EX-10.24 4 dex1024.htm NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION AWARD AND STOCK OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT Notice of Stock Option Award and Stock Option Award Agreement

EXHIBIT 10.24

 

GCA HOLDINGS, INC.

 

NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION AWARD

 

 

Grantee’s Name and Address:

  Harry C. Hagerty III
    9612 Coral Rose Court
    Las Vegas, NV 89134

 

You (the “Grantee”) have been granted an option to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock, subject to the terms and conditions of this Notice of Stock Option Award (the “Notice”) and the Stock Option Award Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) attached hereto, as follows. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Option Agreement shall have the same defined meanings in this Notice.

 

Award Number

  001

Date of Award

  September 1, 2004

Vesting Commencement Date

  July 12, 2004

Exercise Price per Share

  $104.60

Total Number of Shares Subject

   

to the Option (the “Shares”)

  55,555 shares of Class A Common Stock

Total Exercise Price

  $5,811,053.00

Type of Option

  Non-Qualified Stock Option

Expiration Date:

  September 1, 2014

Post-Termination Exercise Period:

  one hundred eighty (180) days following (X) the date upon which the Grantee’s Continuous Service terminates, if the class of securities for which the Option is exercisable are traded on a national securities exchange or quotation system at the time of the termination of the Grantee’s Continuous Service, or (Y) the date upon which the class of securities for which the Option is exercisable first become traded on a national securities exchange or quotation system if such class of securities are not traded on a national securities exchange or quotation system at the time of the termination of the Grantee’s Continuous Service.

 

Vesting Schedule:

 

Subject to the Grantee’s Continuous Service and other limitations set forth in this Notice and the Option Agreement, the Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with the following schedule:

 

25% of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest twelve months after the Vesting Commencement Date, and 1/48 of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest on each monthly anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date thereafter.

 

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Notwithstanding the vesting schedule set forth above, in the event of termination of the Grantee’s Continuous Service without Cause or for Good Reason on or prior to the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, a number of Shares subject to the Option equal to the sum of (A) the product of 1/48th of the total number of Shares subject to the Option multiplied by the number of monthly anniversaries of the Vesting Commencement Date that have elapsed, plus (B) an additional 25% of the Shares subject to the Option, shall immediately vest.

 

Notwithstanding the vesting schedule set forth above, in the event of termination of the Grantee’s Continuous Service without Cause or for Good Reason after to the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, all Shares subject to the Option shall immediately vest.

 

Notwithstanding the vesting schedule set forth above, Shares subject to the Option shall vest in connection with Corporate Transactions or Changes in Control pursuant to the provisions of Section 23 of the Option Agreement.

 

During any authorized leave of absence, the vesting of the Option as provided in this schedule shall be suspended after the leave of absence exceeds a period of ninety (90) days. Vesting of the Option shall resume upon the Grantee’s termination of the leave of absence and return to service to the Company or a Related Entity. The Vesting Schedule of the Option shall be extended by the length of the suspension.

 

In the event of the Grantee’s change in status from Employee to Consultant or from an Employee whose customary employment is 20 hours or more per week to an Employee whose customary employment is fewer than 20 hours per week, vesting of the Option shall continue only to the extent determined by the Board as of such change in status.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Grantee have executed this Notice and agree that the Option is to be governed by the terms and conditions of this Notice and the Option Agreement.

 

GCA Holdings, Inc.,

a Delaware corporation

By:

 

/s/ Kirk Sanford


    Kirk Sanford, Chief Executive Officer

 

THE GRANTEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE SHARES SUBJECT TO THE OPTION SHALL VEST, IF AT ALL, ONLY DURING THE PERIOD OF THE GRANTEE’S CONTINUOUS SERVICE (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THE OPTION OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). THE GRANTEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT NOTHING IN THIS NOTICE OR THE OPTION AGREEMENT SHALL CONFER UPON THE GRANTEE ANY RIGHT WITH RESPECT TO FUTURE AWARDS OR CONTINUATION OF THE

 

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GRANTEE’S CONTINUOUS SERVICE, NOR SHALL IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH THE GRANTEE’S RIGHT OR THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY OR RELATED ENTITY TO WHICH THE GRANTEE PROVIDES SERVICES TO TERMINATE THE GRANTEE’S CONTINUOUS SERVICE, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE, AND WITH OR WITHOUT NOTICE. THE GRANTEE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT UNLESS THE GRANTEE HAS A WRITTEN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE COMPANY TO THE CONTRARY, THE GRANTEE’S STATUS IS AT WILL.

