UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 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): November 12, 2012
LANTRONIX, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE | 1-16027 | 33-0362767 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
167 Technology Drive
Irvine, California 92618
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(949) 453-3990
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
As disclosed in Item 5.07 below, Mr. Bruce C. Edwards was elected to the Board of Directors of Lantronix, Inc. (the “Company”) by the Company’s stockholders at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on November 12, 2012 (the “Annual Meeting”). In connection therewith, the Company and Mr. Edwards entered into an indemnification agreement dated as of November 12, 2012. Pursuant to the indemnification agreement, the Company agreed to indemnify Mr. Edwards to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all expenses, judgments, penalties, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Mr. Edwards, or on his behalf, arising out of his service as a director. The indemnification agreement further provides procedures for the determination of Mr. Edwards’s right to receive indemnification and the advancement of expenses. The foregoing description of the indemnification agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the indemnification agreement filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors, Appointment of Certain Officers, Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
On November 13, 2012, the Company entered into an amendment to the offer letter agreement dated September 8, 2011 (the “Offer Letter”) with Jeremy Whitaker, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, to amend the provision of the Offer Letter relating to severance payments in the event of termination of Mr. Whitaker’s employment without Cause (as defined in the Offer Letter). Pursuant to the terms of the Offer Letter, as amended, if the Company terminates Mr. Whitaker’s employment without Cause (as defined in the Offer Letter), in exchange for a full release of claims against the Company, the Company will pay Mr. Whitaker severance in a total amount equal to (i) six (6) months of his then current base salary, plus (ii) fifty percent (50%) of the amount of performance bonuses paid to Mr. Whitaker in the twelve months prior to termination. The foregoing description of the amended Offer Letter is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the amendment to the Offer Letter filed as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.03 Amendment to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year
On November 12, 2012, the Company’s stockholders approved certain amendments to the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Stockholder Amendments”) to amend the advance notice provisions in such Bylaws (Article II, Section 2.5) and to implement in such Bylaws a majority voting standard in the Company’s future uncontested director elections (Article III, Section 3.3). The Company’s Proxy Statement dated October 3, 2012 (the “Proxy Statement”) which described those proposed amendments was previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 3, 2012. The tabulation of the vote of the Company’s stockholders approving the two Stockholder Amendments is set forth in Item 5.07 herein.
At the meeting of the Board on November 12, 2012, the Board approved several additional amendments to the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws. These amendments which are referenced below and are referred to herein as the “Board Amendments” were made primarily to update and clarify several provisions of the Bylaws. All of these amendments were made effective on November 12, 2012. The material changes effected by the Board Amendments are as follows:
(i) | Clarified the basic voting standard to more closely follow the definition under the Delaware General Corporation Law (Section 2.7); |
(ii) | Clarified language and updated the provision relating to the place of board meetings and telephonic meetings of the board, including allowing the use of updated electronic transmission equipment (Section 3.5); |
(iii) | Updated and clarified notice requirements for special meetings of the Board, including shortening the notice time required to call a special meeting (Section 3.7); |
(iv) | Updated and clarified requirements for Board action by written consent, including allowing Board members to submit consents by electronic transmissions (Section 3.12); |
(v) | Removed a provision permitting loans by the Company to directors and officers of the Company (Section 3.14); |
(vi) | Updated and clarified the provision allowing the Board to appoint committees of the Board (Section 4.1); |
(vii) | Clarified the respective duties of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President by inserting a new Section 5.7 (Chief Executive Officer) and revising Section 5.8 (President); |
(viii) | Removed requirement relating to an Annual Statement to Stockholders which is no longer applicable to the Company (Section 7.3); |
(ix) | Removed vice presidents from the list of officers who can exercise rights over stock held by the Company (Section 7.4); and |
(x) | Other minor conforming changes. |
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After adopting the Board Amendments, the Board approved and adopted a new amended and restated version of the Bylaws (the “2012 Amended and Restated Bylaws”) which included the Stockholder Amendments and the Board Amendments. The 2012 Amended and Restated Bylaws became effective as of November 12, 2012. The foregoing description of the Stockholder Amendments, the Board Amendments and the 2012 Amended and Restated Bylaws is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2012 Amended and Restated Bylaws filed as Exhibit 3.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
The Company held its Annual Meeting on November 12, 2012. Of the 14,576,560 shares of the Company’s common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, a total of 13,356,544 shares were represented at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy. The voting results for each item of business properly presented at the Annual Meeting are set forth below.
Proposal 1: Election of Directors
All of the Company’s nominees as listed in the Proxy Statement were elected with the following votes:
Name of Nominee |
Votes For |
Votes Withheld |
Broker Non-Votes | |||
Bernhard Bruscha | 10,395,174 | 616,539 | 2,344,831 | |||
Kurt Busch | 10,979,766 | 31,947 | 2,344,831 | |||
Bruce C. Edwards | 10,982,733 | 28,980 | 2,344,831 | |||
Paul F. Folino | 10,869,198 | 142,515 | 2,344,831 | |||
Hoshi Printer | 10,304,044 | 707,669 | 2,344,831 |
Proposal 2: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accountants
This proposal to ratify the appointment of Squar, Milner, Peterson, Miranda & Williamson, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013 was approved with the following vote:
Votes For |
Votes Against |
Abstentions |
Broker Non-Votes | |||
13,044,460 |
271,098 |
40,986 |
0 |
Proposal 3: Approval and Adoption of the Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan
This proposal to approve and adopt the Company’s Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, which increases the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the plan by 1,700,000 shares, was approved with the following vote:
Votes For |
Votes Against |
Abstentions |
Broker Non-Votes | |||
9,061,898 |
1,949,748 |
67 |
2,344,831 |
Proposal 4: Approval and Adoption of the 2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
This proposal to approve and adopt the Company’s 2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan was approved with the following vote:
Votes For |
Votes Against |
Abstentions |
Broker Non-Votes | |||
10,937,478 |
50,569 |
23,666 |
2,344,831 |
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Proposal 5: Approval and Adoption of an Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws Regarding Advance Notice Procedures
This proposal to approve and adopt an Amendment to Article II, Section 2.5 of the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws regarding advance notice procedures was approved with the following vote:
Votes For |
Votes Against |
Abstentions |
Broker Non-Votes | |||
9,851,524 |
1,136,589 |
23,600 |
2,344,831 |
Proposal 6: Approval and Adoption of an Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws Regarding Election of Directors
This proposal to approve and adopt an amendment to Article III, Section 3.3 of the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws regarding election of directors was approved with the following vote:
Votes For |
Votes Against |
Abstentions |
Broker Non-Votes | |||
10,854,930 |
133,150 |
23,633 |
2,344,831 |
Item 8.01 Other.
Stock Ownership Guidelines for Non-Employee Directors
On November 12, 2012, the Board adopted stock ownership guidelines for the non-employee directors of the Company. Under the guidelines, the Company’s non-employee directors are each expected to own shares of the Company's common stock with a value equal to three times the annual cash retainer for non-employee directors. Progress toward the achievement of these ownership guidelines will be based upon the purchase price paid by the non-employee director to acquire the shares of the Company’s common stock. The guidelines provide that non-employee directors are expected to establish the minimum ownership levels within five years of adoption of the guidelines (or within five years of appointment as a new non-employee director of the Company).
