8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): May 13, 2014

Landmark Apartment Trust of America, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland	000-52612	20-3975609
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3505 E Frontage Road, Suite 150 Tampa, Florida	33607
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (804) 237-1335

Former name or former address, if changed since last report: Not Applicable

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:

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

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

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

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

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

(e) Amendment and Restatement of the 2006 Plan

On May 13, 2014, the board of directors (the “Board”) of Landmark Apartment Trust of America, Inc. (the “Company”) amended and restated the Company’s 2006 Incentive Award Plan (the “2006 Plan”) to provide that independent directors will no longer be granted 1,000 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock upon their initial elections and subsequent re-elections to the Board. The foregoing summary of the material terms of the amendment and restatement of the 2006 Plan is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the amendment and restatement of the 2006 Plan attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

On May 13, 2014, the Company held its 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”). At the Annual Meeting, the Company’s stockholders voted: (i) to elect nine directors, each to hold office for a one-year term expiring at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies, and (ii) to amend the charter of the Company (the “Charter”) to require the Company to adhere to certain ownership and other restrictions set forth in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The two proposals are described in detail in the Company’s definitive proxy statement, dated April 9, 2014, as filed on Schedule 14A on April 9, 2014.

As of March 19, 2014, the record date established for voting on the matters set forth above, the shares of the Company’s common stock and preferred stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting represented 77,521,520 votes, of which 25,251,833 shares were common stock representing 25,251,833 votes and 27,776,300 shares were preferred stock representing 52,269,688 votes. Of the aggregate shares entitled to vote as of the record date, 9,646,348 shares of common stock representing 9,646,348 votes were present at the meeting in person or by proxy, and 27,776,300 shares of the preferred stock representing 52,269,688 votes were present at the meeting in person or by proxy.

Proposal No. 1 – Approval of the amendment to the Charter.

The voting results for the approval of the amendment to the Charter are set forth below:

For	Against	Abstentions
59,329,851	2,047,924	538,260

No broker non-votes were cast in the vote regarding the amendment to the Charter.

Proposal No. 2 – To elect nine directors, each to hold office for a one-year term expiring at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.

Each of the nine director nominees were elected by our stockholders by the requisite vote for approval, and the voting results are set forth below:

Name of Director	For		Withheld
Joseph G. Lubeck		59,523,716		2,392,319
Stanley J. Olander, Jr.		59,509,865		2,406,170
Glenn W. Bunting, Jr.		59,529,459		2,386,576
Karl Frey		52,269,688		—
Ronald. D. Gaither		59,532,005		2,384,030
Edward M. Kobel		59,531,997		2,384,038
Michael Nash		52,269,688		—
Michael Salkind		59,527,499		2,388,536
Howard Silver		59,533,376		2,382,659

No broker non-votes were cast in the election of the Company’s directors.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

10.1 Amendment and Restatement of the 2006 Incentive Award Plan of Landmark Apartment Trust of America, Inc.

SIGNATURES

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

May 19, 2014	Landmark Apartment Trust of America, Inc.
	By:	/s/ B. Mechelle Lafon
	Name:	B. Mechelle Lafon
	Title:	Assistant Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description
10.1	Amendment and Restatement of the 2006 Incentive Award Plan of Landmark Apartment Trust of America, Inc.

EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

THE 2006 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

OF

LANDMARK APARTMENT TRUST OF AMERICA, INC.

(As Amended and Restated Effective May 13, 2014)

Landmark Apartment Trust of America, Inc., a Maryland corporation (formerly known as NNN Apartment REIT, Inc.), has adopted the 2006 Incentive Award Plan of Landmark Apartment Trust of America, Inc. (the “Plan”), effective January 6, 2006 (the “Effective Date”), as amended on September 19, 2006 and July 27, 2012, for the benefit of its eligible officers, employees, consultants and directors and the eligible officers, employees and consultants of its Subsidiaries (as defined below).

The purposes of the Plan are as follows:

(1) To provide an additional incentive for Directors, Officers, key Employees and Consultants (as such terms are defined below) to further the growth, development and financial success of the Company by personally benefiting through the ownership of Company stock and/or rights which recognize such growth, development and financial success.

(2) To enable the Company to obtain and retain the services of Directors, Officers, key Employees and Consultants considered essential to the long range success of the Company by offering them an opportunity to own stock in the Company and/or rights which will reflect the growth, development and financial success of the Company.

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Wherever the following terms are used in the Plan they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The singular pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates.

1.1. “Administrator” shall mean the entity that conducts the general administration of the Plan as provided herein. With reference to the administration of the Plan with respect to Options and Restricted Stock granted to Independent Directors, the term “Administrator” shall refer to the Board. With reference to the administration of the Plan with respect to any other Award, the term “Administrator” shall refer to the Committee unless the Board has assumed the authority for administration of the Plan generally as provided in Section 10.2.

1.2. “Award” shall mean an Option, a Restricted Stock award, a Performance Award, a Dividend Equivalents award, a Deferred Stock award, a Stock Payment award or a Stock Appreciation Right which may be awarded or granted under the Plan.

1.3. “Award Agreement” shall mean a written agreement executed by an authorized officer of the Company and the Holder which shall contain such terms and conditions with respect to an Award as the Administrator shall determine, consistent with the Plan.

1.4. “Award Limit” shall mean 250,000 shares of Common Stock, as adjusted pursuant to Section 11.3; provided, however, that solely with respect to Performance Awards granted pursuant to Section 8.2(b), Award Limit shall mean $1,000,000.

1.5. “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

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1.6. “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

1.7. “Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board, or another committee or subcommittee of the Board, appointed as provided in Section 10.1.

1.8. “Common Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.

1.9. “Company” shall mean Landmark Apartment Trust of America, Inc., a Maryland corporation.

1.10. “Consultant” shall mean any consultant or adviser if:

(a) The consultant or adviser renders bona fide services to the Company or any Subsidiary;

(b) The services rendered by the consultant or adviser are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities; and

(c) The consultant or adviser is a natural person who has contracted directly with the Company to render such services.

1.11. “Deferred Stock” shall mean Common Stock awarded under Article VIII of the Plan.

1.12. “Director” shall mean a member of the Board.

1.13. “Dividend Equivalent” shall mean a right to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Common Stock) of dividends paid on Common Stock awarded under Article VIII of the Plan.

1.14. “DRO” shall mean a domestic relations order as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the rules thereunder.

1.15. “Employee” shall mean any employee of the Company or of any Subsidiary.

1.16. “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

1.17. “Fair Market Value” of a share of Common Stock as of a given date shall be (a) the closing price of a share of Common Stock on the principal exchange on which shares of Common Stock are then trading, if any (or as reported on any composite index which includes such principal exchange), on the trading day previous to such date, or if shares were not traded on the trading day previous to such date, then on the next preceding date on which a trade occurred, or (b) if Common Stock is not traded on an exchange but is quoted on Nasdaq or a successor quotation system, the mean between the closing representative bid and asked prices for the Common Stock on the trading day previous to such date as reported by Nasdaq or such successor quotation system, or (c) if Common Stock is not publicly traded on an exchange and not quoted on Nasdaq or a successor quotation system, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock as established by the Administrator acting in good faith.