 

The Grantee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Option Agreement, and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and provisions hereof and thereof. The Grantee has reviewed this Notice and the Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Notice, and fully understands all provisions of this Notice and the Option Agreement. The Grantee hereby agrees that all questions of interpretation and administration relating to this Notice and the Option Agreement shall be resolved by the Board in accordance with Section 19 of the Option Agreement. The Grantee further agrees to the venue selection and waiver of a jury trial in accordance with Section 20 of the Option Agreement. The Grantee further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated in this Notice.

 

Dated: September 1, 2004

  Signed:  

/s/ Harry C. Hagerty III


        Harry C. Hagerty III

 

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Award Number: 001

 

GCA HOLDINGS, INC.

 

STOCK OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT

 

1. Grant of Option. GCA Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants to the Grantee (the “Grantee”) named in the Notice of Stock Option Award (the “Notice”), an option (the “Option”) to purchase the Total Number of Shares of Common Stock subject to the Option (the “Shares”) set forth in the Notice, at the Exercise Price per Share set forth in the Notice (the “Exercise Price”) subject to the terms and provisions of this Stock Option Award Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) and the Notice which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

2. Exercise of Option.

 

(a) Right to Exercise. The Option shall be exercisable during its term in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice and with the applicable provisions of this Option Agreement. The Option shall be subject to the provisions of Section 23 of this Option Agreement relating to the exercisability or termination of the Option in the event of a Corporate Transaction or Change in Control. The Grantee shall be subject to reasonable limitations on the number of requested exercises during any monthly or weekly period as determined by the Board. In no event shall the Company issue fractional Shares.

 

(b) Method of Exercise. The Option shall be exercisable by delivery of an exercise notice (a form of which is attached as Exhibit A) or by such other procedure as specified from time to time by the Board which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the whole number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised, and such other provisions as may be required by the Board. The exercise notice shall be delivered in person, by certified mail, or by such other method (including electronic transmission) as determined from time to time by the Board to the Company accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. The Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such notice accompanied by the Exercise Price, which, to the extent selected, shall be deemed to be satisfied by use of the broker-dealer sale and remittance procedure to pay the Exercise Price provided in Section 4(d), below.

 

(c) Taxes. No Shares will be delivered to the Grantee or other person pursuant to the exercise of the Option until the Grantee or other person has made arrangements acceptable to the Board for the satisfaction of applicable income tax and employment tax withholding obligations, including, without limitation, obligations incident to the receipt of Shares. Upon exercise of the Option, the Company or the Grantee’s employer may offset or withhold (from any amount owed by the Company or the Grantee’s employer to the Grantee) or collect from the Grantee or other person an amount sufficient to satisfy such tax withholding obligations.

 

3. Grantee’s Representations. The Grantee understands that neither the Option nor the Shares exercisable pursuant to the Option have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any United States securities laws. In the event the Shares purchasable

 

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pursuant to the exercise of the Option have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, at the time the Option is exercised, the Grantee shall, if requested by the Company, concurrently with the exercise of all or any portion of the Option, deliver to the Company his or her Investment Representation Statement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

 

4. Method of Payment. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be made by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Grantee; provided, however, that such exercise method does not then violate any Applicable Law and, provided further, that the portion of the Exercise Price equal to the par value of the Shares must be paid in cash or other legal consideration permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law:

 

(a) cash;

 

(b) check;

 

(c) if the exercise occurs on or after the Registration Date, surrender of Shares or delivery of a properly executed form of attestation of ownership of Shares as the Board may require which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender or attestation equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised, provided, however, that Shares acquired under the Option or any other equity compensation plan or agreement of the Company must have been held by the Grantee for a period of more than six (6) months (and not used for another award exercise by attestation during such period); or

 

(d) if the exercise occurs on or after the Registration Date, payment through a broker-dealer sale and remittance procedure pursuant to which the Grantee (i) shall provide written instructions to a Company-designated brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of some or all of the purchased Shares and remit to the Company sufficient funds to cover the aggregate exercise price payable for the purchased Shares and (ii) shall provide written directives to the Company to deliver the certificates for the purchased Shares directly to such brokerage firm in order to complete the sale transaction.

 

5. Restrictions on Exercise. The Option may not be exercised if the issuance of the Shares subject to the Option upon such exercise would constitute a violation of any Applicable Laws. If the exercise of the Option within the applicable time periods set forth in Section 6, 7 and 8 of this Option Agreement is prevented by the provisions of this Section 5, the Option shall remain exercisable until one (1) month after the date the Grantee is notified by the Company that the Option is exercisable, but in any event no later than the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice.