The foregoing description of the stock ownership guidelines for non-employee directors is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the guidelines filed as Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Non-Employee Director Compensation
On November 12, 2012, the Board adopted a Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy (the “Policy”), effective January 1, 2013. Under the Policy, each non-employee director of the Company will be entitled to receive the following cash compensation for board services, as applicable:
· | $36,000 annual retainer for service as a Board member; |
· | $15,000 annual retainer for service as Chairman of the Board; and |
· | $10,000 annual retainer for service as chairperson of the audit committee, $7,500 annual retainer for service as chairperson of the compensation committee and $5,000 annual retainer for service as chairperson of the corporate governance and nominating committee. |
Directors will not be paid meeting fees, except that (i) each non-employee director will be paid a meeting fee of $1,000 for each board meeting attended in person or by telephone in excess of twelve meetings during the fiscal year and (ii) each non-employee director will be paid a meeting fee of $1,000 for attending in person or by telephone a meeting of a standing committee of which he or she is a member in excess of twelve meetings per committee during the fiscal year.
Non-employee directors will be reimbursed for their reasonable out of pocket expenses, including travel expenses incurred to attend meetings up to a maximum of $2,000 per meeting requiring travel.
In addition, the Company’s non-employee directors will receive initial and annual grants of nonqualified stock options under the Company’s 2010 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan, as amended. The Board will make an annual grant of 25,000 stock options to each non-employee director upon election at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders. Options granted to non-employee directors will (i) vest monthly at the rate of 1/12 per month, such that one hundred percent (100%) of the shares will be fully vested on the one (1) year anniversary of the annual meeting date, (ii) have a seven year term, and (iii) have a two-year post-separation exercise period.
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The foregoing description of the Policy is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the policy filed as Exhibit 99.4 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Mr. Bernhard Bruscha, the Company’s Chairman of the Board, has waived his right until further notice to receive cash compensation (other than reimbursement of expenses) for serving as a director and as Chairman of the Board.
In accordance with the Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, on November 12, 2012, each non-employee director was granted an option to purchase 25,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.59 per share, with the vesting and expiration terms described above.
Mr. John Rehfeld, who has served as a director of the Company since May 2010, retired from the Board effective at the Annual Meeting. In appreciation of Mr. Rehfeld’s long and valued service to the Company, the Board agreed to (i) pay Mr. Rehfeld a lump sum of $10,000; and (ii) accelerate the vesting on all unvested stock options and shares of restricted stock held by Mr. Rehfeld.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit Number | Description | |
3.2 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of Lantronix, Inc. | |
99.1 | Indemnification Agreement between Lantronix, Inc. and Bruce C. Edwards, dated as of November 12, 2012 | |
99.2 | Amendment to Offer Letter between Lantronix, Inc. and Jeremy Whitaker, dated as of November 13, 2012 | |
99.3 | Lantronix, Inc. Stock Ownership Guidelines for Non-Employee Directors | |
99.4 | Lantronix, Inc. Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy |
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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.
LANTRONIX, INC. | |||
Date: November 15, 2012 | By: | /s/ Jeremy Whitaker | |
Jeremy Whitaker Chief Financial Officer |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number | Description | |
3.2 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of Lantronix, Inc. | |
99.1 | Indemnification Agreement between Lantronix, Inc. and Bruce C. Edwards, dated as of November 12, 2012 | |
99.2 | Amendment to Offer Letter between Lantronix, Inc. and Jeremy Whitaker, dated as of November 13, 2012 | |
99.3 | Lantronix, Inc. Stock Ownership Guidelines for Non-Employee Directors | |
99.4 | Lantronix, Inc. Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy |
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Exhibit 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
OF
LANTRONIX, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||
Article I CORPORATE OFFICES | 1 | |
1.1 | REGISTERED OFFICE | 1 |
1.2 | OTHER OFFICES | 1 |
Article II MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS | 1 | |
2.1 | PLACE OF MEETINGS | 1 |
2.2 | ANNUAL MEETING | 1 |
2.3 | SPECIAL MEETING | 1 |
2.4 | NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS | 2 |
2.5 | ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES | 2 |
2.6 | MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE | 6 |
2.7 | QUORUM | 6 |
2.8 | ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE | 7 |
2.9 | VOTING | 7 |
2.10 | WAIVER OF NOTICE | 7 |
2.11 | STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING | 8 |
2.12 | RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING | 8 |
2.13 | PROXIES | 8 |
2.14 | LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE | 8 |
Article III DIRECTORS | 9 | |
3.1 | POWERS | 9 |
3.2 | NUMBER OF DIRECTORS | 9 |
3.3 | ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS | 9 |
3.4 | RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES | 10 |
3.5 | PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE | 10 |
3.6 | REGULAR MEETINGS | 10 |
3.7 | SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE | 10 |
3.8 | QUORUM | 11 |
3.9 | WAIVER OF NOTICE | 11 |
3.10 | ADJOURNMENT | 11 |
3.11 | NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT | 11 |
3.12 | BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING | 12 |
3.13 | FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS | 12 |
3.14 | RESERVED | 12 |
Article IV COMMITTEES | 12 | |
4.1 | COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS | 12 |
4.2 | MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES | 13 |
4.3 | COMMITTEE MINUTES | 13 |
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Article V OFFICERS | 13 | |
5.1 | OFFICERS | 13 |
5.2 | ELECTION OF OFFICERS | 13 |
5.3 | SUBORDINATE OFFICERS | 13 |
5.4 | REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS | 14 |
5.5 | VACANCIES IN OFFICES | 14 |
5.6 | CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD | 14 |
5.7 | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 14 |
5.8 | PRESIDENT | 14 |
5.9 | VICE PRESIDENTS | 15 |
5.10 | SECRETARY | 15 |
5.11 | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 15 |
Article VI INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND OTHER AGENTS | 16 | |
6.1 | INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS | 16 |
6.2 | INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS | 16 |
6.3 | INSURANCE | 16 |
Article VII RECORDS AND REPORTS | 17 | |
7.1 | MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS | 17 |
7.2 | INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS | 17 |
7.3 | RESERVED | 17 |
7.4 | REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS | 17 |
7.5 | CERTIFICATION AND INSPECTION OF BYLAWS | 17 |
Article VIII GENERAL MATTERS | 18 | |
8.1 | RECORD DATE FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN NOTICE AND VOTING | 18 |
8.2 | CHECKS; DRAFTS; EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS | 18 |
8.3 | CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS: HOW EXECUTED | 18 |
8.4 | STOCK CERTIFICATES; TRANSFER; PARTLY PAID SHARES | 18 |
8.5 | SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES | 19 |
8.6 | LOST CERTIFICATES | 19 |
8.7 | CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS | 19 |
Article IX AMENDMENTS | 20 | |
9.1 | AMENDMENTS BY STOCKHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS | 20 |
ii |
Article I
CORPORATE OFFICES
1.1 REGISTERED OFFICE
The registered office of the corporation shall be in the City of Camden, County of Kent, State of Delaware. The name of the registered agent of the corporation at such location is Paracorp Incorporated.
1.2 OTHER OFFICES
The Board of Directors may at any time establish branch or subordinate offices at any place or places where the corporation is qualified to do business.
Article II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
2.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS
Meetings of stockholders shall be held at any place within or outside the State of Delaware designated by the Board of Directors. In the absence of any such designation, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation.
2.2 ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held each year on a date and at a time designated by the Board of Directors. At the meeting, directors shall be elected and any other proper business may be transacted.
2.3 SPECIAL MEETING
A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time by the Board, chairperson of the Board, chief executive officer or president (in the absence of a chief executive officer), but such special meetings may not be called by any other person or persons.
