EX-3.2 3 ea163248ex3-2_opal.htm BYLAWS OF OPAL FUELS INC

Exhibit 3.2

 

BY-LAWS

OF

OPAL FUELS INC.

 

(a Delaware corporation)

 

 

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1 Definitions. As used in these By-laws, unless the context otherwise requires, the term:

 

Assistant Secretary” means an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation.

 

Assistant Treasurer” means an Assistant Treasurer of the Corporation.

 

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

 

By-laws” means these By-laws of the Corporation, as amended and restated from time to time.

 

Certificate of Incorporation” means the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended from time to time.

 

Chairman” means the Chairman of the Board.

 

Chief Executive Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation or if there are Co-Chief Executive Officers, the term “Chief Executive Officer” shall mean any Co-Chief Executive Officer.

 

control” (including the terms “controlling” and “controlled”) means, with respect to the relationship between or among two or more persons, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the affairs or management of such subject person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or otherwise.

 

Corporation” means OPAL Fuels Inc.

 

Derivative” is defined in Section 2.2(d)(iii).

 

Directors” means the directors of the Corporation.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor law or statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

 

 

 

final adjudication” is defined in Section 7.3.

 

General Corporation Law” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended.

 

indemnitee” is defined in Section 7.3.

 

law” means any U.S. or non-U.S. federal, state or local law (statutory, common or otherwise), constitution, treaty, convention, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling or other similar requirement enacted, adopted, promulgated or applied by a governmental authority (including any department, court, agency or official, or non-governmental self-regulatory organization, agency or authority and any political subdivision or instrumentality thereof).

 

Lead Independent Director” is defined in Section 3.17.

 

Nominating Stockholder” is defined in Section 3.3(c).

 

Notice of Business” is defined in Section 2.2(c).

 

Notice of Nomination” is defined in Section 3.3(d).

 

Notice Record Date” is defined in Section 2.4(a).

 

Office of the Corporation” means the executive office of the Corporation, anything in Section 131 of the General Corporation Law to the contrary notwithstanding.

 

President” means the President of the Corporation.

 

Proponent” is defined in Section 2.2(d)(i).

 

Public Disclosure” is defined in Section 2.2(i).

 

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Secretary” means the Secretary of the Corporation.

 

Stockholder Associated Person” is defined in Section 2.2(j).

 

Stockholder Business” is defined in Section 2.2(b).

 

Stockholder Information” is defined in Section 2.2(d)(iii).

 

Stockholder Nominees” is defined in Section 3.3(c).

 

Stockholders” means the stockholders of the Corporation.

 

Treasurer” means the Treasurer of the Corporation.

 

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Vice Chairman” means a Vice Chairman of the Board.

 

Vice President” means a Vice President of the Corporation.

 

Voting Commitment” is defined in Section 3.4.

 

Voting Record Date” is defined in Section 2.4(a).

 

undertaking” is defined in Section 7.3.

 

ARTICLE II

STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 2.1 Place of Meetings. Meetings of Stockholders may be held at any place, either within or without the State of Delaware, at such place or solely by means of remote communication or otherwise, as may be designated by the Board from time to time. The Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as provided under the General Corporation Law.

 

Section 2.2 Annual Meetings; Stockholder Proposals.

 

(a) A meeting of Stockholders for the election of Directors and other business shall be held annually on a date and at a time as may be designated by the Board from time to time. The Board may postpone or reschedule any annual meeting of Stockholders previously scheduled by the Board.

 

(b) At an annual meeting of Stockholders, only business (other than business relating to the nomination or election of Directors, which is governed by Section 3.3) that has been properly brought before the Stockholder annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.2 shall be conducted. To be properly brought before an annual meeting of Stockholders, such business must be brought before the meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof or (ii) by a Stockholder who (A) was a Stockholder of record of the Corporation when the notice required by this Section 2.2 is delivered to the Secretary and at the time of the meeting, (B) is entitled to vote at the meeting and (C) complies with the notice and other provisions of this Section 2.2. Subject to Section 2.2(k), and except with respect to nominations or elections of Directors, which are governed by Section 3.3, clause (ii) of this Section 2.2(b) is the exclusive means by which a Stockholder may bring business before an annual meeting of Stockholders; provided that if Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act (or any successor rule) is applicable, a Stockholder may not bring business before any meeting if the Stockholder fails to meet the requirements of such rule. Any business brought before a meeting in accordance with clause (ii) of this Section 2.2(b) is referred to as “Stockholder Business.”

 

(c) Subject to Section 2.2(k), at any annual meeting of Stockholders, all proposals of Stockholder Business must be made by timely written notice given by or on behalf of a Stockholder of record of the Corporation (the “Notice of Business”) and must otherwise be a proper matter for Stockholder action. To be timely, the Notice of Business must be delivered personally or mailed to, and received at, the Office of the Corporation, addressed to the Secretary, by no earlier than 120 days and no later than 90 days before the first anniversary of the date of the prior year’s annual meeting of Stockholders; provided, however, that if (i) the annual meeting of Stockholders is advanced by more than 30 days, or delayed by more than 60 days, from the first anniversary of the prior year’s annual meeting of Stockholders or (ii) no annual meeting was held during the prior year, the notice by the Stockholder to be timely must be received (A) no earlier than 120 days before such annual meeting and (B) no later than the later of 90 days before such annual meeting and the tenth day after the day on which the notice of such annual meeting was made by mail or Public Disclosure. In no event shall an adjournment or postponement, or Public Disclosure of an adjournment or postponement, of a Stockholder annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of the Notice of Business.