1.18. “Holder” shall mean a person who has been granted or awarded an Award.

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1.19. “Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an option which conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code and which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option by the Administrator.

1.20. “Independent Director” shall mean a member of the Board who is not an Officer or Employee.

1.21. “Non-Qualified Stock Option” shall mean an Option which is not designated as an Incentive Stock Option by the Administrator or which does not conform to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.

1.22. “Officer” shall mean any officer of the Company, or of any Subsidiary.

1.23. “Option” shall mean a stock option granted under Article IV of the Plan. An Option granted under the Plan shall, as determined by the Administrator, be either a Non-Qualified Stock Option or an Incentive Stock Option; provided, however, that Options granted to Independent Directors and Consultants shall be Non-Qualified Stock Options.

1.24. “Ownership Limit” shall mean the ownership limit of not more than 7.0% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (as defined in the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended and in effect from time to time, and as such ownership limit set forth therein may be modified from time to time in accordance with the provisions thereof) of the Company.

1.25. “Performance Award” shall mean a cash bonus, stock bonus or other performance or incentive award that is paid in cash, Common Stock or a combination of both, awarded under Article VIII of the Plan.

1.26. “Performance Criteria” shall mean the following business criteria with respect to the Company, any Subsidiary or any division or operating unit: (a) net income, (b) pre-tax income, (c) operating income, (d) cash flow, (e) earnings per share, (f) return on equity, (g) return on invested capital or assets, (h) cost reductions or savings, (i) funds from operations, (j) appreciation in the fair market value of Common Stock, and (k) earnings before any one or more of the following items: interest, taxes, depreciation or amortization; each as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or subject to such adjustments as may be specified by the Committee with respect to an Award.

1.27. “Plan” shall mean the 2006 Incentive Award Plan of Landmark Apartment Trust of America, Inc.

1.28. “Restricted Stock” shall mean Common Stock awarded under Article VII of the Plan.

1.29. “Rule 16b-3” shall mean Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time.

1.30. “Section 162(m) Participant” shall mean any Officer or key Employee designated by the Administrator as an Officer or key Employee whose compensation for the fiscal year in which the Officer or key Employee is so designated or a future fiscal year may be subject to the limit on deductible compensation imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code.

1.31. “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

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1.32. “Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean a stock appreciation right granted under Article IX of the Plan.

1.33. “Stock Payment” shall mean (a) a payment in the form of shares of Common Stock, or (b) an option or other right to purchase shares of Common Stock, as part of a deferred compensation arrangement, made in lieu of all or any portion of the compensation, including without limitation, salary, bonuses and commissions, that would otherwise become payable to an Officer, key Employee or Consultant in cash, awarded under Article VIII of the Plan.

1.34. “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain then owns stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. “Subsidiary” shall also mean any partnership or limited liability company in which the Company, or any Subsidiary, owns a partnership or membership interest representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the capital or profit interests of such partnership or limited liability company.

1.35. “Substitute Award” shall mean an Option granted under this Plan upon the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding equity awards previously granted by a company or other entity in connection with a corporate transaction, such as a merger, combination, consolidation or acquisition of property or stock; provided, however, that in no event shall the term “Substitute Award” be construed to refer to an award made in connection with the cancellation and repricing of an Option.

1.36. “Termination of Consultancy” shall mean the time when the engagement of a Holder as a Consultant to the Company or a Subsidiary is terminated for any reason, with or without cause, including, but not by way of limitation, by resignation, discharge, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where there is a simultaneous commencement of employment with the Company or any Subsidiary. The Administrator, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to Termination of Consultancy, including, but not by way of limitation, the question of whether a Termination of Consultancy resulted from a discharge for good cause, and all questions of whether a particular leave of absence constitutes a Termination of Consultancy. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Company or any Subsidiary has an absolute and unrestricted right to terminate a Consultant’s service at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in writing.

1.37. “Termination of Directorship” shall mean the time when a Holder who is an Independent Director ceases to be a Director for any reason, including, but not by way of limitation, a termination by resignation, failure to be elected, death or retirement. The Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to Termination of Directorship with respect to Independent Directors.

1.38. “Termination of Employment” shall mean the time when the employee-employer relationship between a Holder and the Company or any Subsidiary is terminated for any reason, with or without cause, including, but not by way of limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, disability or retirement; but excluding (a) terminations where there is a simultaneous reemployment or continuing employment of a Holder by the Company or any Subsidiary, (b) at the discretion of the Administrator, terminations which result in a temporary severance of the employee-employer relationship, and (c) at the discretion of the Administrator, terminations which are followed by the simultaneous establishment of a consulting relationship by the Company or a Subsidiary with the former employee. The Administrator, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to Termination of Employment, including, but not by way of limitation, the question of whether a Termination of Employment resulted from a discharge for good cause, and

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all questions of whether a particular leave of absence constitutes a Termination of Employment; provided, however, that, with respect to Incentive Stock Options, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator in its discretion, a leave of absence, change in status from an employee to an independent contractor or other change in the employee-employer relationship shall constitute a Termination of Employment if, and to the extent that, such leave of absence, change in status or other change interrupts employment for the purposes of Section 422(a)(2) of the Code and the then applicable regulations and revenue rulings under said Section.

1.39. “Related Plan” shall mean the Apartment Trust of America, Inc. 2012 Other-Equity Based Award Plan.

ARTICLE II

SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN

2.1. Shares Subject to Plan.

(a) The shares of stock subject to Awards initially shall be Common Stock. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11.3, the aggregate number of such shares which may be issued upon exercise of such Options or rights or upon any such Awards under the Plan, together with the number of shares of Common Stock and LTIPs (as defined in the Related Plan) issued under the Related Plan, shall not exceed 2,000,000. The shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such Options or rights or upon any such awards may be either previously authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.

(b) The maximum number of shares which may be subject to Awards granted under the Plan to any individual in any calendar year shall not exceed the Award Limit. To the extent required by Section 162(m) of the Code, shares subject to Options which are canceled continue to be counted against the Award Limit.