No business may be transacted at such special meeting other than the business specified in such notice to stockholders. Nothing contained in this paragraph of this Section 2.3 shall be construed as limiting, fixing, or affecting the time when a meeting of stockholders called by action of the Board may be held.
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2.4 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS
All notices of meetings of stockholders shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 2.5 of these bylaws not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting. The notice shall specify the place, date and hour of the meeting and (i) in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called (no business other than that specified in the notice may be transacted) or (ii) in the case of the annual meeting, those matters which the Board of Directors, at the time of giving the notice, intends to present for action by the stockholders (but any proper matter may be presented at the meeting for such action). The notice of any meeting at which directors are to be elected shall include the name of any nominee or nominees who, at the time of the notice, the Board intends to present for election.
2.5 ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES
(a) Advance Notice of Stockholder Business
At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be brought: (A) pursuant to the corporation’s proxy materials with respect to such meeting, (B) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (C) by a stockholder of the corporation who (1) is a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice required by this Section 2.5(a) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting and (2) has timely complied in proper written form with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.5(a) . In addition, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such business must be a proper matter for stockholder action pursuant to these bylaws and applicable law. For the avoidance of doubt, clause (C) above shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders.
To comply with clause (C) of Section 2.5(a) above, a stockholder’s notice must set forth all information required under this Section 2.5(a) and must be timely received by the secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary of the corporation at the principal executive offices of the corporation not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than thirty (30) days prior to such anniversary date or delayed more than seventy (70) days after such anniversary date then to be timely such notice must be received by the corporation no earlier than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to such annual meeting and no later than the later of seventy (70) days prior to the date of the meeting or the tenth (10th)day following the day on which Public Announcement (as defined below) of the date of the meeting was first made by the corporation. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 2.5. “Public Announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto (the “1934 Act”).
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(i) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the secretary must set forth as to each matter of business the stockholder intends to bring before the annual meeting: (1) a brief description of the business intended to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (2) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business and any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), (3) the class and number of shares of the corporation that are held of record or are beneficially owned by the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person and any derivative positions held or beneficially held by the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, (4) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to any securities of the corporation, and a description of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit from share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to any securities of the corporation, (5) any material interest of the stockholder or a Stockholder Associated Person in such business, and (6) a statement whether either such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal (such information provided and statements made as required by clauses (1) through (6), a “Business Solicitation Statement”). In addition, to be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the secretary must be supplemented not later than ten (10) days following the record date to disclose the information contained in clauses (3) and (4) above as of the record date. For purposes of this Section 2.5 , a “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder and on whose behalf the proposal or nomination, as the case may be, is being made, or (iii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such person referred to in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii).
(ii) Without exception, no business shall be conducted at any annual meeting except in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Section 2.5(a) and, if applicable, Section 2.5(b). In addition, business proposed to be brought by a stockholder may not be brought before the annual meeting if such stockholder or a Stockholder Associated Person, as applicable, takes action contrary to the representations made in the Business Solicitation Statement applicable to such business or if the Business Solicitation Statement applicable to such business contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The chairperson of the annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the annual meeting that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.5(a), and, if the chairperson should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the annual meeting that any such business not properly brought before the annual meeting shall not be conducted.
(b) Advance Notice of Director Nominations at Annual Meetings
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Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.5(b) shall be eligible for election or re-election as directors at an annual meeting of stockholders. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the corporation shall be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (A) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (B) by a stockholder of the corporation who (1) was a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice required by this Section 2.5(b) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting and (2) has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.5(b) . In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the secretary of the corporation.
(i) To comply with clause (B) of Section 2.5(b) above, a nomination to be made by a stockholder must set forth all information required under this Section 2.5(b) and must be received by the secretary of the corporation at the principal executive offices of the corporation at the time set forth in, and in accordance with, the final three sentences of Section 2.5(a)(i) above.
(ii) To be in proper written form, such stockholder’s notice to the secretary must set forth:
(1) as to each person (a “nominee”) whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director: (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of the nominee, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the nominee, (C) the class and number of shares of the corporation that are held of record or are beneficially owned by the nominee and any derivative positions held or beneficially held by the nominee, (D) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of the nominee with respect to any securities of the corporation, and a description of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit of share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of the nominee, (E) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the stockholder, (F) a written statement executed by the nominee acknowledging that as a director of the corporation, the nominee will owe a fiduciary duty under Delaware law with respect to the corporation and its stockholders, and (G) any other information relating to the nominee that would be required to be disclosed about such nominee if proxies were being solicited for the election of the nominee as a director, or that is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the 1934 Act (including without limitation the nominee’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement, if any, as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and
(2) as to such stockholder giving notice, (A) the information required to be provided pursuant to clauses (2) through (5) of Section 2.5(a)(i) above, and the supplement referenced in the second sentence of Section 2.5(a)(i) above (except that the references to “business” in such clauses shall instead refer to nominations of directors for purposes of this paragraph), and (B) a statement whether either such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a number of the corporation’s voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person to be necessary to elect such nominee(s) (such information provided and statements made as required by clauses (A) and (B) above, a “Nominee Solicitation Statement”).
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(iii) At the request of the Board of Directors, any person nominated by a stockholder for election as a director must furnish to the secretary of the corporation (1) that information required to be set forth in the stockholder’s notice of nomination of such person as a director as of a date subsequent to the date on which the notice of such person’s nomination was given and (2) such other information as may reasonably be required by the corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee; in the absence of the furnishing of such information if requested, such stockholder’s nomination shall not be considered in proper form pursuant to this Section 2.5(b).
(iv) Without exception, no person shall be eligible for election or re-election as a director of the corporation at an annual meeting of stockholders unless nominated in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Section 2.5(b). In addition, a nominee shall not be eligible for election or re-election if a stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, as applicable, takes action contrary to the representations made in the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee or if the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The chairperson of the annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the annual meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions prescribed by these bylaws, and if the chairperson should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the annual meeting, and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
(v) In all cases, to be eligible to be a nominee for election or reelection as a director of the corporation or to be considered by the Board to fill any vacancies pursuant to Article III, Section 3.4 of these bylaws, a person must deliver to the secretary of the corporation at the principal executive offices of the corporation a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the secretary upon written request) that such person will abide by the requirements of Article III, Section 3.3 (b) of these Bylaws.
(c) Advance Notice of Director Nominations for Special Meetings
(i) For a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to Section 2.5, nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors shall be made only (1) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (2) by a stockholder of the corporation who (A) was a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice required by this Section 2.5(c) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting and (B) delivers a timely written notice of the nomination to the secretary of the corporation that includes the information set forth in Sections 2.5(b)(ii) and 2.5(b)(iii) above. To be timely, such notice must be received by the secretary of the corporation at the principal executive offices of the corporation not earlier than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the date of the special meeting nor later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which Public Announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting. A person shall not be eligible for election or re-election as a director at a special meeting unless the person is nominated (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by a stockholder in accordance with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.5(c). In addition, a nominee shall not be eligible for election or re-election if a stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, as applicable, takes action contrary to the representations made in the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee or if the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. In all cases, to be eligible to be a nominee for election or reelection as a director of the corporation or to be considered by the Board to fill any vacancies pursuant to Article III, Section 3.4 of these bylaws, a person must deliver to the secretary of the corporation at the principal executive offices of the corporation a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the secretary upon written request) that such person will abide by the requirements of Article III, Section 3.3 (b) of these Bylaws.