 

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(d) The Notice of Business must set forth:

 

(i) the name and record address of each Stockholder proposing Stockholder Business (each, a “Proponent”), as they appear on the Corporation’s books;

 

(ii) the name and address of any Stockholder Associated Person (defined below) of each Proponent;

 

(iii) as to each Proponent and any Stockholder Associated Person of such Proponent, (A) the class or series and number of shares of stock of the Corporation, directly or indirectly, held of record and beneficially by such Proponent or Stockholder Associated Person of such Proponent, (B) the date such shares of stock were acquired, (C) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, direct or indirect, with respect to such Stockholder Business between or among such Proponent, any Stockholder Associated Person of such Proponent or any others (including their names) acting in concert with any of the foregoing, (D) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, hedging transactions, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class of securities and/or borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into, directly or indirectly, as of the date of such Proponent’s notice by, or on behalf of, such Proponent or any Stockholder Associated Person of such Proponent, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of such Proponent or any Stockholder Associated Person of such Proponent with respect to shares of stock of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value or decrease in value of any class or series of stock of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of stock of the Corporation or otherwise (a “Derivative”), (E) a description in reasonable detail of any proxy (including revocable proxies), contract, arrangement, understanding or other relationship pursuant to which such Proponent or Stockholder Associated Person of such Proponent has a right to vote any shares of stock of the Corporation, (F) any rights to dividends on the stock of the Corporation owned beneficially by such Proponent or any Stockholder Associated Person of such Proponent that are separated or separable from the underlying stock of the Corporation, (G) any proportionate interest in stock of the Corporation or Derivatives held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such Proponent or Stockholder Associated Person of such Proponent is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner and (H) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such Proponent or any Stockholder Associated Person of such Proponent is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of stock of the Corporation or Derivatives thereof, if any, as of the date of such notice. The information specified in Section 2.2(d)(i) to Section 2.2(d)(iii) is referred to herein as “Stockholder Information”;

 

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(iv) the Stockholder Information with respect to any stock or other interests of the Corporation held by members of each Proponent’s or its Stockholder Associated Person’s immediate family sharing the same household;

 

(v) a representation to the Corporation that each Proponent is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose the Stockholder Business;

 

(vi) a brief description of the Stockholder Business desired to be brought before the annual meeting of Stockholders, the text of the proposal (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, if such business includes a proposal to amend these By-laws, the language of the proposed amendment) and the reasons for conducting such Stockholder Business at the meeting and any substantial interest (within the meaning of Item 5 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act);

 

(vii) any material interest of each Proponent and any Stockholder Associated Person of such Proponent in the Stockholder Business;

 

(viii) a representation to the Corporation as to whether each Proponent intends (A) to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the Stockholder Business or (B) otherwise to solicit proxies from the Stockholders in support of such Stockholder Business;

 

(ix) all other information that would be required to be filed with the SEC if the Proponents or Stockholder Associated Persons of the Proponents were participants in a solicitation subject to Section 14 of the Exchange Act; and

 

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(x) a representation and covenant for the benefit of the Corporation that the Proponents shall provide any other information reasonably requested by the Corporation.

 

(e) The Proponents shall also provide any other information reasonably requested by the Corporation within ten business days after such request.

 

(f) In addition, the Proponents shall further update and supplement the information provided to the Corporation in the Notice of Business or upon the Corporation’s request pursuant to Section 2.2(e) as needed, so that such information shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is the later of five business days before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Such update and supplement must be delivered personally or mailed to, and received at, the Office of the Corporation, addressed to the Secretary, by no later than five business days after the record date for the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date), and not later than two business days before the date for the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of five business days before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof).

 

(g) The person presiding over the meeting of Stockholders shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting of Stockholders that business was not properly brought before the meeting of Stockholders in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.2, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting of Stockholders and any such business not properly brought before the meeting of Stockholders shall not be transacted.

 

(h) If each Proponent (or a qualified representative of such Proponent) does not appear at the meeting of Stockholders to present the Stockholder Business, such business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 2.2, to be considered a qualified representative of the Stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such Stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such Stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such Stockholder to act for such Stockholder as proxy at the meeting of Stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of such writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of Stockholders.

 

(i) “Public Disclosure” of any date or other information means disclosure thereof by a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Services, Associated Press or comparable U.S. national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

(j) “Stockholder Associated Person” means, with respect to any Stockholder,

 

(i) any other beneficial owner of stock of the Corporation that is owned by such Stockholder and

 

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(ii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Stockholder or such beneficial owner.

 

(k) The notice requirements of this Section 2.2 shall be deemed satisfied with respect to Stockholder proposals that have been properly brought under Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act and that are included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for an annual meeting of Stockholders. Further, nothing in this Section 2.2 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock of the Corporation pursuant to any applicable provision of the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 2.3 Special Meetings. Special meetings of Stockholders may be called only in the manner set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation. Notice of every special meeting of Stockholders shall state the purpose or purposes of such meeting. Except as otherwise required by law, the business conducted at a special meeting of Stockholders shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, and the Board shall have exclusive authority to determine the business included in such notice. The Chairman, a Vice Chairman, the chief executive officer or the Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any special meeting of Stockholders previously called.

 

Section 2.4 Record Date.

 

(a) For the purpose of determining the Stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of Stockholders or any adjournment thereof, unless otherwise required by the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law, the Board may fix a record date (the “Notice Record Date”), which record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board and shall not be more than 60 days or less than ten days before the date of such meeting. The Notice Record Date shall also be the record date for determining the Stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such Notice Record Date, that a later date on or before the date of such meeting shall be the date for making such determination (the “Voting Record Date”). For the purposes of determining the Stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action without a meeting of Stockholders in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law, unless otherwise required by the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board and shall not be more than ten days after the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board. For the purposes of determining the Stockholders entitled to (i) receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, (ii) exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock of the Corporation or (iii) take any other lawful action, unless otherwise required by the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board and shall not be more than 60 days prior to such action.