2.2. Add-back of Options and Other Rights. If any Option, or other right to acquire shares of Common Stock under any other Award under the Plan or any award under the Related Plan, expires or is canceled without having been fully exercised, or is exercised in whole or in part for cash as permitted by the Plan or the Related Plan, the number of shares subject to such Option or other right but as to which such Option or other right was not exercised prior to its expiration, cancellation or exercise may again be optioned, granted or awarded hereunder or under the Related Plan, subject to the limitations of Section 2.1. Furthermore, any shares subject to Awards which are adjusted pursuant to Section 11.3 or Article VII of the Related Plan and become exercisable with respect to shares of stock of another corporation shall be considered cancelled and may again be optioned, granted or awarded hereunder or under the Related Plan, subject to the limitations of Section 2.1. Shares of Common Stock which are delivered by the Holder or withheld by the Company upon the exercise of any Award under the Plan or the Related Plan, in payment of the exercise price thereof or tax withholding thereon, may again be optioned, granted or awarded hereunder or under the Related Plan, subject to the limitations of Section 2.1. If any shares of Restricted Stock are surrendered by the Holder or repurchased by the Company pursuant to Section 7.4 or 7.5 hereof, such shares may again be optioned, granted or awarded hereunder or under the Related Plan, subject to the limitations of Section 2.1. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 2.2, no shares of Common Stock may again be optioned, granted or awarded if such action would cause an Incentive Stock Option to fail to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.

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ARTICLE III

GRANTING OF AWARDS

3.1. Award Agreement. Each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Award Agreements evidencing Awards intended to qualify as performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code shall contain such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code. Award Agreements evidencing Incentive Stock Options shall contain such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.

3.2. Provisions Applicable to Section 162(m) Participants.

(a) The Committee, in its discretion, may determine whether an Award is to qualify as performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.

(b) Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee may grant any Award to a Section 162(m) Participant, including Restricted Stock, the restrictions with respect to which lapse upon the attainment of performance goals which are related to one or more of the Performance Criteria, and any performance or incentive award described in Article VIII that vests or becomes exercisable or payable upon the attainment of performance goals which are related to one or more of the Performance Criteria.

(c) To the extent necessary to comply with the performance-based compensation requirements of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, with respect to any Award granted under Articles VII and VIII which may be granted to one or more Section 162(m) Participants, no later than ninety (90) days following the commencement of any fiscal year in question or any other designated fiscal period or period of service (or such other time as may be required or permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee shall, in writing, (i) designate one or more Section 162(m) Participants, (ii) select the Performance Criteria applicable to the fiscal year or other designated fiscal period or period of service, (iii) establish the various performance targets, in terms of an objective formula or standard, and amounts of such Awards, as applicable, which may be earned for such fiscal year or other designated fiscal period or period of service, and (iv) specify the relationship between Performance Criteria and the performance targets and the amounts of such Awards, as applicable, to be earned by each Section 162(m) Participant for such fiscal year or other designated fiscal period or period of service. Following the completion of each fiscal year or other designated fiscal period or period of service, the Committee shall certify in writing whether the applicable performance targets have been achieved for such fiscal year or other designated fiscal period or period of service. In determining the amount earned by a Section 162(m) Participant, the Committee shall have the right to reduce (but not to increase) the amount payable at a given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Committee may deem relevant to the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the fiscal year or other designated fiscal period or period of service.

(d) Furthermore, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award which is granted to a Section 162(m) Participant and is intended to qualify as performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in Section 162(m) of the Code (including any amendment to Section 162(m) of the Code) or any regulations or rulings issued thereunder that are requirements for qualification as performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, and the Plan shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

3.3. Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Plan, and any Award granted or awarded to any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

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3.4. Consideration. In consideration of the granting of an Award under the Plan, the Holder shall agree, in the Award Agreement, to remain in the employ of (or to consult for or to serve as an Independent Director of, as applicable) the Company or any Subsidiary for a period of at least one year (or such shorter period as may be fixed in the Award Agreement or by action of the Administrator following grant of the Award) after the Award is granted (or, in the case of an Independent Director, until the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Company).

3.5. At-Will Employment. Nothing in the Plan or in any Award Agreement hereunder shall confer upon any Holder any right to continue in the employ of, or as a Consultant for, the Company or any Subsidiary, or as a director of the Company, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and any Subsidiary, which are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge any Holder at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written employment agreement between the Holder and the Company and any Subsidiary.

ARTICLE IV

GRANTING OF OPTIONS TO OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES,

CONSULTANTS AND INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

4.1. Eligibility. Any Officer, Employee, Consultant or Independent Director selected by the Administrator pursuant to Section 4.4(a)(i) shall be eligible to be granted an Option.

4.2. Disqualification for Stock Ownership. No person may be granted an Incentive Stock Option under the Plan if such person, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any then existing Subsidiary or parent corporation (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code) unless such Incentive Stock Option conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.

4.3. Qualification of Incentive Stock Options. No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any person who is not an Officer or Employee.

4.4. Granting of Options to Officers, Employees and Consultants.

(a) The Committee shall from time to time, in its absolute discretion, and subject to applicable limitations of the Plan:

(i) Determine which Employees are key Employees and select from among the Officers, key Employees or Consultants (including Officers, Employees or Consultants who have previously received Awards under the Plan) such of them as in its opinion should be granted Options;

(ii) Subject to the Award Limit, determine the number of shares to be subject to such Options granted to the selected Officers, key Employees or Consultants;

(iii) Subject to Section 4.3, determine whether such Options are to be Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options and whether such Options are to qualify as performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code; and

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(iv) Determine the terms and conditions of such Options, consistent with the Plan; provided, however, that the terms and conditions of Options intended to qualify as performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code shall include, but not be limited to, such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code.

(b) Upon the selection of an Officer, key Employee or Consultant to be granted an Option, the Committee shall instruct the Secretary of the Company to issue the Option and may impose such conditions on the grant of the Option as it deems appropriate.

(c) Any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan may be modified by the Committee, with the consent of the Holder, to disqualify such Option from treatment as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code.

4.5. Granting of Options to Independent Directors. The Board shall from time to time, in its absolute discretion, and subject to applicable limitations of the Plan:

(a) Select from among the Independent Directors (including Independent Directors who have previously received Options under the Plan) such of them as in its opinion should be granted Options;

(b) Determine the number of shares to be subject to such Options granted to the selected Independent Directors;

(c) Subject to the provisions of Article 5, determine the terms and conditions of such Options, consistent with the Plan.

4.6. Options in Lieu of Cash Compensation. Options may be granted under the Plan to Officers, Employees and Consultants in lieu of cash bonuses which would otherwise be payable to such Officers, Employees and Consultants, pursuant to such policies which may be adopted by the Administrator from time to time.

ARTICLE V

TERMS OF OPTIONS

5.1. Option Price. The price per share of the shares subject to each Option granted to Officers, Employees and Consultants shall be set by the Committee; provided, however, that such price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Option is granted, and:

(a) In the case of Options intended to qualify as performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, such price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Option is granted;

(b) In the case of Incentive Stock Options such price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Option is granted (or the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code);

(c) In the case of Incentive Stock Options granted to an individual then owning (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary or parent corporation thereof (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code), such price shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Option is granted (or the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code).

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5.2. Option Term. The term of an Option granted to an Officer, Employee or Consultant shall be set by the Committee in its discretion; provided, however, that, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, the term shall not be more than 10 years from the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted, or five years from the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted if the Incentive Stock Option is granted to an individual then owning (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary or parent corporation thereof (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code). Except as limited by the requirements of Section 422 of the Code and regulations and rulings thereunder applicable to Incentive Stock Options, the Committee may extend the term of any outstanding Option in connection with any Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy of the Holder, or amend any other term or condition of such Option relating to such a termination.