 

6. Termination or Change of Continuous Service. In the event the Grantee’s Continuous Service terminates, the Grantee may, but only during the Post-Termination Exercise Period, exercise the portion of the Option that was vested at the date of such termination (the “Termination Date”). In no event shall the Option be exercised later than the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice. In the event of the Grantee’s change in status from Employee, Director or Consultant to any other status of Employee, Director or Consultant, the Option shall remain in effect. In the event of the Grantee’s change in status from Employee to Director or Consultant, vesting of the Option shall continue only to the extent determined by the Administrator as of

 

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such change in status. Except as provided in Sections 7 and 8 below, to the extent that the Option was unvested on the Termination Date, or if the Grantee does not exercise the vested portion of the Option within the Post-Termination Exercise Period, the Option shall terminate.

 

7. Disability of Grantee. In the event the Grantee’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of his or her Disability, the Grantee may, but only within twelve (12) months commencing on the Termination Date (but in no event later than the Expiration Date), exercise the portion of the Option that was vested on the Termination Date. To the extent that the Option was unvested on the Termination Date, or if the Grantee does not exercise the vested portion of the Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

 

8. Death of Grantee. In the event of the termination of the Grantee’s Continuous Service as a result of his or her death, or in the event of the Grantee’s death during the Post-Termination Exercise Period or during the twelve (12) month period following the Grantee’s termination of Continuous Service as a result of his or her Disability, the person who acquired the right to exercise the Option pursuant to Section 9 may exercise the portion of the Option that was vested at the date of termination within twelve (12) months commencing on the date of death (but in no event later than the Expiration Date). To the extent that the Option was unvested on the date of death, or if the vested portion of the Option is not exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

 

9. Transferability of Option. The Option may not be transferred in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, provided, however, that the Option may be transferred during the lifetime of the Grantee to the extent and in the manner authorized by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grantee may designate one or more beneficiaries of the Grantee’s Option in the event of the Grantee’s death on a beneficiary designation form provided by the Board. Following the death of the Grantee, the Option, to the extent provided in Section 8, may be exercised (a) by the person or persons designated under the deceased Grantee’s beneficiary designation or (b) in the absence of an effectively designated beneficiary, by the Grantee’s legal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Grantee’s will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution. The terms of the Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs and successors of the Grantee.

 

10. Term of Option. The Option must be exercised no later than the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice or such earlier date as otherwise provided herein. After the Expiration Date or such earlier date, the Option shall be of no further force or effect and may not be exercised.

 

11. Company’s Right of First Refusal.

 

(a) Transfer Notice. Neither the Grantee nor a transferee (either being sometimes referred to herein as the “Holder”) shall sell, hypothecate, encumber or otherwise transfer any Shares or any right or interest therein without first complying with the provisions of this Section 11 or obtaining the prior written consent of the Company. In the event the Holder desires to accept a bona fide third-party offer for any or all of the Shares, the Holder shall provide the Company with written notice (the “Transfer Notice”) of:

 

(i) The Holder’s intention to transfer;

 

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(ii) The name of the proposed transferee;

 

(iii) The number of Shares to be transferred; and

 

(iv) The proposed transfer price or value and terms thereof.

 

If the Grantee proposes to transfer any Shares to more than one transferee, the Grantee shall provide a separate Transfer Notice for the proposed transfer to each transferee. The Transfer Notice shall be signed by both the Grantee and the proposed transferee and must constitute a binding commitment of the Grantee and the proposed transferee for the transfer of the Shares to the proposed transferee subject to the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement.

 

(b) Bona Fide Transfer. If the Company determines that the information provided by the Grantee in the Transfer Notice is insufficient to establish the bona fide nature of a proposed voluntary transfer, the Company shall give the Grantee written notice of the Grantee’s failure to comply with the procedure described in this Section 11, and the Grantee shall have no right to transfer the Shares without first complying with the procedure described in this Section 11. The Grantee shall not be permitted to transfer the Shares if the proposed transfer is not bona fide.

 

(c) First Refusal Exercise Notice. The Company shall have the right to purchase (the “Right of First Refusal”) all but not less than all, of the Shares which are described in the Transfer Notice (the “Offered Shares”) at any time within forty-five (45) days after receipt of the Transfer Notice (the “Option Period”), provided, however, that if the Offered Shares are not Mature Shares (as defined below) then the Option Period shall be extended by the number of days necessary for the Offered Shares to become Mature Shares. The Offered Shares shall be repurchased at (i) the per share price or value and in accordance with the terms stated in the Transfer Notice (subject to Section 11(d) below) or (ii) the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date on which the purchase is to be effected if no consideration is paid pursuant to the terms stated in the Transfer Notice, which Right of First Refusal shall be exercised by written notice (the “First Refusal Exercise Notice”) to the Holder. “Mature Shares” shall mean vested Shares that have been held by the Holder (and any successor Holder) for a period of more than six (6) months after the Shares have vested.