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(ii) The chairperson of the special meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the meeting that a nomination or business was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these bylaws, and if the chairperson should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the meeting, and the defective nomination or business shall be disregarded.
(d) Other Requirements and Rights
In addition to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.5, a stockholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.5, including, with respect to business such stockholder intends to bring before the annual meeting that involves a proposal that such stockholder requests to be included in the corporation’s proxy statement, the requirements of Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the 1934 Act. Nothing in this Section 2.5 shall be deemed to affect any right of the corporation to omit a proposal from the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the 1934 Act.
2.6 MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE
Written notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be given either personally or by first-class mail or by telegraphic or other written communication. Notices not personally delivered shall be sent charges prepaid and shall be addressed to the stockholder at the address of that stockholder appearing on the books of the corporation or given by the stockholder to the corporation for the purpose of notice. Notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally or deposited in the mail or sent by telegram or other means of written communication.
An affidavit of the mailing or other means of giving any notice of any stockholders’ meeting, executed by the secretary, assistant secretary or any transfer agent of the corporation giving the notice, shall be prima facie evidence of the giving of such notice.
2.7 QUORUM
The holders of a majority in voting power of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by statute or by the certificate of incorporation. If, however, such quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, then either (i) the chairman of the meeting or (ii) the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting in accordance with Section 2.8 of these bylaws.
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When a quorum is present at any meeting, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders, unless the question is one upon which, by express provision of the laws of the State of Delaware or of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of the question.
If a quorum be initially present, the stockholders may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken is approved by a majority of the stockholders initially constituting the quorum.
2.8 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE
When a meeting is adjourned to another time and place, unless these bylaws otherwise require, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the corporation may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
2.9 VOTING
The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.12 of these bylaws, subject to the provisions of Sections 217 and 218 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (relating to voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors and joint owners, and to voting trusts and other voting agreements).
Except as may be otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.
No stockholder will be permitted to cumulate votes at any election of directors.
2.10 WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
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2.11 STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING
No action that is required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be effected by written consent of stockholders in lieu of a meeting of stockholders.
2.12 RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING
For purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting or to vote thereat, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors and which shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of any such meeting, and in such event only stockholders of record on the date so fixed are entitled to notice and to vote, notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the corporation after the record date.
If the Board of Directors does not so fix a record date, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.
A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting, but the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date if the meeting is adjourned for more than thirty (30) days from the date set for the original meeting.
The record date for any other purpose shall be as provided in Section 8.1 of these bylaws.
2.13 PROXIES
Every person entitled to vote for directors, or on any other matter, shall have the right to do so either in person or by one or more agents authorized by a written proxy signed by the person and filed with the secretary of the corporation, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be deemed signed if the stockholder’s name is placed on the proxy (whether by manual signature, typewriting, telegraphic transmission, telefacsimile or otherwise) by the stockholder or the stockholder’s attorney-in-fact. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section 212(e) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
2.14 LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE
The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
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Article III
DIRECTORS
3.1 POWERS
Subject to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and any limitations in the certificate of incorporation and these bylaws relating to action required to be approved by the stockholders or by the outstanding shares, the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.
3.2 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
The authorized number of directors shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board, provided the Board shall consist of at least one member. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.
3.3 ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS
(a) A director shall hold office from the effective date of such director’s election until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify, subject, however, to prior death, resignation, retirement or removal from office.
(b) Each director to be elected by stockholders shall be elected by the vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to the director at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present by the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors; provided that if as of a date that is fourteen (14) days in advance of the date the corporation files its definitive proxy statement (regardless of whether or not thereafter revised or supplemented) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, directors shall be elected by the vote of a plurality of the shares represented in person or by proxy at any such meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. For purposes of this subparagraph (b), a majority of the votes cast means that the number of shares voted “for” a director must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that director’s election. Votes cast shall exclude abstentions and broker non-votes with respect to that director’s election. If directors are to be elected by a plurality, stockholders shall be permitted to withhold votes from a nominee but shall not be permitted to vote against a nominee.
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The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has established procedures under which any director who is not elected shall offer his or her resignation to the Board. In all cases, to be eligible to be a nominee for election or re-election as a director of the corporation or to be considered by the Board to fill any vacancies pursuant to Article III, Section 3.4, a person must deliver to the Secretary of the corporation at the principal executive offices of the corporation a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that such person will abide by such requirements.
3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES
Any director may resign effective on giving written notice to the chairman of the Board, the president, the secretary or the Board of Directors, unless the notice specifies a later time for that resignation to become effective. If the resignation of a director is effective at a future time, the Board of Directors may elect a successor to take office when the resignation becomes effective.
All vacancies and newly created directorships in the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director; provided, that whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or series thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships of such class or classes or series may be filled by a majority of the directors elected by such class or classes or series thereof then in office, or by a sole remaining director so elected.
3.5 PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE
The Board of Directors may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or outside the state of Delaware.
Members of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
3.6 REGULAR MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice if the times of such meetings are fixed by the Board of Directors.
3.7 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE
Special meetings of the Board of Directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the chairman of the Board, the president, the secretary or any two directors. Notice of each such meeting shall state the date, time and place of the meeting, and shall be delivered to each director at his or her residence (a) in writing, by hand delivery, first class or overnight mail or courier service, telegram, facsimile transmission or electronic mail, at least twenty-four (24) hours before the time at which such meeting is to be held; or (ii) mailed by first-class mail; or (b) orally, by telephone to the director. If mailed by first-class mail, such notice shall be deemed adequately given when deposited in the U.S. mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid, at least four (4) days before such meeting. If by telegram, overnight mail or courier service, such notice shall be deemed adequately given when the telegram is delivered to the telegraph company or the notice is delivered to the overnight mail or courier service company at least forty-eight (48) hours before such meeting. If by electronic mail or facsimile transmission, such notice shall be deemed adequately given when transmitted at least twenty-four (24) hours before such meeting. If by telephone or hand delivery, such notice shall be deemed adequately given when delivered or given at least twenty-four (24) hours before such meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice of such meeting. A meeting may be held at any time without notice if all of the directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting, either before or after the meeting.
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3.8 QUORUM
A majority of the authorized number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except to adjourn as provided in Section 3.10 of these bylaws. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the directors present at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.
A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.
3.9 WAIVER OF NOTICE
Notice of a meeting need not be given to any director (i) who signs a waiver of notice or a consent to holding the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof, whether before or after the meeting, or (ii) who attends the meeting without protesting, prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice to such directors. All such waivers, consents and approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made part of the minutes of the meeting. A waiver of notice need not specify the purpose of any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors.
3.10 ADJOURNMENT
A majority of the directors present, whether or not constituting a quorum, may adjourn any meeting to another time and place.
3.11 NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT
Notice of the time and place of holding an adjourned meeting need not be given unless the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24) hours. If the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24) hours, then notice of the time and place of the adjourned meeting shall be given before the adjourned meeting takes place, in the manner specified in Section 3.7 of these bylaws, to the directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment.
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3.12 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING
Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission. The writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors and such writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions shall be filed with the with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board of Directors. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.
3.13 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Directors and members of committees may receive such compensation, if any, for their services and such reimbursement of expenses as may be fixed or determined by resolution of the Board of Directors. This Section 3.13 shall not be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer, agent, employee or otherwise and receiving compensation for those services.