5.3. Option Vesting.

(a) The period during which the right to exercise, in whole or in part, an Option granted to an Officer, Employee or a Consultant vests in the Holder shall be set by the Committee and the Committee may determine that an Option may not be exercised in whole or in part for a specified period after it is granted. At any time after grant of an Option, the Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion and subject to whatever terms and conditions it selects, accelerate the period during which an Option granted to an Officer, Employee or Consultant vests.

(b) No portion of an Option granted to an Officer, Employee or Consultant which is unexercisable at Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy, as applicable, shall thereafter become exercisable, except as may be otherwise provided by the Committee either in the Award Agreement or by action of the Committee following the grant of the Option.

(c) To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of stock with respect to which “incentive stock options” (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, but without regard to Section 422(d) of the Code) are exercisable for the first time by a Holder during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other incentive stock option plans of the Company and any parent or subsidiary corporation, within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code) of the Company, exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options to the extent required by Section 422 of the Code. The rule set forth in the preceding sentence shall be applied by taking Options into account in the order in which they were granted. For purposes of this Section 5.3(c), the Fair Market Value of stock shall be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such stock is granted.

5.4. Terms of Options Granted to Independent Directors. The price per share of the shares subject to each Option granted to an Independent Director shall equal 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Option is granted. Options granted to Independent Directors shall be subject to such other terms and conditions as are determined by the Administrator, consistent with the Plan.

5.5. Substitute Awards. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article V to the contrary, in the case of an Option that is a Substitute Award, the price per share of the shares subject to such Option may be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant, provided, that the excess of:

(a) The aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date such Substitute Award is granted) of the shares subject to the Substitute Award; over

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(b) The aggregate exercise price thereof; does not exceed the excess of:

(c) The aggregate fair market value (as of the time immediately preceding the transaction giving rise to the Substitute Award, such fair market value to be determined by the Committee) of the shares of the predecessor entity that were subject to the grant assumed or substituted for by the Company; over

(d) The aggregate exercise price of such shares.

ARTICLE VI

EXERCISE OF OPTIONS

6.1. Partial Exercise. An exercisable Option may be exercised in whole or in part. However, an Option shall not be exercisable with respect to fractional shares and the Administrator may require that, by the terms of the Option, a partial exercise be with respect to a minimum number of shares.

6.2. Manner of Exercise. All or a portion of an exercisable Option shall be deemed exercised upon delivery of all of the following to the Secretary of the Company or his or her office:

(a) A written notice complying with the applicable rules established by the Administrator stating that the Option, or a portion thereof, is exercised. The notice shall be signed by the Holder or other person then entitled to exercise the Option or such portion of the Option;

(b) Such representations and documents as the Administrator, in its absolute discretion, deems necessary or advisable to effect compliance with all applicable provisions of the Securities Act and any other federal or state securities laws or regulations. The Administrator may, in its absolute discretion, also take whatever additional actions it deems appropriate to effect such compliance including, without limitation, placing legends on share certificates and issuing stop-transfer notices to agents and registrars;

(c) In the event that the Option shall be exercised pursuant to Section 11.1 by any person or persons other than the Holder, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option; and

(d) Full cash payment to the Secretary of the Company for the shares with respect to which the Option, or portion thereof, is exercised. However, the Administrator may, in its discretion, (i) allow a delay in payment up to 30 days from the date the Option, or portion thereof, is exercised; (ii) allow payment, in whole or in part, through the delivery of shares of Common Stock which have been owned by the Holder for at least six months, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company with a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Option or exercised portion thereof; (iii) allow payment, in whole or in part, through the surrender of shares of Common Stock then issuable upon exercise of the Option having a Fair Market Value on the date of Option exercise equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Option or exercised portion thereof; (iv) allow payment, in whole or in part, through the delivery of property of any kind which constitutes good and valuable consideration; (v) allow payment, in whole or in part, through the delivery of a full recourse promissory note bearing interest (at no less than such rate as shall then preclude the imputation of interest under the Code) and payable upon such terms as may be prescribed by the Administrator; (vi) allow payment, in whole or in part, through the delivery of a notice that the Holder has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to shares of Common Stock then issuable upon exercise of the Option, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the Option exercise price, provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon

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settlement of such sale; or (vii) allow payment through any combination of the consideration provided in the foregoing subparagraphs (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi). In the case of a promissory note, the Administrator may also prescribe the form of such note and the security to be given for such note. The Option may not be exercised, however, by delivery of a promissory note or by a loan from the Company when or where such loan or other extension of credit is prohibited by law.

6.3. Conditions to Issuance of Stock Certificates. The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for shares of stock purchased upon the exercise of any Option or portion thereof prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions:

(a) The admission of such shares to listing on all stock exchanges on which such class of stock is then listed;

(b) The completion of any registration or other qualification of such shares under any state or federal law, or under the rulings or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other governmental regulatory body which the Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable;

(c) The obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or federal governmental agency which the Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable;

(d) The lapse of such reasonable period of time following the exercise of the Option as the Administrator may establish from time to time for reasons of administrative convenience; and

(e) The receipt by the Company of full payment for such shares, including payment of any applicable withholding tax, which in the discretion of the Administrator may be in the form of consideration used by the Holder to pay for such shares under Section 6.2(d).

6.4. Rights as Shareholders. Holders shall not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, shareholders of the Company in respect of any shares purchasable upon the exercise of any part of an Option unless and until certificates representing such shares have been issued by the Company to such Holders.

6.5. Ownership and Transfer Restrictions. The Administrator, in its absolute discretion, may impose such restrictions on the ownership and transferability of the shares purchasable upon the exercise of an Option as it deems appropriate. Any such restriction shall be set forth in the respective Award Agreement and may be referred to on the certificates evidencing such shares. The Holder shall give the Company prompt notice of any disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired by exercise of an Incentive Stock Option within (a) two years from the date of granting (including the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code) such Option to such Holder, or (b) one year after the transfer of such shares to such Holder.

6.6. Additional Limitations on Exercise of Options. Holders may be required to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement or exercise of an Option, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the discretion of the Administrator.

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ARTICLE VII

AWARD OF RESTRICTED STOCK

7.1. Eligibility. Subject to the Award Limit, Restricted Stock may be awarded to any Officer or Employee who the Committee determines is an Officer, key Employee, Independent Director or any Consultant who the Committee determines should receive such an Award.

7.2. Award of Restricted Stock to Officers, Employees, Independent Directors and Consultants.

(a) The Committee may from time to time, in its absolute discretion:

(i) Determine which Employees are key Employees and select from among the Officers, key Employees, Independent Directors or Consultants (including Officers, Employees, Independent Directors or Consultants who have previously received other awards under the Plan) such of them as in its opinion should be awarded Restricted Stock; and

(ii) Determine the purchase price, if any, and other terms and conditions applicable to such Restricted Stock, consistent with the Plan.