 

(b) If no such record date is fixed by the Board:

 

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(i) the record date for determining Stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, a meeting of Stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held;

 

(ii) the record date for determining Stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action without a meeting of Stockholders (unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law), when no prior action by the Board is required by applicable law, shall be the first date on which a signed consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with applicable law, and if prior action by the Board is required by applicable law, the record date for determining Stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting of Stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution taking such prior action; and

 

(iii) the record date for determining Stockholders entitled to (i) receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, (ii) exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock of the Corporation or

 

(iv) take any other lawful action, unless otherwise required by the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law, shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolutions relating thereto.

 

(c) When a determination of Stockholders of record entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of Stockholders has been made as provided in this Section 2.4, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof, unless the Board fixes a new Voting Record Date for the adjourned meeting of Stockholders, in which case the Board shall also fix such Voting Record Date or a date earlier than such date as the new Notice Record Date for such adjourned meeting.

 

Section 2.5 Notice of Meetings of Stockholders. Whenever, under the provisions of applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, Stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting of Stockholders, a notice of the meeting in form of a writing or electronic transmission shall be given stating: (a) the place, if any, date and hour of such meeting; (b) the means of remote communication, if any, by which Stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting; (c) the Voting Record Date, if such date is different from the Notice Record Date; and, (d) in the case of a special meeting of Stockholders, the purpose or purposes for which such meeting is called. Unless otherwise provided by these By-laws or applicable law, the notice of any meeting of Stockholders shall be given, not less than ten days nor more than 60 days before the date of such meeting, to each Stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting as of the Notice Record Date. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the U.S. mail, with postage prepaid, and directed to the Stockholder at his, her or its address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Without limiting the manner by which notices of meetings otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any such notice may be given by electronic mail or other electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section 232 of the General Corporation Law. An affidavit of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary or the transfer agent of the Corporation that the notice required by this Section 2.5 has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. If a meeting of Stockholders is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting of Stockholders if the time and place, if any, thereof and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting of Stockholders at which the adjournment is taken. Any business that might have been transacted at the meeting of Stockholders as originally called may be transacted at the adjourned meeting of Stockholders. If, however, the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting of Stockholders shall be given to each Stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. If, after the adjournment, a new Voting Record Date is fixed for the adjourned meeting of Stockholders, the Board shall fix a new Notice Record Date in accordance with Section 2.4 and shall give notice of such adjourned meeting to each Stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting as of the Notice Record Date.

 

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Section 2.6 Waivers of Notice. Whenever the giving of any notice to Stockholders is required to be given by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, a written waiver, signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the event as to which such notice is required, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance by a Stockholder at a meeting of Stockholders shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except when the Stockholder attends such meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of such meeting, to the transaction of any business on the ground that such meeting has not been lawfully called or convened. Any Stockholder so waiving notice of such meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of any such meeting in all respects as if due notice thereof had been given. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purposes of, any regular or special meeting of Stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws.

 

Section 2.7 List of Stockholders. The Corporation shall prepare and make available, at least ten days before every meeting of Stockholders, a complete, alphabetical list of the Stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting of Stockholders (provided, however, that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date), and showing the address of each Stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each Stockholder. The Corporation shall not be required to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list may be examined by any Stockholder or such Stockholder’s agent or attorney, at such Stockholder’s expense, for any purpose germane to the meeting of Stockholders, for a period of at least ten days prior to such meeting, during ordinary business hours at the principal place of business of the Corporation or on a reasonably accessible electronic network as provided by applicable law. If the meeting of Stockholders is to be held at a place, the list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of such meeting during the whole time thereof and may be examined by any Stockholder who is present. If the meeting of Stockholders is held solely by means of remote communication, the list shall also be open for examination as provided by applicable law. Except as provided by applicable law, the stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the Stockholders entitled to examine the list of Stockholders or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of Stockholders.

 

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Section 2.8 Quorum of Stockholders; Adjournment. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, at each meeting of Stockholders, the presence, in person, or represented by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all issued and outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting of Stockholders shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business at such meeting, except that, where a separate vote by a class or series of classes of shares is required, a quorum shall consist of no less than a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of stock of such class or series of classes, as applicable, present in person or represented by proxy. In the absence of a quorum, the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of stock of the Corporation present in person or represented by proxy at any meeting of Stockholders, including an adjourned meeting of Stockholders, and entitled to vote at the meeting may adjourn such meeting to another time and place. Shares of its own stock belonging to the Corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of Directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation to vote stock, including, but not limited to its own stock, held by it in a fiduciary capacity.

 

Section 2.9 Voting; Proxies. Unless otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law and except as specifically provided in Section 5.1(i)(1) of the Certificate of Incorporation, each Stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of Stockholders shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock of the Corporation held by such Stockholder which has voting power upon the matter in question. At any meeting of Stockholders, all matters other than the election of Directors, except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-laws or any applicable law, shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon. At all meetings of Stockholders for the election of Directors, a plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to elect Directors. Each Stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of Stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting of the Corporation may authorize another person or persons to act for such Stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy expressly provides for a longer period. A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only so long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A Stockholder may revoke any proxy that is not irrevocable by attending the meeting of Stockholders and voting in person or by delivering to the Secretary a revocation of the proxy or by delivering a new proxy bearing a later date.