 

(d) Payment Terms. The Company shall consummate the purchase of the Offered Shares on the terms set forth in the Transfer Notice within 30 days after delivery of the First Refusal Exercise Notice; provided, however, that in the event the Transfer Notice provides for the payment for the Offered Shares other than in cash, the Company and/or its assigns shall have the right to pay for the Offered Shares by the discounted cash equivalent of the consideration described in the Transfer Notice as reasonably determined by the Board. Upon payment for the Offered Shares to the Holder or into escrow for the benefit of the Holder, the Company or its assigns shall become the legal and beneficial owner of the Offered Shares and all rights and interest therein or related thereto, and the Company shall have the right to transfer the Offered Shares to its own name or its assigns without further action by the Holder.

 

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(e) Assignment. Whenever the Company shall have the right to purchase Shares under this Right of First Refusal, the Company may designate and assign one or more employees, officers, directors or stockholders of the Company or other persons or organizations, to exercise all or a part of the Company’s Right of First Refusal.

 

(f) Non-Exercise. If the Company and/or its assigns do not collectively elect to exercise the Right of First Refusal within the Option Period or such earlier time if the Company and/or its assigns notifies the Holder that it will not exercise the Right of First Refusal, then the Holder may transfer the Shares upon the terms and conditions stated in the Transfer Notice, provided that:

 

(i) The transfer is made within 90 days of the earlier of (A) the date the Company and/or its assigns notify the Holder that the Right of First Refusal will not be exercised or (B) the expiration of the Option Period; and

 

(ii) The transferee agrees in writing that such Shares shall be held subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement.

 

The Company shall have the right to demand further assurances from the Grantee and the transferee (in a form satisfactory to the Company) that the transfer of the Offered Shares was actually carried out on the terms and conditions described in the Transfer Notice. No Offered Shares shall be transferred on the books of the Company until the Company has received such assurances, if so demanded, and has approved the proposed transfer as bona fide.

 

(g) Expiration of Transfer Period. Following such 90 day period, no transfer of the Offered Shares and no change in the terms of the transfer as stated in the Transfer Notice (including the name of the proposed transferee) shall be permitted without a new written Transfer Notice prepared and submitted in accordance with the requirements of this Right of First Refusal.

 

(h) Termination of Right of First Refusal. The provisions of this Right of First Refusal shall terminate as to all Shares upon the Registration Date.

 

(i) Additional Shares or Substituted Securities. In the event of any transaction described in Sections 22 or 23, any new, substituted or additional securities or other property which is by reason of any such transaction distributed with respect to the Shares shall be immediately subject to the Right of First Refusal, but only to the extent the Shares are at the time covered by such right.

 

12. Intentionally omitted.

 

13. Stop-Transfer Notices. In order to ensure compliance with the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Option Agreement or the Notice, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.

 

14. Refusal to Transfer. The Company shall not be required (i) to transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the

 

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provisions of this Option Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so transferred.

 

15. Tax Consequences. Set forth below is a brief summary as of the date of this Option Agreement of some of the federal tax consequences of exercise of the Option and disposition of the Shares. THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THE GRANTEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THE OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.

 

(a) Exercise of Non-Qualified Stock Option. On exercise of the Option, the Grantee will be treated as having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price. If the Grantee is an Employee or a former Employee, the Company will be required to withhold from the Grantee’s compensation or collect from the Grantee and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount in cash equal to a percentage of this compensation income at the time of exercise, and may refuse to honor the exercise and refuse to deliver Shares if such withholding amounts are not delivered at the time of exercise.

 

(b) Disposition of Shares. If Shares are held for more than one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes.

 

16. Lock-Up Agreement.

 

(a) Agreement. The Grantee, if requested by the Company and the lead underwriter of any public offering of any class or series of common stock (the “Lead Underwriter”), hereby irrevocably agrees not to sell, contract to sell, grant any option to purchase, transfer the economic risk of ownership in, make any short sale of, pledge or otherwise transfer or dispose of any interest in any common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for or any other rights to purchase or acquire common stock (except common stock included in such public offering or acquired on the public market after such offering) during the 180-day period following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or such shorter or longer period of time as the Lead Underwriter shall specify. The Grantee further agrees to sign such documents as may be requested by the Lead Underwriter to effect the foregoing and agrees that the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to such common stock subject to the lock-up period until the end of such period. The Company and the Grantee acknowledge that each Lead Underwriter of a public offering of the Company’s stock, during the period of such offering and for the lock-up period thereafter, is an intended beneficiary of this Section 16.