3.14 RESERVED
Article IV
COMMITTEES
4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors may in its discretion, by resolution passed by a majority of the authorized number of directors, appoint one or more committees, each consisting of one or more of the directors of the corporation, which committee shall have and may exercise such of the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation as shall be conferred by the resolution appointing it, and which, in furtherance thereof, may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but the power and authority of any such committee shall be subject to the provisions of Section 141(c) (or its successor provision) of the Delaware General Corporation Law and any other applicable statute.
The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any such committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. The Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to change the membership of or to dissolve any such committee and only the Board of Directors may fill vacancies on any committee. Any such committee may make such rules for the conduct of its business as it shall from time to time deem necessary or appropriate, provided such rules are not inconsistent with Section 4.2 or any other provisions of these bylaws.
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4.2 MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES
Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of Article III of these bylaws, Section 3.5 (place of meetings), Section 3.6 (regular meetings), Section 3.7 (special meetings and notice), Section 3.8 (quorum), Section 3.9 (waiver of notice), Section 3.10 (adjournment), Section 3.11 (notice of adjournment), and Section 3.12 (action without meeting), with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Board of Directors and its members; provided, however, that the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined either by resolution of the Board of Directors or by resolution of the committee, that special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the Board of Directors, and that notice of special meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate members, if any, who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The Board of Directors may adopt rules for the governance of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws.
4.3 COMMITTEE MINUTES
Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.
Article V
OFFICERS
5.1 OFFICERS
The officers of the corporation shall be a chief executive officer, president, a secretary and a chief financial officer. The corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a chairman of the Board, one or more vice presidents, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers and such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 of these bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.
5.2 ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The officers of the corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 or Section 5.5 of these bylaws, shall be chosen by the Board of Directors, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment.
5.3 SUBORDINATE OFFICERS
The Board of Directors may appoint, or may empower the president to appoint, such other officers as the business of the corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority and perform such duties as are provided in these bylaws or as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
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5.4 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS
Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or, except in case of an officer chosen by the Board of Directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the Board of Directors.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice; and, unless otherwise specified in that notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.
5.5 VACANCIES IN OFFICES
A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed in these bylaws for regular appointments to that office.
5.6 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
The chairman of the Board, if such an officer be elected, shall, if present, preside at meetings of the Board of Directors and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned to the chairman of the Board by the Board of Directors or as may be prescribed by these bylaws. If there is no president, then the chairman of the Board shall also be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall have the powers and duties prescribed in Section 5.7
of these bylaws.
5.7 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The chief executive officer shall have, subject to the supervision, direction and control of the Board of Directors, ultimate authority for decision relating to the supervision, direction and management of the affairs and the business of the corporation customarily and usually associated with the position of chief executive officer, including, without limitation, all powers necessary to direct and control the organizational and reporting relationships within the corporation. If at any time the office of the chairperson and vice chairperson of the Board shall not be filled, or in the event of the temporary absence or disability of the chairperson of the Board and the vice chairperson of the Board, the chief executive officer shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the chairperson of the Board unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors.
5.8 PRESIDENT
The president shall have, subject to the supervision, direction and control of the Board of Directors, the general powers and duties of supervision, direction and management of the affairs and business of the corporation customarily and usually associated with the position of president. The president shall have such powers and perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the chairperson of the Board or the chief executive officer. In the event of the absence or disability of the chief executive officer, the president shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the chief executive officer unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors.
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5.9 VICE PRESIDENTS
In the absence or disability of the president, the vice presidents, if any, in order of their rank as fixed by the Board of Directors or, if not ranked, a vice president designated by the Board of Directors, shall perform all the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the president. The vice presidents shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by the Board of Directors, these bylaws, the president or the chairman of the Board.
5.10 SECRETARY
The secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the corporation or such other place as the Board of Directors may direct, a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of directors, committees of directors and stockholders. The minutes shall show the time and place of each meeting, whether regular or special (and, if special, how authorized and the notice given), the names of those present at directors’ meetings or committee meetings, the number of shares present or represented at stockholders’ meetings and the proceedings thereof.
The secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the corporation or at the office of the corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, as determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, a share register, or a duplicate share register, showing the names of all stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number and date of certificates evidencing such shares, and the number and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.
The secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors required to be given by law or by these bylaws. The secretary shall keep the seal of the corporation, if one be adopted, in safe custody and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or by these bylaws.
5.11 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
The chief financial officer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the corporation, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, retained earnings, and shares. The books of account shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any director.
The chief financial officer shall deposit all money and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the corporation with such depositaries as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The chief financial officer shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, shall render to the president and directors, whenever they request it, an account of all of such person’s transactions as chief financial officer and of the financial condition of the corporation, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these bylaws.
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Article VI
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES
AND OTHER AGENTS
6.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The corporation shall, to the maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended, indemnify any person against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which such person was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the corporation. For purposes of this Section 6.1 , a “director” or “officer” of the corporation shall mean any person (i) who is or was a director or officer of the corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was a director or officer of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation.
6.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS
The corporation shall have the power, to the maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended, to indemnify any person (other than directors and officers) against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, in which such person was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that such person is or was an employee or agent of the corporation. For purposes of this Section 6.2 , an “employee” or “agent” of the corporation (other than a director or officer) shall mean any person (i) who is or was an employee or agent of the corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as an employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was an employee or agent of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation.
6.3 INSURANCE
The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
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Article VII
RECORDS AND REPORTS
7.1 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS
The corporation shall, either at its principal executive office or at such place or places as designated by the Board of Directors, keep (i) a record of its stockholders listing their names and addresses and the number and class of shares held by each stockholder; (ii) a copy of these bylaws as amended to date; (iii) accounting books; and (iv) other records of its business and properties.
Any stockholder of record, in person or by attorney or other agent, shall, upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the right during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose the corporation’s stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and records and to make copies or extracts therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean a purpose reasonably related to such person’s interest as a stockholder. In every instance where an attorney or other agent is the person who seeks the right to inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or such other writing that authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the stockholder. The demand under oath shall be directed to the corporation at its registered office in the State of Delaware or at its principal place of business.
7.2 INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS
Any director shall have the right to examine the corporation’s stock ledger, a list of its stockholders and its other books and records for a purpose reasonably related to his or her position as a director.
7.3 RESERVED
7.4 REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS
The chairman of the Board, if any, the president, the chief financial officer, the secretary or any assistant secretary of this corporation, or any other person authorized by the Board of Directors or the president or a vice president, is authorized to vote, represent and exercise on behalf of this corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of the stock of any other corporation or corporations standing in the name of this corporation. The authority herein granted may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.
7.5 CERTIFICATION AND INSPECTION OF BYLAWS
The original or a copy of these bylaws, as amended or otherwise altered to date, certified by the secretary, shall be kept at the corporation’s principal executive office and shall be open to inspection by the stockholders of the corporation, at all reasonable times during office hours.
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Article VIII
GENERAL MATTERS
8.1 RECORD DATE FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN NOTICE AND VOTING
For purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted and which shall not be more than sixty (60) days before any such action. In that case, only stockholders of record at the close of business on the date so fixed are entitled to receive the dividend, distribution or allotment of rights, or to exercise such rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the corporation after the record date so fixed, except as otherwise provided in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
8.2 CHECKS; DRAFTS; EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS
From time to time, the Board of Directors shall determine by resolution which person or persons may sign or endorse all checks, drafts, other orders for payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness that are issued in the name of or payable to the corporation, and only the persons so authorized shall sign or endorse those instruments.