 

Section 2.10 Voting Procedures and Inspectors at Meetings of Stockholders. The Corporation, in advance of any meeting of Stockholders, shall appoint one or more inspectors, who may be employees of the Corporation, to act at such meeting and make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of Stockholders, the person presiding at such meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at such meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall (a) ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, (b) determine the shares represented at the meeting of Stockholders and the validity of proxies and ballots, (c) count all votes and ballots, (d) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors and (e) certify their determination of the number of shares represented at such meeting and their count of all votes and ballots. The inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of their duties. Unless otherwise provided by the Board, the date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the Stockholders will vote at a meeting of Stockholders shall be determined by the person presiding at such meeting and shall be announced at such meeting. No ballot, proxies, votes or any revocation thereof or change thereto shall be accepted by the inspectors after the closing of the polls unless the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, upon application by a Stockholder, shall determine otherwise. In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots cast at any meeting of Stockholders, the inspectors may consider such information as is permitted by applicable law. No person who is a candidate for office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election.

 

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Section 2.11 Conduct of Meetings; Adjournment. The Board may adopt such rules and procedures for the conduct of Stockholder meetings as it deems appropriate. At each meeting of Stockholders, the Chairman or, in the absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman or a designee appointed by the Chairman shall preside over each such meeting. Except to the extent inconsistent with the rules and procedures as adopted by the Board, the person presiding over the meeting of Stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene, adjourn and reconvene such meeting from time to time to prescribe such additional rules and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such person, are appropriate for the proper conduct of such meeting. Such rules and procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the person presiding over the meeting of Stockholders, may include (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for such meeting, (b) rules and procedures for maintaining order at such meeting and the safety of those present, (c) limitations on attendance at or participation in such meeting to Stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the person presiding over such meeting shall determine,

 

(a) restrictions on entry to such meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof and

 

(b) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. The person presiding over any meeting of Stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of such meeting, may determine and declare to the meeting of Stockholders that a matter or business was not properly brought before such meeting and if such presiding person should so determine, he or she shall so declare to such meeting and any such matter or business not properly brought before such meeting shall not be transacted or considered. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the person presiding over the meeting of Stockholders, meetings of Stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure. The Secretary or, in the absence of the Secretary, one of the Assistant Secretaries or a designee appointed by the Chairman shall act as secretary of the meeting of Stockholders. To the extent permitted by applicable law, meetings of Stockholders may be conducted by remote communications, including by webcast.

 

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Section 2.12 Order of Business. The order of business at all meetings of Stockholders shall be as determined by the person presiding over the meeting of Stockholders.

 

Section 2.13 Consent of Stockholders Without a Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By-laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of Stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents, setting forth the action to be so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting of Stockholders at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law. A consent must be set forth in writing or in an electronic transmission, and no consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take action are delivered to the Corporation in the manner required by Section 228 of the General Corporation Law within 60 days of the first date on which a consent is so delivered to the Corporation. Any person executing a consent may provide, whether through instruction to an agent or otherwise, that such a consent will be effective at a future time (including a time determined upon the happening of an event), no later than 60 days after such instruction is given or such provision is made, if evidence of such instruction or provision is provided to the Corporation. Unless otherwise provided, any such consent shall be revocable prior to its becoming effective. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting of Stockholders by less than unanimous consent shall be given to those Stockholders who have not consented and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting of Stockholders, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting of Stockholders if the record date for such meeting had been the date that consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take the action were delivered to the Corporation as provided in Section 228 of the General Corporation Law.

 

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

 

Section 3.1 General Powers. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or the General Corporation Law, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. The Board may adopt such rules and procedures, not inconsistent with the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-laws or applicable law, as it may deem proper for the conduct of its meetings and the management of the Corporation.

 

Section 3.2 Number of Directors; Term of Office. Except as otherwise provided for in the Certificate of Incorporation or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.2 of the Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional Directors, the total number of Directors constituting the entire Board shall, (a) as of the date of the Certificate of Incorporation, initially be seven and (b) thereafter, shall be fixed exclusively by one or more resolutions adopted from time to time by the Board. Directors shall be elected by the stockholders at their annual meeting, and each director so elected shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, subject to such director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal. The Board of Directors shall elect from its ranks a Chairman of the Board of Directors, who shall have the powers and perform such duties as provided in these Bylaws and as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

 

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Section 3.3 Nominations of Directors.

 

(a) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.3, each Director shall serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, disqualification, or removal. No decrease in the authorized number of Directors constituting the Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent Director.

 

(b) Subject to Section 3.3(k), only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.3 are eligible for election as Directors.

 

(c) Nominations of persons for election to the Board may only be made at a meeting of Stockholders properly called for the election of Directors and only (i) by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof or (ii) by a Stockholder who (A) was a Stockholder of record of the Corporation when the notice required by this Section 3.3 is delivered to the Secretary and at the time of such meeting, (B) is entitled to vote for the election of Directors at such meeting and (C) complies with the notice and other provisions of this Section 3.3. Subject to Section 3.3(k), clause (ii) of this Section 3.3(c) is the exclusive means by which a Stockholder may nominate a person for election to the Board. Persons nominated in accordance with clause (ii) of this Section 3.3(c) are referred to as “Stockholder Nominees.” A Stockholder nominating persons for election to the Board is referred to as the “Nominating Stockholder.”