(b) The Committee shall establish the purchase price, if any, and form of payment for Restricted Stock; provided, however, that such purchase price shall be no less than the par value of the Common Stock to be purchased, unless otherwise permitted by applicable state law. In all cases, legal consideration shall be required for each issuance of Restricted Stock.

(c) Upon the selection of an Officer, key Employee, Independent Director or Consultant to be awarded Restricted Stock, the Committee shall instruct the Secretary of the Company to issue such Restricted Stock and may impose such conditions on the issuance of such Restricted Stock as it deems appropriate.

7.3. Rights as Shareholders. Subject to Section 7.4, upon delivery of the shares of Restricted Stock to the escrow holder pursuant to Section 7.6, the Holder shall have, unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, all the rights of a shareholder with respect to said shares, subject to the restrictions in his or her Award Agreement, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect to the shares; provided, however, that in the discretion of the Administrator, any extraordinary distributions with respect to the Common Stock shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 7.4.

7.4. Restriction. All shares of Restricted Stock issued under the Plan (including any shares received by holders thereof with respect to shares of Restricted Stock as a result of stock dividends, stock splits or any other form of recapitalization) shall, in the terms of each individual Award Agreement, be subject to such restrictions as the Administrator shall provide, which restrictions may include, without limitation, restrictions concerning voting rights and transferability and restrictions based on duration of employment or service with the Company, Company performance and individual performance; provided, however, that, except with respect to shares of Restricted Stock granted to Section 162(m) Participants, by action taken after the Restricted Stock is issued, the Administrator may, on such terms and conditions as it may determine to be appropriate, remove any or all of the restrictions imposed by the terms of the Award Agreement. Restricted Stock may not be sold or encumbered until all restrictions are terminated or expire. If no consideration was paid by the Holder upon issuance, a Holder’s rights in unvested Restricted Stock shall lapse, and such Restricted Stock shall be surrendered to the Company without consideration, upon Termination of Employment or, if applicable, upon Termination of Consultancy or Termination of Directorship with the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator in its sole and absolute discretion may provide that such rights shall not lapse in the event of a Termination of Employment following a “change of ownership or control” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.162-

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27(e)(2)(v) or any successor regulation thereto) of the Company or because of the Holder’s death or disability; provided, further, except with respect to shares of Restricted Stock granted to Section 162(m) Participants, the Administrator in its sole and absolute discretion may provide that no such lapse or surrender shall occur in the event of a Termination of Employment, Termination of Consultancy, or Termination of Directorship, without cause or following any change in control of the Company or because of the Holder’s retirement, or otherwise.

7.5. Repurchase of Restricted Stock. The Administrator shall provide in the terms of each individual Award Agreement that the Company shall have the right to repurchase from the Holder the Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions under the Award Agreement immediately upon a Termination of Employment or, if applicable, upon a Termination of Consultancy or Termination of Directorship, between the Holder and the Company, at a cash price per share equal to the price paid, if any, by the Holder for such Restricted Stock; provided, however, that the Administrator in its sole and absolute discretion may provide that no such right of repurchase shall exist in the event of a Termination of Employment following a “change of ownership or control” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.162-27(e)(2)(v) or any successor regulation thereto) of the Company or because of the Holder’s death or disability; provided, further, that, except with respect to shares of Restricted Stock granted to Section 162(m) Participants, the Administrator in its sole and absolute discretion may provide that no such right of repurchase shall exist in the event of a Termination of Employment, Termination of Consultancy or Termination of Directorship, without cause or following any change in control of the Company or because of the Holder’s retirement, or otherwise.

7.6. Escrow. The Secretary of the Company or such other escrow holder as the Administrator may appoint shall retain physical custody of each certificate representing Restricted Stock until all of the restrictions imposed under the Award Agreement with respect to the shares evidenced by such certificate expire or shall have been removed. With respect to shares of Restricted Stock granted or awarded to the Company’s Officers, Employees, Consultants and Independent Directors, upon the expiration or removal of such restrictions, the Secretary of the Company, or other escrow holder, shall transfer the shares to the Holder. With respect to shares of Restricted Stock granted to a Subsidiary’s Officers or Employees, upon the expiration or removal of such restrictions, the Secretary of the Company, or other escrow holder, shall transfer the shares to the Subsidiary. As soon as practicable after the receipt of such shares by the Subsidiary, the Subsidiary shall transfer such shares to the Holder for no additional consideration.

7.7. Legend. In order to enforce the restrictions imposed upon shares of Restricted Stock hereunder, the Administrator shall cause a legend or legends to be placed on certificates representing all shares of Restricted Stock that are still subject to restrictions under Award Agreements, which legend or legends shall make appropriate reference to the conditions imposed thereby.

7.8. Section 83(b). A Holder may not make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to any share of Restricted Stock granted or awarded hereunder without the consent of the Company, which the Company may grant or withhold in its sole discretion.

ARTICLE VIII

PERFORMANCE AWARDS, DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS,

DEFERRED STOCK, STOCK PAYMENTS

8.1. Eligibility. Subject to the Award Limit, one or more Performance Awards, Dividend Equivalents, awards of Deferred Stock and/or Stock Payments may be granted to any Officer or Employee whom the Committee determines is an Officer, key Employee or any Consultant whom the Committee determines should receive such an Award.

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8.2. Performance Awards.

(a) Any Officer, key Employee or Consultant selected by the Committee may be granted one or more Performance Awards. The value of such Performance Awards may be subject to the achievement of performance goals which are related to any one or more of the Performance Criteria or other specific performance criteria determined appropriate by the Committee, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee. In making such determinations, the Committee shall consider (among such other factors as it deems relevant in light of the specific type of award) the contributions, responsibilities and other compensation of the particular Officer, key Employee or Consultant.

(b) Without limiting Section 8.2(a), the Committee may grant Performance Awards to any Section 162(m) Participant in the form of a cash bonus payable upon the attainment of objective performance goals which are established by the Committee and relate to one or more of the Performance Criteria, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee. Any such bonuses paid to 162(m) Participants shall be based upon objectively determinable bonus formulas established in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.2. The maximum amount of any Performance Award payable to a Section 162(m) Participant under this Section 8.2(b) shall not exceed the Award Limit with respect to any calendar year of the Company. Unless otherwise specified by the Committee at the time of grant, the Performance Criteria with respect to a Performance Award payable to a Section 162(m) Participant shall be determined on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles.

8.3. Dividend Equivalents.

(a) Any Officer, key Employee or Consultant selected by the Committee may be granted Dividend Equivalents based on the dividends declared on Common Stock, to be credited as of dividend payment dates, during the period between the date a Stock Appreciation Right, Deferred Stock or Performance Award is granted, and the date such Stock Appreciation Right, Deferred Stock or Performance Award is exercised, vests or expires, as determined by the Committee. Such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional shares of Common Stock by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Committee.