8.3 CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS: HOW EXECUTED
The Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Unless so authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
8.4 STOCK CERTIFICATES; TRANSFER; PARTLY PAID SHARES
The shares of the corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors of the corporation may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the corporation. Notwithstanding the adoption of such a resolution by the Board of Directors, every holder of stock represented by certificates and, upon request, every holder of uncertificated shares, shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the corporation by, the chairperson or vice-chairperson of the Board of Directors, or the president or vice-president, and by the treasurer or an assistant treasurer, or the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
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Upon surrender to the secretary or transfer agent of the corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.
The corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent any such partly paid shares, or upon the books and records of the corporation in the case of uncertificated partly paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated. Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully paid shares, the corporation shall declare a dividend upon partly paid shares of the same class, but only upon the basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.
8.5 SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES
If the corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock a statement that the corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, the designations, the preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.
8.6 LOST CERTIFICATES
Except as provided in this Section 8.6, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the corporation and cancelled at the same time. The Board of Directors may, in case any share certificate or certificate for any other security is lost, stolen or destroyed, authorize the issuance of replacement certificates or uncertificated shares on such terms and conditions as the Board may require; the Board may require indemnification of the corporation secured by a bond or other adequate security sufficient to protect the corporation against any claim that may be made against it, including any expense or liability, on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of the certificate or the issuance of the replacement certificate or uncertificated shares.
8.7 CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS
Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware shall govern the construction of these bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” includes both a corporation and a natural person.
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Article IX
AMENDMENTS
9.1 AMENDMENTS BY STOCKHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS
The original or other bylaws of the corporation may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote or by the Board of Directors of the corporation. The fact that such power has been so conferred upon the directors shall not divest the stockholders of the power, nor limit their power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws, in each case subject to the requirements of Article IX of the corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation.
Whenever an amendment or new bylaw is adopted, it shall be copied in the book of bylaws with the original bylaws, in the appropriate place. If any bylaw is repealed, the fact of repeal with the date of the meeting at which the repeal was enacted or the filing of the operative written consent(s) shall be stated in said book.
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LANTRONIX, INC.
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF BYLAWS
The undersigned hereby certifies that he is the duly elected, qualified, and acting Secretary of Lantronix, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), and that the foregoing bylaws, comprising 20 pages, were amended and restated on November 12, 2012 by the Corporation’s Board of Directors (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”).
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand this 12th day of November 2012.
/S/ JEREMY WHITAKER | ||
Jeremy Whitaker |
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Exhibit 99.1
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Indemnification Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into as of the 12th day of November, 2012 by and between Lantronix, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Bruce Edwards (“Indemnitee”).
RECITALS
A. The Company and Indemnitee recognize the continued difficulty in obtaining liability insurance for its directors, officers, employees, agents and fiduciaries, the significant increases in the cost of such insurance and the general reductions in the coverage of such insurance.
B. The Company and Indemnitee further recognize the substantial increase in corporate litigation in general, subjecting directors, officers, employees, agents and fiduciaries to expensive litigation risks at the same time as the availability and coverage of liability insurance has been severely limited.
C. Indemnitee does not regard the current protection available as adequate under the present circumstances, and Indemnitee and other directors, officers, employees, agents and fiduciaries of the Company may not be willing to continue to serve in such capacities without additional protection.
D. The Company desires to attract and retain the services of highly qualified individuals, such as Indemnitee, to serve the Company and, in part, in order to induce Indemnitee to continue to provide services to the Company, wishes to provide for the indemnification and advancing of expenses to Indemnitee to the maximum extent permitted by law.
E. In view of the considerations set forth above, the Company desires that Indemnitee be indemnified by the Company as set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:
1. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification of Expenses. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law if Indemnitee was or is or becomes a party to or witness or other participant in, or is threatened to be made a party to or witness or other participant in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, proceeding or alternative dispute resolution mechanism, or any hearing, inquiry or investigation that Indemnitee in good faith believes might lead to the institution of any such action, suit, proceeding or alternative dispute resolution mechanism, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other (hereinafter a “Claim”) by reason of (or arising in part out of) any event or occurrence related to the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of any action or inaction on the part of Indemnitee while serving in such capacity (hereinafter an “Indemnifiable Event”) against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees and all other costs, expenses and obligations incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to defend, be a witness in or participate in, any such action, suit, proceeding, alternative dispute resolution mechanism, hearing, inquiry or investigation), judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (if such settlement is approved in advance by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) of such Claim and any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement (collectively, hereinafter “Expenses”), including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses. Such payment of Expenses shall be made by the Company as soon as practicable but in any event no later than five days after written demand by Indemnitee therefor is presented to the Company.
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(b) Reviewing Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the obligations of the Company under Section 1(a) shall be subject to the condition that the Reviewing Party (as described in Section 10(e) hereof) shall not have determined (in a written opinion, in any case in which the Independent Legal Counsel referred to in Section 1(c) hereof is involved) that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law, and (ii) the obligation of the Company to make an advance payment of Expenses to Indemnitee pursuant to Section 2(a) (an “Expense Advance”) shall be subject to the condition that, if, when and to the extent that the Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be so indemnified under applicable law, the Company shall be entitled to be reimbursed by Indemnitee (who hereby agrees to reimburse the Company) for all such amounts theretofore paid; provided, however, that if Indemnitee has commenced or thereafter commences legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to secure a determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under applicable law, any determination made by the Reviewing Party that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law shall not be binding and Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any Expense Advance until a final judicial determination is made with respect thereto (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed). Indemnitees’ obligation to reimburse the Company for any Expense Advance shall be unsecured and no interest shall be charged thereon. If there has not been a Change in Control (as defined in Section 10(c) hereof), the Reviewing Party shall be selected by the Board of Directors, and if there has been such a Change in Control (other than a Change in Control that has been approved by a majority of the Company’s Board of Directors who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control), the Reviewing Party shall be the Independent Legal Counsel referred to in Section 1(c) hereof. If there has been no determination by the Reviewing Party or if the Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee substantively would not be permitted to be indemnified in whole or in part under applicable law, Indemnitee shall have the right to commence litigation seeking an initial determination by the court or challenging any such determination by the Reviewing Party or any aspect thereof, including the legal or factual bases therefor, and the Company hereby consents to service of process and to appear in any such proceeding. Any determination by the Reviewing Party otherwise shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and Indemnitee.
(c) Change in Control. The Company agrees that if there is a Change in Control of the Company (other than a Change in Control that has been approved by a majority of the Company’s Board of Directors who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control) then, with respect to all matters thereafter arising concerning the rights of Indemnitees to payments of Expenses and Expense Advances under this Agreement or any other agreement or under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws as now or hereafter in effect, Independent Legal Counsel (as defined in Section 10(d) hereof) shall be selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld). Such counsel, among other things, shall render its written opinion to the Company and Indemnitee as to whether and to what extent Indemnitee would be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law and the Company agrees to abide by such opinion. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Legal Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
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(d) Mandatory Payment of Expenses. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement other than Section 9 hereof, to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise, including, without limitation, the dismissal of an action without prejudice, in defense of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation referred to in Section (1)(a) hereof or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith.
2. Expenses; Indemnification Procedure.
(a) Advancement of Expenses. The Company shall advance all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee. The advances to be made hereunder shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee as soon as practicable but in any event no later than five days after written demand by Indemnitee therefor to the Company.