 

(d) Subject to Section 3.3(k), all nominations of Stockholder Nominees must be made by timely written notice given by or on behalf of a Stockholder of record of the Corporation (the “Notice of Nomination”). To be timely, the Notice of Nomination must be delivered personally or mailed to, and received at, the Office of the Corporation, addressed to the attention of the Secretary, by the following dates:

 

(i) in the case of the nomination of a Stockholder Nominee for election to the Board at an annual meeting of Stockholders, no earlier than 120 days and no later than 90 days before the first anniversary of the date of the prior year’s annual meeting of Stockholders; provided, however, that if (A) the annual meeting of Stockholders is advanced by more than 30 days, or delayed by more than 60 days, from the first anniversary of the prior year’s annual meeting of Stockholders or (B) no annual meeting of Stockholders was held during the prior year, the notice by the Stockholder to be timely must be received (1) no earlier than 120 days before such annual meeting and (2) no later than the later of 90 days before such annual meeting and the tenth day after the day on which the notice of such annual meeting was made by mail or Public Disclosure; and

 

(ii) in the case of the nomination of a Stockholder Nominee for election to the Board at a special meeting of Stockholders, no earlier than 120 days before and no later than the later of 90 days before such special meeting and the tenth day after the day on which the notice of such special meeting was made by mail or Public Disclosure.

 

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(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if the number of Directors to be elected to the Board at a meeting of Stockholders is increased and there is no Public Disclosure by the Corporation naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least 100 days before the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting of Stockholders, a Notice of Nomination shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it shall be delivered personally and received at the Office of the Corporation, addressed to the attention of the Secretary, no later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such Public Disclosure is first made by the Corporation.

 

(f) In no event shall an adjournment or postponement, or Public Disclosure of an adjournment or postponement, of an annual or special meeting of Stockholders commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of the Notice of Nomination.

 

(g) The Notice of Nomination shall set forth:

 

(i) the Stockholder Information with respect to each Nominating Stockholder and Stockholder Associated Person of such Nominating Stockholder;

 

(ii) a representation to the Corporation that each Nominating Stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting of Stockholders and intends to appear in person or by proxy at such meeting to propose such nomination;

 

(iii) all information regarding each Stockholder Nominee and Stockholder Associated Person of the Nominating Stockholder nominating such Stockholder Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in a solicitation of proxies subject to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, the written consent of such Stockholder Nominee to being named in a proxy statement as a nominee and to serve if elected and a completed signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 3.4;

 

(iv) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among a Nominating Stockholder, Stockholder Associated Person of such Nominating Stockholder or their respective associates, or others acting in concert therewith, including all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S- K if such Nominating Stockholder, Stockholder Associated Person of such Nominating Stockholder or any person acting in concert therewith were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the Stockholder Nominee nominated by such Stockholder Nominee were a director or executive of such registrant;

 

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(v) the Stockholder Information with respect to any stock or other interests of the Corporation held by members of the Nominating Stockholder’s or its Stockholder Associated Person’s immediate family sharing the same household;

 

(vi) a representation to the Corporation as to whether each Nominating Stockholder intends (A) to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve the nomination of such Nominating Stockholder’s Stockholder Nominees or (B) otherwise to solicit proxies from Stockholders in support of such nomination;

 

(vii) all other information that would be required to be filed with the SEC if each Nominating Stockholder and Stockholder Associated Persons of such Nominating Stockholder were participants in a solicitation subject to Section 14 of the Exchange Act; and

 

(viii) a representation and covenant for the benefit of the Corporation that each Nominating Stockholder shall provide any other information reasonably requested by the Corporation.

 

(h) The Nominating Stockholders shall also provide any other information reasonably requested by the Corporation within ten business days after such request.

 

(i) In addition, the Nominating Stockholders shall further update and supplement the information provided to the Corporation in the Notice of Nomination or upon the Corporation’s request pursuant to Section 3.3(g) as needed, so that such information shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting of Stockholders and as of the date that is five business days before such meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Such update and supplement must be delivered personally or mailed to, and received at, the Office of the Corporation, addressed to the Secretary, by no later than five business days after the record date for the meeting of Stockholders (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date), and not later than two business days before the date for such meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of five business days before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof).

 

(i) The person presiding over the meeting of Stockholders shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to such meeting, that the nomination of Directors was not made in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.3, and, if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to such meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

 

(j) If a Nominating Stockholder (or a qualified representative of such Stockholder) does not appear at the applicable Stockholder meeting to nominate its Stockholder Nominees, such nomination shall be disregarded and such business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 3.3, to be considered a qualified representative of the Stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such Stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such Stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such Stockholder to act for such Stockholder as proxy at the meeting of Stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of Stockholders.

 

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(k) Nothing in this Section 3.3 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock of the Corporation pursuant to any applicable provision of the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 3.4 Nominee and Director Qualifications. Unless the Board determines otherwise, to be eligible to be a nominee for election or reelection as a Director, a person must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice by the Board) to the Secretary at the Office of the Corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such person and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request) and a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that such person (a) is not and will not become a party to (i) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person will act or vote as a Director on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation or (ii) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply with such person’s fiduciary duties as a Director under applicable law, (b) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a Director that has not been disclosed therein and (c) in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, and will comply, with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading and other policies and guidelines of the Corporation that are applicable to Directors.