(b) Any Holder of an Option who is an Officer, Employee or Consultant selected by the Committee may be granted Dividend Equivalents based on the dividends declared on Common Stock, to be credited as of dividend payment dates, during the period between the date an Option is granted, and the date such Option is exercised, vests or expires, as determined by the Committee. Such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional shares of Common Stock by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Committee.

(c) Any Holder of an Option who is an Independent Director selected by the Board may be granted Dividend Equivalents based on the dividends declared on Common Stock, to be credited as of dividend payment dates, during the period between the date an Option is granted and the date such Option is exercised, vests or expires, as determined by the Board. Such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional shares of Common Stock by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Board.

(d) Dividend Equivalents granted with respect to Options intended to be qualified performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code shall be payable, with respect to pre-exercise periods, regardless of whether such Option is subsequently exercised.

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8.4. Stock Payments. Any Officer, key Employee or Consultant selected by the Committee may receive Stock Payments in the manner determined from time to time by the Committee. The number of shares shall be determined by the Committee and may be based upon the Performance Criteria or other specific performance criteria determined appropriate by the Committee, determined on the date such Stock Payment is made or on any date thereafter.

8.5. Deferred Stock. Any Officer, key Employee or Consultant selected by the Committee may be granted an award of Deferred Stock in the manner determined from time to time by the Committee. The number of shares of Deferred Stock shall be determined by the Committee and may be linked to the Performance Criteria or other specific performance criteria determined to be appropriate by the Committee, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee. Common Stock underlying a Deferred Stock award will not be issued until the Deferred Stock award has vested, pursuant to a vesting schedule or performance criteria set by the Committee. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, a Holder of Deferred Stock shall have no rights as a Company shareholder with respect to such Deferred Stock until such time as the Award has vested and the Common Stock underlying the Award has been issued.

8.6. Term. The term of a Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent, award of Deferred Stock and/or Stock Payment shall be set by the Committee in its discretion.

8.7. Exercise or Purchase Price. The Committee may establish the exercise or purchase price of a Performance Award, shares of Deferred Stock or shares received as a Stock Payment; provided, however, that such price shall not be less than the par value of a share of Common Stock, unless otherwise permitted by applicable state law.

8.8. Exercise Upon Termination of Employment, Termination of Consultancy or Termination of Directorship. A Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent, award of Deferred Stock and/or Stock Payment is exercisable or payable only while the Holder is an Officer, Employee, or Consultant, as applicable; provided, however, that the Administrator in its sole and absolute discretion may provide that the Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent, award of Deferred Stock and/or Stock Payment may be exercised or paid subsequent to a Termination of Employment following a “change of control or ownership” (within the meaning of Section 1.162-27(e)(2)(v) or any successor regulation thereto) of the Company; provided, further, that except with respect to Performance Awards granted to Section 162(m) Participants, the Administrator in its sole and absolute discretion may provide that Performance Awards may be exercised or paid following a Termination of Employment or a Termination of Consultancy without cause, or following a change in control of the Company, or because of the Holder’s retirement, death or disability, or otherwise.

8.9. Form of Payment. Payment of the amount determined under Section 8.2 or 8.3 above shall be in cash, in Common Stock or a combination of both, as determined by the Committee. To the extent any payment under this Article VIII is effected in Common Stock, it shall be made subject to satisfaction of all provisions of Section 6.4.

ARTICLE IX

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

9.1. Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to any Officer, key Employee or Consultant selected by the Committee. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted (a) in connection and simultaneously with the grant of an Option, (b) with respect to a previously granted Option, or (c) independent of an Option. A Stock Appreciation Right shall be subject to such terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as the Committee shall impose and shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.

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9.2. Coupled Stock Appreciation Rights.

(a) A Coupled Stock Appreciation Right (“CSAR”) shall be related to a particular Option and shall be exercisable only when and to the extent the related Option is exercisable.

(b) A CSAR may be granted to the Holder for no more than the number of shares subject to the simultaneously or previously granted Option to which it is coupled.

(c) A CSAR shall entitle the Holder (or other person entitled to exercise the Option pursuant to the Plan) to surrender to the Company unexercised a portion of the Option to which the CSAR relates (to the extent then exercisable pursuant to its terms) and to receive from the Company in exchange therefor an amount determined by multiplying the difference obtained by subtracting the Option exercise price from the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise of the CSAR by the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the CSAR shall have been exercised, subject to any limitations the Committee may impose.

9.3. Independent Stock Appreciation Rights.

(a) An Independent Stock Appreciation Right (“ISAR”) shall be unrelated to any Option and shall have a term set by the Committee. An ISAR shall be exercisable in such installments as the Committee may determine. An ISAR shall cover such number of shares of Common Stock as the Committee may determine. The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to each ISAR shall be set by the Committee. An ISAR is exercisable only while the Holder is an Officer, Employee or Consultant; provided, that the Committee may determine that the ISAR may be exercised subsequent to Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy without cause, or following a change in control of the Company, or because of the Holder’s retirement, death or disability, or otherwise.

(b) An ISAR shall entitle the Holder (or other person entitled to exercise the ISAR pursuant to the Plan) to exercise all or a specified portion of the ISAR (to the extent then exercisable pursuant to its terms) and to receive from the Company an amount determined by multiplying the difference obtained by subtracting the exercise price per share of the ISAR from the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise of the ISAR by the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the ISAR shall have been exercised, subject to any limitations the Committee may impose.

9.4. Payment and Limitations on Exercise.

(a) Payment of the amounts determined under Section 9.2(c) and 9.3(b) above shall be in cash, in Common Stock (based on its Fair Market Value as of the date the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised) or a combination of both, as determined by the Committee. To the extent such payment is effected in Common Stock it shall be made subject to satisfaction of all provisions of Section 6.4 above pertaining to Options.

(b) Holders of Stock Appreciation Rights may be required to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement or exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the discretion of the Committee.

ARTICLE X

ADMINISTRATION

10.1. Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee (or another committee or a subcommittee of the Board assuming the functions of the Committee under the Plan) shall consist

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solely of two or more Independent Directors appointed by and holding office at the pleasure of the Board, each of whom is both a “non-employee director” as defined by Rule 16b-3 and an “outside director” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. Appointment of Committee members shall be effective upon acceptance of appointment. Committee members may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the Board. Vacancies in the Committee may be filled by the Board.

10.2. Duties and Powers of Committee. It shall be the duty of the Committee to conduct the general administration of the Plan in accordance with its provisions. The Committee shall have the power to interpret the Plan and the Award Agreements, and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith, to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules and to amend any Award Agreement provided that the rights or obligations of the Holder of the Award that is the subject of any such Award Agreement are not affected adversely. Any such grant or award under the Plan need not be the same with respect to each Holder. Any such interpretations and rules with respect to Incentive Stock Options shall be consistent with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code. In its absolute discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee under the Plan except with respect to matters which under Rule 16b-3 or Section 162(m) of the Code, or any regulations or rules issued thereunder, are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the full Board, acting by a majority of its members in office, shall conduct the general administration of the Plan with respect to Options, Dividend Equivalents and Restricted Stock granted to Independent Directors.