(b) Notice/Cooperation by Indemnitee. Indemnitee shall, as a condition precedent to Indemnitees’ right to be indemnified under this Agreement, give the Company notice in writing as soon as practicable of any Claim made against Indemnitee for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement. Notice to the Company shall be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company at the address shown on the signature page of this Agreement (or such other address as the Company shall designate in writing to Indemnitee). In addition, Indemnitee shall give the Company such information and cooperation as it may reasonably require and as shall be within Indemnitees’ power.
(c) No Presumptions; Burden of Proof. For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any Claim by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by applicable law. In addition, neither the failure of the Reviewing Party to have made a determination as to whether Indemnitee has met any particular standard of conduct or had any particular belief, nor an actual determination by the Reviewing Party that Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct or did not have such belief, prior to the commencement of legal proceedings by Indemnitee to secure a judicial determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under applicable law, shall be a defense to Indemnitee’s claim or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any particular standard of conduct or did not have any particular belief. In connection with any determination by the Reviewing Party or otherwise as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified hereunder, the burden of proof shall be on the Company to establish that Indemnitee is not so entitled.
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(d) Notice to Insurers. If, at the time of the receipt by the Company of a notice of a Claim pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof, the Company has liability insurance in effect that may cover such Claim, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such Claim to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation in accordance with the terms of such policies.
(e) Selection of Counsel. In the event the Company shall be obligated hereunder to pay the Expenses of any Claim, the Company shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Claim with counsel approved by Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election so to do. After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Claim; provided that, (i) Indemnitee shall have the right to employ Indemnitees’ counsel in any such Claim at Indemnitee expense and (ii) if (A) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, (B) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there is a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense, or (C) the Company shall not continue to retain such counsel to defend such Claim, then the fees and expenses of Indemnitee counsel shall be at the expense of the Company. The Company shall have the right to conduct such defense as it sees fit in its sole discretion, including the right to settle any claim against Indemnitee without the consent of the Indemnitee.
3. Additional Indemnification Rights; Nonexclusivity.
(a) Scope. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, notwithstanding that such indemnification is not specifically authorized by the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s Bylaws or by statute. In the event of any change after the date of this Agreement in any applicable law, statute or rule that expands the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its Board of Directors or an officer, employee, agent or fiduciary, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits afforded by such change. In the event of any change in any applicable law, statute or rule that narrows the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its Board of Directors or an officer, employee, agent or fiduciary, such change, to the extent not otherwise required by such law, statute or rule to be applied to this Agreement, shall have no effect on this Agreement or the parties’ rights and obligations hereunder except as set forth in Section 8(a) hereof.
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(b) Nonexclusivity. The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall be in addition to any rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, its Bylaws, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or otherwise. The indemnification provided under this Agreement shall continue as to Indemnitee for any action Indemnitee took or did not take while serving in an indemnified capacity even though Indemnitee may have ceased to serve in such capacity.
4. No Duplication of Payments. The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment in connection with any Claim made against Indemnitee to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise actually received payment (under any insurance policy, Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaw or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder.
5. Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of Expenses incurred in connection with any Claim, but not, however, for all of the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses to which Indemnitee are entitled.
6. Mutual Acknowledgement. Both the Company and Indemnitee acknowledge that in certain instances, Federal law or applicable public policy may prohibit the Company from indemnifying its directors, officers, employees, agents or fiduciaries under this Agreement or otherwise. Indemnitee understands and acknowledges that the Company has undertaken or may be required in the future to undertake with the Securities and Exchange Commission to submit the question of indemnification to a court in certain circumstances for a determination of the Company’s right under public policy to indemnify Indemnitee.
7. Liability Insurance. To the extent the Company maintains liability insurance applicable to directors, officers, employees, agents or fiduciaries, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policies 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 directors, if Indemnitee is a director; or of the Company’s officers, if Indemnitee is not a director of the Company but is an officer; or of the Company’s key employees, agents or fiduciaries, if Indemnitee is not an officer or director but is a key employee, agent or fiduciary.
8. Exceptions. Any other provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement:
(a) Excluded Action or Omissions. To indemnify Indemnitee for Indemnitee’s acts, omissions or transactions from which Indemnitee or the Indemnitee may not be relieved of liability under applicable law;
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(b) Claims Initiated by Indemnitee. To indemnify or advance expenses to Indemnitee with respect to Claims initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee and not by way of defense, except (i) with respect to actions or proceedings brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification under this Agreement or any other agreement or insurance policy or under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws now or hereafter in effect relating to Claims for Indemnifiable Events, (ii) in specific cases if the Board of Directors has approved the initiation or bringing of such Claim, or (iii) as otherwise required under Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advance expense payment or insurance recovery, as the case may be;
(c) Lack of Good Faith. To indemnify Indemnitee for any expenses incurred by Indemnitee with respect to any proceeding instituted by Indemnitee to enforce or interpret this Agreement, if a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee in such proceeding was not made in good faith or was frivolous; or
(d) Claims Under Section 16(b). To indemnify Indemnitee for expenses and the payment of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute.
9. Period of Limitations. No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s estate, spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two-year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action, such shorter period shall govern.
10. Construction of Certain Phrases.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, references to the “Company” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger that, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees, agents or fiduciaries, so that if Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust or other enterprise, Indemnitee shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as Indemnitee would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
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(b) For purposes of this Agreement, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company that imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or its beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.
(c) For purposes of this Agreement a “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other than a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company, (A) who is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 10% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities, increases his beneficial ownership of such securities by 5% or more over the percentage so owned by such person, or (B) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 20% of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities, (ii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the Company and any new director whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof, or (iii) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation other than a merger or consolidation that would result in the Voting Securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into Voting Securities of the surviving entity) at least 80% of the total voting power represented by the Voting Securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of (in one transaction or a series of transactions) all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.
(d) For purposes of this Agreement, “Independent Legal Counsel” shall mean an attorney or firm of attorneys, selected in accordance with the provisions of Section 1(c) hereof, who shall not have otherwise performed services for the Company or Indemnitee within the last three years (other than with respect to matters concerning the rights of Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnity agreements).
(e) For purposes of this Agreement, a “Reviewing Party” shall mean any appropriate person or body consisting of a member or members of the Company’s Board of Directors or any other person or body appointed by the Board of Directors who is not a party to the particular Claim for which Indemnitee are seeking indemnification, or Independent Legal Counsel.
(f) For purposes of this Agreement, “Voting Securities” shall mean any securities of the Company that vote generally in the election of directors.
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11. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original.
12. Binding Effect; Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns, including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, spouses, heirs, and personal and legal representatives. The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all, or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to 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. This Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to Claims relating to Indemnifiable Events regardless of whether Indemnitee continues to serve as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company or of any other enterprise at the Company’s request.
13. Attorneys’ Fees. In the event that any action is instituted by Indemnitee under this Agreement or under any liability insurance policies maintained by the Company to enforce or interpret any of the terms hereof or thereof, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee with respect to such action, regardless of whether Indemnitee is ultimately successful in such action, and shall be entitled to the advancement of Expenses with respect to such action, unless, as a part of such action, a court of competent jurisdiction over such action determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee as a basis for such action was not made in good faith or was frivolous. In the event of an action instituted by or in the name of the Company under this Agreement to enforce or interpret any of the terms of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in defense of such action (including costs and expenses incurred with respect to Indemnitee counterclaims and cross-claims made in such action), and shall be entitled to the advancement of Expenses with respect to such action, unless, as a part of such action, a court having jurisdiction over such action determines that each of Indemnitee material defenses to such action was made in bad faith or was frivolous.