 

(b) No Amendment Without Consent of Underwriter. During the period from identification of a Lead Underwriter in connection with any public offering of the Company’s common stock until the earlier of (i) the expiration of the lock-up period specified in Section 16(a) in connection with such offering or (ii) the abandonment of such offering by the Company and the Lead Underwriter, the provisions of this Section 16 may not be amended or waived except with the consent of the Lead Underwriter.

 

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17. Entire Agreement: Governing Law. The Notice and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and the Grantee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Grantee’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and the Grantee. Nothing in the Notice and this Option Agreement (except as expressly provided therein) is intended to confer any rights or remedies on any persons other than the parties. The Notice and this Option Agreement are to be construed in accordance with and governed by the internal laws of the State of Nevada without giving effect to any choice of law rule that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the internal laws of the State of Nevada to the rights and duties of the parties. Should any provision of the Notice or this Option Agreement be determined to be illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be enforced to the fullest extent allowed by law and the other provisions shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable.

 

18. Construction. The captions used in the Notice and this Option Agreement are inserted for convenience and shall not be deemed a part of the Option for construction or interpretation. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

 

19. Administration and Interpretation. Any question or dispute regarding the administration or interpretation of the Notice or this Option Agreement shall be submitted by the Grantee or by the Company to the Board. The resolution of such question or dispute by the Board shall be final and binding on all persons.

 

20. Venue and Waiver of Jury Trial. The Company, the Grantee, and the Grantee’s assignees pursuant to Section 9 (the “parties”) agree that any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Notice or this Option Agreement shall be brought in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada (or should such court lack jurisdiction to hear such action, suit or proceeding, in a Nevada state court in Clark County) and that the parties shall submit to the jurisdiction of such court. The parties irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection the party may have to the laying of venue for any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such court. THE PARTIES ALSO EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT THEY HAVE OR MAY HAVE TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING. If any one or more provisions of this Section 20 shall for any reason be held invalid or unenforceable, it is the specific intent of the parties that such provisions shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it or its application valid and enforceable.

 

21. Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery, upon deposit for delivery by an internationally recognized express mail courier service or upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail (if the parties are within the United States), with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at its address as shown in these instruments, or to such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.

 

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22. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by the Option, the exercise price of the Option, as well as any other terms that the Board determines require adjustment shall be proportionately adjusted for (i) any increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Shares, or similar transaction affecting the Shares, (ii) any other increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, or (iii) as the Board may determine in its discretion, any other transaction with respect to Common Stock including a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, separation (including a spin-off or other distribution of stock or property), reorganization, liquidation (whether partial or complete) or any similar transaction; provided, however that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Board and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as the Board determines, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason hereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares subject to the Option.

 

23. Corporate Transactions or Changes in Control.

 

(a) Termination of Option to Extent Not Assumed in Corporate Transaction. Effective upon the consummation of a Corporate Transaction, the Option shall terminate. However, the Option shall not terminate to the extent it is Assumed in connection with the Corporate Transaction.

 

(b) Acceleration of Option Upon Corporate Transaction or Change in Control.

 

(i) Corporate Transaction. In the event of a Corporate Transaction and irrespective of whether the Option is Assumed or Replaced, the Option automatically shall become fully vested and exercisable immediately prior to the specified effective date of such Corporate Transaction, for all of the Shares at the time represented by the Option, provided that the Grantee’s Continuous Service has not terminated prior to such date.

 

(ii) Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control (other than a Change in Control which also is a Corporate Transaction), the Option automatically shall become fully vested and exercisable immediately prior to the specified effective date of such Change in Control, for all of the Shares at the time represented by the Option, provided that the Grantee’s Continuous Service has not terminated prior to such date.

 

24. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

 

(a) “Affiliate” and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

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(b) “Applicable Laws” means the legal requirements applicable to the Option under applicable provisions of federal securities laws, state corporate and securities laws, the Code, the rules of any applicable stock exchange or national market system, and the rules of any non-U.S. jurisdiction applicable to Options granted to residents therein.

 

(c) “Assumed” means that pursuant to a Corporate Transaction either (i) the Option is expressly affirmed by the Company or (ii) the contractual obligations represented by the Option are expressly assumed (and not simply by operation of law) by the successor entity or its Parent in connection with the Corporate Transaction with appropriate adjustments to the number and type of securities of the successor entity or its Parent subject to the Option and the exercise or purchase price thereof which at least preserves the compensation element of the Option existing at the time of the Corporate Transaction as determined in accordance with the instruments evidencing the agreement to assume the Option.

 

(d) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company and shall include any committee of the Board or Officer of the Company to which the Board has delegated its authority under this Agreement.

 

(e) “Cause” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the Employment Agreement, dated as of July 12, 2004, by and between Global Cash Access, Inc. and the Grantee.