10.3. Majority Rule; Unanimous Written Consent. The Committee shall act by a majority of its members in attendance at a meeting at which a quorum is present or by a memorandum or other written instrument signed by all members of the Committee.

10.4. Compensation; Professional Assistance; Good Faith Actions. Members of the Committee shall receive such compensation, if any, for their services as members as may be determined by the Board. All expenses and liabilities which members of the Committee incur in connection with the administration of the Plan shall be borne by the Company. The Committee may, with the approval of the Board, employ attorneys, consultants, accountants, appraisers, brokers or other persons. The Committee, the Company and the Company’s officers and Directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions or valuations of any such persons. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Committee or the Board in good faith shall be final and binding upon all Holders, the Company and all other interested persons. No members of the Committee or Board shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan or Awards, and all members of the Committee and the Board shall be fully protected by the Company in respect of any such action, determination or interpretation.

10.5. Delegation of Authority to Grant Awards. The Committee may, but need not, delegate from time to time some or all of its authority to grant Awards under the Plan to a committee consisting of one or more members of the Committee or of one or more officers of the Company; provided, however, that the Committee may not delegate its authority to grant Awards to individuals (a) who are subject on the date of the grant to the reporting rules under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, (b) who are Section 162(m) Participants, or (c) who are officers of the Company who are delegated authority by the Committee hereunder. Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Committee specifies at the time of such delegation of authority and may be rescinded at any time by the Committee. At all times, any committee appointed under this Section 10.5 shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Committee.

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ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

11.1. Not Transferable.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 11.1(b):

(i) No Award under the Plan may be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Administrator, pursuant to a DRO, unless and until such Award has been exercised, or the shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such shares have lapsed.

(ii) No Award or interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Holder or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by the preceding sentence.

(iii) During the lifetime of the Holder, only he or she may exercise an Option or other Award (or any portion thereof) granted to him or her under the Plan, unless it has been disposed of with the consent of the Administrator pursuant to a DRO. After the death of the Holder, any exercisable portion of an Option or other Award may, prior to the time when such portion becomes unexercisable under the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement, be exercised by his or her personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Holder’s will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 11.1(a), in the case of Options granted to Independent Directors, an Optionee who is an Independent Director may transfer an Option to a Permitted Transferee (as defined below) subject to the following terms and conditions: (i) an Option transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall not be assignable or transferable by the Permitted Transferee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Administrator, pursuant to a DRO; (ii) any Option which is transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall continue to be subject to all the terms and conditions of the Option as applicable to the original Holder (other than the ability to further transfer the Option); and (iii) the Holder and the Permitted Transferee shall execute any and all documents requested by the Administrator, including, without limitation documents to (A) confirm the status of the transferee as a Permitted Transferee, (B) satisfy any requirements for an exemption for the transfer under applicable federal and state securities laws and (C) evidence the transfer. Shares of Common Stock acquired by a Permitted Transferee through the exercise of an Option have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities act and may not be transferred, nor will any assignee or transferee thereof be recognized as an owner of such shares of Common Stock for any purpose, unless a registration statement under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities act with respect to such shares shall then be in effect or unless the availability of an exemption from registration with respect to any proposed transfer or disposition of such shares shall be established to the satisfaction of counsel for the Company. For purposes of this Section 11.1(b), “Permitted Transferee” shall mean, with respect to a Holder, any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, any person sharing the Holder’s household (other than a tenant or employee), a trust in which these persons (or the Holder) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the Holder) own more than fifty percent of the voting interests, or any other transferee specifically approved by the Administrator after taking into account any state or federal tax or securities laws applicable to transferable Options.

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11.2. Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 11.2, the Plan may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator. However, without approval of the Company’s shareholders given within 12 months before or after the action by the Administrator, no action of the Administrator may, except as provided in Section 11.3, increase the limits imposed in Section 2.1 on the maximum number of shares which may be issued under the Plan. No amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Holder, alter or impair any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted or awarded, unless the Award itself otherwise expressly so provides. No Awards may be granted or awarded during any period of suspension or after termination of the Plan, and in no event may any Award be granted under the Plan after the first to occur of the following events:

(a) The expiration of 10 years from the date the Plan is adopted by the Board; or

(b) The expiration of 10 years from the date the Plan is approved by the Company’s shareholders under Section 11.4.

11.3. Changes in Common Stock or Assets of the Company, Acquisition or Liquidation of the Company and Other Corporate Events.

(a) Subject to Section 11.3(e), in the event that the Administrator determines that any nonreciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, rights offering, or large nonrecurring cash dividend) causes the per-share value of the Common Stock to change, then the authorization limitations under Section 2.1 shall be adjusted proportionately and the Administrator shall make such adjustments as determined by the Administrator to be necessary, in the Administrator’s sole discretion, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to an Award, in such manner as it may deem equitable, including adjusting any or all of:

(i) The number and kind of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted or awarded (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Section 2.1 on the maximum number and kind of shares which may be issued and adjustments of the Award Limit);

(ii) The number and kind of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards; and

(iii) The grant or exercise price with respect to any Award.

(b) Subject to Sections 11.3(c) and 11.3(e), upon the occurrence or in anticipation of any corporate event or transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any merger, reorganization, recapitalization, combination or exchange of shares) or in the event of any transaction or event described in Section 11.3(a) or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any affiliate of the Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any affiliate, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles, the Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by the terms of the Award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event and either automatically or upon the Holder’s request, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator determines that such action is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award

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under the Plan, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in laws, regulations or principles:

(i) To provide for either the purchase of any such Award for an amount of cash equal to the amount that could have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Holder’s rights had such Award been currently exercisable or payable or fully vested or the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion;

(ii) To provide that the Award cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after such event;

(iii) To provide that such Award shall be exercisable as to all shares covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 5.3 or the provisions of such Award;

(iv) To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar options, rights or awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices;

(v) To make adjustments in the number and type of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and in the number and kind of outstanding Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock and/or in the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the criteria included in, outstanding options, rights and awards and options, rights and awards which may be granted in the future; and

(vi) To provide that, for a specified period of time prior to such event, the restrictions imposed under an Award Agreement upon some or all shares of Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock may be terminated, and, in the case of Restricted Stock, some or all shares of such Restricted Stock may cease to be subject to repurchase under Section 7.5 or forfeiture under Section 7.4 after such event.

(c) Subject to Sections 11.3(e), 3.2 and 3.3, the Administrator may, in its discretion, include such further provisions and limitations in any Award, agreement or certificate, as it may deem equitable and in the best interests of the Company.