14. Notice. All notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing, shall be effective when given, and shall in any event be deemed to be given (a) five (5) days after deposit with the U.S. Postal Service or other applicable postal service, if delivered by first class mail, postage prepaid, (b) upon delivery, if delivered by hand, (c) one (1) business day after the business day of deposit with Federal Express or similar overnight courier, freight prepaid, or (d) one (1) day after the business day of delivery by facsimile transmission, if delivered by facsimile transmission, with copy by first class mail, postage prepaid, and shall be addressed if to Indemnitee, at the Indemnitee address as set forth beneath Indemnitee signatures to this Agreement and if to the Company at the address of its principal corporate offices (attention: Secretary) or at such other address as such party may designate by ten days’ advance written notice to the other party hereto.
15. Consent to Jurisdiction. The Company and Indemnitee each hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware for all purposes in connection with any action or proceeding that arises out of or relates to this Agreement and agree that any action instituted under this Agreement shall be commenced, prosecuted and continued only in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County, which shall be the exclusive and only proper forum for adjudicating such a claim.
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16. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable in the event that any of the provisions hereof (including any provision within a single section, paragraph or sentence) are held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, and the remaining provisions shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. Furthermore, to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitations, each portion of this Agreement containing any provision held to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, void or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
17. Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and its provisions construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, as applied to contracts between Delaware residents, entered into and to be performed entirely within the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
18. Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.
19. Amendment and Termination. No amendment, modification, termination or cancellation of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing signed by both 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 hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
20. Integration and Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes and merges all previous written and oral negotiations, commitments, understandings and agreements relating to the subject matter hereof between the parties hereto.
21. No Construction as Employment Agreement. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as giving Indemnitee any right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
[Signature page follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
LANTRONIX, INC. | ||
Signature: | /s/ Kurt Busch | |
Name: | Kurt Busch | |
Title: | President and CEO | |
Address: | 167 Technology Drive | |
Irvine, CA 92618 |
AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED BY: | ||
Signature: | /s/ Bruce Edwards | |
Name: | Bruce Edwards | |
Title: | Director | |
Address: | 1920 Main Street, Suite 880 | |
Irvine, CA 92614 |
[Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement]
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Exhibit 99.2
November 13, 2012
Dear Jeremy:
Reference is made to the offer letter between you and Lantronix, Inc. (“Lantronix” or the “Company”) dated September 8, 2011 (the “Offer Letter”). Paragraph 10(a) of the offer letter is hereby amended to read as follows:
“a. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or in any prior relationship with the Company, express or implied, your employment is for an unspecified term and either you or Lantronix may terminate your employment at-will and with or without Cause (as defined in Attachment B hereto) or notice; provided however, that if your employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (as defined in Attachment B hereto), in exchange for a full general release of claims against the Company in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company becoming effective in accordance with its terms, the Company will pay you severance pay in a total amount equal to six (6) months of your then current Base Salary plus (ii) fifty percent (50%) of the amount of performance bonuses paid to you in the twelve months prior to termination (“Severance Payment”). The Severance Payment shall be less required tax deductions and withholdings and shall be paid in a lump sum on the 53rd day following your date of termination or such later date as is required to avoid potentially adverse taxation under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A pursuant to Section 15 hereof.”
Please sign, date and return the enclosed copy of this Agreement to me for our files to acknowledge your agreement with the above.
Very truly yours, | |
Lantronix, Inc. | |
By: /s/ Kurt Busch | |
Kurt Busch | |
Chief Executive Officer |
Acknowledged and Agreed:
/s/ Jeremy Whitaker
Jeremy Whitaker
Dated: November 13, 2012
Exhibit 99.3
STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
Purpose: The purpose of the Stock Ownership Guidelines for Non-Employee Directors is to align the interests of non-employee directors with the long-term interests of stockholders and further promote the commitment of Lantronix, Inc. (the “Company”) to sound corporate governance.
Ownership Requirement: Each non-employee director will be expected to hold an investment position in the Company’s common stock equal in value to three times the annual cash retainer (exclusive of any Board committee retainers) paid to non-employee directors.
Measurement: Compliance with these ownership guidelines will be measured based upon the purchase price paid by the non-employee director to acquire the shares of the Company’s common stock.
Transition Period: Non-employee directors will be expected to meet the minimum ownership levels within five years of the effective date of these guidelines (or within five years of appointment as a new director of the Company). Non-employee directors will be expected to make progress toward meeting the guidelines during the five-year transition period.
Effective Date of Policy: November 12, 2012
Exhibit 99.4
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION POLICY
This compensation policy has been developed to compensate the non-employee directors of Lantronix, Inc. (the “Company”) for their time, commitment and contributions to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). Directors who are also employees of the Company are not paid any fees or remuneration for their service on the Board or on any Board committee.
Cash Compensation
Annual Retainer
Each non-employee director will be paid an annual retainer of $36,000 for his or her service on the Board. Annual retainers will be paid in equal quarterly installments.
Chairman of the Board Retainer
A non-employee director serving as Chairman of the Board will be paid an annual retainer of $15,000 in addition to his or her annual retainer as a non-employee director. The Chairman of the Board retainer will be paid in equal quarterly installments.
Committee Chairmanship Retainers
Each non-employee director serving as Chairman of the Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees of the Board will be paid an annual retainer in addition to his or her annual retainer as a non-employee director, as follows:
Committee Chairmanship | Annual Retainer |
Audit | $10,000 |
Compensation | $7,500 |
Corporate Governance and Nominating | $5,000 |
Committee chairmanship retainers will be paid in equal quarterly installments.
Meeting Attendance Fees
Each non-employee director will be paid a meeting fee of $1,000 for each regular or special Board meeting attended in person or by telephone in excess of twelve meetings during the fiscal year. Each non-employee director will be paid a meeting fee of $1,000 for attending in person or by telephone a regular or special meeting of a committee of which he or she is a member, in excess of twelve meetings per committee during the fiscal year. For purposes of this policy, a meeting is defined as a duly noticed meeting of the Board or a committee for which minutes are kept.
Ad Hoc Committees
From time to time, the Board may establish ad hoc committees of the Board to address issues with defined scope and authority. At the time such a committee is established the Board will determine the compensation payable to non-employee directors for services rendered in connection with the committee.
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Equity Compensation
The Board will make an annual grant of 25,000 stock options to each non-employee director upon his or her election at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders. Options granted to non-employee directors will (i) vest monthly at the rate of 1/12 per month, such that One Hundred Percent (100%) of the Shares will be fully vested on the one (1) year anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, (ii) have a seven year term, and (iii) have a two-year post-separation exercise period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a non-employee director is not duly re-elected to the Company’s Board of Directors by the Company’s stockholders at any regularly scheduled and duly noticed annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders, then any remaining unvested Shares shall immediately vest as of the day of such annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders.
If a director is appointed at a time other than at the annual stockholders meeting, the number of options and vesting schedule will be pro-rated based upon the amount of time that has elapsed since the Company’s most recent annual meeting.
Expense Reimbursement
Each of the non-employee directors will be entitled to receive reimbursement for reasonable expenses which they properly incur in connection with their functions and duties as a director, including travel expenses incurred to attend meetings, not to exceed $2,000 per meeting requiring travel.
Amendments, Revision and Termination
This policy may be amended, revised or terminated by the Board at any time.
Adopted: November 12, 2012, effective January 1, 2013
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