 

(f) “Change in Control” means a change in ownership or control of the Company after the Registration Date effected through either of the following transactions:

 

(i) the direct or indirect acquisition by any person or related group of persons (other than an acquisition from or by the Company or by a Company-sponsored employee benefit plan or by a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made directly to the Company’s stockholders which a majority of the Continuing Directors who are not Affiliates or Associates of the offeror do not recommend such stockholders accept, or

 

(ii) a change in the composition of the Board over a period of thirty-six (36) months or less such that a majority of the Board members (rounded up to the next whole number) ceases, by reason of one or more contested elections for Board membership, to be comprised of individuals who are Continuing Directors.

 

(g) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(h) “Common Stock” means the Class A Common Stock of the Company.

 

(i) “Company” means GCA Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

(j) “Consultant” means any person (other than an Employee or a Director, solely with respect to rendering services in such person’s capacity as a Director) who is engaged by the Company or any Related Entity to render consulting or advisory services to the Company or such Related Entity.

 

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(k) “Continuing Directors” means members of the Board who either (i) have been Board members continuously for a period of at least thirty-six (36) months or (ii) have been Board members for less than thirty-six (36) months and were elected or nominated for election as Board members by at least a majority of the Board members described in clause (i) who were still in office at the time such election or nomination was approved by the Board.

 

(l) “Continuous Service” means that the provision of services to the Company or a Related Entity in any capacity of Employee, Director or Consultant is not interrupted or terminated. In jurisdictions requiring notice in advance of an effective termination as an Employee, Director or Consultant, Continuous Service shall be deemed terminated upon the actual cessation of providing services to the Company or a Related Entity notwithstanding any required notice period that must be fulfilled before a termination as an Employee, Director or Consultant can be effective under Applicable Laws. The Grantee’s Continuous Service shall be deemed to have terminated either upon an actual termination of Continuous Service or upon the entity for which the Grantee provides services ceasing to be a Related Entity. Continuous Service shall not be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any approved leave of absence, (ii) transfers among the Company, any Related Entity, or any successor, in any capacity of Employee, Director or Consultant, or (iii) any change in status as long as the individual remains in the service of the Company or a Related Entity in any capacity of Employee, Director or Consultant (except as otherwise provided in the Option Agreement). An approved leave of absence shall include sick leave, military leave, or any other authorized personal leave.

 

(m) “Corporate Transaction” means any of the following transactions, provided, however, that the Board shall determine under parts (iv) and (v) whether multiple transactions are related, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive:

 

(i) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity, except for any transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the state in which the Company is incorporated;

 

(ii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (including the capital stock of the Company’s subsidiary corporations);

 

(iii) the complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

 

(iv) any reverse merger or series of related transactions culminating in a reverse merger (including, but not limited to, a tender offer followed by a reverse merger) in which the Company is the surviving entity but (A) the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such merger are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise, or (B) in which securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities are transferred to a person or persons different from those who held such securities immediately prior to such merger or the initial transaction culminating in such merger; or

 

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(v) acquisition in a single or series of related transactions by any person or related group of persons (other than the Company or by a Company-sponsored employee benefit plan) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities but excluding any such transaction or series of related transactions that the Board determines shall not be a Corporate Transaction.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing clauses (i) through (v), in no event shall any transaction or series of transactions constitute a Corporate Transaction if the principal purpose of such transaction or series of transactions is to merge or consolidate the Company with or into any direct or indirect, wholly-owned or partially-owned, subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company.

 

(n) “Director” means a member of the Board or the board of directors of any Related Entity.

 

(o) “Disability” shall have the same meaning as defined under the long-term disability policy of the Company or the Related Entity to which the Grantee provides services regardless of whether the Grantee is covered by such policy. If the Company or the Related Entity to which the Grantee provides service does not have a long-term disability plan in place, “Disability” means that the Grantee is unable to carry out the responsibilities and functions of the position held by the Grantee by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment for a period of not less than ninety (90) consecutive days. The Grantee will not be considered to have incurred a Disability unless he or she furnishes proof of such impairment sufficient to satisfy the Board in its discretion.

 

(p) “Employee” means any person, including an Officer or Director, who is in the employ of the Company or any Related Entity, subject to the control and direction of the Company or any Related Entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and method of performance. The payment of a director’s fee by the Company or a Related Entity shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.

 

(q) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(r) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:

 

(i) If the Common Stock is listed on one or more established stock exchanges or national market systems, including without limitation The Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on the principal exchange or system on which the Common Stock is listed (as determined by the Board) on the date of determination (or, if no closing sales price or closing bid was reported on that date, as applicable, on the last trading date such closing sales price or closing bid was reported), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Board deems reliable;

 

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(ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted on an automated quotation system (including the OTC Bulletin Board) or by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock as quoted on such system or by such securities dealer on the date of determination, but if selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the date of determination (or, if no such prices were reported on that date, on the last date such prices were reported), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Board deems reliable; or

 

(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock of the type described in (i) and (ii), above, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined by the Board in good faith.