(d) With respect to Awards which are granted to Section 162(m) Participants and are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m)(4)(C), no adjustment or action described in this Section 11.3 or in any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the extent that such adjustment or action would cause such Award to fail to so qualify under Section 162(m)(4)(C), or any successor provisions thereto. No adjustment or action described in this Section 11.3 or in any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the extent that such adjustment or action would cause the Plan to violate Section 422(b)(1) of the Code. Furthermore, no such adjustment or action shall be authorized to the extent such adjustment or action would result in short-swing profits liability under Section 16 or violate the exemptive conditions of Rule 16b-3 unless the Administrator determines that the Award is not to comply with such exemptive conditions. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to any Award shall always be rounded to the next whole number.

(e) The existence of the Plan, the Award Agreement and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company or the

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shareholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of stock or of options, warrants or rights to purchase stock or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks whose rights are superior to or affect the Common Stock or the rights thereof or which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or the dissolution or liquidation of the company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

(f) Any discretionary adjustments made pursuant to this Article 11 shall be subject to the provisions of Article 12. To the extent that any adjustments made pursuant to this Article 11 cause Incentive Stock Options to cease to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, such Options shall be deemed to be Non-Qualified Stock Options.

11.4. Approval of Plan by Shareholders. The Plan will be submitted for the approval of the Company’s shareholders at the next annual shareholder’s meeting following the date of the Board’s initial adoption of the Plan. Awards may be granted or awarded prior to such shareholder approval, provided that such Awards shall not be exercisable nor shall such Awards vest prior to the time when the Plan is approved by the shareholders, and provided further that if such approval has not been obtained at the next annual shareholder’s meeting, all Awards previously granted or awarded under the Plan shall thereupon be canceled and become null and void. In addition, if the Board determines that Awards other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights which may be granted to Section 162(m) Participants should continue to be eligible to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, the Performance Criteria must be disclosed to and approved by the Company’s shareholders no later than the first shareholder meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which the Company’s shareholders previously approved the Performance Criteria.

11.5. Tax Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to require payment in cash or deduction from other compensation payable to each Holder of any sums required by federal, state or local tax law to be withheld with respect to the issuance, vesting, exercise or payment of any Award. The Administrator may in its discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement allow such Holder to elect to have the Company withhold shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable under such Award (or allow the return of shares of Common Stock) having a Fair Market Value equal to the sums required to be withheld. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock which may be withheld with respect to the issuance, vesting, exercise or payment of any Award (or which may be repurchased from the Holder of such Award within six months after such shares of Common Stock were acquired by the Holder from the Company) in order to satisfy the Holder’s federal and state income and payroll tax liabilities with respect to the issuance, vesting, exercise or payment of the Award shall be limited to the number of shares which have a Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or repurchase equal to the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax income and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income.

11.6. Restrictions on Awards. This Plan shall be interpreted and construed in a manner consistent with the Company’s status as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”), within the meaning of Sections 856 through 860 of the Code. No Award shall be granted or awarded, and with respect to an Award already granted under the Plan, such Award shall not vest, or be exercisable, distributable or payable:

(a) to the extent such Award could cause the Holder to be in violation of the Ownership Limit; or

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(b) if, in the discretion of the Administrator, such Award could impair the Company’s status as a REIT.

11.7. Loans. To the extent permitted under applicable law, the Committee may, in its discretion, extend one or more loans to Officers or key Employees in connection with the exercise or receipt of an Award granted or awarded under the Plan, or the issuance of Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock awarded under the Plan; provided, however, that no such loan shall be an extension or maintenance of credit, an arrangement for the extension of credit, or a renewal of an extension of credit in the form of a personal loan to or for any Director or executive officer of the Company that is prohibited by Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act or other applicable law. The terms and conditions of any such loan shall be set by the Committee.

11.8. Forfeiture Provisions. Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to Awards under the Plan, the Administrator shall have the right to provide, in the terms of Awards made under the Plan, or to require a Holder to agree by separate written instrument, that (a)(i) any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Holder upon any receipt or exercise of the Award, or upon the receipt or resale of any Common Stock underlying the Award, must be paid to the Company, and (ii) the Award shall terminate and any unexercised portion of the Award (whether or not vested) shall be forfeited, if (b)(i) a Termination of Employment, Termination of Consultancy or Termination of Directorship occurs prior to a specified date, or within a specified time period following receipt or exercise of the Award, or (ii) the Holder at any time, or during a specified time period, engages in any activity in competition with the Company, or which is inimical, contrary or harmful to the interests of the Company, as further defined by the Administrator or (iii) the Holder incurs a Termination of Employment, Termination of Consultancy or Termination of Directorship for cause.

11.9. Effect of Plan Upon Options and Compensation Plans. The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other compensation or incentive plans in effect for the Company or any Subsidiary. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company (a) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for Officers, Employees, Directors or Consultants of the Company or any Subsidiary, or (b) to grant or assume options or other rights or awards otherwise than under the Plan in connection with any proper corporate purpose including but not by way of limitation, the grant or assumption of options in connection with the acquisition by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business, stock or assets of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm or association.

11.10. Compliance with Laws. The Plan, the granting and vesting of Awards under the Plan and the issuance and delivery of shares of Common Stock and the payment of money under the Plan or under Awards granted or awarded hereunder are subject to compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations (including but not limited to state and federal securities law and federal margin requirements) and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Any securities delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such restrictions, and the person acquiring such securities shall, if requested by the Company, provide such assurances and representations to the Company as the Company may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal requirements. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.

11.11. Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of the Plan.

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11.12. Governing Law. The Plan and any agreements hereunder shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the internal laws of the State of Maryland without regard to conflicts of laws thereof.

ARTICLE XII

SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATED TO SECTION 409A OF THE CODE.

12.1. Compliance with Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or in any Award Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that any amount or benefit that would constitute “deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code would otherwise be payable or distributable under the Plan or any Award Agreement by reason of the occurrence of a change in control of the Company, or because of the Holder’s disability, or separation from service, such amount or benefit will not be payable or distributable to the Holder by reason of such circumstance unless (i) the circumstances giving rise to such change of control, disability or separation from service meet the description or definition of “change in control event”, “disability” or “separation from service”, as the case may be, in Section 409A of the Code and applicable proposed or final regulations, or (ii) the payment or distribution of such amount or benefit would be exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code by reason of the short-term deferral exemption or otherwise. This provision does not prohibit the vesting of any Award or the vesting of any right to eventual payment or distribution of any amount or benefit under the Plan or any Award Agreement.

12.2. Amendments in Violation of Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or in any Award Agreement to the contrary, to the extent necessary to avoid the application of Section 409A of the Code, (i) the Committee may not amend an outstanding Option, Stock Appreciation Right or similar Award to extend the time to exercise such Award beyond the later of the 15th day of the third month following the date at which, or December 31 of the calendar year in which, the Award would otherwise have expired if the Award had not been extended, based on the terms of the Award at the original grant date under the Award Agreement (the “Safe Harbor Extension Period”), and (ii) any purported extension of the exercise period of an outstanding Award beyond the Safe Harbor Extension Period shall be deemed to be an amendment to the last day of the Safe Harbor Extension Period and no later.

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