 

Section 3.5 Resignation. Any Director may resign at any time by notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice or at such later time as is therein specified, and, unless otherwise specified in such resignation, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. If no such specification is made, the resignation shall be deemed effective at the time of delivery of the resignation to the Corporation. When one or more Directors shall resign from the Board, effective at a future date, a majority of the Directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each Director so chosen shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the Director whose place shall be vacated and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

 

Section 3.6 Compensation. Each Director, in consideration of his or her service as such, shall be entitled to receive from the Corporation such amount per annum or such fees (payable in cash or equity) for attendance at Directors’ meetings, or both, as the Board may from time to time determine, together with reimbursement for the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, if any, incurred by such Director in connection with the performance of his or her duties. Each Director who shall serve as a member of any committee of Directors in consideration of serving as such shall be entitled to such additional amount per annum or such fees for attendance at committee meetings, or both, as the Board may from time to time determine, together with reimbursement for the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, if any, incurred by such Director in the performance of his or her duties. Nothing contained in this Section 3.5 shall preclude any Director from serving the Corporation or its subsidiaries in any other capacity and receiving proper compensation therefor.

 

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Section 3.7 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such times and at such places within or without the State of Delaware as may be determined from time to time by the Board or its Chairman.

 

Section 3.8 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be held at such times and at such places within or without the State of Delaware as may be determined by the Chairman or the Vice Chairman on at least 24 hours’ notice to each Director given by one of the means specified in Section 3.11 other than by mail or on at least three days’ notice if given by mail.

 

Section 3.9 Telephone Meetings. Board or Board committee meetings may be held by means of telephone conference or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in such meeting can hear each other. Participation by a Director in a Board or Board committee meeting pursuant to this Section 3.9 shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

Section 3.10 Adjourned Meetings. A majority of the Directors present at any meeting of the Board, including an adjourned meeting of the Board, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn and reconvene such meeting to another time and place. At least 24 hours’ notice of any adjourned meeting of the Board shall be given to each Director whether or not present at the time of the adjournment, if such notice shall be given by one of the means specified in Section 3.11 other than by mail or at least three days’ notice if by mail. Any business may be transacted at an adjourned meeting of the Board that might have been transacted at the meeting of the Board as originally called.

 

Section 3.11 Notice Procedure. Subject to Section 3.8 and in Section 3.12, whenever notice is required to be given to any Director by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, such notice shall be deemed given effectively if given in person or by telephone, mail or electronic mail addressed to such Director at such Director’s address or email address, as applicable, as it appears on the records of the Corporation, facsimile or by other means of electronic transmission.

 

Section 3.12 Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required to be given to Directors by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, a written waiver, signed by the Director entitled to the notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the Director entitled to notice, whether before or after such notice is required, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance by a Director at a meeting of the Board shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except when the Director attends a meeting of the Board for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of such meeting, to the transaction of any business on the ground that such meeting was not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special Board or Board committee meeting need be specified in any waiver of notice.

 

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Section 3.13 Organization. At each meeting of the Board, the Chairman, or in the absence of the Chairman, a Vice Chairman, or if a Vice Chairman has not been appointed or is absent, a Director or Officer appointed by the Chairman, shall preside. The Secretary shall act as secretary at each meeting of the Board. If the Secretary is absent from any meeting of the Board, an Assistant Secretary shall perform the duties of secretary at such meeting, and in the absence from any such meeting of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the person presiding at such meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of such meeting.

 

Section 3.14 Quorum of Directors. The presence in person of a majority of the total number of Directors of the Board shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board.

 

Section 3.15 Voting. Except as otherwise expressly required by these By-laws or the Certificate of Incorporation, the vote of a majority of the Directors present at a meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board; provided that to the extent one or more Directors recuses himself or herself from an act, the act of a majority of the remaining Directors present at such meeting shall be the act of the Board.

 

Section 3.16 Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by these By-laws or the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting of the Board or the committee, if all Directors or members of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and, after an action is taken, the consent or consents relating thereto shall be filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee thereof, in the same paper or electronic form as the minutes are maintained.

 

Section 3.17 Chairman, Vice Chairman and Lead Independent Director. The Board of Directors may appoint from its members a Chairman. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, from time to time appoint one or more Vice Chairman, each of whom in such capacity shall report directly to the Chairperson. The Chairman, if appointed and when present, shall preside at all meetings of Stockholders and the Board. The Chairman shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board shall designate from time to time. The Chairman, or if the Chairman is not an independent director, one of the independent directors, may be designated by the Board as lead independent director to serve as such until replaced by the Board (“Lead Independent Director”). The Lead Independent Director will perform such other duties as may be established or delegated by the Board.

 

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

 

Section 4.1 Committees of the Board. The Board may, by resolution, designate one or more committees of the Board, including, without limitation, an audit committee, a compensation committee, an investment committee and an executive committee, and each such committee shall consist of one or more of the Directors of the Corporation. The Board may, by resolution, adopt (a) an overall governance policy, which may include a delegation of authority from the Board to any such committee and/or any officer of the Corporation, and/or (b) a charter for any such committee. The Board may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any committee of the Board, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. If a member of a committee of the Board shall be absent from any meeting of such committee, or disqualified from voting thereat, the remaining member or members present at such meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may, by a unanimous vote, appoint another member of the Board to act at such meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee of the Board, to the extent permitted by applicable law, and to the extent provided by resolution of the Board designating such committee, in an overall governance policy and/or the charter for such committee, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it to the extent so authorized by the Board. The Board may remove any Director from any committee of the Board at any time, with or without cause. Unless the Board provides otherwise, at all meetings of a committee of the Board, a majority of the then authorized members of such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the vote of a majority of the members of such committee present at any meeting of such committee at which there is a quorum shall be the act of such committee. Each committee of the Board shall keep regular minutes of its meetings. Unless the Board provides otherwise, each committee of the Board designated by the Board may make, alter and repeal rules and procedures for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules and procedures, each committee of the Board shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board conducts its business pursuant to ARTICLE III.