 

(s) “Good Reason” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the Employment Agreement, dated as of July 12, 2004, by and between Global Cash Access, Inc. and the Grantee.

 

(t) “Non-Qualified Stock Option” means an Option not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

(u) “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company or a Related Entity within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(v) “Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

 

(w) “Registration Date” means the first to occur of (i) the closing of the first sale to the general public pursuant to a registration statement filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of (A) the Common Stock or (B) the same class of securities of a successor corporation (or its Parent) issued pursuant to a Corporate Transaction in exchange for or in substitution of the Common Stock; and (ii) in the event of a Corporate Transaction, the date of the consummation of the Corporate Transaction if the same class of securities of the successor corporation (or its Parent) issuable in such Corporate Transaction shall have been sold to the general public pursuant to a registration statement filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on or prior to the date of consummation of such Corporate Transaction.

 

(x) “Related Entity” means any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company and any business, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company or a Parent or a Subsidiary of the Company holds a substantial ownership interest, directly or indirectly.

 

(y) “Replaced” means that pursuant to a Corporate Transaction the Option is replaced with a comparable stock award or a cash incentive program of the Company, the successor entity (if applicable) or Parent of either of them which preserves the compensation element of such Option existing at the time of the Corporate Transaction and provides for subsequent payout in accordance with the same (or a more favorable) vesting schedule applicable to such Option. The determination of Option comparability shall be made by the Board and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

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(z) “Share” means a share of the Common Stock.

 

(aa) “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

END OF AGREEMENT

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

EXERCISE NOTICE

 

GCA Holdings, Inc.

3525 East Post Road, Suite 120

Las Vegas, Nevada 89120

Attention: Secretary

 

1. Effective as of today,                     ,              the undersigned (the “Grantee”) hereby elects to exercise the Grantee’s option to purchase                      shares of the Class A Common Stock (the “Shares”) of GCA Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) under and pursuant to the Stock Option Award Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) and Notice of Stock Option Award (the “Notice”) dated September     , 2004. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Option Agreement shall have the same defined meanings in this Exercise Notice.

 

2. Representations of the Grantee. The Grantee acknowledges that the Grantee has received, read and understood the Notice and the Option Agreement and agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

 

3. Rights as Stockholder. Until the stock certificate evidencing such Shares is issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such stock certificate promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 22 of the Option Agreement.

 

The Grantee shall enjoy rights as a stockholder until such time as the Grantee disposes of the Shares or the Company and/or its assignee(s) exercises the Right of First Refusal. Upon such exercise, the Grantee shall have no further rights as a holder of the Shares so purchased except the right to receive payment for the Shares so purchased in accordance with the provisions of the Option Agreement, and the Grantee shall forthwith cause the certificate(s) evidencing the Shares so purchased to be surrendered to the Company for transfer or cancellation.

 

4. Delivery of Payment. The Grantee herewith delivers to the Company the full Exercise Price for the Shares, which, to the extent selected, shall be deemed to be satisfied by use of the broker-dealer sale and remittance procedure to pay the Exercise Price provided in Section 4(d) of the Option Agreement.

 

5. Tax Consultation. The Grantee understands that the Grantee may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of the Grantee’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. The Grantee represents that the Grantee has consulted with any tax consultants the Grantee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that the Grantee is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.

 

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6. Taxes. The Grantee agrees to satisfy all applicable non-U.S., federal, state and local income and employment tax withholding obligations and herewith delivers to the Company the full amount of such obligations or has made arrangements acceptable to the Company to satisfy such obligations. If the Company is required to satisfy any non-U.S., federal, state or local income or employment tax withholding obligations as a result of such an early disposition, the Grantee agrees to satisfy the amount of such withholding in a manner that the Board prescribes.

 

7. Restrictive Legends. The Grantee understands and agrees that the Company shall cause the legends set forth below or legends substantially equivalent thereto, to be placed upon any certificate(s) evidencing ownership of the Shares together with any other legends that may be required by the Company or by state or federal securities laws:

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “ACT”) OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF THESE SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS IN COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.

 

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL HELD BY THE ISSUER OR ITS ASSIGNEE(S) AS SET FORTH IN THE OPTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. SUCH TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS AND RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL ARE BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.

