding, which release shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee. This Section 11(b) shall not apply to a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee under Section 10(a) above or pursuant to Section 19 below.

(c) Indemnitee’s Right to Counsel. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11(b) above, if in a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, (i) Indemnitee reasonably concludes that he or she may have separate defenses or counterclaims to assert with respect to any issue which may not be consistent with the position of other defendants in such Proceeding, (ii) a conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest exists between Indemnitee and the Company, or (iii) if the Company fails to assume the defense of such proceeding in a timely manner, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be represented by separate legal counsel of Indemnitee’s choice at the expense of the


Company. In addition, if the Company fails to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Company or any other person takes any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any action, suit or proceeding to deny or to recover from Indemnitee the benefits intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall have the right to retain counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, at the expense of the Company, to represent Indemnitee in connection with any such matter.

12. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents and warrants to Indemnitee as follows:

(a) Authority. The Company has all necessary power and authority to enter into, and be bound by the terms of, this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance of the undertakings contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized by the Company.

(b) Enforceability. This Agreement, when executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with the provisions hereof, shall be a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.

13. Insurance. The Company shall, from time to time, make the good faith determination whether or not it is practicable for the Company to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of insurance with a reputable insurance company providing the Indemnitee with coverage for losses from wrongful acts. For so long as Indemnitee shall remain a director of the Company and with respect to any such prior service, in all policies of director and officer liability insurance, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s officers and directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain such insurance if the Company determines in good faith that such insurance is not reasonably available, if the premium costs for such insurance are disproportionate to the amount of coverage provided, or if the coverage provided by such insurance is limited by exclusions so as to provide an insufficient benefit. The Company shall promptly notify Indemnitee of any good faith determination not to provide such coverage.

14. Contract Rights Not Exclusive. The rights to payment of Indemnifiable Amounts and advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses provided by this Agreement shall be in addition to, but not exclusive of, any other rights which Indemnitee may have at any time under applicable law, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws, or any other agreement, vote of stockholders or directors (or a committee of directors), or otherwise, both as to action in Indemnitee’s official capacity and as to action in any other capacity as a result of Indemnitee’s serving as a director of the Company.

15. Successors. This Agreement shall be (a) binding upon all successors and assigns of the Company (including any transferee of all or a substantial portion of the business, stock and/or assets of the Company and any direct or indirect successor by merger or consolidation or otherwise by operation of law) and (b) binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, personal representatives, executors and administrators of Indemnitee. This Agreement shall continue for the benefit of Indemnitee and such heirs, personal representatives, executors and administrators after Indemnitee has ceased to have Corporate Status.


16. Subrogation. In the event of any payment of Indemnifiable Amounts under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of contribution or recovery of Indemnitee against other persons, and Indemnitee shall take, at the request of the Company, all reasonable action necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

17. Change in Law. To the extent that a change in Delaware law (whether by statute or judicial decision) shall permit broader indemnification or advancement of expenses than is provided under the terms of the By-laws and this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to such broader indemnification and advancements, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be amended to such extent.

18. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement, or any clause thereof, shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, such provision or clause shall be limited or modified in its application to the minimum extent necessary to make such provision or clause valid, legal and enforceable, and the remaining provisions and clauses of this Agreement shall remain fully enforceable and binding on the parties.

19. Indemnitee as Plaintiff. Except as provided in Section 10(c) of this Agreement and in the next sentence, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to payment of Indemnifiable Amounts or advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses with respect to any Proceeding brought by Indemnitee against the Company, any Entity which it controls, any director or officer thereof, or any third party, unless the Board of Directors of the Company has consented to the initiation of such Proceeding. This Section shall not apply to counterclaims or affirmative defenses asserted by Indemnitee in an action brought against Indemnitee.

20. Modifications and Waiver. Except as provided in Section 17 above with respect to changes in Delaware law which broaden the right of Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Company, no supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by each of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

21. Contribution. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part for any reason whatsoever (other than because Indemnitee is not entitled to such indemnification pursuant to the terms of this Agreement), the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s)


and/or transaction(s). Additionally, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part for any reason whatsoever (other than because Indemnitee is not entitled to such indemnification pursuant to the terms of this Agreement) in a Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), the Company shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount of any judgment or settlement of such Proceeding (except for any such amount that is paid by a third party) without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have against Indemnitee with respect to such Proceeding.

22. General Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) when delivered by hand, (b) when transmitted by facsimile and receipt is acknowledged, or (c) if mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed:

 

  (i) If to Indemnitee, to:

 

       Gerald A. Anderson
       7 Morgan Court
       Clifton Park, NY 12065

 

  (ii) If to the Company, to:

 

       Plug Power Inc.
       968 Albany Shaker Road
       Latham, NY 12110
       Attn: General Counsel
       Facsimile: (518) 782-7884

or to such other address as may have been furnished in the same manner by any party to the others.

23. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Service of Process. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its rules of conflict of laws. Each of the Company and the Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consents to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and the courts of the United States of America located in the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Courts”) for any litigation arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (and agrees not to commence any litigation relating thereto except in such courts), waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such litigation in the Delaware Courts and agrees not to plead or claim in any Delaware Court that such litigation brought therein has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the parties hereto agrees, (a) to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Delaware, to appoint and maintain an agent in the State of Delaware as such party’s agent for acceptance of legal process, and (b) that service of process may also be made on such


party by prepaid certified mail with a proof of mailing receipt validated by the United States Postal Service constituting evidence of valid service. Service made pursuant to (a) or (b) above shall have the same legal force and effect as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware. For purposes of implementing the parties’ agreement to appoint and maintain an agent for service of process in the State of Delaware, each such party does hereby appoint The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801, as such agent and each such party hereby agrees to complete all actions necessary for such appointment.

[signature page follows]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

PLUG POWER INC.
By:  

 

Name:   Roger B. Saillant
Title:   CEO & President
INDEMNITEE

 

Gerald A. Anderson
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