 

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ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

 

Section 5.1 Positions; Election. The Board may from time to time elect officers of the Corporation, which may include a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Chief Financial Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer and any other officers as it may deem proper. The Board may delegate to any elected officer of the Corporation the power to appoint and remove any such officers and to prescribe their respective terms of office, authorities and duties. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Should the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries enter into any management services or similar agreement with another entity (each as may be amended, supplemented, restated or replaced from time to time), the officers of the Corporation may be the officers or employees of such entity to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

Section 5.2 Term of Office. Each officer of the Corporation shall hold office for such term as may be determined by the Board or, except with respect to his or her own office, the Chief Executive Officer, or until such officer’s successor is elected and qualified or until such officer’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice or at such later time as is therein specified, and, unless otherwise specified, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. The resignation of an officer of the Corporation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights of the Corporation, if any. Any officer of the Corporation may be removed at any time with or without cause by the Board or, in the case of appointed officers of the Corporation, by any elected officer of the Corporation upon whom such power of removal shall have been conferred by the Board. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board or, in the case of appointed officers of the Corporation, by any elected officer of the Corporation upon whom such power of appointment shall have been conferred by the Board. The election or appointment of an officer of the Corporation shall not of itself create contract rights.

 

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Section 5.3 Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have general supervision over, and direction of, the business and affairs of the Corporation, subject, however, to the control of the Board and of any duly authorized committee of the Board. The Chief Executive Officer may sign and execute in the name of the Corporation deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts and other instruments, except in cases in which the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by resolution of the Board or by these By-laws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation, or shall be required by applicable law otherwise to be signed or executed and, in general, the Chief Executive Officer shall perform all duties incident to the office of chief executive officer of a corporation and such other duties as may be determined from time to time by the Board. The Board may appoint Co-Chief Executive Officers who shall share the powers, rights and obligations set forth herein or otherwise determined by the Board.

 

Section 5.4 President. The President shall have duties incident to the office of president of a corporation and any other duties as may from time to time be assigned to the President by the Chief Executive Officer (if the President and Chief Executive Officer are not the same person) or the Board and subject to the control of the Chief Executive Officer (if the President and Chief Executive Officer are not the same person) and the Board in each case. The President may sign and execute in the name of the Corporation deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts and other instruments, except in cases in which the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board or by these By-laws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation, or shall be required by applicable law otherwise to be signed or executed.

 

Section 5.5 Vice Presidents. Each Vice President (including Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents) shall have the duties incident to the office of vice president of a corporation and any other duties that may from time to time be assigned to such Vice President by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board. Any Vice President may sign and execute in the name of the Corporation deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments, except in cases in which the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board or by these By-laws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation, or shall be required by applicable law otherwise to be signed or executed.

 

Section 5.6 Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the Corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the Corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive officer is then serving, the President. The Chief Financial Officer, subject to the order of the Board, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the Corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office of chief financial officer of a corporation and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, the President shall designate from time to time. To the extent that the Chief Financial Officer has been appointed and the Treasurer has not been appointed, all references in these By-laws to the Treasurer shall be deemed references to the Chief Financial Officer. The President may direct the Treasurer, if any, or any Assistant Treasurer, or the controller or any assistant controller, to assume and perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, and each of the Treasurer and any Assistant Treasurer, and each controller and assistant controller, shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office of chief financial officer of a corporation and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, the President shall designate from time to time.

 

 

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Section 5.7 Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board and of the Stockholders, record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Board and of the Stockholders in a book to be kept for that purpose and perform like duties for committees of the Board, when required. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all special meetings of the Board and of the Stockholders and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President. The Secretary shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary shall have authority to affix the same on any instrument that may require it, and when so affixed, the seal may be attested by the signature of the Secretary or such Assistant Secretary. The Board may give general authority to any other officer of the Corporation to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the same by such officer’s signature. The Secretary or an Assistant Secretary may also attest all instruments signed by the Chairman, the Vice Chairman the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President. The Secretary shall have charge of all the books, records and papers of the Corporation relating to its organization and management, see that the reports, statements and other documents required by applicable law are properly kept and filed and, in general, perform all duties incident to the office of secretary of a corporation and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to the Secretary by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

 

Section 5.8 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all funds, securities and notes of the Corporation, receive and give receipts for moneys due and payable to the Corporation from any sources whatsoever, deposit all such moneys and valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositaries as may be designated by the Board, against proper vouchers, cause such funds to be disbursed by checks or drafts on the authorized depositaries of the Corporation signed in such manner as shall be determined by the Board and be responsible for the accuracy of the amounts of all moneys so disbursed, regularly enter or cause to be entered in books or other records maintained for the purpose full and adequate account of all moneys received or paid for the account of the Corporation, have the right to require from time to time reports or statements giving such information as the Treasurer may desire with respect to any and all financial transactions of the Corporation from the officers or agents of the Corporation transacting the same, render to the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board, whenever the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board shall require the Treasurer so to do, an account of the financial condition of the Corporation and of all financial transactions of the Corporation, disburse the funds of the Corporation as ordered by the Board and, in general, perform all duties incident to the office of treasurer of a corporation and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to the Treasurer by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

 

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Section 5.9 Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers. Each Assistant Secretary and each Assistant Treasurer shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to it by the Secretary or the Treasurer, respectively, or by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

 

ARTICLE VI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 6.1 Certificates Representing Shares. The shares of stock of the Corporation may be represented by certificates or be uncertificated shares evidenced by a book-entry system maintained by the registrar of such stock, or a combination of both. If shares of stock of the Corporation are represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in the form approved by the Board. The certificates representing shares of stock of the Corporation shall be signed by, or in the name of, the Corporation by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer and by the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer. Any or all such signatures may be facsimiles. Although any officer, transfer agent or registrar of the Corporation whose manual or facsimile signature is affixed to such a certificate ceases to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate has been issued, it may nevertheless be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such officer, transfer agent or registrar were still such at the date of its issue.