 

8. Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Exercise Notice to single or multiple assignees, and this agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Exercise Notice shall be binding upon the Grantee and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

 

9. Construction. The captions used in this Exercise Notice are inserted for convenience and shall not be deemed a part of this agreement for construction or interpretation. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

 

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10. Administration and Interpretation. The Grantee hereby agrees that any question or dispute regarding the administration or interpretation of this Exercise Notice shall be submitted by the Grantee or by the Company to the Board. The resolution of such question or dispute by the Board shall be final and binding on all persons.

 

11. Governing Law; Severability. This Exercise Notice is to be construed in accordance with and governed by the internal laws of the State of Nevada without giving effect to any choice of law rule that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the internal laws of the State of Nevada to the rights and duties of the parties. Should any provision of this Exercise Notice be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be enforced to the fullest extent allowed by law and the other provisions shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable.

 

12. Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery, upon deposit for delivery by an internationally recognized express mail courier service or upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail (if the parties are within the United States), with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at its address as shown below beneath its signature, or to such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.

 

13. Further Instruments. The parties agree to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of this agreement.

 

14. Entire Agreement. The Notice and the Option Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and together with this Exercise Notice constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and the Grantee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Grantee’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and the Grantee. Nothing in the Notice the Option Agreement and this Exercise Notice (except as expressly provided therein) is intended to confer any rights or remedies on any persons other than the parties.

 

Submitted by:   Accepted by:
GRANTEE:   GCA HOLDINGS, INC.

 


  By:  

 


Harry C. Hagerty III       Kirk Sanford, Chief Executive Officer
Address:   Address:

 


  3525 East Post Road, Suite 120

 


  Las Vegas, Nevada 89120

 

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EXHIBIT B

 

INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION STATEMENT

 

GRANTEE:   HARRY C. HAGERTY III
COMPANY:   GCA HOLDINGS, INC.
SECURITY:   CLASS A COMMON STOCK
AMOUNT:  

 


DATE:  

 


 

In connection with the purchase of the above-listed Securities, the undersigned Grantee represents to the Company the following:

 

(a) Grantee is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Securities. Grantee is acquiring these Securities for investment for Grantee’s own account only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

(b) Grantee acknowledges and understands that the Securities constitute “restricted securities” under the Securities Act and have not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon among other things, the bona fide nature of Grantee’s investment intent as expressed herein. Grantee further understands that the Securities must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. Grantee further acknowledges and understands that the Company is under no obligation to register the Securities. Grantee understands that the certificate evidencing the Securities will be imprinted with a legend which prohibits the transfer of the Securities unless they are registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company.

 

(c) Grantee is familiar with the provisions of Rule 701 and Rule 144, each promulgated under the Securities Act, which, in substance, permit limited public resale of “restricted securities” acquired, directly or indirectly from the issuer thereof, in a non-public offering subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Rule 701 provides that if the issuer qualifies under Rule 701 at the time of the grant of the Option to the Grantee, the exercise will be exempt from registration under the Securities Act. In the event the Company becomes subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, ninety (90) days thereafter (or such longer period as any market stand-off agreement may require) the Securities exempt under Rule 701 may be resold, subject to the satisfaction of certain of the conditions specified by Rule 144, including: (1) the resale being made through a broker in an unsolicited “broker’s transaction” or in transactions directly with a market maker (as said term is defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934); and, in the case of an affiliate, (2) the availability of certain public information about the Company, (3) the amount of Securities being sold during any three month period not exceeding the limitations specified in Rule 144(e), and (4) the timely filing of a Form 144, if applicable.

 

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In the event that the Company does not qualify under Rule 701 at the time of grant of the Option, then the Securities may be resold in certain limited circumstances subject to the provisions of Rule 144, which requires the resale to occur not less than one year after the later of the date the Securities were sold by the Company or the date the Securities were sold by an affiliate of the Company, within the meaning of Rule 144; and, in the case of acquisition of the Securities by an affiliate, or by a non-affiliate who subsequently holds the Securities less than two years, the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in sections (1), (2), (3) and (4) of the paragraph immediately above.

 

(d) Grantee further understands that in the event all of the applicable requirements of Rule 701 or 144 are not satisfied, registration under the Securities Act, compliance with Regulation A, or some other registration exemption will be required; and that, notwithstanding the fact that Rules 144 and 701 are not exclusive, the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission has expressed its opinion that persons proposing to sell private placement securities other than in a registered offering and otherwise than pursuant to Rules 144 or 701 will have a substantial burden of proof in establishing that an exemption from registration is available for such offers or sales, and that such persons and their respective brokers who participate in such transactions do so at their own risk. Grantee understands that no assurances can be given that any such other registration exemption will be available in such event.

 

(e) Grantee represents that he or she is a resident of the state of                     .

 

Signature of Grantee:

 


Harry C. Hagerty III
Date:                                         ,                 

 

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