 

Section 6.2 Transfer and Registry Agents. The Corporation may from time to time maintain one or more transfer offices or agents and registry offices or agents at such place or places as may be determined from time to time by the Board.

 

Section 6.3 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the allegedly lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or his, her or its legal representative to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

 

Section 6.4 Form of Records. Any records maintained by the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account and minute books, may be maintained on any information storage device or method; provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time. The Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect such records pursuant to applicable law.

 

Section 6.5 Seal. The corporate seal shall have the name of the Corporation inscribed thereon and shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Board. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or otherwise reproduced.

 

Section 6.6 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on December 31 of each year unless otherwise determined by the Board.

 

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Section 6.7 Amendments. These By-laws may be adopted, altered, amended or repealed in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and the General Corporation Law.

 

Section 6.8 Conflict with Applicable Law or Certificate of Incorporation. These By-laws are adopted subject to any applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation. Whenever these By-laws may conflict with any applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, such conflict shall be resolved in favor of such law or the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 7.1 Directors and Executive Officers. The Corporation shall indemnify its Directors and executive officers (for the purposes of this ARTICLE VII, “executive officers” shall have the meaning defined in Rule 3b-7 promulgated under the Exchange Act) to the extent not prohibited by the General Corporation Law or any other applicable law; provided, however, that the Corporation may modify the extent of such indemnification by individual contracts with its Directors and executive officers; provided, further, that the Corporation shall not be required to indemnify any Director or executive officer in connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless (a) such indemnification is expressly required to be made by applicable law, (b) the proceeding was authorized by the Board, (c) such indemnification is provided by the Corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Corporation under the General Corporation Law or any other applicable law or (d) such indemnification is required to be made under Section 7.4.

 

Section 7.2 Other Officers, Employees and Other Agents. The Corporation shall have the power to indemnify its officers (other than executive officers who shall be indemnified pursuant to Section 7.1), employees and other agents as set forth in the General Corporation Law or any other applicable law. The Board shall have the power to delegate the determination of whether indemnification shall be given to any such person (except executive officers) to such officers of the Corporation or other persons as the Board shall determine.

 

Section 7.3 Expenses. The Corporation shall advance to any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a Director or executive officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or executive officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (each, an “indemnitee”) prior to the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding, promptly following request therefor, all expenses incurred by any indemnitee in connection with such action, suit or proceeding; provided, however, that if the General Corporation Law requires an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or executive officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 7.3 or otherwise.

 

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Section 7.4 Enforcement. Without the necessity of entering into an express contract, all rights to indemnification and advances to indemnitees under these By-laws shall be deemed to be contractual rights and be effective to the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the Corporation and such indemnitee. Any right to indemnification or advances granted by this ARTICLE VII to an indemnitee shall be enforceable by or on behalf of the person holding such right in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware if (a) the claim for indemnification or advances is denied, in whole or in part, or (b) no disposition of such claim is made within 90 days of request therefor. To the extent permitted by law, the claimant in such enforcement action, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting the claim. In connection with any claim for indemnification, the Corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under the General Corporation Law or any other applicable law for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. In connection with any claim by an executive officer of the Corporation (except in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such executive officer is or was a Director of the Corporation) for advances, the Corporation shall be entitled to raise a defense as to any such action clear and convincing evidence that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, or with respect to any criminal action or proceeding that such person acted without reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was lawful. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the General Corporation Law or any other applicable law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct. In any suit brought by an indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this ARTICLE VII or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

 

Section 7.5 Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by these By-laws shall not be exclusive of any other right which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any applicable statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office. The Corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its Directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the General Corporation Law or by any other applicable law.

 

Section 7.6 Survival of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by these By-laws shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or other agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

Section 7.7 Insurance. To the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law or any other applicable law, the Corporation, upon approval by the Board, may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be indemnified pursuant to this ARTICLE VII.

 

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Section 7.8 Amendments. Any amendment, repeal or modification of this ARTICLE VII shall only be prospective only and shall not affect the rights under these By-laws in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission that is the cause of any proceeding against any agent of the Corporation.

 

Section 7.9 Saving Clause. If these By-laws or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each indemnitee to the full extent not prohibited by any applicable portion of this ARTICLE VII that shall not have been invalidated, or by any other applicable law. If this ARTICLE VII shall be invalid due to the application of the indemnification provisions of another jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall indemnify each indemnitee to the full extent under any other applicable law.

 

Section 7.10 Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this ARTICLE VII, the following definitions shall apply:

 

(a) the term “proceeding” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution, defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative;

 

(b) the term “expenses” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, court costs, attorneys’ fees, witness fees, fines, amounts paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses of any nature or kind incurred in connection with any proceeding;

 

(c) the term the “Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting Corporation, any constituent Corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this ARTICLE VII with respect to the resulting or surviving Corporation as he or she would have with respect to such constituent Corporation if its separate existence had continued;

 

(d) references to a “Director,” “executive officer,” “officer,” “employee,” or “agent” of the Corporation shall include, without limitation, situations where such person is serving at the request of the Corporation as, respectively, a director, executive officer, officer, employee, trustee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise; and

 

(e) (i) references to (A) “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans, (B) “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan and (C) “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such Director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries and (ii) a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this ARTICLE VII.

 

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